📍 Atlanta, Georgia
🏀 Home of Georgia State Panthers basketball
As one of Division I’s newer basketball venues, the GSU Convocation Center sits within view of downtown Atlanta in the neighborhood of Summerhill and is home to the Georgia State Panthers men’s and women’s basketball teams. The sleek new arena first opened in 2022, ushering in a new era for both the university and its student-athletes.
For nearly 50 years, the Panthers played at GSU Sports Arena on the downtown campus of Georgia State. This dated venue became the solo home of the school’s volleyball program when men’s and women’s basketball departed in 2022. With the construction of the Convocation Center – along with their remodel of nearby Center Parc Stadium – Georgia State is continuing to take over the old Turner Field area and revitalize the surrounding neighborhoods.
The architecture of the venue is modern and sophisticated, a stark contrast from that of the half-century old single-family homes that line the streets nearby. Sunlight reflects off the shiny metal face of the building, while huge bay windows on the north side of the arena let in plenty of natural light by day and offer a view of the twinkling downtown skyline by night.
The Panthers have won their conference tournament and subsequently participated in March Madness a half dozen times, with most of their appearances coming in recent years. Led by legendary coach Lefty Dreisell, GSU capped the 2000-01 season with their first-ever NCAA Tournament win – upsetting #6 Wisconsin by a single point – although they would fall in their very next game to Dreisell’s former team, #3 Maryland. The Round of 32 is a part of the bracket that the squad hasn’t yet escaped, also succumbing to their second round opponent – #6 Xavier – in 2015.
With some success coming their way as of late, the Panthers are prepared for a bright future at the Convocation Center. The venue holds 7,500 – much too spacious for basketball at present – allowing the team plenty of room to grow. GSU’s largest crowd, which came during the facility’s inaugural game, saw only a little more than 60% of potential game-goers turn out. Commencements and concerts are also held at the arena, for which capacity can be expanded to 8,000.
Info Invasion
Must Eat: Try the pepperoni and sausage pizza, it’s really good!
Parking: Free parking in some nearby surface lots, plus a giant deck next door
Nearby Venue(s): Center Parc Stadium, State Farm Arena
In the Area: Tour the Georgia State Capitol
Stadium51 