Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Cajundome 444 Cajundome Blvd Lafayette, LA 70506
Year Opened: 1985
Capacity: 12,362
A Dome To Hold All The Ragin' Cajuns
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the second largest university by enrollment in the state of Louisiana, with over 19,000 students. It opened in 1898 and has gone through several name changes, with its present name in place since 1999. The university is the largest in the University of Louisiana system. Therefore, the athletic teams are called the “Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns play their basketball games at the Cajundome, which is a couple of miles west of the core of the campus. Louisiana has won seven conference regular season titles and eight conference tournament championships since becoming a Division One program in 1972. Their last NCAA tournament appearance was in 2023, after they won the Sun Belt Tournament.
Food & Beverage 3
There are a couple of concession stands open, including the “Salty Cajun Catina” that sells popcorn ($6), fries ($6), nachos ($8), candy ($3.75), pickles ($2), pretzels ($5), mozzarella sticks ($8), churros ($5), and hot dogs ($5). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with sodas ($5), bottled water ($4.75), and Powerade ($5) on offer. The “Crispy Cajun Grille” sells the same snacks and hot dogs but sells burgers ($8) and chicken tenders ($10).
Finally, the “Beverage Express” stand has alcoholic beverages with wine ($10.25), 24 oz ($12) and 32 oz ($16) draft beers, and various cocktails ($5-$14) for sale.
Atmosphere 3
The Cajundome is shaped like a dome, not unlike the Superdome in New Orleans. The lobby has a “Welcome to the Cajundome” sign with pictures of historic Ragin’ Cajun basketball moments on both sides. On the left side of the lobby is a walkway with banners commemorating former Ragin’ Cajun basketball players. On the right side, the “Ragin’ Cajuns in the Pros” display shows the Ragin Cajuns that have played professionally.
Walking through the doors takes you to the concourse, where the walls have a timeline of the history of Ragin’ Cajun basketball. Stairs take you to the seating bowl, where you see an arena that is much bigger than the Ragin’ Cajuns need. The left side has a banner commemorating the university’s status as a “R1 Top-Tier Research University”. A four-sided scoreboard and videoboard hang over center court, while the right side of the arena has banners honoring the successes of the Ragin’ Cajuns basketball program over the years.
All of the seats in the Cajundome are black chairbacks. The right side has the “First Horizon Bank Courtside Club” stocked with finger foods and televisions. The Center Court has the Ragin’ Cajuns logo, and an outline of the state of Louisiana shaded.
The players come out to the court for the final shootaround with smoke machines going off. During the introduction video, a disco ball is activated, and the lights turn red during the starting lineups. Most games will have cheerleaders, but the game I attended did not as it was during football season.
Neighborhood 3
The Cajundome is located a couple of miles west of the core of the campus. The other athletic facilities, including Cajun Field, are near the Cajundome.
Downtown Lafayette is two miles East of the Cajundome and includes attractions such as the Lafayette Science Museum, the Acadiana Center for the Arts, and The Lafayette Museum. Dining options include the Spoonbill Watering Hole and Restaurant for seafood, Sarrica’s Italian Pizza, and Pat’s Downtown for Cajun cuisine. There is a Hilton Garden Inn near the Cajundome, while The Juliet Hotel is located downtown.
Fans 3
The fans seem to be knowledgeable about the Ragin’ Cajuns basketball team. They have a great time attending games and participating in the various fan activities on the video board during breaks in the action.
Access 3
From I-10 Westbound, turn off Exit 100 and onto Highway 167 before making a left on Highway 90. Make a right turn on Cajundome Boulevard, and the Cajundome will be on the left. There is free parking across the street at Cajun Field. Getting to the venue is pretty straightforward, but the arena is a little tricky as there is a lobby and a separate concourse to navigate before entering the seating bowl. Assume you are entering a large arena, not a small college gym, and you should be fine.
Return on Investment 4
Seats in the north corners go for $10, while sideline seats are $25. Parking is free, and concessions are affordable, so it’s possible to have a great night at the Cajundome for $20.
Extras 3
The Cajundome hosted the Sun Belt Conference basketball tournament three times, last doing so in 2007.
The Table Room is a pregame space for events at the Cajundome with bar service that opened in January 2020.
Final Thoughts
The Ragin’ Cajuns have made the Cajundome their home over the years. It may not be filled to the brim every game, but the fans have a great time. A night at the Cajundome is fun and will not break the bank.
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