Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
Provident Credit Union Event Center 290 S 7th St San Jose, CA 95192
Year Opened: 1989
Capacity: 5,000
A Sparsely-Attended Spartan Sunday
Minutes from downtown San José, CA, Provident Credit Union Event Center is the home of the San José State University Spartans, members of the Mountain West Conference. Opened in 1989 as the Recreation and Event Center, Provident Credit Union became the venue’s naming rights sponsor in 2019 for $8.1 million over 20 years.
In addition to men’s and women’s basketball, the arena hosts the Spartan women’s volleyball and gymnastics teams. Capacity is 5,000 for sporting events and 6,000 for concerts, but the Event Center has the feel of a much larger venue due to its high ceiling and gradually sloping seating on three sides, with one of the baselines curtained off below the massive video board. The university really leans into its Silicon Valley location with its unique court design, boasting the Spartan logo enveloped by a computer “circuit board.”
Provident Credit Union Event Center Circuit Board Center Court, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
Established in 1857 and the oldest public university among the three West Coast states, SJSU is primarily a commuter school with more than 27,000 undergraduates and 5,400 graduate students enrolled as of fall 2024.
Spartan men’s basketball has enjoyed minimal success with just three NCAA Tournament appearances (the last in 1996, with a 13-16 overall record) and is still seeking its first Big Dance victory. Twelve former Spartans have played in the NBA; Darnell Hillman is perhaps their most accomplished pro with 7,339 career points and the 1977 NBA Slam Dunk Contest title after being drafted eighth overall in 1971.
Food & Beverage 2
Directly across from the main (west) entrance is one of two concession stands open on the day of my visit in November 2024. With a sign reading “Fan Fare” that looks like it dates to the arena’s 1989 opening, hot food options are limited to a few standard stadium offerings: Hot dogs, brats, nachos, and giant pretzels, all priced between $7-$8. The meager menu is rounded out by popcorn, chips, cookies, candy, sodas ($4-$6) and a decent selection of beer, wine and seltzers. Those alcoholic beverages will set you back $13-$15 apiece.
A second, smaller temporary concession stand is set up in the wide area between the court and east baseline seating, with a similar menu. This stand is definitely more convenient for grabbing a quick in-game bite, as you won’t miss any action and get to avoid the trek back up to the concourse.
Both concession areas are card-only, cashless establishments.
Atmosphere 2
Located on SJSU’s main campus mall at 7th and San Carlos Streets, the Event Center takes advantage of this prime real estate with a video board advertising upcoming events. That marketing didn’t translate into butts-in-seats for my Sunday matinee, with only 1,817 fans in attendance. There is no dedicated student section; most of the college-aged fans appear to be other Spartan athletes.
Sideline seating on the north side, across from the benches, is assigned and costs $35 per ticket. This side faces the court logo, with the TV cameras positioned atop the stands. The opposite side, priced at $15-$20 with most seats general admission, is definitely the better value. Ushers do not appear to check tickets on either side.
On the day of my visit, exactly zero fans were seated in the aforementioned east end zone, which is set very far back from the court. This seems like a missed opportunity to create atmosphere. If I were running SJSU’s in-game experience, I’d erect temporary stands behind this basket (which is also closest to the opposing bench) and invite students to go wild.
Behind the opposite baseline, where there is just a concrete slab and no fixed seating, is the Hardwood Lounge which appears to be a benefit extended to SJSU season ticket holders. There is a buffet, some hi-top standing tables and some press row-like seating just behind the basket. Above the lounge is one of the largest video boards I’ve ever seen, extending the length of the baseline, which Wikipedia tells me is 49 feet! That said, it appears under-utilized to get the crowd hyped. The giant HD display primarily displays sponsor ads and live stats.
Provident Credit Union Event Center Video Board, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
The Spartans take the court near the team bench, preceded by cheerleaders running out with four huge flags reading S-J-S-U. The cheer squad then takes the court for a few dance performances, but there are few (if any) fan contests or other engagement touchpoints. No Spartan mascot was in attendance during my visit.
Neighborhood 3
San José State has always felt like a “sleeping giant,” sitting a mile from downtown San José which is the nation’s 12th-most populous city, and one of its wealthiest. Surrounding SJSU are student-centered apartment complexes and Victorian-style homes typical of Northern California. It feels relatively safe during the day with ample foot traffic to and from campus.
Given the few concession options available at Provident Credit Union Event Center, it’s advised to have a pre- or postgame meal in the neighboring area or slightly further afield downtown. Just east of campus is Sammy G’s Pizzeria, which offers creative toppings as well as a sports fan’s favorite, beer.
I ate at Jackie’s Place on the edge of downtown, a Black-owned BBQ and soul food restaurant which was delicious, if not a bit pricy for the portion sizes. Jackie’s has a full bar, and a house band playing Sunday afternoons.
Given the ethnic diversity of San José, one can find cuisine from across the globe both near campus and throughout Silicon Valley. Indian food is particularly well-represented, since a large number of Indian nationals live here and work in tech.
While San José will always live in San Francisco’s shadow an hour north, there are some unique tourist area attractions including the Winchester Mystery House, a quirkily-designed mansion designed by an eccentric millionaire. Sports fans will find the nearby homes of the San Jose Sharks (NHL), San Jose Barracuda (AHL) and San Jose Earthquakes (MLS). At these venues, keep an eye out for “Krazy George” Henderson, a local superfan credited with inventing the Wave.
As a major center of innovation and conventions, San Jose and the wider Silicon Valley is flush with hotels, motels, and short-term rentals in every price range. For those with Hyatt (or Chase Ultimate Rewards) points, an incredible deal can be had at the Wild Palms Hotel in nearby Sunnyvale, with rates starting at just 3,500 points per night.
Fans 2
Those sitting alongside me seemed to fall into three categories: 1) Older San José State diehards/season ticket holders, 2) Semi-interested Spartan students (mainly student-athletes), and 3) Dedicated fans of the visiting UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The fact that this game was played head-to-head with a San Francisco 49ers home game just five miles up the road in Santa Clara probably didn’t help the crowd size.
While Spartan fans made some noise when their team went on a run or took the lead in this close encounter, there wasn’t much of an intimidation factor for the visitors. The arena layout also works against the Spartans – with the cavernous footprint, it’s difficult for sound to get trapped and echo throughout Provident Credit Union Event Center.
The Spartans are a typically weak team in a strong conference, with several nationally-ranked Mountain West foes visiting every season for televised games. This helps generate some decent crowds, as evidenced by 4,299 in attendance when #19 San Diego State escaped with a narrow victory in 2024.
Access 4
As a commuter school, San José State has no shortage of campus parking. Basketball fans are instructed to use the general parking spots in either the 7th and San Salvador (South) or 4th and San Salvador (West) Parking Garages. Parking on the surrounding streets is restricted Mondays through Fridays, but I was able to find a spot easily on a Sunday afternoon, just a few blocks away.
SJSU is also well-connected via public transportation. No fewer than 12 Valley Transit Authority (VTA) bus lines serve campus, as do the Blue and Green Light Rail Lines. Both Uber and Lyft are headquartered in the Bay Area, so you can rest assured there will be plenty of rideshare options. If staying downtown, it’s probably just easiest to walk in 15 minutes or less.
San José’s Mineta International Airport (SJC) is well-connected with non-stops across the country, and even a few international flights. Unless a major convention is in town rental cars should be cheap and plentiful. The airport also has a nearby light rail stop that will get you to Provident Credit Union Event Center in under 45 mins.
SJSU’s main ticket office is under the aforementioned marquee at 7th and San Carlos. Knowing the official prices and knowing the game would be sparsely attended, I checked StubHub and scored a GA ticket for just over $6! The resale sites should always be your first option at a venue like the Event Center. Tickets are mobile if purchased in advanced, or paper at the box office.
The main entrance is up a very tall staircase; I felt like Rocky Balboa after ascending those steps. There are accommodations for those with disabilities including an elevator. Like most U.S. sports venues these days, Provident Credit Union Event Center has a clear bag policy and a metal detector. Security personnel are friendly and say thanks for attending.
The combination of few fans and wide concourses make navigating the venue a breeze. At this game, attendance was so low, in fact that SJSU didn’t bother opening the second concourse concession stand along the east side. Bathrooms are clean but certainly in need of a refresh; they are very institutional-feeling and likely look exactly the same as back in 1989.
Return on Investment 3
Aside from the occasional lightning-in-a-bottle season – like 2022-23 when the Spartans won 21 games and reached the College Basketball Invitational – you generally know what to expect with San José State hoops; mediocre performances in front of a mediocre crowd, with not much student enthusiasm given the school’s heavy reliance on commuters.
Extras 2
I arrived almost an hour before tipoff and there were no rosters or game programs available at the main entrance, but found them closer to tipoff on a table near the lower-level season ticket member entrance.
Look above the east baseline for retired numbers and postseason appearance banners.
Final Thoughts
The cost of an afternoon or evening at Provident Credit Union Event Center is reasonable, especially if eschewing the overpriced, uninspired concessions. One also has the vibrant Bay Area at their doorstep, easily making a game here part of a wider and fulfilling trip.
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