Photos by Danica Rhoades, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
ExtraMile Arena 1401 Bronco Ln Boise, ID 88725
Year Opened: 1982
Capacity: 12,820
Basketball at Taco Bell Arena
Taco Bell Arena, home to Boise State’s basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics programs, is located directly across the parking lot from Bronco Stadium. The arena is also used for other events of all types: concerts, touring shows, community events, trade shows, graduations, etc. When first built, the arena was known as The Pavilion, until Taco Bell purchased the naming rights in 2004. The arena sits on the former site of Boise State’s baseball field. The university dropped baseball the year construction of the arena began.
Note: Taco Bell Arena's name changed to ExtraMile Arena in 2019.
Food & Beverage 4
Taco Bell Arena’s twelve concession windows offer deli sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken, french fries, pizza, pretzels, coffee and espresso, soft drinks, and beer and wine. All items are reasonably priced for a sporting event.
Atmosphere 4
Taco Bell Arena offers a fun atmosphere for taking in a game. The BSU band and students are housed in “The Corral” at one end of the court. An amazing jump rope team, the Summerwind Skippers (as seen on America’s Got Talent) performed at half time. There were performances by the Boise State Cheerleaders and Mane Line Dance Team, fan competitions, and events to honor other team’s athletes. Pretty much, all the standard types of activities that you’d expect to have at a basketball game were provided.
Neighborhood 3
There are a few establishments near the arena for fans and visitors to stop in before, after, or even during the game. Some of them, like Suds, Pie Hole Pizzeria, The Ram, and the End Zone, provide some local flavor. Chilis, Baja Fresh, Subway, and Chick-fil-A provide more-widely known food and beverage options.
Fans 3
Despite this game being senior day, there were many empty seats in the lower level of the arena and virtually all of the other levels were completely empty. The Corral was full of a bunch of rowdies decked out in costumes and waving D-Fence and giant faces signs. They were actively involved in the game until the final seconds ticked off the clock. Of the rest of the fans in attendance, many were sporting their blue and orange and generally cheered or booed at the appropriate times. However, as the game got out of hand, they became frustrated with the home team and many left while there was more than 5 minutes left to play.
Access 4
Taco Bell Arena’s parking lot has 1,500 spaces available. However, often games are playing when students are on campus for class, which means that these spaces are not all available for all games. The parking garages and other lots on campus, provide another 5,560 parking space; however, the same stipulation applies to these spaces as well. The free campus shuttle provides service from any campus lot. Accessible parking is also available near the Arena.
Return on Investment 5
With tickets anywhere in the arena available for less than $20, Taco Bell Arena offers all fans a reasonably priced opportunity to take in BSU men’s basketball games.
Extras 1
Taco Bell Arena has been a host to opening round play of the NCAA tournament multiple times, most recently in 2009.
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