Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 10/07/2026 04:38:00

Commonly known as "The Pete," the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center is a 12,508-seat multi-purpose arena on the University of Pittsburgh campus in the Oakland neighbourhood. Opened on April 27, 2002 on part of the former site of Pitt Stadium, the arena was funded by a $10 million donation from John and Gertrude Petersen -- then the largest single gift in Pitt history -- and $53 million in state funds. NBBJ and Rosser International served as architects. The 430,000-square-foot facility is home to the Pitt Panthers men's and women's basketball programs. In a Sports Illustrated survey, Big East Conference players named it the "Toughest Place to Play," citing the creatively distracting and deafeningly loud student section known as the Oakland Zoo. The arena seats 12,508 for basketball and approximately 8,000-10,120 for end-stage concerts, with a center-stage capacity of up to 12,700. Beyond athletics, the Pete features the Willis Center for Academics, the McCarl Panthers Hall of Champions, a team store, and the 40,000-square-foot Baierl Student Recreation Center with racquetball courts, weights, and exercise facilities. The lobby showcases 16,000 square feet of open space with 90-foot ceilings and 42,000 square feet of glass. It also houses 18 luxury suites, including five courtside suites -- the only courtside luxury suites in college basketball. The venue hosts concerts, commencement ceremonies, and community events year-round.