Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center

Capacity: 9149

Home Teams: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA College Basketball)

Purcell Pavilion Events

The Purcell Pavilion is a large arena that is part of the Joyce Center sporting complex on the campus of Notre Dame University in Indiana. Ever since the Pavilion opened in 1968, it has been home to both the men’s and women’s Fighting Irish basketball and volleyball teams. The Notre Dame ice hockey team once played in the hockey rink at Joyce Center but moved to a new venue in 2011. While Notre Dame is definitely better known for its performance on the gridiron than the hardwood, this is something of an oversight given the many excellent Fighting Irish basketball teams that the school has produced over the decades. While the Irish men’s team has not yet won an NCAA title, they have qualified for 33 NCAA March Madness postseason basketball tournaments, pushing through to the Sweet 16 on 18 occasions and the Elite 8 on 7. The Irish made their sole appearance in the Final Four back in 1978. Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball fans are known for packing out the stands of the Purcell Pavilion for home games, clad in some combination of lime green and gold, belting out school songs and chants to inspire their team to victory. Although Fighting Irish basketball games are the major draw at Purcell Pavilion, the venue is also known for hosting volleyball games, pro wrestling bouts, graduation ceremonies, and other large scale events such as concerts. Hungry visitors to Purcell Pavilion will find many delicious snacks at the concessions, including local Eisenberg hotdogs, burgers, and Dippin’ Dots, along with plenty of cold beer. If you’re on the hunt for Fighting Irish merchandise or event merchandise, check out shops and kiosks at the Purcell Pavilion or around campus.

How can I find the cheapest tickets to games and events at the Purcell Pavilion?

A combination of the Fighting Irish basketball team’s tendency to upset big teams along with strong school pride at Notre Dame tends to generate lots of interest around basketball home games, creating a high demand for tickets so that games often sell out well in advance. Concerts and other big events at the Purcell Pavilion, while not all that common, are also very popular. To score the cheapest tickets to Fighting Irish home games or other exciting events at the Purcell Pavilion, check out the TicketX listings on this page and use our trusty TicketX seating chart to compare seating options in terms of price and location.

Purcell Pavilion Seating Chart

The Purcell Pavilion is a large venue that provides visitors with a good range of seating options. Fans looking for a luxurious experience with top-notch service and amenities can opt for premium seating areas like Club Naimoli or courtside. Most of the arena is devoted to large sections of general admission seating, where you can plunge right into the thick of the action and cheer on the team, with tickets at more affordable prices.

Getting to the Purcell Pavilion (Transportation and Parking)

Visitors can access the Purcell Pavilion via public transportation or driving their own vehicle. 

Getting to the Purcell Pavilion via public transportation

There are local bus services that will get you to the Purcell Pavilion, but on game days it might be worth taking a dedicated shuttle bus. If you are in a rush, a taxi or ride-share could be a good backup option. If you are located near the Notre Dame campus, it is easy enough to walk to the venue.

Getting to the Purcell Pavilion by car

Driving to the Purcell Pavilion in your own vehicle is quite straightforward as long as you plan your route in advance and budget time to deal with game day traffic around the venue. Be sure to arrive early. Visit the Notre Dame website for maps and driving directions. 

Does the Purcell Pavilion have on-site parking?

Yes, plenty of parking is available around campus in large lots. For men’s basketball games, many of the spaces in the closest lots are reserved for season ticket holders. The Fighting Irish website has extensive parking information and a parking map. Shuttles run to and from the stadium from some of the more distant parking lots.

How much does Purcell Pavilion parking cost?

Parking lots near Purcell Pavilion are advertised as free of charge for basketball games, though be sure to check back as this is subject to change. Visit the Fighting Irish website for up to date information on parking and parking prices.