Lakefront Arena

Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena
Lakefront Arena
Full name	Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena
Former names	University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena (1983-1987)
Location	6801 Franklin Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70122-5707
Opened	1983 (1983)
Owner	University of New Orleans
Operator	University of New Orleans
Surface	Multi-surface
Capacity	8,000
Website	Lakefront Arena Website

The Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena (commonly Lakefront Arena or UNO Lakefront Arena) is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was built in 1983 and is named in honor of Nat G. Kiefer, the late state senator who aided UNO’s efforts to obtain state funding for the building. It is part of the university's East Campus, where most of the school's athletic facilities are located.

It is home to the University of New Orleans Privateers Men's and Women's basketball teams and hosts matches for the women's volleyball team. It hosted the 1991 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament, where the University of Tennessee beat the University of Virginia, for their 3rd national title, as well as the 2002 Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball tournament. It is also notable for hosting Larry Bird's career-high of 60 points on March 12, 1985, against the Atlanta Hawks, who were hosting a series of special "home" games in New Orleans during the 1984-1985 season. UFC 27 was also held at the arena in September 2000.

The UNO Aquatic Center is located in the arena and on the arena grounds. It has hosted many national and state events including Sugar Bowl Swimming meets, AAU National Championships, LHSAA State meets, Syncro National competition, and hosted the 2010 Short course and Long course State meets.

It also hosts graduations; concerts, such as Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, NE-YO, Nas, Carrie Underwood, Mötley Crüe, 311, 3 Doors Down, Slipknot, Eric Church, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Daughtry and the Zac Brown Band; and other events, including Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, WWE, So You Think You Can Dance: The Tour, Katt Williams, Bill Cosby, and Robin Williams, among others.

Sting performed during his Symphonicities Tour on June 26, 2010, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pope John Paul II celebrated mass to over 150,000 people on the grounds of the arena.

Prominent political figures such as Bill Clinton and John Kerry have also spoken at the arena.

Large festivals, including Lollapalooza and Steel Pony Express have also been held on the grounds.

In August 2005, as a result of massive damages sustained during Hurricane Katrina, the building closed for substantial repairs and renovations for nearly three years. During this time, the school's men's and women's basketball teams played their home games in their former home, the Human Performance Center (or "The Chamber of Horrors" as it grew to be known during the late '70s and early '80s).

The arena held its grand re-opening May 2, 2008. Disney's "High School Musical: The Ice Tour" was the first show to perform.

The arena celebrated its 25th Anniversary on November 1, 2008.