Watsco Center Events

The Watsco Center is a multi-purpose entertainment venue that’s located on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida. It serves as the primary home of the Miami Hurricanes men’s and women’s basketball teams and also hosts concerts, lectures, trade shows, and a variety of other events. The arena opened in 2003 when it was known as the University of Miami Convocation Center and is now named after Watsco, a Miami-based air conditioning company. For basketball games, the Watsco Center has a capacity of just under 8,000 fans.

Where are the Best Places to Sit at the Watsco Center

In such a small arena, there are no bad seats for basketball games at the Watsco Center. Every seat in the house feels close to the court. However, floor seats are available on the sideline opposite the team benches and on one of the baselines that literally puts fans on court level. Outside of those seats, sections 101 and 112 will put fans as close to the center of the court as possible. However, these sections have over 30 rows of seats, so there is a drastic difference between the first several rows and the last few rows of the section.

Tips for Visiting the Watsco Center

It’s worth mentioning that the University of Miami is located in the suburb of Coral Gables, which is several miles south of downtown Miami. Anyone staying in Miami the day before a game will need to find a ride to the Watsco Center. On the bright side, there is an ample amount of parking around the arena and a metro station nearby, making public transportation an option. There’s also no harm in arriving early for the game and taking a stroll around the campus, which features a sizable lake and a butterfly garden.

Food to Try at the Watsco Center

The food options at the Watsco Center are consistent with most sports and entertainment values, although there is an obvious South Florida twist on things. The El Huracan stand offers tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and a Cuban sandwich, which is among the best items available in the Watsco Center. There are also several specialty hot dogs offered, including the Chicago Dog and the Latin Dog. For dessert, the Watsco Center has a Cold Stone Creamery stand.