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Events Center Thunderdome Tickets

Location
Santa Barbara Indoor Arena, Pa

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The venue

About Events Center Thunderdome

Welcome to the Events Center Thunderdome, the UCSB campus’s versatile indoor arena known affectionately as the Thunderdome. This multi-purpose venue hosts men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, concerts, and more. With a rich history including a record attendance and NCAA tournament history, the Thunderdome is a staple of Santa Barbara’s event scene. Below you’ll find practical details to help you plan your visit, from seating and parking to transit and nearby lodging and dining recommendations.

Whether you’re attending a thrilling basketball game, a concert, or a special event, we’ve got you covered with reliable, straightforward guidance. Secure your seats, check parking options, and explore nearby accommodations and restaurants with our insider tips and vetted partner recommendations. If you’re coming from out of town, we’ll point you to easy transit routes and convenient on-campus lodging when available. And remember, the Thunderdome remains UCSB’s Events Center, with the nickname sticking as a beloved part of its identity.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Venue name and identity: Events Center (Thunderdome) on the UCSB campus; nickname 'The Thunderdome' is widely used.
  • Capacity and seating: Basketball configuration listed at 5,600 total (Upper Bleachers 4,592; Lower Bleachers 1,008); concerts vary by configuration (e.g., Standard Concert 4,848). Historically cited capacity has been as high as 6,000.
  • Address: 34.4137925, -119.851328 (on UCSB campus in Santa Barbara, CA 93106).
  • Venue type: Indoor multi-purpose arena; hosts men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball; no suites.
  • Seating chart details: Floor plans show Basketball total capacity 5,600; Concert configurations range from about 3,584 to 4,848 depending on setup.
  • Parking: Lot 27 (The Thunderdome Lot) and Lot 22 (adjacent parking structure) are primary on-campus parking for events; permits required; ParkMobile available.
  • Transit: Santa Barbara MTD bus service serves the area; lines 11, 15X, 24X, 27, and 28 are commonly used to access UCSB.
  • Nearby hotels and lodging: On-campus lodging via The Club & Guest House (34 rooms); nearby options include Kimpton Canary Hotel and Montecito Inn.
  • Notable events: Record attendance of 6,512 on Dec 18, 1991 (UC Santa Barbara vs Ohio State); hosted first/second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament; sold-out Blue-Green Rivalry games in recent years.
  • Renaming/demolition status: The facility remains UCSB Events Center; 'Thunderdome' is a longtime nickname; no demolition or official rename known.