Basketball is a religion in Indiana, and IU stands in the heart of it all. Is there a better way to spend a winter night than watching the IU men's basketball team dominate in their game against Ohio State?
I have never attended an IU basketball game until tonight, so this was my first time seeing Assembly Hall. The first thing that I noticed was how complicated the parking situation was. There are over 10 different gates, all split into several smaller "zones". The layout was so difficult that my GPS couldn't even help me find my correct gate. Luckily, the security guards outside were very helpful and guided me in the right direction.
I parked right outside the IU team store, so I was able to peruse the pro shop before finding my seat. The staff at the register and throughout the store were friendly and polite. I was tempted to take advantage of the 2 for $40 t-shirts deal! The security outside of the arena was very efficient, I was able to keep my jacket on and just present my keys and cell phone to the security guard. The line was long but we moved through it quickly, giving us plenty of time to sit down before the game started.
Inside the basketball court, there are courtside seats on the bottom level, bleachers topped with cushions emblazoned with the IU logo, and comfortable stadium seating in the balconies. For a game over winter break, I was surprised to see almost every seat in the house filled! Luckily, the layout still gave every spectator enough legroom without them feeling squished against the person next to them. The floor in my row and my seat were clean, and I very much appreciated that. Even though I was sitting high up, I was still able to hear the music from the speakers.
I stopped by the concession stand during halftime, and once again, a seemingly long line moved quickly, thanks to the efficient employees. I ordered the popcorn in the souvenir bucket, which was enough to feed 2 or 3 people, plus came with a reusable container! It cost $9, which I honestly found pretty reasonable considering it was the size of a large movie theater popcorn and included a souvenir. The popcorn was salty, buttery, and fresh, and I loved every kernel. I opted for a soft drink, but I noticed that Assembly Hall also serves a selection of beers and hard seltzers. If you choose to order an alcoholic beverage, make sure to have your ID on hand! Also, keep in mind alcohol sales stop when there are 10 minutes left in the second half. There are no straws at the concessions stand, but cups do come with a lid with a small opening for spill-resistant sipping.
I left right when the game ended, so the parking lot was extremely crowded, but thankfully I was able to exit without any issues.
Overall, Assembly Hall is a premier sports venue, and I really enjoyed my experience here!
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