Hornet Pavilion - Sacramento State Hornets
- Ben Alkaly
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Hornet Pavilion 6000 J St
Sacramento, CA 95819
Year Opened: 2025 Capacity: 3,000
From Minuscule to Makeshift
When is a new arena only sort of a new arena?
That’s not a riddle, it’s the reality for Sacramento State University men’s and women’s basketball. At the end of the 2024-25 season, Sac State bid farewell to The Nest – at 1,012 seats, among the smallest venues in Division I – and christened the 3,000-seat Hornet Pavilion in November 2025.
The Pavilion was carved from a section of The WELL, the university’s recreation center, with bells and whistles added to what were previously just intramural courts at a cost of $5.2M. That inherently brings many quirks, which are detailed below. As my proud Sacramento native friend said, “Typical Sac; always doing things halfway.” (He may have ended the sentence a different way, unfit for print.)
Food & Beverage 3
The makeshiftiness (new word?) of Hornet Pavilion reveals itself immediately when presented with concession options. With a limited indoor footprint, nearly all food and beverage stations are outside, in an asphalt space between The WELL and the north end zone of adjacent Hornet Stadium; the home of Sac State football looms large over Hornet Pavilion.
First up after entering the premises is a beer, wine, and seltzer tent. Cans of local beer Urban Roots are $13, premium options, including NorCal favorite Sierra Nevada, carry an $11 price tag, while domestics or a Bud Light Seltzer will set you back $7.
Further along the entryway, you hit traditional concession fare, which is smartly priced. A hot dog, chips, and drink combo is $9, while the same sides accompanied by a cheese or veggie burger is $13. These items can also be had a la carte, along with nachos and candy.
For something more substantive, the Street Philly Truck was dishing up hot hoagies. Upon looking at my menu photos, the pricing was blacked out, suggesting inflated charges for Hornet sports fans. Also unclear if Street Philly will be present at all Sac State games, or if different food trucks rotate in.
For those not interested in braving the elements, just inside the arena doors is a drink and snack stand, while tucked inconspicuously next to the southeast bleachers is a popcorn, churro, and lemonade cart. All university-run concessions are debit or credit card only.
Atmosphere 3
I attended just the third men’s basketball game in Hornet Pavilion history and the first against a fellow D1 opponent. That novelty – coupled with former Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby hired as the new coach and Shaquille O’Neal serving as his general manager (but not in attendance) – led to a palpable buzz in the building. Nearly all of the 3,000 seats were filled, and there was exponentially more Sac State gear being worn than this Southern Californian had ever seen in his life.
Both end lines feature a ~30-foot-long video board above the basket. Music alternated between a DJ and the Hornet band sitting in the upper reaches of the northwest sideline, and below those musicians to the left was the designated student section, called Swarm. These co-eds have a ways to go before being considered the Cameron Crazies of California’s Capitol, as no standing and little heckling emanated from their direction.
Despite the significant upgrade from the old Nest across campus, there were still reminders that this is both a not-quite-permanent venue and a resource-strapped athletics department. The Hornets’ pregame intros were accompanied by swirling spotlights, not from a high-tech lighting rig but from humans holding them on the running track perched above the court. Halftime entertainment consisted of a quick performance by the Sac State dance team, followed by pee-wee hoopers playing chaotic basketball on a lowered rim.
Neighborhood 5
Sacramento residents fondly refer to it as “The City of Trees,” and that is plainly evident on the sprawling, redwood-strewn campus on the east side of town. Sac State’s athletics venues are clustered along the southern edge of campus, flanked by an access road and railroad track.
That creates a formidable barrier to accessing pre-and postgame pursuits, but a nearby train underpass leads you to Elvas Ave., where a combo beer garden and ghost kitchen complex called Garden at the Line recently opened. A short drive away lies one of the best burritos I’ve ever devoured at Tacos 65. Get the al pastor with grilled cheese and thank me later.
When you’re in town for a hoops game, see if the baseball team is in action later in the season or the football team earlier in the year. Or catch the big stage with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Old Town Sacramento, located in the city’s former train depot, makes for a fun and touristy couple of hours. Dress up for an Old West-themed portrait session or choose from an incredible variety of saltwater taffy flavors.
The California State Capitol is located on 40 landscaped acres downtown, flanked by many other government buildings providing necessary infrastructure to Golden State residents. The best photo ops are along 10th St.
Fans 3
Nearly all of the 3,000 seats were filled at the game of this review, and there was exponentially more Sac State gear being worn than this Southern Californian had ever seen in his life; you can tell that the new venue is bringing alums back to campus.
In a corner of the northwest sidelines is the designated student section, called Swarm. These co-eds have a ways to go before being considered the Cameron Crazies of California’s Capitol, as no standing and little heckling emanated from their direction.
Access 2
I recall The Nest being a decent hike from the closest parking lot, so Sac State has definitely upgraded in this regard by moving to Hornet Pavilion. CSUS Parking Structure III, along Stadium Dr., and funnels visitors to the Hornet Pavilion entrance, which is technically inside Hornet Stadium.
Gameday parking rates are $10, providing some nice ancillary revenue from this predominantly commuter school. My group parked off-campus for free off the aforementioned Elvas Ave., enjoying the brisk 10-minute walk each way.
Those relying on public transit will find Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) line 30, or the Gold light rail line serving the Sac State campus area; single-ride fares are $2.50. Both options will require a walk of up to a mile to reach the arena.
A green ticket trailer greets those who haven’t purchased advanced seating, while those with tickets in hand (or phone) can proceed directly through the green tent, where metal detectors and yellow-clad security guards await.
Those looking to relieve themselves are in for a real treat … or perhaps a trick. Due to the limited indoor space, restrooms are also relegated to the outdoor shadows of Hornet Stadium, in the form of porta-potty trailers each accommodating roughly 4-6 “guests” at a time. Thankfully, one is equipped with a handicapped access ramp, as all trailers require a small set of four stairs to climb.
The entirely-outdoor entryway, concession, and restroom setup worked on the mild night I visited Hornet Pavilion, but will make for a suboptimal fan experience in rainy or frigid weather … and Sacramento regularly dips into the 30s on winter nights.
Return on Investment 2
When I went to purchase tickets for this early-November non-conference game between two teams that fall well short of being marquee names, I had a bit of sticker shock. Adult general admission in the corner sections starts at $33, rising to $37 for assigned seats closer to center court.
The only baseline seating is in courtside padded chairs, I assume, reserved for premium season ticket holders. These prices reflect both our inflationary reality and Sac State’s desire to quickly recoup its investment in Hornet Pavilion.
Extras 2
The "Oakland" A’s are playing at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park during the 2026 and 2027 seasons, as they await their new permanent home in Las Vegas. While the April-October Major League Baseball season does not align with college hoops’ November-March schedule, you can pop by to scope out by far the smallest MLB park at 14,014 seats.
If you see a purple beacon of light emanating from downtown, that means the Sacramento Kings posted a rare victory that night! “Light the Beam!” is the rallying cry for fans of Sactown’s NBA franchise.
Final Thoughts
Hornet Pavilion is certainly not the lone Division I arena embedded within a university recreation center, but it may be the only one repurposed from general student use. A Sac State hooper could conceivably score a layup, keep running through a pair of double-doors mere feet away, and immediately join a game of pickup basketball or volleyball in The WELL.
Sometimes, though, you must play the cards you’re dealt, and I give Sacramento State for its inventiveness in upgrading from one of the smallest venues in all of DI. The university has ambitions to elevate its national profile, and a shiny, new-ish basketball arena fits into that strategic plan … for now.
Comments