Kimmel Arena - UNC-Asheville Bulldogs

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43

Kimmel Arena 227 Campus Drive Asheville, NC 28804

UNC-Asheville Bulldogs website Kimmel Arena website

Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,200

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All in AVL

Basketball has been part of UNC Asheville’s campus culture since 1964. The program began at the NAIA level before transitioning to NCAA Division I and the Big South Conference in the mid-1980s. The Bulldogs joined the league in its second season in 1984, and are among its longest continuous members, representing the Big South in the NCAA Tournament five times.

Early Bulldog teams played in modest, multipurpose campus gymnasiums before moving into the Justice Center in the early 1970s. The pit-style venue became synonymous with Bulldogs basketball, serving as the program’s home for more than four decades through its NAIA years, its Division I transition, and all five NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2017 the Bulldogs moved into Kimmel Arena, a modern facility that marked a clear departure from the Justice Center. The new arena brought increased space, modern amenities, and a more contemporary game-day environment for both fans and the program.

Food & Beverage   3

Concessions at Kimmel Arena are a bit limited, but what’s available is stronger than expected. Just inside the entrance, a small concession stand offers a straightforward menu of pretzels, popcorn, candy, and Bulldog Rice Krispies treats – nothing flashy, but enough to cover the basics.

What truly elevates the food and beverage experience here, however, is Bear’s BBQ Smokehouse. A staple of the Asheville area, with additional locations near the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Bear’s brings a genuine local presence into the arena. Brisket, pulled pork, and BBQ sandwiches anchor the menu, complemented by comfort-food sides like mac and cheese and brisket chili. Vegan options are also available via Impossible Meat, while nachos and cheese, pretzels, hot dogs, and chili dogs round out the offerings for fans looking to keep things simple.

Pepsi products serve as the arena’s soft drink option, while the beer selection wisely leans into Asheville’s reputation as one of the country’s premier craft beer cities. Hi-Wire Lager, Pernicious IPA, and Highland Gaelic Ale headline the local lineup, with New Belgium’s Fruit Smash seltzer, Noble Cider, and Barefoot wines, cabernet and pinot grigio providing solid alternatives.

In the end, Kimmel Arena may not overwhelm with variety, but the inclusion of Bear’s BBQ and a thoughtfully curated local beverage selection ensures fans aren’t sacrificing quality for convenience, a clear win for an arena of this size.

Atmosphere   3

Kimmel Arena’s design emulates the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains that run just outside of Asheville. From the building’s exterior to the aesthetics of the concourse and into the arena itself, the mountain influence is everywhere, even down to the tile work on the restroom walls, which echoes the ridgeline just beyond the city. Large windows along the building’s southern end even pull those mountain views directly into the arena. In addition, inside the concourse, woodwork along the walls plus curated artwork help transition the space from the neighboring Sherrill Center, while reinforcing the natural theme.

The interior of the arena features a single-bowl setup, with entry points at either end of the court and open concourses running along each side. Smaller, traditional scoreboards sit in opposite corners of the arena, displaying basic time, score, and foul information, while a modest four-sided video board hangs above center court. The center-hung scoreboard carries a live game feed along with the score and game clock, serving as the arena’s visual focal point.

Breaks in play are typically filled with on-court recognitions and pre-recorded music, complemented by the school’s pep band. While there isn’t much in the way of an in-game host running crowd contests or promotions, the existing elements do a solid job of filling the downtime before play resumes.

The atmosphere inside Kimmel Arena is not overwhelming or particularly intimidating for visiting teams, but for an NCAA Division I venue, it generates a surprising amount of energy. That excitement is especially noticeable during key moments or in tight games down the stretch, when the building comes alive just when it needs to.

Neighborhood   4

The University of North Carolina Asheville campus sits just under five miles from downtown Asheville, a city known for its arts scene and thriving craft beer culture. Nearly 30 breweries are within walking distance downtown, with around 50 more in the surrounding area; Sierra Nevada, just south of the city, offers a striking complex, while New Belgium sits along the banks of the French Broad River.

Beyond beer, the city also offers attractions for a variety of tastes – the world-famous Biltmore Estate is nearby, and the Asheville Pinball Museum adds a quirky stop. And, for the heartier soles who might be up for a winter hike, the surrounding trails provide stunning views of the surrounding area.

Asheville’s arts district along the French Broad River took a major hit during Hurricane Helene and is still recovering, with some scars remaining. A debris pile that is still being processed sits at the base of the UNC Asheville campus, serving as a visible reminder of the storm’s impact on Asheville.

Fans   3

UNC Asheville typically sits in the middle of the Big South in terms of attendance, averaging around 1,200 fans per game. Those numbers climb noticeably on weekends, particularly once conference play begins.

For a school with just over 3,000 students, the student presence punches above its weight; “The Blue Zoo” is consistently well-filled and paired with the pep band, the students do their part in creating an atmosphere that feels unmistakably like college basketball.

Access   4

The University of North Carolina at Asheville sits just off Interstate 26, which runs through the city and connects the city to Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Johnson City in East Tennessee. As a result, getting to the area is fairly straightforward, though navigating Asheville itself can be challenging during the evening rush.

Parking for Kimmel Arena is conveniently located just steps from the main points of entry. Several lots on the north side of the facility provide ample parking and require only a short walk. Once inside, the concourse runs above the seating bowl and is rather simple to navigate throughout the game. While the crowd typically is decent sized, it rarely creates congestion on the concourse, making movement around the arena relatively hassle-free.

Return on Investment   3

Ticket prices start at $15 for reserved seats, with just a $1.50 fee added to online ticket sales. This is about standard for other programs at this level.

Concession pricing is generally fair for what’s offered. BBQ items sit at the higher end of the menu, but given that much of the food selection centers around it, the prices are in line with what fans would expect from local BBQ spots.

Extras   4

The concourse is home to the UNC Asheville Hall of Fame, offering visitors a look at the individuals who have shaped Bulldogs athletic history. Among those enshrined are former men’s basketball coach Eddie Biedenbach, Major League Baseball player Ty Wigginton, and manager Mike Shildt.

Also on display is the jersey of Bulldog legend Kenny George. Standing 7-foot-8, George left an indelible mark on the Asheville record book, recording the program’s first triple-double, setting a single-game record with 10 blocks, and leading all of NCAA men’s basketball in field goal percentage (69.6%) during the 2008 season. His dominance earned him Big South Defensive Player of the Year honors that same year.

The rafters of Kimmel Arena recognize Bulldog postseason achievements, along with the retired numbers of Josh Pittman (4) on the men’s side and Sheila Ford Duncan (54) for the women’s program.

Bulldog mascot Rocky is a constant presence on game-day, making the rounds along the concourse before tipoff and patrolling the sidelines throughout the game.

Final Thoughts

Facilities at the lower levels of NCAA Division I can vary widely from school to school. Prior to the opening of Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville played at the Justice Center, a cozy but dated, pit-style gymnasium that lacked many of the modern comforts fans now expect.

Since opening in 2017, Kimmel Arena has provided the Bulldogs with a significant upgrade. The venue offers a more modern feel, additional space, and amenities that many programs at a similar level simply don’t have, improving the game-day experience for both fans and the university’s athletic programs.