Pan American Center - New Mexico State Aggies
- Meg Minard
- Jan 28
- 5 min read
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Pan American Center 1810 University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 12,572
This is NM State
New Mexico State men’s basketball has participated in eight different affiliations, mostly in the West and Southwest, with its longest modern run in the WAC (18 years) before joining Conference USA in 2023. The team has reached 4 Sweet Sixteens, 23 NCAA Tournaments, and 5 NIT Tournaments. The 1969-70 New Mexico State men’s basketball team to date is the only squad in program history to reach the NCAA Final Four.
On Nov. 30, 1968 the Pan American Center opened its doors for the first New Mexico State men’s basketball game. Pan American Center is also home to New Mexico State women’s Aggie basketball and volleyball. The arena hosts various other events throughout the year. The building is celebrating 58 years; it has had several renovations since it first opened. It sits proudly on the New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces, NM.
Food & Beverage 3
You’ll find your no-frills, basic stadium fare at Pan American Center. Personal pizza, hot dogs, nachos cost $6 - $10. A Pete’s Combo (hot dog, popcorn, and soda) sells at $10. Candy, churros, and pretzels are available for a snack.
Pepsi products run $6 for a 32 oz drink. Modelo, Coors Light, Michelob Light, and Kona Big Wave cost $8/can, while Nutrl and Hoop Tea sells for $6.
Atmosphere 4
Aggies men’s basketball delivers a safe, lively, and genuinely welcoming game-day atmosphere. Fans enter the seating bowl and either head down to the first level—25 rows deep—or up to a second tier, separated by a central walkway. During my visit, the upper level was closed.
Seating consists of red plastic fold‑down chairs without cup holders, wrapping all four sides of the court. Two tiers line each sideline, while a single level sits behind each basket. The Jag and Linda Cheema Suites occupy a section behind one end zone, adding a premium touch to the layout.
A crisp, center‑hung scoreboard anchors the arena, displaying live video, score, possession, quarter time, and other essentials. Additional score displays sit above both end zones.
Entertainment extends well beyond the action on the court. A spirited pep band plays frequently, and the team makes a memorable entrance by descending the arena stairs before introductions and again at halftime. Fans enjoy t‑shirt tosses, dance cams on the main board, and appearances from the Spirit Squad—Sun Dancers, cheerleaders, and Pistol Pete, the cowboy‑themed mascot.
The public‑address announcer is outstanding, delivering substitutions, scoring updates, fouls, and play descriptions with clarity and energy—never competing with unnecessary background music. Sound levels are spot‑on, allowing easy conversation, and the audio crew consistently cuts the music when the pep band performs. A fun in‑arena tradition comes when the announcer calls, ‘Out of bounds—Aggie ball!’ and the crowd echoes back, ‘Aggie ball!’
The arena temperature is comfortable; a long‑sleeve shirt is plenty. Championship banners, NCAA tournament markers, and retired numbers hang proudly from the rafters, while photos of standout Aggie athletes line the outer concourse, celebrating the program’s history.
Neighborhood 4
The Pan Am Center is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM. Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena.
Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena: I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A. The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite. Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game.
Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from Pan Am Center. The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests. Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too!
Plenty of hotels are near the university. The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University. A whole slew more is within two–three miles of Pan Am Center.
Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the women’s basketball team. A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
Fans 3
Aggie fans appreciate their basketball team. They cheer and encourage the players and all stand until the team score its first basket. During free-throws, many position their fingers into a pistol shape. The student section, the Panamaniacs, attend in full force, while the band and spirit squad keep the energy up during breaks in play.
In 2025, the program drew an average of 5,600 fans a game and held the highest attendance record in the Conference USA.
Access 3
Getting to the Pan Am Center is an easy drive off I-10. Plenty of free parking surrounds the east and south sides of the arena. Handicapped parking is available, as are accessible seats. Check here for more information on accessible features at the arena.
Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks as if it’s operational only Monday-Friday, 7 am – 6 pm, so it may not be suitable for use when attending a game. Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university.
The venue has a little plaza area with benches outside the ticket office. It’s a nice place to wait for friends. The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths.
Clear bags 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed, as are small clutches. Pan Am Center has plenty of clean restrooms on the concourse level.
Return on Investment 3
Ticket prices range from $15 to $30, with premium matchups against UTEP and UNM running $20 to $50. Parking is free, and concessions are priced fairly. It’s an enjoyable game‑day experience and a solid value for your sports‑entertainment dollar.
Extras 4
During the game covered in this review, the Aggies recognized the NM State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026—a touching and memorable moment. All the NM State banners and photos displayed provide visitors with the vast athletic accomplishments the university has produced.
The staff are genuinely eager to assist and make visiting fans feel truly welcome. It’s also refreshing attending a sporting event where the music volume is kept at a comfortable level.
Final Thoughts
The New Mexico State Aggies men’s basketball program has completed 119 seasons since its start in 1904. The team has called the Pan American Center home since 1968, giving fans nearly six decades of memories in the venue. Though the arena is among the older facilities in Division I, the game‑day atmosphere remains lively and makes for an enjoyable outing.
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