Directions
Mackey Arena (900 John R. Wooden Drive)
From Indianapolis
Take I-65 North to State Road 25 (exit 175).
Take a left on State Road 25, towards Lafayette, for approximately 1 mile.
Turn right on Sagamore Parkway. Stay on Sagamore for approximately 2 miles to Yeager Road (fourth stoplight).
Turn left on Yeager Road.
Follow ensuing roundabout (approximately 0.25 miles) to Northwestern Avenue.
Follow Northwestern Avenue for approximately 0.5 mile. Parking is on the right.
From Chicago
Take I-65 South to State Road 43 (exit 178).
Turn right off ramp.
Follow State Road 43 approximately 7 miles to the fourth stoplight (State Road 26 West/State Street).
Turn right on State Road 26.
Turn right at second stoplight (Grant Street).
Follow Grant Street to next stoplight.
Turn left on Northwestern Avenue.
Follow Northwestern Avenue for approximately 0.5 mile. Parking is on the left.
Men's Basketball Parking Map / Women's Basketball Parking Map
On May 18, 2007, Purdue University officials announced plans for the most comprehensive and significant facility undertaking in the university's athletics history. The Mackey Complex project brought a 40-plus-year-old campus landmark into the 21st century while preserving its rich history and tradition.
The scope of the project was significant, designed to have a positive effect on all Boilermaker student-athletes, specifically with improved and increased space for academic support, sports medicine and sports performance. A three-level structure was built adjacent to Mackey and highlights include:
* A 13,300-square foot sports medicine facility, nearly three and a half times larger than the previous space in Mackey.
* A 12,990-square foot strength & conditioning facility, more than three and a half times larger than the previous space in the adjacent Intercollegiate Athletic Facility.
* An oversized basketball practice facility with a full-size court and three breakout shooting areas.
The Mackey Complex project significantly enhanced the overall fan experience at Purdue basketball games. The concourse width was nearly tripled, concession areas increased four times (from 12 to 48 points of sale) and restroom space increased threefold for women and by 35 percent for men. In addition, the lower seating sections on the west side was modified to allow for premium seats. Accessible seating increased more than seven times. Three club spaces were created, one for all fans on the west side, a premium club to the east and a courtside club for courtside seat holders.
Other upgrades included new locker rooms and lounges, meeting rooms, offices, laundry facilities and equipment storage. A new ticket office created in Mackey that is approximately twice the size of the previous one in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility.
The entire upper level of the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility was transformed into an academic center spanning more than 5,350 square feet, and the building was renamed the Brees Academic Performance Center.
On Nov. 10, 2011, Mackey Arena was formally rededicated, with subsequent rededication games for the men's and women's basketball teams Nov. 11 and 13.
Purdue teams have won nearly 80 percent of the games played in Mackey, and through the 2016-17 season, the men's program boasted a 606-138 record (.815 winning percentage) and the women's program a 431-143 record (.751 winning percentage).
Originally named Purdue Arena, groundbreaking for the circular concrete and steel structure with a domed roof took place July 20, 1965. It was hailed as "the first of its kind among collegiate sports facilities."
The $6 million project took just over two years to complete and was dedicated Dec. 2, 1967, with a ceremony that included recognizing 10 former Boilermaker All-Americans, led by John Wooden and Charles "Stretch" Murphy, and a speech by Indiana governor Roger Branigin.
The first game ever played in Purdue Arena saw the Boilermakers take on Wooden and his UCLA team in a classic contest. The Boilermakers came up just short, 73-71 in front of a standing room-only crowd of more than 14,400, in the debut of the legendary Rick Mount.
In March of 1972, the facility was renamed in honor of Guy "Red" Mackey, who was part of the Purdue Athletics scene for 45 years, including 29 as athletics director, before passing away in 1971. On Dec. 12, 1997, the floor of Mackey Arena was named "Keady Court" in honor of legendary men's basketball coach Gene Keady.
On Dec. 2, 1975, the women's basketball program played its first game at Mackey, defeating Illinois 78-74 in overtime. Amy Ruley, a 2004 inductee into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, scored the first basket in Purdue women's basketball history.
Mackey Arena is situated between Northwestern Avenue and John R. Wooden Drive, north of Stadium Avenue.
Mackey has a seating capacity of 14,222, with a total capacity (including non-ticketed individuals) of 14,804.
The Mackey Complex project also included new baseball and softball stadiums and renovations to the soccer complex, all located near Cherry Lane and McCormick Road on the northwest side of campus. The entire Mackey Complex/Northwest Site master plan carried a $121 million budget, which was approved in 2007. The fundraising goal of $32 million was reached, with the balance to be paid for with revenue received from Big Ten Conference television agreements and other department funds.
Guest Guide
Mackey Arena is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Tobacco use, in any form, is not permitted in the stadium.
Accessible Seating: Fans requiring special assistance are urged to make all ticketing arrangements through the ticket office well in advance. Call 765.494.3194 or 800.49.SPORT.
Clubrooms: John Purdue Club Premium Seat holders can access the Spurgeon Club and Wooden Club two hours prior to tipoff. John Purdue Club Members can access the J. Nine Club two hours prior to the tipoff . General Public can access the J. Nine Club one hour prior to tipoff .
Concessions: Concession stands, managed by Boilermaker Hospitality, offer a wide selection of food and drinks. Please click here to see locations of concessions.
Emergencies: Ticket holders should give caregivers or family members the section, row and seat number of their tickets. In case of an emergency, caregivers should contact the Purdue Police at 765.494.8221. Officers will go to your seat and inform you of the emergency. Paging over the public-address system is not allowed.
First Aid: First aid for fans with a medical emergency is located in the Guest Services area, behind Section 3 on the south end of Mackey Arena.
Gates Open: Gates to Mackey Arena open one hour prior to tipoff.
Guest Services: Guest Services is located behind Section 3 on the south end of Mackey Arena. Among the services offered at this location are first aid and lost and found.
Groups: Group tickets are available for all home games, subject to availability. To qualify for discounted ticket prices, a minimum of 20 tickets must be purchased. For more information, call 765.494.3325.
Lost and Found: Report or claim articles at Guest Services located behind Section 3. Articles not claimed during or immediately after the game are turned over to the Athletics Ticket Office (765.494.3194). Items will be kept in the ticket office for approximately 14 days from the date of the game.
Merchandise: Purdue merchandise is available from the Purdue Team Store. There is two stands located on the concourse level. One stand is located behind Section 3 and the other stand is located behind section 112. A portion of each purchase goes to benefit Purdue Athletics. Shop anytime online at PurdueSports.com.
Non-Permissible Items: Items that are not permitted in the arena include: pets; noisemakers or irritants; seatbacks; alcoholic beverages, coolers, cans, bottles or food; flags, banners, large signs or any item that may block the views of others.
Private Use: Clubrooms in Mackey Arena are available for private functions and meetings. For rates and information, call 765.807.2408.
Programs: Vending coordinators sell game programs/roster cards near and/or at each of the entrances into Mackey Arena. They stop selling programs 10 minutes after tipoff. Game programs are $5 for men's basketball and $3 for women's basketball.
Restrooms: Restrooms are located on the concourse level throughout the Arena.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at PurdueSports.com or over the phone at 765.494.3194. To pick up will-call tickets or to purchase tickets on game day, go to the Athletics Ticket Office located in Mackey Arena. The ticket office opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff and remains open until the end of halftime. Purdue player guest; visiting player guest; and recruits will be able to pick up their tickets at the Pass List Entrance located adjacent to the Athletics Ticket Office in Mackey Arena one hour prior to tipoff. A photo I.D. is required to pick up all tickets from the player guest and recruit pass list.
You: You, our guests, are the focus of everything we do. The Purdue Athletics staff is here to make your Mackey Arena experience a special and memorable one. Enjoy the game, have a great day - and BOILER UP!