Awful

Adequate, it was severely overhyped and the second level feels like you are a mile away and you feel like you are out of the game. No bathrooms or concessions on the second level either.

Once the kinks get worked out it's going to be one of the best homecourt advantages in America. Place funnels noise like a tornado. It will be absolutely deafening during big games. We're going to be one of those places where the sideline reporter busts out a decimeter so the TV audience can see how crazy it is.

I actually loved it. It's unique, has quirks already and is something different than just about anywhere in college basketball. It's obviously not 100% operational yet but once it is it's going to be a must-attend destination for college basketball fans.

All I can say is wow I am impressed. It is incredible. Baylor outdid itself. A lot of wins in store for that arena plus new banners to be hung.

After a really loud moment, my son pulled out his android phone and opened a sound app. He got 113 decibels

I thought it was fantastic. Of course, the Nellies will find something wrong with it.

It was great! Will be even better once they complete a lot of the things still in progress.

Overall, it is a nice arena, however, I was disappointed from my expectation that for $214 million, it would be more of a pro-style arena than what it is - especially since it was sold as being a venue to be used for other events other than just basketball.

BUT, it is a huge leap forward in home court advantage from what we had at Ferrell Center so I am excited to see how it continues moving forward! In that regard, me likey.

Positives
1). It will definitely have a game day atmosphere when it is full. That place is LOUD, and when I say loud, I mean LOUD. The music was deafening where you feel it vibrating your insides. I spent most of the game yelling to talk to people next to me, so that is definitely different than FC.
2). The scoreboards are finally readable. You have all the info and stats on one board (with player names instead of just numbers.). Much improved.
3). The modern feel is nice… the lighting is cool and the Bruiser entrance from the roof was cool. Good to see that kind of entertainment back in.
4). No suites except for four of them in the end zone closest to University Parks. Figured they would put more since that always seemed to be a complaint about FC. I put this as a positive because that was the only section tonight that had empty seats, so 1) glad they were in the end zone and 2) glad we didn't cater to the rich folks to have their seats empty.


NEGATIVES
(Some of which I will hold hope for being fixed as construction continues.
1). Only one escalator to take you to the main concourse level, but then no escalator to take you up to the mezzanine level for seats in the 200 section. You either HAVE to take the stairs, or find an elevator.

2). Concessions are not good. They have 2 main concessions in the whole building and are on either of the sidelines, then 2 "grab and go" bistros in opposite corners. There were lines for both and since you have to put the order into a computer yourself, that will then print a receipt for the workers to gather what you ordered and paid for, it takes a bit…. The drinks need to be re-designed all together - you now purchase your drink, they hand you a cup with a sticker on it, then you go and scan the sticker on the cup at a drink station that will allow you 20 seconds to fill your cup with ice and drink. The scanning took some folks forever and of course people allowing kids to operate it left huge messes around the drink stations.
- in regards to concessions, I was hoping more of the Moody Center style concessions, etc… kind of a let down.

3). There are no restrooms on the mezzanine level so you have to go down to the main concourse level to use the restroom. The men's bathroom I went in had maybe 6 urinals and 4 toilets. Seems small, but did not have any issues with the times I went in. A female I was with used the restroom and said there were about 10 stalls, but she went into 3 different ones since the first 2 doors didn't latch to lock the door.

4). Aisle space for people to come in and out is minimal. There is no space for people to pass through so everyone has to get up to let people in and out. The seats are also significantly smaller compared to FC.

5). Sections/Portals numbered incorrectly. I was in section 210, but the portal said it was 209 on both the portal wall and the glass aisle markings. This of course led people with tickets for 209 to sit in 210, and people with 210 to sit in 211, etc. They had some frustrated people, especially late arrivals.

Overall, as was announced, the building is not done. I personally feel they should have waited to finish it out so achieve a more "wow" factor. It did not "wow" me today… I was impressed, but felt I expected more than what it is.

How do you forget concessions and restrooms? The concession process seems like a nightmare when it is sold out.

Ghostrider said:

---

How do you forget concessions and restrooms? The concession process seems like a nightmare when it is sold out.

---

I do not see myself doing concessions at Foster. Restrooms sucked for sure. Having to go downstairs to find one… miss the action.

Very good. Not great. Honestly I was hoping for great. Like a smaller Moody Center in Austin.

But it's more of a loud very nice warehouse feel than a a first class pro arena.

I liked it a lot. Will get better. Let's see how it goes from here.

These responses make me realize I will probably not visit the arena until next season.
I'm fine with waiting to see the finished product instead of something that is 75% done.

The arena and surrounding area looked incredible on tv.

I've always been under the impression that it's a basketball only venue.

One of my first thoughts while sitting inside…. What do you do in an emergency. All 7k go toward the same 2 sets of stairs and elevators?

Not a fan of the plexiglass

gobears20 said:

---

Not a fan of the plexiglass

---

I've got the same view, but in the other corner. It's not great, but it's not the worst it could be. But we have to live with it because a couple of drunks went over the railing of the upper deck a few years ago at old Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Anyone complaining has certainly not been to Kansas Allen Field-house ir Duke Cameron indoor. Like those places Foster is set up for maximum home court advantage NOT maximum fan comfort. Like those places, Foster is cramped, steep, very loud and inhospitable to any visiting team which is exactly what Baylor wanted when they built it.
At least Foster has individual seats. Thing that blows me 6 years after visiting is Kansas has all bench seating. Which I was happy to pay $150 to see Baylor play

My personal experience was awesome! No traffic issues, place looked great at night, seats were comfortable, had cup holders, felt intimate and saw 3 different people I knew sitting in other seats. The acoustic's were great. You could hear everyone singing the National anthem. Recruits will love it. Video boards are huge.

One thing: if you don't like how loud it is a football games, you're not going to like how loud it is at Foster. Just so much artificial noise.

My boys and I loved it! Here's my rundown:

• No traffic or access issues.
• Loved the commemorative coin.
• Easily found our seats (though the numbering was incorrect as mentioned above). Comfortable, padded seats too!
• Loads of helpful ushers.
• Loved the sound system, music, and lighting.
• Good player intro.
• Loved the new score/video boards. Easy to see and loads of good game stat info.
• Avoided the concessions though. Lines looked long and disorganized. The grab-and-go drink area looked like a good idea. There was a Chick-fil-a cart that was doable (no long line).
• No restrooms on the top concourse was strange. Stairs were close by though.
• Areas along the concourses, restrooms, and stairs were not finished, but didn't impact the game experience.
• Liked the outdoor courtyard area as you entered the main doors.
• Liked the basketball team historical pics in the hallways around the concourses.

I thought it was great. I understand it was probably only 70-75% complete, but this is such an upgrade over the Ferrell Center and HOT and McLean. Quick observations:
- It is steep. Our seats are in the 200's and well located. Definitely looking down on the action, but also felt much much closer to the court than in the lower bowl at the Ferrell.
- Narrow isles. You best be paying attention when you walk to your seat or you are at risk. It's a reminder you should only go to your seat when the game action is at a timeout, because everyone will need to stand to let you pass by.
- LOUD. I don't care what anyone else says, this is 10X louder than Ferrell Center. There were times where my seat was actually tremoring.
- No restrooms/concessions on level 200. I have zero problem with this. Personally, I don't spend a lot of time in the restrooms at sporting events, and I sure don't go there to eat. I grab a water or two on the way in and might hit the restroom at the half and on the way out. No line issues at the restrooms last night (before/after) so no inconvenience.
- Home Court Advantage. This is such a big difference maker. It was Cornell on a rainy Tuesday night and prior to classes starting so I wouldn't draw any parallels to what it might be like for UT or Kansas. This will be so much louder than what we've ever experienced.

I've been to the Moody in Austin and it might be a bit more user friendly, but it reminded me of a smaller version of the Erwin Center (sterile environment). No real home court advantage and definitely built more for concerts than sporting events. This is more in line with the Fogg or Cameron rather than the United Airlines Center or Metropolitan Opera House.

IowaBear said:

---

Didn't Morris say in one of his tours it's gonna be a concert venue as well? May have Misunderstood him

---

I remember hearing that as well

Baylor Fam we need everyone at the Foster Pavilion tonight for this Top 25 matchup! 👀u there! Sic’em https://t.co/PWou39Fi5n

— Scott Drew (@BUDREW) January 3, 2024

Cool pic

Who’s ready for round 2 of opening the Foster Pavilion for tonight’s @BaylorWBB game!!!! pic.twitter.com/aSwCe9s7wA

— Wade (@TXSVT) January 3, 2024

nobody stole my beer, so theres that

To the poster that expected a more "pro-arena" experience...you're comparing apple and oranges:

Brooklyn Nets "pro arena" = $1 bil

Foster Fieldhouse = $214

Wicked_Wombat said:

---

To the poster that expected a more "pro-arena" experience...you're comparing apple and oranges:

Brooklyn Nets "pro arena" = $1 bil

Foster Fieldhouse = $214

---

That is somewhat true, but kind of misleading.
What really makes the value of the Barclay's Center $1 Billion is the value of the land in Brooklyn, NY vs Waco, TX.

Put the Foster Pavilion in NYC and the price tag is probably somewhere between $500-$750 Million.