Enhancing the Gameday Experience: IU Basketball's New Seating Configuration for 2026-27 Season
IU basketball coach Darian DeVries announced changes to the seating configuration at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for the upcoming 2026-27 men's basketball season. The main adjustment involves relocating students to the north end bleachers behind the basket. This move aims to elevate the gameday atmosphere by having IU-Bloomington students occupy both the north and south court-level bleachers with general admission seating.
The adjustment will significantly increase the number of court-level seats reserved for IU students to around 1,200, nearly doubling the previous allocation. Previously, only the south courtside bleachers were designated for IU students, while the north courtside bleachers were used by general public season ticket holders. The decision to implement this change was influenced by feedback from Indiana students in classes taught by IU Kelley School of Business instructors.
Head coach Darian DeVries expressed excitement about the ongoing efforts to make Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall a challenging environment for visiting teams. He acknowledged the support from Hoosier Nation and eagerly anticipates the upcoming season. IU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Scott Dolson, emphasized the importance of IU students in creating a vibrant gameday experience and highlighted the significance of providing them with prime seating locations.
IU students who purchased the 2026-27 Student Season Football and Men's Basketball Combo package will receive an email offering the opportunity to upgrade to either a north or south bleacher ticket package. In case of high demand exceeding availability, the IU Student Ticket Points Program will be utilized to determine eligibility based on accumulated point totals.
In conclusion, the changes in seating arrangements at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for the 2026-27 men's basketball season aim to enhance the overall gameday experience for IU students and fans. The adjustments reflect a commitment to creating a lively and engaging atmosphere at the iconic basketball venue.