Five years... So many basketball games, gymnastics tournaments--and now this unforgettable moment: watching my son walk across the stage of the O'Connell Center to receive his master's degree. What a thrill to witness the Warrington College of Business graduation. UF makes it truly special--each graduate's name lit up on the scoreboard, a professional photographer capturing that proud walk across the stage, and a celebration that honors every achievement. UF really does it right--this was so well organized and there was plenty of parking available. What an incredible way to mark this milestone! read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

Was an Amazing Concert and Night of Worship at the Tim Tebow and Zach Williams Break the Chains. Entry was very smooth and easy. Staff was friendly and helpful guiding us to our seating area. Vendors were well laid out for you to buy swag. Concessions ran smoothly as well. Bathrooms were very clean and in working order. I would recommend this Venue , if there is a concert, Collegiate game here, it will be organized, clean, and well ran. When we left the staff were still super friendly and asked me to do a QR Code survey for the event and how it was run. read more

See all

Nothing short of an amazing experience!! Both teams played a great game, but them Tigers were too much today! Great atmosphere, fans. The parking was great too! Whenever LSU is in Florida I will be there. #GeauxTigers read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - Here to watch LSU whip up on FU - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I came for a graduation ceremony. It was clean and organized, and the screens helped a lot to see everything that was happening. Some things that I believe could be improved are the sign around and I side the building because finding the gates outside and the restrooms inside was a bit difficult. Also, I think some of the snacks sold here are a bit overpriced, but I think they are expected in this type of venue. read more

Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is the official name of this place, at least through 2026. Exactech, an orthopedic device company based in Gainesville and founded by University of Florida grads, purchased 10-year naming rights to the O'Connell Center in 2016. They have an additional 5-year option after that (through 2031). This is the home of UF's men's and women's basketball teams as well as the gymnastics and volleyball teams. It's known to many as the "O'Dome." Currently, this is the 4th-smallest basketball arena in the SEC with a capacity of 10,133. That's relatively small for a school in the SEC, a conference filled with big schools, and especially for a program that's less than 15 years removed from back-to-back national championships (2006 and 2007). The O'Dome originally opened in 1980 and underwent two major renovations: one in 1998 and another 2016, when it reopened as Exactech Arena. Since the '16 renovation, the facility has become more modern and state-of-the-art with both center and corner-hung scoreboards, a great speaker system, up-to-date LED lighting, and even Gator-skin-textured wallpaper. The walls are filled with pictures of the center's past (e.g. concerts, gymnastic events, and championship celebrations). There's a nice, "new," spacious, 2-story atrium just inside the main entrance with the Gator logo on the floor. You can see the Gators' football stadium (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium or "The Swamp") across the street through the glass front doors. Before basketball games, they project one of those snazzy 3D videos on the court. You typically see those at NBA games, not college games, so that's cool. I attended a graduation here. Coincidentally, it was the same graduation that included Tim Tebow (2009). The O'Connell Center also contains a natatorium (indoor swimming pool for UF's swimming and diving team), practice basketball court and film room (did not exist before the '16 reno), weight rooms, track, and various locker rooms, lounges, studios, offices, and classrooms. So there's a lot more here than your typical college basketball arena. read more

The O'Connell Center and Exactech Arena has undergone a 65 million dollar renovation since the last time I visited - wow, what an improvement! The original building interior was impressive, but the changes made put this facility into First Class! Here's a website that talks about the numerous changes & the process to re-build this facility: http://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/28/renovation.aspx Although I've only visited for Gator basketball games, The O'Connell center is also an incredible location for other sports, graduations and celebrations. If you're in Gainesville, catch a game or just drop in for a look around - and Go Gators! read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - Go Gators! - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

It's always a great time, my one complaint is parking and understanding the need to have a decal to park in certain areas, I'd say best someone you know drops you off or rent an Uber. O dome is my favorite place to watch some hoops, never gets old. read more

My first time at Taste of Gainesville! I received some tickets to the event via Matt (Gainesville region's Yelp maistro), so grand thanks go to him! I really enjoyed the event and getting to see some of the Yelp folks there. The event itself is held in the O'Connell Center at the University of Florida, right in the middle of the building where they sometimes play basketball (or is it Flickerball? My, that would be entertaining to watch at the O'Dome!) It is a charity event with many items up for auction, and I believe a good amount of money was raised for various charities this time around. Somewhere between forty and fifty different restaurants and food outlets in the Greater Gainesville area were there, presenting different foods that they produce. I walked around with my mother for an hour or so, sampling various items from the different vendors. I especially enjoyed the taco from Gator BTW (new restaurant on the North side of town) and the ropa vieja from Mi Apa, and my mother really enjoyed the sushi from Volcanic. About an hour in, the Gainesville Iron Chef event started up. Competing this year was the two-time winner Nester Espartero of Volcanic, Dominique Fortin of the Gainesville Country Club, and Phillip Bailey-Anderson of Public & General. Their secret ingredient, the one they had to make the star of each of the three dishes they were to prepare, turned out to be black truffle, which is a tough ingredient to get right. Chef Nester won the event (in my not-so-honest opinion handily) with his creations, making him a three-time champion in this event. This event is not all about the food though... it is also about the charities it supports, and there were a number of ways to support those charities, through direct bidding on items, secret bidding on other items, or even through direct donations. These charities do a lot of good for those in and around Gainesville, so supporting them in this way was a wonderful way to do it. read more

It's hard to know how to rate the O-Dome: it's the home of Gators Basketball and other sports we love as fans and thus it has earned itself a position of great love and fondness in our hearts. Next to Florida Field, it is probably the best-known physical symbol of UF athletics. On the other hand, when compared to top-notch college and professional arenas where you'll see NCAA or NBA games, the O-Dome is showing its age and is much in need of the renovations planned for it in 2016. The court itself is fine, but crowded: there is hardly room for the press and scoring tables. The spectator stands though really need help and the lighting seems in need of improvement too, but I'm not sure just how. All that said, this is Gator Country and it shows: the staff is exceptionally helpful and nice and there are no fans like Gator fans--anywhere. Being there for our victory over Tennessee and Coach Billy Donovan's 500th Gator win was simply magical. read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - Gators vs Tennessee, which UF won and gave Coach Billy Donovan his 500th win as head coach of Gators mens basketball. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

So I normally would never write a review for a sports arena, but for this I will make an exception. The ushers were extremely helpful with finding our seats. The bathroom were exceptionally CLEAN and well kept! It was very refreshing to see that because at most sporting games, the bathrooms can take a beating! The renovations have updated the OConnell center to the next level! We had a great night, Go Gators!!! read more

Who doesn't love coming to the O'Dome? It is well built and absolutely beautiful. This was my home away from home during college and you can go watch some of the best athletes in the country practice there sport here including the men's and women's college basketball teams, gymnastics, swimming and diving, indoor track and volleyball teams. How great is that?! Or you can hang out here in between classes to get out of the heat. The best part is going in and out of the entrance doors getting sucked in from the powerful air vents that poof up and inflate the dome. Really fun! In addition to its use as a basketball arena, the O'Connell Center also contains both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and is regularly used to host other events on campus, including career fairs, graduation ceremonies, concerts, and public speakers. Very impressive. Banquet capacity is 2,800, and concert capacity is 6,300 for a half-stage show, 9,300 for an end-stage show and 12,000 for a center-stage show. Amazing space indeed! Overall, this multi-purpose arena located in the heart of the University of Florida campus is an exciting and entertaining place to visit and something not to miss if you're ever on campus. Go Gators! :) 5-Stars read more

I have attended a few events inside the Stephen O'Connell Center and each time I like this place more and more. First people know that this is the home to the UF Men's and Women's Basketball programs, but I have never been here for a basketball game. Instead I have been here for Graduation in the Spring, Admissions Open House in the Fall, and Swimming and Diving competitions throughout the year. Also new this year they hosted Taste of Gainesville at the O-Dome and it was the perfect location for this event! The place is huge and its the type of place where they can have one event like Disney on Ice on Friday and Saturday can have a Gator Basketball game. I have been here two different days for two completely different types of events and each day you had no idea something was in it the day before. I feel the staff that make the O'Dome run are first class. I have interacted with a lot of them and they are super friendly, get the job done, and work super hard to make sure each event is perfect! read more

I REALLY enjoy coming here to watch the basketball games! I'm a little sad that in 2016 it will close for quite a few months for renovations and we would have to drive 2hrs to Jax for a game???? The fans here are like no other (GO GATORS!!!) and that to me is the biggest part of the experience. I think the O-Dome is great as it is. Leave it and let us Rowdy Reptiles have a blast screaming, cheering and stomping on our own turf! You will not be disappointed or bored at a Gator game, it gets in your blood! GO GATORS!!!!!! read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - Our #500 win for Coach Billy Donovan! What a great night!!! - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

See all

Right across from Ben Hill Griffin! This is home to Billy D and the Rowdy Reptiles! It's the main venue for career fair as well. It's right across from the college of engineering so I was able to stop by frequently when I went to school here! read more

Exactech Arena at Stephen C.O'Connell Center - From the skyboxes. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

The O'Connell Center is also known as the O-dome aka the Gators basketball arena aka FANNNNNNTASTIC! This place rocks (literally) during basketball season, even during gymnastics season! There are plenty of places to sit but the lower you go the more likely you are to rock (literally)! I LOVE IT! During basketball season, if you attend 10 regular season games as a student, you become a Rowdy Reptile. The Rowdy Reptiles have their own student section in the lower area of the O-dome. WARNING: It gets very loud and most of the time you are standing on your seat, not sitting so wear comfortable sneakers and cheer loud! There are many events held in the O-dome throughout the year. For example, they have concerts, speeches, graduation ceremonies, and sporting events. Looking at the banners hanging from the ceiling really puts a smile on my face. The basketball coach, Billy Donovan, does a great job recruiting talent and building team players! Back-to-back champions 2006 and 2007 and more to come! GO GATORS!!! read more

So I have been coming here for basketball games since the 90s and boy has this place changed. My sister and I were both ball girls for the women's team for a number of years (I mean back when Reebok was the sponsor) so we knew the ins and out of this place. I like the renovations a lot. The seat backs are very nice to have for everyone. And the lobby is still spacious. I enjoyed walking around and looking at the pictures of various athletic accomplishments hanging also. Definitely a nice tribute to the teams of the past in addition to the banners. read more

4 stars. Love the O Dome. As a not UF alumni, but big UF fan I always enjoy coming here. The seats are comfortable and well spaced. The views from all over are really good regardless of how high up you sit. The staff seems to be chomping (excuse the pun) at the bit to help any and everyone they possibly can. I also heard they have been approved for renovations which will be excellent because they do need some new screens and a new sound system. 1 bonus star because GO GATORS!! read more

Always a pleasant place of entertainment! The staff are Always smiling and willing to help, and the facilities are always well maintenanced!

Great to watch the Gators. Concessions and seats are not fancy but a great venue. Love the place.

This center has a nice setup. I came here for the women's UF vs UGA basketball game to support my cousin who plays for UGA (MacKenzie Engram # 33). Therefore, I got the chance to sit right behind the visiting teams bench in nice plush cushioned seats. I was told that the center had been remodeled. Even though I graduated from UCF in Orlando, I love UF... Always been one of my favorite schools. read more

One of the nicest, most comfortable, and most energetic and fun sports arenas in the nation. I had never attended an NCAA basketball game, and the wife had bought me tickets to a Gators Men's game for Christmas. Since we had never attended a game, parking was a bit of an issue- we walked past a large parking garage after the game was over But we ended up finding a nice spot on one of the side streets- and we headed towards the dome. There were a few entrances, all of which were handled by friendly security guards and UF staffers. Getting in was quick and easy. I was surprised at how much room was available once you got inside the arena- large walkways, plenty of areas to buy concessions and merchandise, and easy to find the restrooms. The arena is not overly huge, but big enough so that it sits plenty of people comfortably. The wife and I sat almost near the top tier of seats, and we could see the court just fine. Nice addition with the four jumbo screens in each corner of the arena so you could watch replays and get stats. The arena was loud and cheering for the Gators, but never got out of hand, which makes this a great venue to bring children and watch as a family. The seats, aisles, and restrooms were clean and well-maintained. Very nicely done by everyone at UF. Overall- had a blast checking out my first game here. One of the nicest arenas I've ever been to, if not the nicest. Highly recommended if you're in the area, or especially if you're a Gator fan. It was worth the 4 hour round trip for me! Go Gators! read more

very clean abd preceptive! its very nice to bring kids and family! and food is a resonable prixe ! you xan eat and enjoy games with fam and friends! read more

The O'Dome is one of the premier destinations for a college basketball game. Everyone loves the Gators and the "Rowdy Reptiles" are in my opinion one of the loudest students sections in the country. This is such a fun place to go and see a game. Billy Donovan always puts together a top squad team that is fun to watch. This year has been a tough one but looking forward to many more NCAA Tournament appearances in the future. Go Gators! read more