Courtside seating coming to Bud Walton Arena

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –- In an effort to get fans closer to the court, University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced on Thursday the addition of courtside seating for basketball games in Bud Walton Arena.

Brochures are being mailed to Broyles-Matthews donors at all levels. As of Friday, that list consisted of 799 supporters who will be eligible to purchase the new seats.

There will be an initial offering of 34 Courtside Club seats, which will run along the south side of the court across from the team benches.

The fully padded and cushioned seats feature an arm rest with a cup holder. The cost is $12,000 a year for the first five years, and a minimum of $8,000 a year beginning in year six. The price includes the ticket to the seat and access to a Courtside Club room. The Courtside Club is an upscale hospitality area available to ticket holders during pre-game and halftime.

For men’s games, the seats are expected to generate around $400,000 of revenue a year for the first five years.

The seats will be sold separately for women’s basketball games.

Membership and seating in the Courtside Club is offered on a priority system based upon lifetime giving to the Razorback Foundation, Inc.