Galen Center

Galen Center is USC's basketball and volleyball arena, on the north edge of campus near the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street. It opened for the 2006-07 season, and Al Green played its first concert that October. The bowl seats 10,258, small enough that the upper rows still look straight down onto the floor. When the Trojans aren't playing, it hosts concerts, commencement ceremonies, lectures and gaming events, and the floor can be set up for anything from a hundred people to a full house.

From outside it reads as part of campus, with red brick, tan stone and palm trees along the walkway. The box office is on the north side, closest to the Jefferson and Figueroa corner.

Pack for USC's clear bag policy. One clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches is the limit, and the athletics department also allows a hand-sized clutch alongside it. There's no bag check, so a backpack means a walk back to the car. Everyone goes through metal detectors, and once you leave the arena you can't get back in. Cameras are fine if the lens is under three inches long. Beer and wine are sold, with an ID check at the counter.

Driving means a USC parking structure. McCarthy Way and the Figueroa Street structure are the closest, and every campus garage is cashless, with daily parking from $20 and higher rates for special events. Door times for concerts change from show to show, so check the listing. The Metro E Line's Jefferson/USC station sits next to the arena, and it beats sitting in the post-show traffic on Figueroa.