FedEx Forum; Memphis, TN

Food - 6/10

Pretty run of the mill stadium food. Nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders. They do have a local classic, Rendezvous BBQ, right as you walk in the main entrance. I’ve been to the FedEx Forum numerous times now, the BBQ is definitely the best food there. Everything is a pretty standard price for a stadium. $8 drinks, $13 souvenir cups, chicken tenders and fries around $15 as well.

Atmosphere- 7/10

I went to 3 games since I last wrote a review on the Forum. I went to a 131-114 win vs Lakers, 144-93 win vs Warriors, and 128-109 win vs Spurs. The Lakers game had the best atmosphere, everyone was going crazy because it was a good game for the majority of the game and it was against LeBron. Memphis fans can really be a great crowd when its a high level game, but not so much when its not a good game. Warriors game, as you can see by the score, it was over before halftime, so it was a pretty quiet game after half. For the Spurs game, Wemby had gotten injured a couple weeks before the game so it lost a lot of its luster, but was still a half decent atmosphere as it was close for a lot of the game.

Stadium - 6.5/10

Relatively old arena, not much modernization in it yet. Its easy to navigate, escalators and elevators with a parking garage that takes you straight inside the Forum or right out front on to Beale Street to get a drink before the game. Pretty clean arena, short lines at security, officers all over inside and outside.

City - 3.5/10

If you’re caught up at all on the reputation of Memphis, it definitely has it for a reason. Dirty, smelly city with homeless people around almost every street in the area. Beale Street is fun, as long as its before the game and not after. Fortunately, a bright spot is the food. Nearly any cuisine you would want to eat is within walking distance, and the majority of it is really good. From a tourist standpoint, the Bass Pro in the Pyramid is a must see, definitely need to go up to the rooftop. The Civil Rights Museum is also an awesome place to go see if you are into history.

Overall - 7/10

As a whole, if you’re going for a game, its going to be a great experience. But, if the game doesn’t live up to its billing, it can easily fall into a below average atmosphere. Outside of the game, be careful where you go and when you go, and don’t be shocked if it brings down the overall experience.