Enthusiastic fan participation has been central to the Kentucky Basketball experience for decades, both prior to and during the Rupp Arena years.

Crowds at Rupp Arena are usually full and enthusiastic, particularly for rivalry games (e.g., Louisville, Tennessee, and formerly, Indiana) and against Blue Blood opponents (e.g., North Carolina, Kansas).

Kentucky fans are passionate in their support, but also have a long-standing tradition of giving standing ovations near the end of games to opponents who turn in exceptional performances.

These opponents include David Robinson, Billy Cunningham, Austin Carr, Pete Maravich, Bubba Parnham, Chris Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Elston Turner Jr., Lawrence Roberts, and Freeman Williams.

Owing to the constant demand for tickets, seating at Rupp Arena for Kentucky games is notable for having very few students near the floor.

The band traditionally plays the opening bars of "The Lone Ranger Theme" leading into "On, On, U of K" (Kentucky's official fight song) just prior to tipoff, and a single trumpet player sounding the Call to the Post seconds before the jump ball.

Other favorites through the years have been covers of "Hold On, I'm Coming", "Thriller", "Back in the "U.S.S.R.", "Leapfrog", "Hey Baby", "Blue Moon of Kentucky", and "Rock n Roll, Part 2".

However, in 2001, the arena received some minor renovations including four oversized video boards, new lower bowl seating, new locker rooms, and a new court.

The approved renovations totaled at $15.8 million that included a new center-hung scoreboard, advertising ribbon boards, wireless internet for fans, and improved roof infrastructure.