Fort Wayne's Coliseum and the Komets
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is Fort Wayne's arena and expo complex at 4000 Parnell Avenue, on the north side of the city near Johnny Appleseed Park and the Purdue Fort Wayne campus. It is home to the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL and books concerts, WWE cards, college basketball, family shows and trade shows. It seats 10,500 for hockey and concerts and 13,000 for basketball. For a Komets game, the best seats are the lower sideline seats near center ice; the 200 level is the value choice.
Locals simply call it the Coliseum or Memorial Coliseum. The name has not changed since 1952; what changed was the building. A 35-million-dollar project finished in 2002 lifted the original roof 41 feet and made room for about 2,400 to 2,800 more seats, depending on the setup. The grounds display the anchor of the World War II battleship USS Indiana.
Seating layout: lower bowl, 200 level, club seats and suites
The arena's own FAQ describes the layout in levels:
- Lower seating and the 100-level concourse: the original bowl closest to the ice or floor, reached from the main concourse.
- 200-level sections: the upper sections above the main concourse. A 2013 renovation upgraded the 200-level restrooms and added two food courts.
- Club seats: two rows of black leather seats below the luxury suites and above the 200-level sections, with table service; food and drink cost extra. Access is through the premium seating level.
- Suites: 24 luxury suites, all privately owned except Suites 501 and 522, which the Coliseum leases out for events.
One detail most charts leave out: facing the stage, center ice or center court, seat 1 is on the left side of each row. If you want an aisle seat on the right, look for the highest seat number in the row.
Best seats for Komets hockey, basketball and concerts
Komets hockey
Lower-level seats along the sideline give the best view of the whole rink, and rows several up from the glass see over it cleanly. Corner seats in the lower bowl cost less and still feel close; the end where the Komets shoot twice gets more of the home scoring chances. The 200 level shows plays develop from above, and a four-sided Daktronics LED scoreboard installed in 2018 keeps replays visible from every side, with the old screens moved to the corners. Doors open 1 hour 15 minutes before Komets games, and re-entry is allowed at Komets games, unlike most concerts.
Basketball
Basketball capacity is 13,000. Sideline seats in the lower bowl are best; behind the baskets, raised seats see better than low ones.
Concerts
For end-stage shows, the floor is closest and the lower sides nearest the stage are the best raised seats. Club seats offer comfort and a clear angle but sit high.
Seats to avoid
- Sections beside or behind an end stage: partial views, if sold.
- Top rows of the 200 level at the ends: the farthest seats in the building.
- First rows behind the hockey nets: the net and glass block much of the far end.
Memorial Coliseum parking and getting there
The Coliseum has its own lighted lot of about 5,500 spaces, south and east of the building, so most fans drive and park on site. As of 2026, the Main Lot is the standard option, the Preferred Lot (through the Coliseum Boulevard main entrance) costs more for a closer walk, and buses, RVs and limousines pay a higher rate. Fees are per entry, and the parking booths take cash or cards. A VIP Lot can be prepaid through Ticketmaster for select events.
- Drop-off and rideshare: use the free circle drive, Bob Chase Way, at Entrance 6 from eastbound Coliseum Boulevard; it is limited to 15 minutes.
- EV charging: four ChargePoint chargers sit in the Main Lot near Entrance 1.
- From I-69: exit at Coldwater Road or Coliseum Boulevard.
- Transit: Citilink routes serve the area, but the nearest stop is about half a mile away and late service is limited.
Rates are listed on the Coliseum's directions and parking page.
Bag policy and entry rules
As of 2026, the Coliseum prohibits large duffel bags and large backpacks, and any purse or bag larger than a handheld clutch is searched. Clear bags are welcome but not required for most events. Some shows set stricter rules: for WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event in May 2026, only clear bags up to 12 by 12 by 6 inches, one-gallon zip bags and clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches were allowed. Check the event page for the rule that applies to your show.
- Re-entry: not allowed at most concerts; allowed at Komets games and select events.
- Payments: concessions have been cashless since October 25, 2024; the box office still takes cash.
- Cameras: phones and small point-and-shoot cameras are usually fine; detachable-lens cameras are not allowed in the arena.
- Smoking: not within 20 feet of any entrance; designated areas are on the Coliseum Boulevard side and at the 21-and-over Rooftop Lounge patio.
The Coliseum FAQ has the full list.
Capacity and history
The Coliseum opened in 1952 at a cost of nearly 3 million dollars, built to seat 8,103 for hockey or 10,240 for basketball. The Exposition Center, added in 1989, holds 108,000 square feet of exhibit space and up to 7,500 people. The 2002 expansion raised capacity to 10,500 for hockey and concerts and 13,000 for basketball.
For five seasons the building was home to the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons, from 1952 to 1957, before they moved to Detroit; it hosted the 1953 NBA All-Star Game and games of the 1955 and 1956 NBA Finals. The Komets have been the constant: the original team began play in 1952, and the current franchise joined the ECHL in 2012 and won the Kelly Cup in 2021. The arena has also hosted NCAA men's volleyball Final Fours, the 2010 NCAA hockey Midwest Regional and NCAA Division III men's basketball championships. The first United States Auto Club race was run on an indoor track here in 1956, and the Rumble in Fort Wayne midget race still runs in the Expo Center at year's end.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum?
It seats 10,500 for hockey and concerts and 13,000 for basketball, after a 2002 expansion that raised the roof 41 feet.
How much is parking at the Memorial Coliseum?
Parking is a per-entry fee in the on-site lots, with the Preferred Lot costing more than the Main Lot. As of 2026, booths take cash or cards; current rates are on the Coliseum's parking page.
What is the Memorial Coliseum bag policy?
As of 2026, large duffels and backpacks are banned, bags larger than a clutch are searched and clear bags are welcome but not required. Some events require clear bags, so check the event page.
Can you re-enter the Coliseum during a Komets game?
Yes. Re-entry is allowed at Komets games and select events, but not at most concerts.
Where are the best seats for a Fort Wayne Komets game?
Lower-level sideline seats near center ice, a few rows up from the glass. Lower corners and the 200-level sideline are the value options.
Is the War Memorial Coliseum the same as the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne?
Yes. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is the full name; locals and the venue's website use Memorial Coliseum or simply the Coliseum.