Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the CFG Bank Arena Seating Chart.
For other venues, teams and events nearby, see the Baltimore guide.
Baltimore's downtown arena, formerly Royal Farms Arena
CFG Bank Arena is the city-owned arena at 201 West Baltimore Street, at the corner of Hopkins Place, one block from the Baltimore Convention Center. It has no NBA or NHL tenant, so its calendar is concerts, comedy, wrestling, family shows and college basketball, including the CIAA tournament. The arena lists capacity at 14,000-plus for concerts. For a typical end-stage concert, the best seats are the center floor sections a short way back from the stage and, for an elevated view, the lower sections closest to the stage sides, which RateYourSeats identifies as 101–106 and 119–120.
The building has carried many names. It opened in 1962 as the Baltimore Civic Center, became the Baltimore Arena in 1986, 1st Mariner Arena in 2003, the Baltimore Arena again in 2013 and Royal Farms Arena from September 2014 until 2022. It was renamed CFG Bank Arena in October 2022 and reopened under that name in February 2023 after a full-year renovation. The renovation added new seating, suites and clubs, so an old Royal Farms Arena chart may not match; use a current map.
Seating layout: floor, 100s, 200s and premium spaces
Section numbers here are from the RateYourSeats section directory and the arena's own A–Z guide, which references the same 100 and 200 numbers by concourse.
Floor
For reserved-seat concerts, the floor is divided into lettered or numbered blocks; RateYourSeats lists Floor 1 through Floor 6, with Floor 2 and Floor 5 as the straight-on center blocks. Some shows sell the floor as general admission standing room instead, so check your listing.
Lower level: sections 101–124
The lower bowl wraps the floor from the third-floor concourse. Section 101 and section 124 sit next to the west and east garage entrances on the third level, and Guest Services is at section 109.
Upper level: sections 201–220
The upper bowl is reached from the fourth-floor concourse and includes standing-room spots at 207 and 214.
Premium
Theater boxes sit in the lower bowl (103–105, 110–115 and 120–122), and party suites in the 300 range (301–312) ring the upper bowl. Premium members can use four clubs on event days: the Fearless Club, NINETEEN 62, the Center Club and a speakeasy called the Vault. Premium tickets include parking in the attached arena garage and a private entrance.
Best seats for concerts, sports and comedy
End-stage concerts
- Best view: the center floor blocks (Floor 2 and Floor 5 in RateYourSeats' map), close enough to see faces and centered on the production.
- Best elevated view: lower sections near the stage sides, 101–106 and 119–120; you see over the floor crowd and stay close.
- Full-production view: lower sections opposite the stage, which face it head-on and show the lighting rig as designed.
- Budget: the front rows of the 200s on the far side, which beat the back of the floor for sight lines if you are not tall.
Basketball, wrestling and boxing
For a center-court or center-ring event, the lower sideline sections and the front of the 200s along the sides are the strongest seats, and the end sections cost less for a foreshortened view. The arena hosted its first WNBA games in 2025, when the Washington Mystics played the Indiana Fever there in May and September.
Seats to think twice about
- Sections beside or behind the stage: partial or no view of video screens; often not sold.
- Back rows of the floor: flat ground, so a standing crowd blocks the stage for shorter fans.
- Upper corners near the stage: steep side angles and the farthest seats from the action.
Getting there: light rail, Metro and parking
CFG Bank Arena is one of the few big arenas with a rail stop at the door. The Baltimore Arena station on the Baltimore Light Rail is immediately next to the building and leads to the Howard Street entrance; the Charles Center Metro Subway station and many MTA bus lines are a short walk away.
For drivers, the arena points to downtown lots and garages bookable in advance through SpotHero rather than a single official lot. The attached arena garage is tied to premium tickets. Lyft is the arena's rideshare partner, and the Inner Harbor's hotels and restaurants are a few blocks south, so many visitors park once for dinner and the show.
Note that every entrance except Howard Street is accessible, so guests who need step-free access should plan to use another door.
CFG Bank Arena bag policy and house rules
As of 2026, the arena's A–Z guide lists these rules; check the current A–Z guide and your event page before you go.
- Bags: clear bags up to 14 by 6 by 14 inches, plus small clutches, purses or wallets up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches, which need not be clear. Medical bags are screened.
- Not allowed: backpacks, duffels, grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, camera cases, and diaper bags unless their contents are in a clear bag.
- Re-entry: guests who leave during an event are not readmitted.
- Payment: cashless; reverse ATMs at the Hopkins Plaza ticket lobby and the third floor at section 109.
- Tickets: mobile only; printouts and screenshots are not accepted.
- Strollers: allowed in the building but not in the seating bowl.
- Smoking and vaping: not permitted.
Free assistive listening devices are at Guest Services, section 109, and ASL interpreters need at least 14 business days' notice.
Bullets, Beatles and a 2023 rebirth
The Baltimore Civic Center opened on October 23, 1962, on the site of the Old Congress Hall, where the Continental Congress met in 1776. It was home to the NBA's Baltimore Bullets, now the Washington Wizards, from 1963 to 1973, and hosted the 1969 NBA All-Star Game. Hockey's Baltimore Clippers, the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and the Baltimore Thunder lacrosse team followed over the decades.
- September 13, 1964: the Beatles play two shows to a combined 28,000.
- 1970s: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and two Elvis Presley sellouts.
- 1988 onward: WCW's Great American Bash is staged here eight times.
- February 2022: the arena closes after the CIAA tournament for renovation.
- 2023: it reopens with the CIAA tournament in February; Bruce Springsteen plays the first post-renovation concert in April.
The renovation, led by Oak View Group with Thirty Five Ventures, cost about 250 million dollars and rebuilt the concourses, seating, suites and glass exterior. The Wikipedia entry has the full history.
Frequently asked questions
Is CFG Bank Arena the same as Royal Farms Arena?
Yes. Royal Farms Arena was renamed CFG Bank Arena in October 2022 and reopened in February 2023 after a year-long renovation. Older seating charts may not match.
What is CFG Bank Arena's capacity?
The arena lists capacity at 14,000-plus for concerts. Other setups vary by event.
What is the CFG Bank Arena bag policy?
As of 2026, clear bags up to 14 by 6 by 14 inches and clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed. Backpacks are not.
Where should I park for CFG Bank Arena?
The arena recommends booking a downtown garage through SpotHero; the attached arena garage is tied to premium tickets. Light rail stops at the arena's door.
What are the best seats at CFG Bank Arena for a concert?
Center floor blocks give the closest straight-on view. For an elevated seat near the stage, look at lower sections 101–106 and 119–120.
Can you leave CFG Bank Arena and come back in?
No. Guests who leave during an event are not readmitted.