Chaifetz Arena at a glance
Chaifetz Arena is Saint Louis University's on-campus arena in Midtown St. Louis, home to Billikens men's and women's basketball and a busy stop for concerts, comedy, wrestling and family shows. It seats 10,600 for basketball; concert setups with floor seating can push past that, and Sabrina Carpenter set the attendance record of 11,727 in October 2024. The short answer on seats: the lower level (sections 101–122) along the sidelines is the best view in the building, and the middle of the upper level (201–222) is the value play.
The arena is named for Richard Chaifetz, a 1975 SLU graduate and chief executive of ComPsych, whose 12 million dollar gift in February 2007 led the university to put his name on the building. It has had no other name. SLU owns it, and Spectra handles day-to-day operations.
How the seating is laid out
The bowl has two levels that wrap all the way around the court, with a steep pitch that keeps even the upper rows fairly close. Section numbers below are taken from RateYourSeats' section maps.
Lower level: sections 101–122
Mostly blue chairbacks. A typical lower section such as 112 or 117 runs from row H up to row W, with courtside and floor rows in front. Facing the court, lower seat numbers are on your right. For Saint Louis basketball, the first five rows of the center-court sections are sold as the Loyal Blue Club.
Upper level: sections 201–222
Upper sections sit roughly 20 to 35 rows from the court and have up to 15 rows each, all chairbacks. A 959-foot ribbon board circles this level, and four corner video boards hang above the bowl.
Floor and suites
Concerts add a floor section whose size varies by production. The arena also has 14 luxury suites.
Best seats for Billikens basketball
- Behind the benches: per RateYourSeats, the Saint Louis bench faces section 113 and the visitors' bench faces 116. Lower rows here put you closest to the coaches and huddles.
- Across from the benches: courtside seats sit in front of sections 103 and 104, and the lower rows behind them give a clean sideline view of both ends with the benches in the background.
- The student section: the SLUnatics fill sections 119 and 121, the only bleacher seats in the building. Sit nearby if you want noise; avoid it if you want to stay seated.
- Upper level value: RateYourSeats singles out section 202 as a good basketball seat, and upper sections generally cost far less than the lower bowl.
Seats to be careful with: low rows directly behind either basket, where the stanchion and the players in front of you block the far end, and the upper corners, which are the longest view in the house.
Concert seating: floor or the ends
Most concerts use an end-stage setup with the stage at the west end. In that layout, RateYourSeats picks sections 103 and 115 as the best alternatives to the floor: they sit at an angle near the stage, above the standing crowd. Seats at the far end of the lower bowl look straight at the stage, which is the best way to see the full lighting design and screens.
- Floor: closest to the artist, but smaller than the floor at Enterprise Center downtown, and each concert has its own floor layout. If the floor is general admission, arrive early for a spot near the front.
- Lower level side sections: the balance of distance and view most fans want.
- Upper level: fine for the full production, but angle matters: RateYourSeats rates section 202 well for basketball and poorly for concerts, so check where your section sits relative to the stage.
Skip the lower sections right beside the stage if the production uses side screens or speaker stacks, which can block part of the set.
Garages, MetroLink and drop-off
As of 2026, the arena lists three main parking options, not all of which open for every event:
- Olive/Compton Garage: general parking enters at 230 North Compton Avenue; premium parking enters from 3338 Olive Street and holds first-floor spaces. Accessible spaces are in this garage, entered from Olive Street.
- Laclede Garage: 3642 Laclede Avenue.
- Fred Weber VIP Lot: beside the arena at 1 South Compton Avenue.
All garage parking is cashless. Rideshare drop-off and pickup is at 3402 Laclede Avenue, and an accessible drop-off zone is on Compton Avenue near Gate C.
For MetroLink riders, Stadium Journey recommends Grand station and notes that game-night shuttles have run from there to the arena; confirm with the venue before relying on one. Rates and lots change, so check the arena's parking page before you go.
Clear bags, re-entry and other rules
As of 2026, Chaifetz Arena enforces a clear-bag policy. Each guest may carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear zip-top bag, plus one small clutch no larger than 7.5 by 5 inches. Diaper bags (with a child present) and medical items are allowed after inspection. The arena does not check bags, so a bag that is too large has to go back to your car.
- Doors usually open about an hour before the event.
- There is no re-entry for most events; all-day tournaments are the exception.
- The arena is cashless; a reverse ATM across from section 103 loads cash onto a card for a fee.
- Strollers are not allowed in seating areas and are checked at Guest Experience across from section 103.
- Professional cameras, recorders and selfie sticks are banned, and flash is never allowed.
Check the current clear-bag policy before you go.
A short history
SLU broke ground on August 28, 2006, and opened the arena on April 10, 2008, at a cost of about 80.5 million dollars. Sink Combs Dethlefs and Mackey Mitchell Associates designed it, and Clayco built it. The first event was a Harlem Globetrotters game the next night, and the Billikens moved in for the 2008–09 season. An attached two-court practice building, the Chaifetz Pavilion, doubles as an 800-seat volleyball venue.
Since then the arena has hosted the 2012 USA Gymnastics Championships, a vice presidential campaign rally in 2008, WWE starting in 2018, several AEW television events between 2024 and 2025, and benefit concerts by Tim McGraw and the Zac Brown Band for Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. The Wikipedia entry lists more events.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of Chaifetz Arena?
10,600 for basketball. Concerts with floor seating can hold more; the record crowd is 11,727 for Sabrina Carpenter on October 17, 2024.
What are the best seats at Chaifetz Arena?
For basketball, lower-level sideline sections near the benches (113 and 116) or across from them near 103 and 104. For end-stage concerts, sections 103 and 115 are strong alternatives to the floor.
Does Chaifetz Arena have a clear bag policy?
Yes. As of 2026, one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches plus a clutch up to 7.5 by 5 inches is allowed. Check the arena's current policy before you go.
Where do you park for Chaifetz Arena?
The Olive/Compton Garage is the main option, with the Laclede Garage and the Fred Weber VIP Lot also used for some events. All garage parking is cashless.
Where is the student section at Chaifetz Arena?
The SLUnatics sit in sections 119 and 121, the arena's only bleacher seating.
Can you leave and come back into Chaifetz Arena?
Generally no. The arena has a no re-entry policy for most events, with exceptions for all-day events such as tournaments.