Evansville's downtown arena, and where to sit
The Ford Center is the main indoor arena in Evansville, Indiana, on the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard downtown. It opened in November 2011 as the replacement for Roberts Municipal Stadium and holds up to 11,000 people. It is home to the University of Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team and the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League, and it hosts concerts, family shows and tournaments through the year.
Not to be confused with the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, this building serves Evansville and the surrounding Tri-State area. The name comes from a 10-year naming-rights deal with the Tri-State Ford Dealers announced in August 2011.
The short answer on seats: for basketball and hockey, the 100-level sideline sections are the best view in the house, and a seat a few rows up beats the very front row. The 200 level, which the arena calls the balcony, is the budget option and works best along the sides. For end-stage concerts, the floor is closest, but the lower sections facing or angled toward the stage give the best overall picture.
How the seating levels stack up
The Ford Center is a two-ring arena with a suite level between, and its compact size keeps most seats close to the floor.
Floor
For concerts and some special events, the floor holds reserved seats or general-admission standing room. Some shows also add a VIP riser. Concert layouts vary, and RateYourSeats notes that some sections may be removed or altered for individual shows.
100 level
The lower bowl wraps the court or rink and is reached from the main concourse. The venue's own guide uses lower-level section numbers between 101 and 120 as landmarks: Guest Services is at section 101, the elevator to the suite and balcony levels is at sections 108 and 109, first aid is at section 113, and a priority elevator for guests with disabilities and premium ticket holders is at sections 119 and 120. Those landmarks are handy for finding your section from the lobby.
Suites and the Corner Club
Private suites sit above the lower bowl, and the Corner Club, a premium space, opens two hours before events.
200 level (balcony)
The upper level sits above the suites. It is the least expensive area and gives a full view of the floor; the sideline sections are the strongest choice up here.
The arena has not published a section-by-section map in text form, so check the seat map for your specific event before buying.
Best seats for Aces basketball, Thunderbolts hockey and concerts
Purple Aces basketball
The 100-level sideline sections give the best mix of distance and angle. Rows a little above the court let you see over the benches and the scorer's table. Seats behind the baskets are cheaper and fine for watching one end, but the stanchion and the depth of the court make the far end hard to judge.
Thunderbolts hockey
For the SPHL, center-ice seats on the 100 level are the best view, and the lower rows near the glass put you close to the hitting along the boards. The end where the Thunderbolts shoot twice changes the experience for two periods; ask at Guest Services or watch warmups, since teams choose ends before each game.
Concerts and family shows
For end-stage concerts, choose the floor if you want to be close, but remember that a flat floor favors taller fans. The lower sections facing the stage show the full production, and the side sections angled toward the stage keep you close without the floor's sightline problem. For ice shows and monster trucks, a raised seat in the 100 level along the side is better than the front row.
Seats to think twice about
- Side sections next to an end stage: you may lose part of the set and the video screens.
- The very top rows of the balcony ends: the longest look in the building.
- The first rows behind a hockey net: the glass and net block much of the far end.
Parking: free lot, city garages and downtown options
Parking downtown is easier than at many arenas. As listed on the venue's parking page in 2026:
- Civic Center lot: more than 1,100 spaces, free during events.
- Third Street and Sycamore Street garages: city-owned, with more than 1,200 spaces between them, paid during events.
- Stone Family Center lot: about 200 paid spaces behind the arena between Fifth and Sixth streets, entered from Locust Street.
- Other garages: the Locust Street garage, the DoubleTree by Hilton garage and garages at nearby office buildings.
Accessible parking is in front of the Civic Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and in area garages, and accessible drop-off is outside the main entry doors. The arena is one block from the METS transfer terminal, the city bus hub. From Interstate 69, the venue's directions use the Morgan Avenue exit and US 41 south, then Walnut Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Check the Ford Center parking page before you go.
Bags, doors and entry rules
As of 2026, the Ford Center's bag policy, posted under the heading of a clear-bag policy, prohibits bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches and bans backpacks of any size. Diaper bags larger than that limit are also prohibited, and every bag is searched at the door. The venue's A–Z guide also lists clutch purses larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches as prohibited.
- Doors: about one hour before the announced start for most events.
- Re-entry: not permitted.
- Tickets: sold at the ticket office on the north side of the arena on Main Street and through Ticketmaster; the venue states it honors only tickets bought through those channels and bans ticket resale on the premises.
- Children: ages 2 and up need a ticket for most events.
- Not allowed: outside food and drink, detachable-lens cameras, laptops, selfie sticks, large umbrellas and noisemakers.
- Smoking: not permitted anywhere in the building.
Policies can change, so read the Ford Center A–Z guide before you go.
Replacing Roberts Stadium
Evansville spent decades at Roberts Municipal Stadium, where the Purple Aces played for 55 years. The City Council approved a new 127.5 million arena on December 22, 2008, Populous (formerly HOK Sport) designed it, and site demolition began on December 5, 2009. The finished building covers about 290,000 square feet and fills the block bounded by Main Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Sixth Street and Walnut Street.
The first public event was an Evansville IceMen hockey game on November 5, 2011. Bob Seger played the first concert four days later, and the Aces beat Butler 80–77 in overtime in the first basketball game on November 12, 2011. When the ECHL's IceMen left after a 2016 lease dispute, the city brought in the Thunderbolts of the SPHL for the 2016–17 season.
The arena has since hosted the NCAA Division II men's basketball championship eight times (2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021 through 2025), the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, and a 2014 international roller derby playoff. More history is on the arena's Wikipedia entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Ford Center in Evansville?
The Ford Center holds up to 11,000 people. The University of Evansville lists basketball seating at around 10,000.
Is parking free at the Ford Center?
The Civic Center lot, with more than 1,100 spaces, is free during events as of 2026. The city's Third Street and Sycamore Street garages and other nearby lots charge during events.
What bags are allowed at the Ford Center?
As of 2026, bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are prohibited and backpacks are banned regardless of size. Check the venue's bag policy before you go.
Who plays at the Ford Center?
The University of Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team and the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL. Touring concerts, family shows and tournaments fill the rest of the calendar.
Where are the best seats at the Ford Center?
For basketball and hockey, the 100-level sideline sections a few rows up. For concerts, the lower sections facing or angled toward the stage give the best overall view.
Can I leave the Ford Center and come back?
No. The venue's A–Z guide says guests who leave during an event cannot return during that same event.