It is home to the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento's downtown arena for the Kings
Golden 1 Center is the publicly owned arena at 500 David J. Stern Walk in downtown Sacramento, home of the Sacramento Kings (NBA) and the region's main arena for concerts, wrestling, bull riding and college basketball. It seats 17,608 for an NBA game and about 19,000 for concerts. The best basketball seats are the lower sideline sections, with 107 and 120 at center court; for value, the 200-level sidelines (204–207 and 216–219) keep a full view of the floor.
The arena opened in October 2016 as part of the Downtown Commons (DoCo) district, on part of the old Downtown Plaza mall, and replaced ARCO Arena, later called Sleep Train Arena, as the Kings' home. Unlike many arenas on this list, it has never been renamed: Golden 1 Credit Union bought the naming rights in June 2015 under a 20-year agreement, before the building opened. Its street address honors former NBA commissioner David Stern, who helped keep the franchise in Sacramento.
Golden 1 Center seating chart: Plaza, 200 level and courtside
Section numbers below come from the RateYourSeats section directory and match the TickPick Kings seating guide.
100 level: sections 101–126
The lower bowl, entered from the Plaza Level concourse, has 26 sections. Sections 107 and 120 face each other at center court. TickPick places the Kings bench in front of section 108 and the visitors' bench in front of 106. During construction, the design was changed to move hundreds of seats into this lower bowl, closer to the floor, which is a big reason the arena feels compact for its size.
200 level: sections 201–222
The upper level, reached from the Bridge Level concourse, has 22 sections, with 205 and 218 at center court. Premium spaces include 34 luxury suites, 48 loft-style suites, three clubs and two skyboxes that overlook the concourse.
Courtside
Courtside sections 1 through 9 line the floor; 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 sit along the sidelines.
Seat and row details
Seat 1 in any section is next to the adjacent lower-numbered section, so seat 1 in 107 sits beside section 106. Rows typically hold about 20 seats, while corner rows near the floor can have as few as five.
Best seats for Kings games and concerts
Kings basketball
For the best overall view, TickPick points to 106–108 and 119–121 plus the sideline courtside sections. Sitting in 119–121, across from both benches, gives the cleanest view of the full court and the Kings' huddle. The end sections behind the baskets are cheaper and still close, but the far end of the court looks compressed and the basket supports cut into the view from the lowest rows.
The value play is the 200-level sideline: 204–207 and 216–219. Because the building puts so many seats low, the upper level is closer to the floor than at older arenas, and the center-hung videoboard, 84 feet long and among the largest in the NBA when it opened, fills in replays. TickPick's verdict is that a truly poor seat is hard to find here; the weakest are the top rows of the upper corners.
Concerts
For end-stage shows, the center floor sections straight back from the stage are the classic choice, and the lower side sections near the stage (106–108 and 119–121) give an elevated look close in. Upstairs, 204–206 and 217 are the side-of-stage options. Sections behind the stage are usually blocked off or sold as limited-view.
Parking, light rail and getting downtown
Parking
More than 13,500 parking spaces sit within half a mile. The arena directs fans to SacPark, where prepaid event passes are sold, and recommends buying in advance; garage-specific passes are subject to availability. Garages open two hours before the event, and pedestrian walkways reach the arena at 5th and J, 7th and K, and 5th and L Streets.
Light rail and train
Several SacRT light rail stations sit within a block of the arena; Wikipedia identifies 8th and K (St. Rose of Lima Park) as the closest. Weekend Gold Line construction has affected service at times, so check SacRT before you ride. Sacramento Valley Station, at 4th and I Streets, handles Amtrak trains.
Bikes
SABA, the local bicycle group, runs a free bike valet near 7th and K, open two hours before major events and a half hour after.
Bag policy and entry rules at Golden 1 Center
As of 2026, Golden 1 Center prohibits backpacks and any bag larger than 8 x 6 x 1 inches. That is roughly wallet or small-clutch size, so most purses will not pass. Baby bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are allowed, and strollers are checked at Guest Services across from section 109 on the Plaza Level or section 207 on the Bridge Level.
- Doors: 90 minutes before tipoff for Kings games and usually one hour before other events.
- Re-entry: not allowed; leaving for a prohibited item requires a security supervisor's approval first.
- Payments: fully cashless, with no cash-to-card kiosks, so bring a card or phone.
- Kings extras: cowbells are allowed at Kings games, and signs up to 11 x 17 inches are allowed without poles.
Rules change, so check the arena's prohibited items list before you go.
Building history, from the 2014 groundbreaking to Light the Beam
Construction began on October 29, 2014, after the city agreed to partner with the Kings' new ownership group, led by Vivek Ranadivé, on a downtown arena. Costs rose to about 534.6 million dollars, partly because of the lower-bowl redesign, with the Kings and the city sharing the bill. The arena earned LEED Platinum certification in September 2016, with a rooftop solar array.
Paul McCartney opened the building with two concerts starting October 4, 2016, and the Kings played their first regular-season game there on October 27, 2016. Since 2022, purple laser beams on the roof have been lit after every Kings win, and "Light the Beam" has become the team's rallying cry. The arena has also hosted NCAA tournament games in 2017 and 2023, the 2026 women's regional, WWE and UFC events, and the CIF state basketball championships. More is on the Wikipedia entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of Golden 1 Center?
The arena seats 17,608 for Kings games, according to its official FAQ, and about 19,000 for concerts.
Where should I park for Golden 1 Center?
In the downtown garages sold through SacPark, ideally prepaid; more than 13,500 spaces sit within half a mile. Light rail stops within a block of the arena if you would rather not drive.
What size bag is allowed at Golden 1 Center?
As of 2026, bags may be no larger than 8 x 6 x 1 inches, and backpacks are prohibited. Baby bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are the exception; check the arena's current rules before you go.
What are the best seats for a Kings game?
Lower sideline sections 106–108 and 119–121, with 107 and 120 at center court. For value, the 200-level sideline sections 204–207 and 216–219.
Was Golden 1 Center ever called something else?
No. Golden 1 Credit Union bought the naming rights in 2015, before the arena opened in 2016. The Kings' previous home was ARCO Arena, a separate building.
Can I leave Golden 1 Center and come back in?
No. The arena has a no re-entry policy, including for guests who step out to smoke.