Wichita's downtown arena and who plays there
INTRUST Bank Arena is the Sedgwick County–owned arena at 500 East Waterman Street, on the northeast corner of Emporia and Waterman in downtown Wichita. It seats about 15,000 and is home to the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. Wichita State men's basketball moves big games here from on-campus Charles Koch Arena, and the arena is a regular NCAA tournament site, with men's opening-round games scheduled for March 2027. For basketball, the best seats are center court in section 103 (the club seats) and section 116 across the floor; upstairs, 215 and 216 are the center-court value seats.
The arena opened in January 2010 and has always carried the INTRUST name. Sedgwick County signed a 25-year naming-rights deal with Wichita-based Intrust Bank in January 2008, while the building was still known in planning as the Sedgwick County Arena. It replaced the Kansas Coliseum north of the city as the region's main arena.
How the INTRUST Bank Arena bowl is numbered
The layout here comes from the arena's own event seating maps, posted on its seating charts page.
100 level: sections 101–126
The lower bowl wraps the floor. On the suite side, sections 101–106 run along the sideline with 103 at center; section 103 holds more than 235 club seats with in-seat service and access to the Spectrum Lounge. Across the floor, 113–119 line the other sideline with 116 at center, and the team benches and scorer's table sit in front of 115–117 for basketball. The ends are 107–112 (with 109–110 straight behind one basket) and 120–126 (with 122–123 behind the other).
Loge boxes and suites
Behind the 101–106 sideline are 40 loge boxes on the main concourse, with limestone walls and their own service, and above them two rows of suites, 22 in all.
200 level: sections 206–225
The upper level is a horseshoe. Because the suites fill one side, the 200 level runs only along the opposite sideline and around both ends: 213–218 on the sideline with 215 and 216 at center, 207–212 at one end and 219–224 at the other, with 206 and 225 as small corner sections next to the suites.
The roof is 65 feet high, lower than most arenas of this size, which the arena credits for both its acoustics and the closer feel of the upper rows.
Best seats for Thunder hockey, basketball and concerts
Basketball
- Best overall: 102–104 and 115–117. Section 103 is the most comfortable seat in the house; 116 looks straight at the benches.
- Best value: 214–217, the center of the 200 sideline. The low roof keeps these rows closer than upper seats in bigger arenas.
- Behind the baskets: 109–110 and 122–123 are good for the student and band atmosphere at NCAA games but not for reading plays.
Wichita Thunder hockey
Center ice follows the same lines: 102–104, 115–117 and 214–217. Pick a few rows up in the lower bowl to see over the glass. ECHL crowds are smaller than for a concert or NCAA session, so lower-bowl seats are usually easy to find.
End-stage concerts
On the arena's end-stage maps, the stage typically sits at the 122–123 end, with floor sections numbered from the stage back. The best raised seats are the side sections nearest the stage: 101–102 and 126 on one side and 118–120 on the other. The 109–110 end and sections 208–211 face the stage head-on, the best seats for seeing the full production and screens.
Seats to avoid
- Sections at the stage end (121–124 and 220–223) for an end-stage show unless the event lists them as open with a clear view.
- The 206 and 225 corners, which are small and angled toward the floor.
- Top rows of the 200 corners for basketball, where you look down the length of the court.
INTRUST Bank Arena capacity and records
Wikipedia lists the arena at 15,004 seats, and the arena describes it as a 15,000-seat venue with 22 suites, 40 loge boxes and about 300 premium seats. It is the second-largest indoor arena in Kansas, behind Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas, and larger than Charles Koch Arena at Wichita State.
The single-concert attendance record is 15,690, set by Metallica on March 4, 2019. The arena hosted the first UFC event in Kansas on March 9, 2019, and NHL preseason games between the St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes in 2022 and 2023.
Parking, rideshare and the Q-Line trolley
As of 2026, the arena owns and operates Lots 1–4; every other lot downtown is independently run. The arena counts more than 4,000 spaces within four blocks and offers advance event parking through ParkMobile, which guarantees a spot in a chosen lot. Rates vary by event, so check the event page.
- Accessible parking: 24 spaces in the Circle Drive at Waterman Street and in Lots 2 and 3, first come, first served, entered from St. Francis or Emporia Street.
- Drop-off and rideshare: near Emporia and English Streets. Drop-offs are not allowed in arena lots, and Emporia Street closes briefly after large events, so expect a short wait.
- Q-Line trolley: Wichita Transit's free Q-Line runs along Douglas Avenue every 10 to 15 minutes, with a stop at Douglas and St. Francis just north of the arena.
INTRUST Bank Arena clear-bag policy and entry
As of 2026, INTRUST Bank Arena enforces a clear-bag policy. Each guest may carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC tote (the arena's pages list it as 14 by 6 by 14 inches) or a one-gallon clear storage bag, plus a small clutch, purse or fanny pack up to 5.5 by 8.5 inches. Backpacks of any size, diaper bags, camera bags, drawstring bags and luggage are prohibited; medically necessary bags are allowed after inspection and tagging.
- Bag check: the box office sells bag check vouchers, and clear bags that include a voucher, for guests who arrive with the wrong bag.
- Cameras: non-professional still cameras without detachable lenses are allowed at most events; video recorders and telephoto lenses are not.
- Smoking: the arena is smoke-free, including e-cigarettes; the outdoor smoking area is on the north side near sections 118 and 218.
- Families: a nursing room is at section 220, and the sensory room is in the South Lobby near Entrance B.
Read the arena's event day information before you go.
A sales-tax arena and an NCAA regular
Sedgwick County voters approved the downtown arena on November 9, 2004, by a 52–48 margin, funded by a one-cent county sales tax that ran for 30 months starting July 1, 2005. Populous designed the building with local firms, and it opened in January 2010, several months ahead of schedule, with a brick and limestone exterior that, per Populous, reflects downtown Wichita's heritage and connects to the nearby Old Town entertainment district. In its first quarter it ranked among Pollstar's top 50 arenas worldwide for ticket sales.
The NCAA has returned repeatedly: women's tournament rounds in 2011, men's first and second rounds in 2018 and 2025, the women's Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in 2022, and the men's opening round in 2027. Wichita State has used the arena for its biggest December games, against opponents such as Tennessee, Oklahoma and Kansas State.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of INTRUST Bank Arena?
About 15,000. Wikipedia lists 15,004 seats, and Metallica set the attendance record with 15,690 in 2019.
What is the INTRUST Bank Arena bag policy?
As of 2026, one clear tote or one-gallon clear bag plus a small clutch up to 5.5 by 8.5 inches is allowed. Backpacks and diaper bags are prohibited; check the current policy before you go.
Where do I park for INTRUST Bank Arena?
The arena runs Lots 1–4 and sells advance parking through ParkMobile. More than 4,000 spaces sit within four blocks, and the free Q-Line trolley stops just north of the arena.
What are the best seats at INTRUST Bank Arena?
Center court in sections 103 and 116 is the best for basketball and hockey. Upstairs, 215 and 216 are the best value.
Why does the 200 level not go all the way around?
Suites and loge boxes fill one sideline, so the 200 level runs along the other sideline and both ends, from section 206 to 225.
Has INTRUST Bank Arena ever had another name?
During planning it was called the Sedgwick County Arena. It has been INTRUST Bank Arena since it opened in 2010.