It is home to the Miami Heat. For other venues, teams and events nearby, see the Miami guide.
Miami's bayfront arena, under its fourth name
Kaseya Center is the county-owned arena at 601 Biscayne Boulevard on Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, home of the Miami Heat (NBA) and a major stop for concert tours, UFC cards and Latin music shows. It seats roughly 19,600 for basketball. For a Heat game, the best seats are the lower sideline sections 106–107 and 118–119, which face each other across center court.
The building has changed names more often than most arenas. It opened as American Airlines Arena on December 31, 1999, and became FTX Arena in June 2021. After the crypto exchange collapsed, the county ended that deal in early 2023; the building was briefly called The Arena and then Miami-Dade Arena. In April 2023, county commissioners approved a 17-year naming deal with the Miami software company Kaseya. All four names point to the same building and the same seating chart.
Kaseya Center seating chart: 100, 300 and 400 levels
Section numbers below come from the RateYourSeats section directory and the TickPick Heat seating guide, which agree on the lower-bowl layout.
100 level: sections 101–124
The lower bowl wraps the court. TickPick puts the Heat bench in front of sections 107–108 and the visitors' bench in front of 105–106, so 106–107 and 118–119 are the center-court pairs. The first 10 rows of the lower sections are sold as club seats with lounge access; the premium Flagship seats occupy the first 10 rows at center court on both sides. Courtside seats line the floor on all four sides.
300 level: sections 301–332
Above the suites, the 300 level is the main upper deck. Sections 308–309 and 324–325 are its sideline center sections.
400 level: sections 401–420
The highest ring is smaller, with 20 sections. Wikipedia notes the arena can be reduced to about 16,500 seats with the upper levels closed, and some events curtain them off.
Seat numbering
Seat 1 sits next to the adjacent lower-numbered section; in section 118, seat 1 follows section 117's last seat. Use that to find aisles: the lowest and highest seat numbers sit on the section's edges.
Best seats for Heat games and concerts
Heat basketball
Sections 106–107 and 118–119 are the prime lower-bowl seats; sitting across from the Heat bench, in 118–119, gives a straight look at the home huddle and the whole floor. Just behind the club rows, from about row 11 back, the angle is still excellent and the club premium no longer applies. The lower corner sections are a reasonable compromise between the sidelines and the baseline.
Upstairs, the low rows of 308–309 and 324–325 give a full center-court view and are the best value for a basketball fan who wants to see plays develop. The 400 level is the budget tier; stay near center (the middle of 401–420) and accept a long view.
Concerts
Concert capacity depends on the stage: about 12,200 for a 180-degree end stage, 15,400 at 270 degrees and 18,300 at 360 degrees, per Wikipedia. For end-stage shows, the floor center and the lower side sections near the stage (105–108 and 117–120) give the closest elevated views, and 308–309 are the upper-level picks. The 100-level sections at the far end face the stage straight on.
Seats to avoid
- The top rows of the 400 level in the corners: the farthest seats in the building.
- Sections beside or behind an end stage: obstructed or no view of the screens.
- Low baseline rows behind the stanchion: the support blocks part of the court.
Kaseya Center capacity by event
For basketball, Wikipedia's infobox lists 19,600, while its text gives 19,500; either way, the Heat play to about 19,600 when every level is open. Other configurations:
- Basketball with upper levels closed: about 16,500.
- Hockey: 14,447. The arena has a regulation NHL rink but has never hosted an NHL game.
- Arena concerts: 12,202 (180 degrees), 15,402 (270 degrees) and 18,309 (360 degrees).
- Waterfront Theater: 3,000 to 5,800, a curtained-off configuration for smaller shows.
The building also holds 2,105 club seats, 80 luxury suites and 76 private boxes.
Bag size, entry and Metromover to the arena
Bags
As of 2026, Kaseya Center discourages bags. Small bags or purses smaller than 10 x 6 x 2 inches are allowed after a search; anything larger is turned away. Medical and infant bags are permitted and X-rayed at Gate 3. Paid lockers are on the South Plaza above the Gate 7 steps and next to the box office near Gates 4 and 5.
Entry
- Doors: usually one hour before the event.
- Re-entry: prohibited.
- Payments: cashless, with reverse ATMs that turn cash into prepaid cards.
- Strollers: not allowed in the seating bowl; check them on the South Plaza.
Getting there
Transit is the smart move. Take Metrorail to Government Center, transfer free to the Metromover Omni Loop, and get off at Park West or Freedom Tower; the arena is across Biscayne Boulevard. Service can run until 1 a.m. after arena events. Several lots next to the arena have been permanently eliminated, so drivers should look at flat-rate lots within walking distance and allow time for Biscayne traffic. Rideshare drop-off is at Bayshore Drive and HEAT Boulevard, by Gate 6. Policies change, so read the arena's A–Z guide before you go.
Finals history on Biscayne Bay
Miami-Dade County owns the arena, which broke ground on February 6, 1998, and cost about 213 million dollars. Arquitectonica designed it with 360 Architecture, on the bayfront. The Heat moved in for the 2000 season and have since played NBA Finals games here in 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2023, winning titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. The arena also hosted the 2004 and 2005 MTV Video Music Awards and has held UFC events since 2003. More history is on the Wikipedia entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaseya Center the same as FTX Arena?
Yes. The building was American Airlines Arena from 1999 to 2021, FTX Arena from 2021 to early 2023, briefly Miami-Dade Arena, and Kaseya Center since April 2023.
What is the capacity of Kaseya Center?
About 19,600 for Heat basketball, or 16,500 with the upper levels closed. Arena concerts range from about 12,200 to 18,300 depending on the stage.
What size bag can I bring to Kaseya Center?
As of 2026, bags or purses must be smaller than 10 x 6 x 2 inches. Medical and infant bags are allowed after X-ray at Gate 3; check the current policy before you go.
What are the best seats for a Heat game?
Lower sideline sections 106–107 and 118–119 at center court. For value, the low rows of 308–309 and 324–325 on the 300 level keep the center-court angle.
How do I get to Kaseya Center without driving?
Take Metrorail to Government Center and transfer to the free Metromover Omni Loop, then get off at Park West or Freedom Tower, across Biscayne Boulevard from the arena.
Can I leave and re-enter Kaseya Center?
No. The arena prohibits re-entry once you leave an event.