Parking, bag policy, transit and history are on the main Kia Forum guide.
The short answer for Kia Forum buyers
For a typical end-stage concert, sit in or near section 101, which two seating guides agree faces the stage head-on from the far end of the arena. If you want to be closer, move along the sides of the 100 level toward the stage, but stop before the angle gets steep. Avoid the sections around 118 below and 213 to 223 above unless you are knowingly buying a side or behind-stage view.
The Forum's shape helps you. The bowl is round, and there is no suite ring between the two tiers, so the 200 level sits right on top of the 100 level instead of being pushed back. Wikipedia notes that no seat is more than 170 feet from the floor. That compact layout makes the front rows of the 200 level a strong value pick.
- Best overall: 100 level, facing the stage.
- Closest with a raised view: 100-level sides near the stage.
- Best value: low rows of the 200 level facing the stage.
- Riskiest: anything at the stage end.
How the numbers wrap around the bowl
Two seating guides agree on the ranges: sections 101 to 136 form the lower ring and 201 to 236 form the upper ring. Section 101 sits at the far end from an end stage, and the numbers run around the circle from there, which puts the middle of the numbering at the stage end.
- Far end (facing the stage): 101 and its neighbors, with the 201 end of the upper ring above.
- Long sides: the sections between, getting closer to the stage and more angled as you approach it.
- Stage end: the sections around 118 in the lower ring. One seating guide places 118 behind or beside the stage for most concerts, and fan ratings on a second guide rank nearby 115, 117 and 121 among the weakest lower-level views.
Productions build their own stages, so use this as the usual pattern and check the event map. The direction the numbers run (clockwise or counterclockwise) and the row counts per section are not confirmed by two sources, so they are left out here.
Floor tickets: what you are actually buying
The floor changes more than any other part of the chart. Some tours sell it as general admission (GA), meaning your ticket admits you to the floor but not to a specific spot. Others divide it into reserved sections. Seating guides show both numbered labels (Floor 1 to 3) and lettered ones (A through K), and the same letter can mean a different spot on different tours.
Things to weigh before buying floor
- The floor is flat. With no rake (slope), a reserved seat near the back of the floor may see less than row 1 of the 100 level, which rises above the crowd.
- Center floor is the pick. One seating guide names Floor 2, C and H in its layout as the strongest floor seats, lined up with the stage and the sound mix.
- GA rewards early arrival. The rail and the front third of the floor go to fans who line up well before doors. Arrive late and you will watch the screens.
Lower ring picks and pitfalls
The 100 level is the tier most fans should aim for. You are above the floor crowd and close to the stage.
Pick these
- Sections around 101: the straightest look at the full stage and lighting rig. Distance is the trade.
- Side sections partway to the stage: nearer the performers at a moderate angle. One seating guide lists 108 to 112 among its top concert picks.
Think hard about these
- The last side sections before the stage: the angle closes fast, and speaker stacks or set pieces can block the screens.
- Sections around 118: often sold as limited or rear view for end-stage shows. You are close but may see the back of the set and little video. One guide notes they tend to cost less than other lower-level seats, which suits fans who care about proximity more than production.
Row and comfort notes
Lower sections are wedge-shaped. One seating guide's row counts show front rows of six or seven seats widening to about twice that toward the back, so a front-row seat means fewer people to pass. The arena opened in 1967, and fan reviews mention tight legroom in parts of the 100 level; an aisle seat helps.
Upper ring and Legends Boxes
Because nothing separates the two tiers, the 200 level starts closer to the floor than upper decks at many newer arenas.
- Good upper seats: the 201 end, facing the stage. Fan reviews rate 201, 203 and 204 well.
- Fair upper seats: the sides, in low rows. The sections run deep, and the top rows are a long climb.
- Upper seats to skip: 213 and 214, flagged by two seating guides as beside or behind the stage with limited or obstructed views, and nearby 219, 222 and 223, which fan ratings place in the same group. Far away plus a bad angle is the worst combination in the building.
Legends Boxes
The arena's premium product is the City National Bank Legends Boxes: couch-style seating, a dedicated server and fast-pass entry, booked for groups of at least ten. Seating guides list them under even-numbered 200-series labels, and one guide singles out sideline boxes 208, 210, 226 and 228 as the best placed.
When the stage moves to the middle
An in-the-round show puts the stage in the center of the floor, and the Forum's circular bowl turns into an asset. Every lower section faces the stage at a similar distance, there is no behind-stage zone, and the low rows of the upper ring work from almost any side.
- Floor: the rows nearest the stage on any side.
- 100 level: almost any section; favor low rows.
- 200 level: front rows anywhere around the ring.
For comedy and spoken-word nights, faces carry the show. Distance matters more than at a concert, so a 100-level seat facing the stage beats an upper seat even at the same angle.
Buying accessible seats at the Forum
The venue's accessibility page says ADA, wheelchair, aisle-transfer and semi-ambulatory seats are sold on Ticketmaster, at the Kia Forum box office on Fridays, or by TDD. A guest with a disability may buy up to three companion seats in the accessible area, with more nearby if available, within each event's ticket limit.
- Aisle-transfer seats have a movable armrest on the aisle side for guests who can shift from a wheelchair into a fixed seat.
- Semi-ambulatory seats require fewer steps, which matters most in the deep 200-level sections.
- Sign-interpreted performances can be requested with at least 10 business days' notice.
The venue does not publish fixed accessible section numbers, and the floor changes with each stage plan, so confirm a location with guest relations through the Kia Forum accessibility page before you buy. Orders through Reserved Seat come with guaranteed entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is section 101 a good seat at the Kia Forum?
For an end-stage concert, yes. Two seating guides agree it faces the stage head-on from the far end, giving a straight view of the full production at the cost of some distance.
What does a side-stage seat mean at the Kia Forum?
It is a seat at the stage end of the arena, such as the sections near 118 or 213 and 214, where you see the stage from the side or behind. Views of the screens and set can be limited.
Is the floor seated or standing at the Kia Forum?
It varies by tour. Some sell the floor as general admission standing room and others divide it into reserved sections, so check the event map before you buy.
Does the Kia Forum have luxury suites?
No. The arena has no suite ring. Its premium seating is the City National Bank Legends Boxes, booked for groups of ten or more with couch seating and a dedicated server.
Should you choose the 100 or 200 level for an in-the-round show?
Either works better than at an end-stage show, because the round bowl keeps distances even. Low rows of the 100 level are the first choice, and front rows of the 200 level are a strong second.
How many companion seats come with an accessible ticket at the Kia Forum?
Up to three companion seats can be bought in the accessible area, with more nearby if available, subject to the event's ticket limit.