Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Kohl Center Seating Chart.
The Badgers' arena on West Dayton Street
The Kohl Center is the University of Wisconsin–Madison's arena at 601 West Dayton Street, on the south edge of campus a few blocks from State Street. It is home to Wisconsin Badgers men's and women's basketball and Badgers men's hockey, and it hosts the WIAA state basketball and wrestling tournaments, commencement ceremonies and touring concerts. It holds roughly 17,000 for basketball and about 15,500 for hockey.
The short answer on seats: for basketball, the midcourt sections on each deck (108 and 122 in the lower bowl, 208 and 222 above them) give the best view, and the front rows of the 200 level are the value pick. The arena is named for former U.S. senator and Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl, whose 25 million dollar gift launched the project, which is why fans call it the Herb Garden.
How the three decks are laid out
The design copies the old Wisconsin Field House idea of stacking seats over the floor. Instead of setting each level back, the arena uses two cantilevered balconies (upper decks that hang out over the level below), which keeps the upper seats closer to the court than in most arenas of this size. The university describes three tiers visible from center court.
Section numbers below come from the RateYourSeats section directory; Stadium Journey's hockey review cites sections in the same ranges. Confirm a seat on the seat map before you buy.
100 level: sections 101–128
The lower bowl wraps the floor in 28 sections. Sections 108 and 122 face each other across midcourt, with 106–107 and 109–110 on one sideline and 120–121 on the other. The remaining sections run around the corners and behind the baskets. Courtside seats on the floor were added before the 2006 season.
200 level: sections 201–228
The first balcony repeats the pattern, so 208 and 222 are the midcourt sections. Because the deck overhangs the lower bowl, the front of the 200 level is one of the best sightlines in the building.
300 level: sections 301–328
The top deck, with 308 and 322 at midcourt, is steep but still compact. An LED ribbon board runs around the arena just below this level.
Best seats for basketball, hockey and concerts
Badgers basketball
Lower sideline sections 106–110 and 120–122 are the premium seats, with middle rows the sweet spot: high enough to see over the floor seats and the benches, low enough to hear the game. For value, the first rows of 207–209 and 221–223 sit directly over midcourt. The student section, renamed AreaRED in 2018 after years as the Grateful Red, is the loudest part of the building; if you want a calmer seat, pick a section away from it on the seat map.
Badgers hockey
Stadium Journey's reviewer recommends 207 or 209 for hockey: the elevated angle shows both benches, the center-ice logo and plays developing across the full rink. In the lower bowl, rows 10 and higher see over the glass better than the first few rows. For hockey, the student section sits at the west end in sections 113–116 and the upper reaches of the 200 level, so expect noise and standing there.
Concerts
For an end-stage show, the lower sideline sections closest to the stage give elevated, near views, and the sections facing the stage head-on show the full production. Sections directly beside or behind the stage are often unsold or carry partial views.
Seats to avoid
- Top rows of the 300-level corners: the steepest, farthest seats in the arena.
- Low rows behind the baskets: the stanchion and backboard sit in your line of sight.
- Back rows of the 100 and 200 levels under an overhang: the deck above can cut off the scoreboard and the top of the stage.
Kohl Center capacity by event
The Kohl Center seats about 17,000 for basketball, though published figures differ. UW Athletics lists 16,838 for men's basketball and 17,142 for women's basketball; Wikipedia gives 17,287. Its basketball capacity has changed several times as courtside and upper-deck seating were added or removed.
- Hockey: UW Athletics lists 15,511; Wikipedia gives both 15,359 and 15,539 in different places.
- Concerts: UW Athletics puts concert capacity at roughly 15,000 to 17,000, depending on stage placement.
- Ice surface: UW lists a 200 by 97 foot rink.
Wikipedia ranks it as the fourth-largest arena in the Big Ten and the second-largest indoor venue in Wisconsin, behind Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Wisconsin's hockey crowds are among the largest in college hockey.
Parking and getting to the Kohl Center
There is no dedicated arena garage; event parking uses UW–Madison's campus lots and ramps. For the 2023–24 season, UW Transportation Services listed Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage), Lot 29 (North Park Street Ramp), Lot 46 (Lake and Johnson Ramp) and Lots 44, 48, 51, 87 and 91 for Kohl Center events. UW Athletics says single-game parking may be sold on event day, first come, first served, at lots with space. Lot 87, west of the arena by the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion, is the accessible drop-off point.
Expect lane and street changes around the building on big nights: Dayton Street runs one way near the arena and University Avenue loses a lane near Park Street. Metered parking on nearby streets such as Frances Street is limited. Many fans walk from State Street or downtown hotels, which is often faster than exiting a ramp after a sellout. Madison's Metro Transit buses serve the campus.
Bag policy, gates and entry rules
As of 2026, the Kohl Center does not require clear bags, but it limits bag size. Under the university's Kohl Center carry-in policy, bags up to 8.5 by 11 inches are allowed, and clear totes up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are permitted; backpacks and larger bags are not. Check the current rules before you go, since athletics policies change by season.
- Prohibited: outside food and drink, laptops, drones, video recorders, selfie sticks and tripods, noisemakers, banners and signs, and strollers.
- Re-entry: not allowed. Once you leave the building during an event, you cannot return.
- Gates: public and student gates open 90 minutes before men's basketball and hockey; for women's basketball, the student gate opens one hour before.
- Accessibility: wheelchair escorts and assistive listening devices are available through Guest Services.
The full rules are on the UW Kohl Center carry-in policy.
History of the Kohl Center
Ground was broken on September 7, 1996, and the first men's basketball game was played on January 17, 1998. The arena cost about 76.4 million dollars and was designed by Venture Architects, HOK Sport and Heinlein Schrock Stearns. It replaced the Wisconsin Field House for basketball and the Dane County Coliseum for hockey. Herb Kohl's 25 million dollar gift was the largest single donation in University of Wisconsin System history at the time, and a 10 million dollar gift from Albert and Nancy Nicholas funded the adjoining practice pavilion. Dale Chihuly's glass sculpture Mendota Wall hangs in the front lobby.
The building has seen court-stormings after wins over top-ranked Ohio State in 2011 and No. 2 Michigan in 2019, a 2008 Barack Obama rally of more than 17,000 people, a Milwaukee Bucks preseason game in 2016 and the opening night of Metallica's WorldWired arena tour in 2018. Women's hockey moved next door to LaBahn Arena when it opened in 2012.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kohl Center's capacity?
About 17,000 for basketball. UW Athletics lists 16,838 for men's basketball and 15,511 for hockey; Wikipedia gives 17,287 for basketball.
Where are the best seats at the Kohl Center for basketball?
Midcourt sections 108 and 122 in the lower bowl are the best seats. For less money, the front rows of 208 and 222 on the first balcony sit directly over midcourt.
What is the Kohl Center bag policy?
As of 2026, bags up to 8.5 by 11 inches and clear totes up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed; backpacks are not. Check the current policy before you go.
Where do I park for a Kohl Center event?
Use UW–Madison's campus ramps and lots, such as the Lake and Johnson Ramp (Lot 46) and the Grainger Hall Garage (Lot 7). Event-day parking is first come, first served where space remains.
Can I leave the Kohl Center and come back in?
No. UW Athletics does not allow re-entry once you leave the building during an event.
Does Wisconsin women's hockey play at the Kohl Center?
Usually not. Women's hockey moved to the adjacent LaBahn Arena when it opened in 2012, while men's hockey stayed at the Kohl Center.