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    Rupp Arena Seating Chart

    Midcourt: 14 and 31 · best upstairs: chair-back 212–215, 230–233

    Two levels, two midcourt sections and one rule: chair-backs on the sidelines, bleachers in the upper corners. Here is how Rupp's map reads.

    By the Reserved Seat editorial teamUpdated How we research

    Parking, bag policy, transit and history are on the main Rupp Arena guide.

    Schematic Rupp Arena seating chart: lower sections 11 to 44 and upper sections 211 to 244 run clockwise, with midcourt at 14 and 31 and at 213–214 and 231–232.
    Rupp Arena Seating Chart diagram by Reserved Seat. Schematic, not to scale. Section order per the arena's official basketball diagram, UK Athletics and RateYourSeats. Stage and floor layouts change by event, so confirm your section on the map for your date.

    The Rupp Arena seat answer

    On the Rupp Arena seating chart, the best basketball seats are in the lower sideline sections around midcourt: section 14 on one side and section 31 on the other, with 12–16 and 29–33 close behind. Upstairs, the chair-back sideline sections 212–215 and 230–233 are the pick, because the upper corners and ends are still bleachers. For an end-stage concert, the lower sideline sections nearest the stage, such as 11–13 and 32–34, give the most elevated close view.

    The building's official name is Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, and the surrounding complex used to be called Lexington Center. Older charts labeled either way show the same numbering, because the lower bowl has not been renumbered.

    • Midcourt: 14 and 31.
    • Best upper seats: chair-back 212–215 and 230–233.
    • Budget: upper corner and end bleachers.
    • Loudest: the student areas behind the baskets.

    How the sections are numbered

    The arena's official basketball diagram fixes the layout. Rupp has two seating levels and no luxury suites. On both levels the numbers run clockwise as the diagram is drawn: they start at one corner of a sideline, run along that sideline, around the far end, back along the opposite sideline and around the other end.

    Lower level: sections 11–44

    • 11–17: one sideline, with 14 at midcourt.
    • 18–27: the end and corners beyond 17, with 22 and 23 straight behind that basket.
    • 28–34: the opposite sideline, with 31 at midcourt.
    • 35–44: the other end and corners, with 39 and 40 behind that basket.

    Upper level: sections 211–244

    Each upper section sits roughly above the lower section with the same last two digits: 213 and 214 above the 14 side, 231 and 232 above the 31 side. Not every number is used. The official diagrams show 211–215 and 217 on one sideline, 218–227 around one end (skipping 216, 220, 222 and 226), 228 and 230–234 on the far sideline, and 235–244 around the other end, where 237, 239 and 243 do not appear.

    UK Athletics' 2019 renovation notice and RateYourSeats' section directory agree with this numbering and with 14 and 31 as midcourt.

    Rows, floor seats and seat numbers

    Row lettering below comes from the official diagram and RateYourSeats' section pages.

    • Lower sideline: rows A through Y, with row Y at the top and the entrance there. In front of row A, RateYourSeats lists padded chair-back rows AA through DD and true floor seats on folding chairs, rows FL, AAA and BBB, about 32 rows in all for a section such as 14.
    • Lower corners: sections such as 19, 26, 36 and 43 start higher, at about row G or H, and run to Y.
    • Lower ends: riser rows AA through XX sit at floor level behind the baskets, and the fixed end sections 22 and 23 run from about row K to Y.
    • Upper sideline: rows run up to Z; section 231 starts at row B, per both the diagram and RateYourSeats.
    • Upper corners and ends: shorter, such as A–O in 219 and 225 and A–V in 223.

    On seat numbers, RateYourSeats says the lower seat numbers sit on your right as you face the court. The arena does not publish that rule and no second guide confirms it, so check the exact seat location if you need an aisle.

    Chair-backs, bleachers and the view from each level

    Lower level

    Every lower seat is a chair-back. The sideline middle rows sit high enough to see over the benches and floor rows and still feel close. Rows in the AA–DD and floor area are as close as the building gets, but the view is flat and players on the bench can block it. Behind the baskets the lower sections look down the length of the floor, which foreshortens the far end.

    Upper level

    Before 2019 the whole upper level was bleachers. UK Athletics' renovation notice says the sideline bleachers in 211–217 and 228–234 were replaced with chair-backs, while the corners and ends, 218–227, 235–236 and 242–244, kept bleachers. A bleacher is a bench with a marked space, no back and less room, which matters over a two-hour game. Some RateYourSeats pages for sideline sections still describe benches, but the 2019 notice is the more recent and official source.

    The upper sideline view is the full court from above, with the center-hung video board in front of you. The corner bleachers are the steepest and farthest seats in the building.

    Concert, in-the-round and theater setups

    The arena publishes four sample layouts. Exact maps vary by show.

    • End stage: the stage sits at the 35–44 end, which is closed off along with upper sections 235–244. Floor sections 1 and 2 fill the arena floor, with section 1 nearest the stage. Lower sideline sections 11–17 and 28–34 face the stage at an angle; 11 and 34 are closest. The far end, 18–27, looks straight at the stage from the longest distance.
    • In the round: the stage sits at center and every lower and upper section is sold. Sideline seats in the low teens and low thirties are closest; there is no bad side, only distance.
    • Theater: the room shrinks to the 18–27 end plus sideline sections 15–17 and 28–30, facing a stage set mid-floor, with a general admission area in front. Upper sections are closed. Wikipedia lists the theater setup at 2,300 seats.

    For end-stage shows, a lower sideline seat near the stage usually beats a floor seat in the back half of section 2, where the floor is flat and you look over the crowd.

    Student sections, clubs and premium seats

    • Student areas: per UK Athletics, lower-level student seating is the eRUPPtion Zone behind one basket plus sections 33 and 34, and upper-level student seating is in 238, 240 and 241. Expect the most noise, and the most standing, around those sections; Wikipedia describes the eRUPPtion Zone as a standing area.
    • Central Bank Loge: the arena's club page places these box seats, with padded chairs and counter space, on Level 4 in boxes 230–233, above the 31 side.
    • Lexus Loge Club and the Rupp Club: club spaces added with the 2019 renovation. UK Athletics noted club memberships do not always include a seat, so members may sit elsewhere.
    • K Fund seats: most lower-level season seats and the first rows of the upper sideline, such as the first nine rows of 213–214 and 231–232, carry donor contributions, which is why the best sideline seats rarely reach the general market except on resale.

    Accessible seating at Rupp Arena

    The official diagrams mark wheelchair positions at the top of lower sections 30, 32 and 33, at the back of end sections 22, 23, 39 and 40, and in the upper level near 217, 218, 227 and 228. The Central Bank Center A–Z guide adds:

    • Buying: accessible seats are sold through the Central Bank Center ticket office or Ticketmaster; for UK games, go through the UK ticket office.
    • Elevators: two elevators run from the concourse, with staff nearby during events.
    • Service animals: welcome; tell the ticket office so an aisle seat can be held.
    • Wellness Room: on the concourse at section 30; first aid is near section 34.
    • Interpreters: request at least 14 days ahead.

    These details are as published in 2026; check the guide before the event.

    Frequently asked questions

    What are the best seats at Rupp Arena for basketball?

    The lower sideline sections around midcourt, 12–16 and 29–33, with 14 and 31 at center court. Upstairs, the chair-back sideline sections 212–215 and 230–233 are the best value.

    How many rows are in a section at Rupp Arena?

    Lower sideline sections run from row A to Y, with chair-back rows AA–DD and floor rows in front, about 32 rows in all. Upper sideline sections run to row Z; upper corners are shorter.

    How are seats numbered and what is the view like from the upper level?

    RateYourSeats says lower seat numbers are on your right as you face the court, though the arena does not publish the rule. The upper sidelines show the whole court from above; the corner bleachers are steep and far.

    Are the upper-level seats at Rupp Arena bleachers?

    Only in the corners and ends. Since 2019, sideline sections 211–217 and 228–234 have chair-backs, while 218–227, 235–236 and 242–244 kept bleachers.

    Is Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center the same as Rupp Arena?

    Yes. Central Bank bought naming rights to the surrounding complex in 2020, and the arena's section numbers did not change.

    Where is accessible seating at Rupp Arena?

    The official diagrams show wheelchair positions at the top of lower sections 30, 32 and 33, at the back of 22, 23, 39 and 40, and upstairs near 217, 218, 227 and 228.

    Sources