Fresno State's arena and the Valley's concert stage
The Save Mart Center, formally the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, is the arena on the campus of California State University, Fresno. It is home to Fresno State Bulldogs men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball and wrestling, and it is the Fresno area's main arena for touring concerts. It seats about 15,596 for basketball and up to 18,000 for a center-stage concert.
For basketball, the best seats are the center-court sections 109, 110, 122 and 123, which Fresno State sells as club seats. For a concert, the center of the floor straight back from the stage gives the best view, and the 200 level is the value choice. The arena opened in 2003 under a naming-rights deal with Save Mart Supermarkets, and as of 2026 it still carries that name.
How the seating is laid out
The arena has an event level, two concourses and a club-level mezzanine, with 32 suites and eight party suites on the main concourse. Section numbers below come from the RateYourSeats section directory and Fresno State's gameday guide; check the event's seat map before you buy.
100 level: sections 101–126
The lower bowl wraps the floor in 26 sections. Fresno State identifies 109, 110, 122 and 123 as the center sections, so the two sidelines face each other across those numbers. In section 113, rows run from G to Y.
200 level: sections 201–230
The upper bowl has 30 sections above the main concourse. The sections directly above the center-court club seats give the best upper-level angle.
Floor
For concerts, the floor is divided into numbered sections, listed by RateYourSeats as Floor 1 through Floor 8, with Floor 4 and Floor 7 at the center.
Best seats for Bulldogs basketball and concerts
Basketball
The club seats in 109, 110, 122 and 123 are the best in the house and are sold mainly as season tickets through the Bulldog Foundation, with single-game club seats released later in the season. The sideline sections beside them are the practical choice for most fans. Fresno State also sells baseline seats behind the West basket and a Red Wave Courtside Club with couches and bar tables. For value, the front rows of the 200 level above center court see the whole floor.
Concerts
- Floor center (Floor 4 and 7): RateYourSeats calls the floor straight back from the stage the best view.
- Lower-level sides near the stage: raised, close views, with the stage seen at an angle.
- Sections facing the stage: the full production head-on, best for big lighting and video shows.
Seats to think twice about
- Sections behind or beside the stage, such as 113 for most concerts, where the view can be limited.
- Top rows of the 200-level corners, the farthest seats from the floor.
- Low rows behind the baskets, where the stanchion blocks part of the court.
Capacity by event
Wikipedia lists these capacities for the Save Mart Center:
- Basketball: about 15,596.
- Hockey: about 14,224, from the years the ECHL's Fresno Falcons played here (2003–08).
- End-stage concerts: about 15,500.
- Center-stage concerts: about 18,000.
- Half-house concerts: about 8,000.
When a show is sold as a half house, only the part of the bowl facing the stage is used, so every seat on sale has a front-facing view.
Parking at the Save Mart Center
As of 2026, parking attendants take credit and debit cards only, and fees vary by event: concerts cost more than Bulldogs men's basketball, and women's basketball and college graduations are free to park. Fees can change without notice.
- North lots off Matoian Avenue: general and accessible parking.
- Lots P5 and P6: just west of the arena on campus.
- Lots 4 and 6: club seat parking; Lot 4 exits to Woodrow Avenue and Lot 6 to Chestnut Avenue.
- Premium parking: sold through Ticketmaster for most non-athletic events.
Tailgating, picnicking and drinking alcohol in the lots are not permitted. For Fresno State games, parking passes are mobile, so download them before you arrive.
Bag policy and gameday rules
As of the 2024–25 basketball season, Fresno State allows only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, plus one small clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches. Medical items are allowed after inspection. Concert rules can differ, so check the event page and the current policy before you go.
- Doors: open one hour before tip-off for basketball.
- Tickets: mobile for all ticketed Fresno State sports.
- Parking and lot rules: listed on the Save Mart Center parking page.
History of the Save Mart Center
The arena opened to the public with a community open house on November 5, 2003, followed by a ribbon cutting on November 27; the first event was a Fresno State volleyball match against Hawaii that October, and the first concert featured Andrea Bocelli. It cost more than 100 million dollars and, at completion, was the largest privately funded university complex in the country. Save Mart Supermarkets paid 40 million dollars for the naming rights, and Pepsi Bottling Group paid a similar sum for beverage rights. Sink Combs Dethlefs designed it, and Clark Construction built it.
The 93-foot Larry A. Shehadey Clock Tower marks the entrance, and a bronze bulldog in the Shehadey Lobby holds nine time capsules to be opened in 2054. Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Metallica have all played here. In early 2026, Fresno State asked a court to settle a dispute over who should receive its final naming-rights consulting payments; the case concerns those payments, and the arena kept its name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Save Mart Center's capacity?
About 15,596 for basketball, 15,500 for an end-stage concert and up to 18,000 for a center-stage concert, according to Wikipedia.
What are the best seats at the Save Mart Center for basketball?
The center-court club sections 109, 110, 122 and 123. The front rows of the 200 level above center court are the value pick.
What is the Save Mart Center bag policy?
For Fresno State games, only clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches plus one small clutch are allowed. Concert rules can differ, so check before you go.
How much is parking at the Save Mart Center?
Fees vary by event and are paid by card only. Concerts cost more than men's basketball, and women's basketball games are free to park.
Where should I sit at the Save Mart Center for a concert?
The floor straight back from the stage, around Floor 4 and Floor 7, gives the best view. Avoid sections behind or beside the stage, such as 113 for most shows.
Is the Save Mart Center getting a new name?
As of 2026, it is still the Save Mart Center at Fresno State. A 2026 court case concerns payments to the firm that arranged the naming deal, not the name itself.