_Arena,_Atlanta,_GA_(46558861525)_-_2019.jpg){kind=link}
Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the State Farm Arena Seating Chart.
Upcoming events at State Farm Arena
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Your Best Bet at State Farm Arena
For an Atlanta Hawks or Atlanta Dream game, book a lower-bowl sideline section at least a dozen rows up. From there you see over the front-row courtside fans and the team benches, so you follow plays to both baskets. Upstairs, stay near center court on the sideline. For concerts, the lower-bowl side sections angled toward the stage usually beat the back half of the flat floor.
Capacity is 17,608 with a basketball court; concert layouts land somewhere between about 18,000 and 21,000. Between the Hawks, whose season spans October to April plus any playoff run, and the Dream, who play roughly May to September, basketball is on the calendar nearly year-round.
What the 2018 Renovation Changed
When it opened in 1999, the arena had an odd design: one long side was a towering wall of about 90 stacked suites, so ordinary ticket holders on that side sat a long way back. A roughly 192.5 million dollar overhaul in 2017–2018, completed in time for the Hawks' 2018–19 opener, removed most of it. Two suite levels holding around 40 suites replaced the wall, along with fresh upper seating and group party spaces. The bowl now feels far more even from side to side.
The current tiers:
- Floor and courtside: premium seats at court level, plus the cabanas and courtside clubs that arrived with the remodel.
- 100 level: the lower ring off the main concourse.
- 200 and Terrace levels: mid and upper seating, mixed with club spaces and suites.
Some resale sites call the upper deck the 300 level. When a specific section matters, trust the arena's own event seating charts, which it publishes by event type.
Game Night and Concert Seat Picks
Hawks and Dream basketball
- Top choice: lower sideline, row 12 or higher, for a full view of the court.
- Upper-tier choice: sideline seats near center court.
- Budget route into the lower bowl: Dream games, which are usually the easiest way to get close.
Big-name visitors, Friday and Saturday games, and the late-season playoff push draw the strongest Hawks demand.
Concerts
Most shows set up an end stage with floor seats or general admission in front of it. On a level floor with everyone on their feet, a raised side seat downstairs frequently beats the rear of the floor. The upper end seats face the stage head-on, though at a real distance.
How the view changes as you climb
Downstairs you are wrapped in crowd noise, ideal for a playoff-type atmosphere. The middle seats work well for families and for watching every player at once. Up top it gets steep, but the remodel installed a scoreboard over center court roughly five times the size of its predecessor, and added corner screens, so you never miss a replay. Concourses now circle the entire building, with drink-rail spots that overlook the court, a plus for standing-room and upstairs ticket holders.
Seats to Think Twice About
- Low rows behind the baskets. You are near the rim, yet the support and glass block your view of the opposite basket.
- Upper corners and ends. This is where the court looks smallest.
- Side sections level with or behind a concert stage. Pass unless the listing calls them partial view or the show is in the round.
- The back of a flat general admission floor. A raised lower-bowl seat usually shows you more.
MARTA, Decks and Downtown Traffic
The arena's best feature is its rail stop. The SEC District MARTA station is steps from the entrance and and all four rail lines, Red, Gold, Blue and Green, stop there, so most riders never need to transfer. After a sellout, the platforms jam; waiting 15 minutes lets the crush thin out.
Drivers book arena parking ahead on ParkMobile, choosing among the Sapphire deck, the Diamond deck and the Ruby Lot, and a small number of accessible spaces go first come, first served. Rideshare pickups use a designated zone. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park are all neighbors in downtown Atlanta, and doubleheader nights snarl the streets. The transportation page has current details.
Bag Size, Doors and Payment (2026)
For 2026 the size cap is 14 x 14 x 6 inches, so a purse, a one-pocket drawstring bag or a small fashion backpack can come in if it fits. Bigger backpacks and rigid bags cannot, while diaper bags and medical bags are searched and admitted. You can pay to check a bag at Gate 2, on Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Rules can vary by event, so review the bag policy before you go.
- Doors: usually open an hour before the event.
- Payment: cards only for tickets, food and merchandise.
- Re-entry: not permitted.
- Kids: a lap is fine for kids under 2; from age 2 up, a ticket is required.
- Smoking and vaping: banned, with no smoking areas.
Orders through Reserved Seat include guaranteed entry to the event you bought.
Philips Arena to State Farm: Background and Extras
Philips Arena, as it was first known, opened in September 1999 where the Omni Coliseum once stood, built for roughly 213.5 million dollars. The NHL's Atlanta Thrashers played there until 2011, when the team moved to Winnipeg. Its record Hawks attendance, 20,425, was set in the 2008 postseason against the Celtics. NBA All-Star weekends came in 2003 and 2021, and the NHL's in 2008. The State Farm name arrived in 2018 under a 20-year agreement that coincided with the remodel.
The rebuild also brought one of the NBA's more unusual amenity lists: Killer Mike's barber shop, a Zac Brown Band restaurant, suites built around golf simulators, the Atlanta Social lounge, and the Players Club, with tables made from pieces of a former Philips Arena floor. Once-blocked windows were uncovered, giving some concourse areas downtown views. When basketball is out, expect touring concerts, stand-up comedy, WWE and UFC.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at State Farm Arena for a Hawks game?
Lower-bowl sideline seats about a dozen rows up or higher. They clear the courtside row and benches and show plays at both ends.
Did the renovation improve the view at State Farm Arena?
Yes. The 2017–2018 project removed most of a wall of about 90 stacked suites, replacing it with two suite levels and new upper-deck seats, so the bowl is more balanced.
Can I bring a backpack to State Farm Arena?
Yes, if it is a fashion backpack or drawstring bag within 14 x 14 x 6 inches, as of 2026. Bigger backpacks and rigid bags are turned away, so confirm the rules before you go.
Which MARTA station serves State Farm Arena?
SEC District, a few steps from the doors, where all four MARTA rail lines stop.
How many seats does State Farm Arena have?
Basketball capacity is 17,608, and concerts hold between about 18,000 and 21,000 depending on the setup.
Is State Farm Arena the old Philips Arena?
Yes. It was Philips Arena from 1999 until the 2018 renaming.