The former Sprint Center, and the quick seat answer
T-Mobile Center is the main indoor arena in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, at 14th Street and Grand Boulevard on the east edge of the Power & Light District. It opened on October 10, 2007, as the Sprint Center. After T-Mobile completed its merger with Sprint in April 2020, the arena was officially renamed T-Mobile Center on July 9, 2020. Same building, same glass facade, new name.
The arena has no NBA or NHL tenant, so its calendar is built on concerts, the Big 12 men's basketball tournament, NCAA tournament games, Kansas Jayhawks and other college games, UFC, WWE and bull riding. Seat choice changes with the event:
- Basketball: 100-level sideline sections 105–107 and 116–118, from about row 15 up, give clean sightlines to both baskets, according to RateYourSeats.
- End-stage concerts: the first eight rows of sections 108 and 115 are close and angled well; 107 and 116 are comfortable alternatives. Upstairs, 210 and 223 are the value picks.
- Seats to skip for concerts: 211 and 222, near the stage but angled sharply away from it, and section 204, which runs into a wall.
Capacity figures vary by source: Wikipedia says the arena seats over 19,000, architect Populous lists 18,000 and a local hockey history site cites 18,500.
How the seating rings are numbered
The bowl has two seating levels plus two suite levels (A and B), with 72 suites in all.
100 level (event level)
The lower bowl wraps the floor, and the main concourse serves sections 103 to 120. RateYourSeats describes most lower sections as running 25 to 35 rows, with the entrance at the back. In section 104, for example, rows A and B sit at floor level, then rows 1 through 27 climb from there; row 25 is a wheelchair row. In corner sections such as 103 and 109, the first row is set back from the court, so a higher row is a better buy than a low one. The lower end sections behind an end stage are in the 110–113 range.
200 level (upper concourse)
The upper ring runs from section 201 to 232. Side sections are shallow, with about ten rows (1 to 10), so the difference between row 1 and row 10 is small and the back rows next to the concourse are a reasonable money-saver. End sections run deeper, about 15 or 16 rows, and some have their entrance at the top row. For an end-stage concert, sections 201–204 and 229–232 are the end seats facing the stage from the far side.
Numbering within a row
Facing the court or stage, seat 1 and the lower numbers are on your right in both levels.
Premium areas
The Founders Club sits on the second floor, reached from section 120 or 229, and Club Magenta and suite access use a separate premium entrance on Oak Street.
Best seats by event, with the ones to avoid
Big 12 and college basketball
Sideline sections 105–107 and 116–118 are the first choice. Rows 15 and up clear the benches and media tables and keep both baskets in view. The corner sections nearest the sideline, such as 104, offer a good look at the near hoop and a fair angle to the far one. During the Big 12 tournament, the arena runs multiple sessions in a day; if you plan to come and go, sideline sections are easier because some 200-level end sections enter from the top row.
End-stage concerts
The floor is closest, but a raised seat on the side often sees more. Rows 1 to 8 in sections 108 and 115 are the standout lower seats; above row 8, the angle starts to turn you away from the stage. Sections 107 and 116 trade a little proximity for a straighter look. On the 200 level, sections 210 and 223 avoid the sharp angle that hurts 211 and 222, and the far-end sections (201–203, 230–232) give the head-on production view for the lowest cost.
Combat sports and bull riding
For UFC cards and PBR's Kansas City Outlaws events, the center of the floor is the action, so any lower sideline seat works and the upper sides beat lower corners.
Avoid
- Sections 211 and 222 for end-stage shows: close but sharply angled.
- Section 204 for concerts: it runs into a wall, which creates awkward seating.
- Low rows in the lower corners: they are set back and cost more than they deliver.
Parking, streetcar and rideshare
Downtown parking is plentiful but fills fast on big nights. As of 2026, the arena lists three main options:
- Magenta Lot: on site, steps from the doors, with a limited number of spaces sold in advance.
- Red Lot Garage: 1120 Oak Street, one block north of the arena.
- Yellow Lot Garage: 151 East 13th Street, across from the KC Live garage.
Event parking opens two hours before show time, and spaces are not assigned. Concert parking is sold through each event page. Municipal garages and meters downtown take payment through the Park KC app.
The KC Streetcar runs a 5.7-mile route through downtown, and Visit KC notes you can ride it from the steps of T-Mobile Center. The MAX rapid bus is free under the city's zero-fare agreement. For rideshare, taxis and accessible drop-off, use Oak Street; Grand Boulevard is usually closed to traffic during events. Check the arena's parking page before you go.
Bags, doors and entry rules
As of October 2026, T-Mobile Center does not use a clear-bag policy, but it limits bags to 12 by 6 by 12 inches and bans backpacks of any size. Diaper and medical bags are screened at the door. Every guest passes through metal detectors or a hand wand.
- Re-entry: not allowed once your ticket is scanned.
- Tickets: mobile; no paper tickets are needed.
- Payments: cashless, with no reverse ATMs inside, so bring a card.
- Not allowed: outside food and drink, laptops, tablets larger than 7 inches, detachable-lens cameras, selfie sticks and chairs.
- Entrances: Grand Boulevard at 13th Street and Oak Street at 13th Terrace; general admission lines form at Oak Street.
A sensory room sits in section 103, and sensory bags are available at Guest Services in sections 103 and 205. Rules can change by event, so read the arena FAQ before you go.
A downtown arena without a pro team
Kansas City built the arena to replace Kemper Arena in the West Bottoms as its primary indoor venue. Construction began in June 2005 on a design by a team of Populous, 360 Architecture, Rafael Architects and Ellerbe Becket, and the building cost about 276 million. The 360-degree glass facade, made of 2,404 individual glass units, lets people outside see into the concourses, and the public art piece The Moons by Chris Doyle was commissioned for the site. The College Basketball Experience and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame are attached on the north side.
Elton John opened the arena in October 2007, and Garth Brooks followed with nine sold-out shows that month, filmed for a concert release. The Big 12 tournament has been held here every year since 2010 (and in 2008), and Kansas fans have nicknamed the building Allen Fieldhouse East. Talks with the NBA and NHL about a tenant have come and gone without a team. More history is on the T-Mobile Center Wikipedia entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is T-Mobile Center the same as Sprint Center?
Yes. The Kansas City arena opened as Sprint Center in 2007 and was officially renamed T-Mobile Center on July 9, 2020, after T-Mobile merged with Sprint.
What is the capacity of T-Mobile Center?
Sources differ: Wikipedia says over 19,000, Populous lists 18,000 and another local source 18,500. The exact number depends on the event setup.
Does T-Mobile Center have a clear-bag policy?
No. As of October 2026 it allows bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches but bans backpacks of any size. Check the arena FAQ for your event.
Where should I park for T-Mobile Center?
The on-site Magenta Lot is closest, the Red Lot Garage at 1120 Oak Street is a block north, and the Yellow Lot Garage is at 151 East 13th Street. Parking opens two hours before events.
What are the best seats for basketball at T-Mobile Center?
Lower sideline sections 105–107 and 116–118, in row 15 or higher, give clear views of both baskets. The front rows of 200-level ends are a budget alternative.
Which seats should I avoid for a concert?
Sections 211 and 222 are close to an end stage but sharply angled, and section 204 is cramped against a wall. Sections 210 and 223 are better nearby choices.