Van Andel Arena

Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Van Andel Arena Seating Chart.

Van Andel Arena in one paragraph, and the seat answer

Van Andel Arena is West Michigan's largest indoor venue, a downtown Grand Rapids arena on West Fulton Street that opened on October 8, 1996. It holds 10,834 for hockey, about 11,500 for basketball, 12,858 for an end-stage concert and 13,184 for a show staged in the center of the floor. For most events, the best seats are in the lower-level side sections, 106–110 on the east side and 120–124 on the west side, roughly a third of the way up. For a concert on a budget, the middle of the upper sides (207–209 and 221–223) gives a straight, complete view for far less than the floor.

The building is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (the Detroit Red Wings' top affiliate), the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League and the Grand Rapids Rise of Major League Volleyball. Between those dates it books arena concert tours, comedy, wrestling, ice shows, monster trucks and college events. Locals call it the Freezer on Fulton on hockey nights. The name has never changed: it honors Jay and Betty Van Andel, the project's largest benefactors.

How the horseshoe is laid out

The arena's own seating map shows a horseshoe rather than a full ring. Permanent seats wrap the two long sides and the north end; the south end is left open, which is where the stage goes for most concerts. That shape explains nearly every seating decision in the building.

100 level (lower bowl)

The east sideline runs from section 106 to 110 and the west sideline from 120 to 124. The north end holds 128, 101 and 102, with the angled corners 104 and 126 between end and sides. On the map, the side sections run from row A at the floor to row T at the back. Small lettered boxes, such as 121A and 121B, sit behind the side sections at the top of the lower bowl.

200 level (upper bowl)

The upper level mirrors the lower one: 206–210 over the east side, 220–224 over the west, 201, 202 and 228 across the north end, and 203–205 and 225–227 in the upper corners. Side sections run from row A to row Q. There are no sections numbered 211 through 219, because there is no upper seating over the south end.

Upper boxes and premium spaces

Boxes 301–316 line the very back of the upper sides, eight per side. The arena's suites are leased by the year rather than sold per event, and a premium-seat membership gives first refusal on public events (though not Griffins, Gold or Rise games). The Griffins sell group hospitality spaces called Griff's Dens near sections 104 and 126, and the ConsumersCU Club restaurant and bar operates on many event nights. RateYourSeats lists the same section ranges as the venue map, plus floor sections for concerts.

Best seats for Griffins hockey and Gold basketball

For hockey, center ice is the middle of either sideline: sections 108 and 122. The neighbors 107, 109, 121 and 123 are nearly as good. In a building this size, even the back rows of those sections feel close, so there is little reason to fight for row A unless you want the glass experience. Low rows near the boards trade a full view of the rink for proximity; a mid-section row sees passing plays develop across the whole ice.

Choosing an end

When the Griffins introduced their Griff's Dens in 2015, the team placed them near sections 104 and 126, just above the lower bowl in the Griffins' attack zone. That points to the north end (128, 101, 102 and the two north corners) as the end the home team attacks twice. Ends can change, so treat that as a tendency rather than a rule. The south end has very little permanent seating for hockey, so end-zone seats mostly mean the north end.

Basketball and volleyball

The court sits in the middle of the floor, so the same logic applies: the center of 106–110 and 120–124, in the lower half of each section, is the sweet spot. Upper-side seats at center court (208 and 222) are a sensible value pick for G League games, which rarely fill the building.

Concert seats and the ones to skip

For a standard end-stage show, the stage sits at the open south end and the room faces north. That gives three good choices:

• The floor, center and toward the front: closest to the artist, but standing or flat seating means sightlines depend on the people in front of you.
• Lower sides 107–109 and 121–123: raised, close and angled toward the stage. RateYourSeats singles out these sections, plus the central floor, as the strongest concert locations.
• North-end sections 101, 128 and 102: straight on, the full production in view, but the longest distance in the lower bowl.

Seats to think twice about

• Sections 110, 120, 210 and 220: these sit at the south end of each side, closest to the stage on the map. Depending on the stage build, they can look at the side of the set or behind the speaker stacks. Check the event-specific map before buying.
• The upper boxes 301–316 for concerts: they are the highest and farthest-back seats on each side.
• The north upper sections (201, 202, 228): centered, but the farthest seats from an end stage in the building.

Center-stage shows, when the stage sits in the middle of the floor, add seats at the open south end and raise capacity to 13,184. For those, the middle of each side is again the best place to be.

Parking ramps, the free DASH and park-and-ride

The City of Grand Rapids runs most of the ramps and lots around the arena, and metered street parking surrounds the block. The city's Van Andel Arena access guide lists these options, with event rates that vary by event:

• Monroe Center: about 0.2 mile, the closest garage.
• Government Center Ramp: about 0.5 mile.
• Pearl/Ionia Ramp: about 0.7 mile, 12–15 minutes on foot.
• DeVos Place: about 0.7 mile, beside the free shuttle stop.

The city takes advance reservations through ParkMobile, which is worth doing for sellouts. The free DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) runs about every eight minutes, with a stop outside DeVos Place. The Rapid's park-and-ride lots, including 60th and Division and Burton and Division on the Silver Line, are free to park in and drop riders at Rapid Central Station, a nine-minute walk from the arena. As of fall 2026, the city warns that Rapid routes stop running by midnight, so confirm the last trip for late concerts. Rates and routes change; check the city's arena access guide before you go.

Bag policy, doors and entry

As of the 2026–27 season, Van Andel Arena enforces a no-bag policy: no purses, backpacks or bags of any kind, except a small clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches. Medical and parenting bags are allowed after extra screening at the ADA and box office entrance, on the far west side of the main entrance. The arena does not hold or check belongings, so anything else goes back to the car.

• Doors: usually 90 minutes before the listed time for concerts. For Griffins games, doors open an hour before a 7 p.m. or 4 p.m. puck drop.
• Entrances: the main entrance faces north on Fulton Street; the suite and ADA entrance is at the southwest corner on Ottawa Avenue.
• Re-entry: none. Once you leave, you cannot come back in.
• Payment: concessions are cashless.
• Cameras: no professional cameras, detachable lenses, tripods or selfie sticks; rules vary by tour.

Accessibility services include wheelchair escorts from every entrance, assisted-listening receivers and free sensory kits at Guest Services outside section 104, and family restrooms on the terrace level behind 114 and 116 and on the third level behind 201. Policies change, so read the arena FAQ before the event.

A downtown anchor since 1996

The arena cost about 78 million dollars and drew more than five million visitors in its first five years. It sits in the Heartside district, a short walk from downtown restaurants, breweries and DeVos Place.

The Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association and the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League both played here; the Rampage hosted ArenaBowl XV. The building has also staged NCAA hockey regionals and the 2001 Big Ten women's basketball tournament. The Griffins, who have played here since the arena opened, won Calder Cups in 2013 and 2017, and both banners hang from the rafters. Mötley Crüe filmed its 2005 Carnival of Sins concert video in the arena.

Sources

• Wikipedia – Van Andel Arena
• Van Andel Arena – FAQs
• Van Andel Arena – Seating map (PDF via seating charts page)
• Van Andel Arena – Suites and premium seats
• City of Grand Rapids – Van Andel Arena access guide
• Grand Rapids Griffins – Gameday FAQ
• Grand Rapids Griffins – Griff's Dens introduced (2015)
• RateYourSeats – Van Andel Arena sections