The arena in brief, and the name change
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is Jacksonville's main indoor arena, part of the downtown Sports Complex on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard alongside the Jaguars' football stadium and the city's minor league ballpark. It opened in 2003 as the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena and took its current name on March 14, 2019, after the City Council approved a 15-year naming deal with VyStar Credit Union by a 19–0 vote. The agreement includes annual contributions to a veterans trust fund, and the arena kept the veterans memorial in its name.
For hockey, the best seats are in the lower bowl at center ice: sections 102 through 104 behind the benches or 113 through 115 across the ice, which the Icemen sell as the Center Ice Club. For end-stage concerts, choose the floor or a lower section angled toward the stage; the upper corners are the seats to avoid.
The arena seats about 15,000 for concerts, 14,091 for basketball and 13,141 for hockey. Its regular tenants are the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen and the indoor football Jacksonville Sharks, and it books arena tours, UFC cards, Monster Jam and family shows.
How the lower bowl is numbered
The Icemen's official seating chart and RateYourSeats agree on the lower bowl: sections 100 through 121 wrap the floor. In the hockey layout:
- Center ice, bench side: sections 102, 103 and 104, with the home bench in front of 102 and 103 and the away bench in front of 103 and 104.
- Center ice, penalty-box side: sections 113, 114 and 115, sold as the Center Ice Club, with the penalty box in front.
- Sideline: 101 and 105 on the bench side; 112 and 116 across the ice, sold as Sideline Club.
- Corners: 100, 106, 111 and 117 (117 is the Corner Club).
- Ends: 107 through 110 at one end and 118 through 121 at the other.
Above the lower bowl, 28 executive suites sit about 24 rows above the event floor, and an upper concourse serves the top level. The Icemen close that upper level for hockey, which brings game-night capacity to about 8,500 and puts every open seat in the lower bowl.
Best seats for hockey, concerts and fights
Icemen hockey
Center ice in the lower bowl, roughly 10 rows up, gives a clean view over the glass and the benches. The club sections across from the benches (113–115) look straight at the benches and the penalty box. Corner sections are the value play: you can see plays develop toward both nets. The end sections, 107–110 and 118–121, are fine for watching one goal, but the far end looks small.
End-stage concerts
Floor seats are closest. Lower-bowl sections on the sides, angled toward the stage, offer height without a standing crowd in front of you, and lower sections at the far end facing the stage show the full production. The upper level opens for big tours; there, center sections facing the stage beat the corners.
UFC and boxing
A raised lower-bowl seat at the middle of a long side is better than a deep floor seat, because floor rows are flat and the cage or ring sits above eye level from the back of the floor.
Seats to avoid
- Upper-level corners for any event.
- The first few rows behind the hockey glass if you want to follow the puck rather than watch the boards.
- Side sections right beside an end stage, where the speaker stacks can block the screens.
Parking at the Sports Complex
Parking is shared across the Sports Complex. The arena, the football stadium and the ballpark together have 6,604 on-site spaces plus 100 accessible spaces, with more parking within walking distance. Prices vary by event, so check before you go. Accessible parking is in Lot Z on the north side of the arena and in other Sports Complex lots. On nights when a stadium event overlaps with an arena show, lots can fill early and traffic can slow.
Wikipedia lists the Jacksonville Skyway's James Weldon Johnson Park station as the arena's transit connection; check the Jacksonville Transportation Authority for event service before relying on it.
Entry, bags and the rules
As of 2026, the arena does not allow bags, backpacks or purses larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Smaller personal bags are inspected at the doors, there is no bag check, and confiscated items are not returned.
- Doors generally open one hour before the event; Icemen doors open an hour before puck drop.
- Re-entry is not allowed except for medical or other emergencies, and your ticket must be scanned out.
- Smoking is banned inside under Florida law; seven designated smoking areas are on the exterior terraces.
- Cameras with detachable lenses, lenses over 6 inches or detachable flashes are prohibited, as is any video or audio recording.
- Will call is at the northeast corner facing Duval Street and opens up to 90 minutes before the event; bring photo ID.
Accessible and companion seating can be ordered by phone through the box office, and interpreter requests need at least two weeks' notice. Policies change; check the arena's A–Z guide before you go.
Built to replace the Coliseum
The arena was built under the Better Jacksonville Plan to replace the old Jacksonville Coliseum. Ground was broken on November 27, 2001, and the 130-million-dollar building, designed by HOK Sport, opened on November 28, 2003. Elton John played the first concert.
Highlights since include the only U.S. game played by the 2004 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team, NCAA men's tournament games in 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2019, WWE One Night Stand in 2007, and the opening night of Rihanna's Anti World Tour in 2016. In May 2020 the arena hosted UFC 249 and two more UFC events without fans, and it returned for UFC 261 in 2021 and UFC 273 in 2022. More is on Wikipedia's arena entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena the same as Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena?
Yes. The arena opened under the Jacksonville name in 2003 and became VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 14, 2019, under a 15-year naming deal.
What is the capacity of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena?
About 15,000 for concerts, 14,091 for basketball and 13,141 for hockey. For Icemen games the upper level is closed, which brings capacity to about 8,500.
Where are the best seats for an Icemen game?
Center ice in the lower bowl: sections 102 to 104 behind the benches, or the Center Ice Club in 113 to 115 across from them.
What is the bag policy at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena?
As of 2026, bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are not allowed, and smaller bags are inspected. There is no bag check, so confirm the current rules before you go.
Where do I park for the arena?
In the Sports Complex lots shared with the football stadium and ballpark, which total 6,604 spaces plus 100 accessible spaces. Accessible parking is in Lot Z on the north side.
Can I leave the arena and come back?
No, except for medical or other emergencies, and your ticket must be scanned on the way out.