The Kia Forum is an iconic indoor arena at 3900 West Manchester Boulevard in Inglewood, California, with a standard seating capacity of 17,505 and a maximum concert capacity of approximately 18,000. Groundbreaking took place on July 1, 1966, and the arena opened on December 30, 1967 — making it one of the longest-continuously-operating major arenas in the United States. Built by Los Angeles Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke for $16 million and designed by architect Charles Luckman, the circular structure has hosted everything from NBA championships to the 1984 Summer Olympics to some of the most celebrated concert residencies in arena history.
This guide covers everything you need before you go: capacity and seating-level breakdowns, the venue’s construction and architecture, how to buy tickets and what to expect on price, where to park and how to get there without a car, and the current bag policy, box office hours, and house rules.
Quick Answer
The Kia Forum seats 17,505 for most concerts and up to roughly 18,000 in maximum configuration. It opened December 30, 1967 at 3900 W. Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood, and today operates as a music-only arena with assigned seating, a clear-bag policy, prepaid onsite parking, and Metro rail access via the Downtown Inglewood station.
Kia Forum Capacity: Full Breakdown
The Kia Forum’s capacity varies by event configuration. For most concerts and standard events, the arena seats 17,505. At maximum configuration for large-scale concerts, capacity rises to approximately 18,000. Hockey events are set up for 16,005 seats, and the venue can scale down to roughly 8,000 for more intimate performances — a flexibility that makes it attractive for artists across a wide range of draw sizes.
The arena is divided into four seating levels. The Floor level is configurable as general admission standing or reserved seating depending on the show. The Lower Bowl spans Sections 101–136 across approximately 20 rows, accounting for the bulk of the close-in seats. A Club Level provides roughly 1,500 premium seats with lounge access. The Upper Bowl, Sections 201–235, adds approximately 7,000 seats with strong sightlines throughout. The circular design and pillar-free interior mean there is no truly obstructed seat in the house.
For context, the Kia Forum seats somewhat fewer than Madison Square Garden (approximately 20,789) or Crypto.com Arena (approximately 20,000), yet that relative intimacy — combined with exceptional acoustics — is widely cited by artists and fans as what makes the venue special.
When Was the Kia Forum Built?
Construction on what would become the Kia Forum broke ground on July 1, 1966. The arena was completed in roughly 18 months and opened on December 30, 1967, with a Los Angeles Kings hockey game as its inaugural event. It was financed and built by Kings — and later Lakers — owner Jack Kent Cooke at a total cost of $16 million, equivalent to roughly $154 million in today’s dollars.
Architect Charles Luckman designed the structure to evoke ancient Roman amphitheaters, selecting a circular footprint and a cable-suspended roof system that was a structural achievement for the era. Engineers Carl Johnson and Svend Nielsen of Johnson & Nielsen Associates realized Luckman’s design. The arena hosted its first concert on January 22, 1968, when Aretha Franklin performed with The Young Holt Trio and The Sweet Inspirations as opening acts.
The building has changed names several times: The Forum (1967–1988, 2004–2012), Great Western Forum (1988–2003), and The Forum presented by Chase (2014–2022). Kia Motors purchased naming rights in April 2022, making it the Kia Forum today. The venue underwent a second major renovation from 2012 to 2014 after Madison Square Garden Entertainment acquired it, completed at a cost of $76.5 million by contractor Clark Construction. The project added new acoustic treatments, a modern LED video system, and converted the old locker rooms into artist dressing rooms while keeping the original circular bowl fully intact.
Architecture: The Inglewood Arena’s Circular Design
The Kia Forum’s most structurally distinctive feature is its pillar-free interior. Luckman eliminated the internal support columns standard in arenas of the 1960s by using a cable-suspended roof instead. That roof spans approximately 407 feet in diameter, one of the largest compression-ring structures built in the United States at the time, allowing unobstructed sightlines from virtually every seat in the bowl.
The circular shape was modeled deliberately on Roman amphitheaters — a choice that also benefits acoustics. The curved walls and dome-like ceiling distribute sound more evenly than rectangular arenas, and the 2014 renovation layered professional acoustic treatment on top of that inherited advantage, giving touring sound engineers one of the best-reviewed rooms in North America. The building hosted basketball and men’s handball finals at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and on September 24, 2014, it was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Kia Forum Seating Chart: Best Sections by Level
Floor seating is split into lettered sections directly in front of the stage; the center sections closest to the stage typically deliver the strongest view, while sections at the far sides can face sharper viewing angles depending on stage placement. In the Lower Bowl, sections in the 100s directly opposite the stage and the adjoining side sections are consistently rated among the best value seats in the building, combining a close, elevated view with lower prices than the floor.
In the Upper Bowl, the sections nearest center-stage — roughly in the low-200s and high-220s numbering — offer the best sightlines for the level thanks to the arena’s steep, compact bowl. Club Level seats add in-seat lounge access and shorter concession lines for a premium over standard Lower Bowl pricing. Because the Kia Forum reconfigures its layout by event (concert, comedy, family show, or combat sports), always check the specific seating map for your date — floor sections in particular can shift shape from show to show.
Tickets & Prices: How Kia Forum Pricing Works
Primary tickets for Kia Forum shows are sold through the venue’s official ticketing partners, listed on each event’s page at the official Kia Forum website, typically Ticketmaster or AXS depending on the promoter. Prices are set per event and tier, not a fixed venue rate — expect upper-level seats to sit at the lower end of the range, Lower Bowl and Club Level seats in the middle, and floor or VIP packages at the top, with big-name residencies and high-demand tours pushing prices well above a typical show.
Secondary marketplaces (resale sites and ticket exchanges) also list Kia Forum tickets, often at a markup or discount versus face value depending on demand — compare against the official listing before buying resale. For the most accurate, up-to-date pricing and available inventory for a specific show, the official Kia Forum event page is the most reliable source.
Parking, Rideshare & Getting to the Kia Forum
The Kia Forum operates onsite, cashless parking through its official parking partner, bookable in advance at the Kia Forum’s official parking page. Because onsite lots are sold first-come, first-served and can sell out for high-demand shows, prepaying online is recommended. Oversized vehicles (longer than 18 feet or wider than 9 feet) are subject to additional charges, and overnight parking is not permitted.
Rideshare and carpooling are actively encouraged, and drop-offs are permitted at all venue entrances; Lyft is the venue’s official rideshare partner. For transit riders, Metro’s K Line stops at the Downtown Inglewood station, about a 10-minute walk from the arena, and free event shuttles have run for select high-attendance shows — check the event page in advance, since shuttle service isn’t guaranteed for every date.
Box Office Hours, Bag Policy & Venue Rules
The Kia Forum box office is typically open Fridays from noon to 6 p.m., and on event days from noon until the show starts; hours can shift around the schedule, so confirm on the Kia Forum’s official venue policies page before heading out. A ticket is required for entry regardless of age, and age-restricted shows require valid government-issued ID.
The standard bag policy allows clear bags no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus small non-clear clutches or wristlets up to 9 x 6 inches; diaper and medical bags are permitted with the guest who needs them. All bags are subject to search. Prohibited items generally include professional cameras and tripods, video recorders, outside food and drink (except a factory-sealed water bottle), laptops, and hoverboards. Bag and prohibited-items rules can vary by promoter or event, so it’s worth a final check on the specific show page.
A History of Legendary Performances
From its earliest years the Forum drew the biggest names in rock and pop. Led Zeppelin performed there 16 times between 1970 and 1977, cementing it as a pilgrimage site for rock fans worldwide. Queen played 12 concerts at the venue between 1977 and 1982. Elvis Presley staged multiple sold-out shows in 1970 and 1974. The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, KISS, and Diana Ross all became part of the venue’s storied history during its first decades.
After the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings relocated to Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in 1999, the Forum reinvented itself as a music-first destination. Since the 2014 renovation, the Kia Forum bills itself as the only arena-sized venue in the United States dedicated exclusively to live entertainment, and it consistently ranks among the top-grossing concert venues in the country on Pollstar and Billboard box-office charts.
kia forum inglewood FAQs
What is the seating capacity of the Kia Forum?
17,505 for standard concerts, expanding to approximately 18,000 in maximum concert configuration. Hockey setups use 16,005 seats, and the arena can scale down to about 8,000 for smaller shows.
When did the Kia Forum open?
It broke ground on July 1, 1966, and opened on December 30, 1967, with a Los Angeles Kings hockey game as the first event.
What are the best seats at the Kia Forum?
Center Floor sections closest to the stage and the Lower Bowl sections directly across from the stage are the most-recommended; in the Upper Bowl, the sections nearest center-stage offer the strongest sightlines for that level.
How much are Kia Forum tickets?
There’s no fixed venue price — cost depends on the artist, date, and seating tier. Check the official event listing at thekiaforum.com for current pricing and availability before comparing resale marketplaces.
Where do you park at the Kia Forum?
The venue offers cashless onsite parking through its official parking partner, bookable in advance online. Rideshare and carpool drop-offs are welcome at every entrance.
What is the Kia Forum bag policy?
Clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches are allowed, along with small non-clear clutches or wristlets up to 9 x 6 inches. Diaper and medical bags are permitted, and all bags are searched at entry.
What time does the Kia Forum box office open?
Generally Fridays from noon to 6 p.m., and on event days from noon until showtime — always confirm hours on the official venue policies page since they can vary by event.
Can you take public transit to the Kia Forum?
Yes. Metro’s K Line stops at the Downtown Inglewood station, roughly a 10-minute walk from the arena, and free shuttles have run for select sold-out shows.
Is the Kia Forum the same building as The Forum?
Yes. It’s the same arena, renamed several times over its history — The Forum, Great Western Forum, The Forum presented by Chase — before Kia purchased naming rights in April 2022.
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