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.
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. A $76.5 million renovation completed in January 2014 overhauled acoustics, lighting, and artist facilities while preserving the arena’s distinctive circular bowl. Today the Kia Forum bills itself as the only arena-sized venue in the United States dedicated exclusively to live entertainment, consistently ranking among the top two highest-grossing concert venues in the country on Pollstar and Billboard box-office charts.
Quick Answer: Kia Forum Capacity and When It Was Built
The Kia Forum has a standard seating capacity of 17,505 and a maximum concert capacity of approximately 18,000. It was built with a groundbreaking on July 1, 1966, and officially opened on December 30, 1967.
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. At 17,505 to 18,000, it is large enough to host global touring acts but compact enough to deliver an atmosphere that larger arenas rarely match.
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 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. The grand reopening took place in January 2014.
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, and it allows 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. The result is a venue that touring sound engineers and artists consistently rank among the best-sounding in North America.
The building hosted the basketball tournaments and men’s handball finals at the 1984 Summer Olympics, adding an Olympic chapter to its already broad legacy. On September 24, 2014, the Forum was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, recognizing both its architectural innovation and its cultural significance to American entertainment history.
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 2014 renovation transformed the Forum into a music-only arena, the strategy paid off quickly. Harry Styles staged 15 consecutive nights in October and November 2022 — one of the most celebrated artist residencies in arena history, drawing fans from across the globe to Inglewood. Lady Gaga, Drake, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish have all headlined the venue in recent years.
The Forum earned Pollstar’s Arena of the Decade honor for the 2010s and has ranked in the top two U.S. arenas on Pollstar box-office charts annually. That combination of acoustic quality, sightlines, and a capacity that feels large yet intimate is what continues to attract major artists for extended residencies.
Naming History and Ownership
The arena has carried several names since it opened. It was known as The Forum from 1967 to 1988. Great Western Bank acquired naming rights in 1988, producing the Great Western Forum until 2003. It reverted to The Forum from 2004 to 2012, then became The Forum presented by Chase after reopening in 2014. On April 4, 2022, Kia Motors — whose North American headquarters are in Irvine, California — acquired naming rights, giving the venue its current identity: the Kia Forum.
In terms of ownership, Jack Kent Cooke built and owned the arena from 1967 until 1979, when Jerry Buss acquired it. After the Lakers and Kings relocated in 1999, the venue passed through several owners before Madison Square Garden Entertainment purchased it in 2012 and undertook the landmark renovation. Steve Ballmer, owner of the LA Clippers, acquired the Kia Forum from MSG for $400 million in March 2020. Under Ballmer’s stewardship the arena has continued to operate as one of the highest-grossing concert venues in North America.
kia forum inglewood FAQs
What is the Kia Forum capacity?
The Kia Forum has a standard seating capacity of 17,505. For large concerts it can be configured to hold approximately 18,000 people, and it scales down to around 8,000 for more intimate events.
What is the Kia Forum max capacity?
The maximum capacity of the Kia Forum is approximately 18,000 for concerts. Standard capacity is 17,505 for most events, while hockey configurations seat 16,005.
When was the Kia Forum built?
The Kia Forum broke ground on July 1, 1966, and opened on December 30, 1967. It was built by owner Jack Kent Cooke for $16 million and designed by architect Charles Luckman to evoke Roman amphitheaters.
When did the Kia Forum first open?
The Kia Forum opened on December 30, 1967, with a Los Angeles Kings hockey game as its inaugural event. Its first concert followed on January 22, 1968, headlined by Aretha Franklin.
What sports teams called the Kia Forum home?
The Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and Los Angeles Kings (NHL) both played at the Forum from 1967 until 1999, when both teams moved to what is now Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. No major sports teams currently play there; the venue operates exclusively as a live entertainment destination.
How did the Inglewood arena become the Kia Forum?
On April 4, 2022, Kia Motors — whose North American headquarters are in Irvine, California — acquired the naming rights. Before that, the venue was known as The Forum presented by Chase (2014–2022), The Forum (2004–2012), the Great Western Forum (1988–2003), and The Forum (1967–1988).
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