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    American Airlines Center Seating Chart

    Plaza rows: AA and BB come before row A

    Why Plaza Level rows start with AA, which sections sit behind the Mavericks and Stars benches, where the Stars shoot twice, and how the Terrace Level climbs.

    By the Good Seats editorial teamUpdated How we research
    American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX
    Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Parking, bag policy, transit and history are on the main American Airlines Center guide.

    The short version: three tiers and a row-letter twist

    American Airlines Center seats fans in three public tiers: the Plaza Level (100s) around the court or ice, a club level (200s) tied to the Platinum suites, and the Terrace Level (300s) above. The detail that catches buyers out is the Plaza Level's row letters. Two seating guides agree that the first rows of the lower sections are double letters, AA and BB, and that row A comes after them; one guide puts row A anywhere from the 4th to the 12th row of a section, because some sections have more double-letter rows in front.

    So a Plaza ticket in row A is not the front row. For Stars games, though, seating guides note that row A of the Plaza Level is the glass row, because the double-letter rows are not used for hockey. The American Airlines Center venue guide covers DART, parking and the bag policy; this page goes section by section.

    Plaza Level: the 100s

    • Rows: double letters at the front (AA, BB and more in some sections), then A to Z. The last row is W, X, Y or Z depending on the section.
    • Seats per row: one seating guide lists about 18 seats per row in the lower sideline sections.
    • Sidelines: the eight sideline sections give the best basketball views and carry a premium over the seats behind each basket.
    • Courtside: for basketball, floor sections wrap the court. Seating guides list the baseline floor sections as 1, 12, 13 and 24, each with three rows, A to C.

    For basketball, rows from about BB to F along the sideline look over the courtside row and the benches. For hockey, choose row 10 or higher at center ice to see over the glass. If double-letter rows are new to you, Is Row AA Closer Than Row A? explains them.

    Benches, penalty boxes and the shoot-twice end

    The arena's two home teams use different benches.

    • Mavericks: seating guides place the Mavericks bench in front of section 117, with the visitors' bench near section 120. The Mavericks' tunnel is between sections 118 and 119.
    • Stars: three seating guides agree the Stars bench is in front of section 119 and the visitors' bench in front of section 118. The penalty boxes sit opposite, by sections 106 and 107.
    • Where the Stars shoot twice: seating guides place the Stars' first- and third-period net in front of sections 112 and 113, with the visitors shooting twice toward sections 101 and 124. On the Terrace Level, sections around 315 to 321 sit on the Stars' shoot-twice side.

    For a Stars fan who wants an end seat, sections 111 to 114 are the strongest choice, close to the home team's attack for two periods.

    Club level and the Terrace Level

    The club level sits between the Plaza and the Terrace, with Platinum and Flagship suites around it. Seating guides list the Platinum club sections in the 200s, with rows starting at A and ending at about H, and some sections only five rows deep. The angle is higher and centered, with lounge access.

    The Terrace Level is the upper bowl, pushed up and back by the suite rings. Seating guides list center sections from row A to about N, with longer sections, to about row T, on the Mavericks bench side. Rows E and below are reached directly from the section entrance and are sometimes sold as Terrace Preferred; higher rows need an extra staircase.

    • Best Terrace seats: center sections, rows A to F, especially for hockey, where the height helps you read the play.
    • Least comfortable: the top rows of the Terrace corners, where the center-hung video board can cut into the view.

    Concerts

    For most end-stage concerts, seating guides place the stage in front of lower sections 101 and 124, which closes the sections behind it and turns the floor into numbered sections. Terrace sections behind the stage, such as 302, are also limited or closed.

    • Best fixed seats: Plaza sections on the sides angled toward the stage. Seating guides single out sections 105 and 120 as the strongest Plaza seats for typical setups.
    • Head-on: the Plaza and Terrace sections at the far end face the stage directly from a distance.
    • Floor: flat, so a standing crowd blocks short fans in the middle and rear rows.

    Tours set their own layouts; check the seat map for your event.

    Seat numbers and accessible seating

    Seating guides note that, looking toward the court or ice, the lower seat numbers in a section are on your right. Accessible rows are generally at the top of sections, near the concourse, and spread around the arena. Request wheelchair and companion seats through your ticket seller or the arena box office and confirm the location before the event.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is row AA before row A at American Airlines Center?

    Yes, on the Plaza Level. The first rows of the lower sections are double letters such as AA and BB, and row A comes after them, anywhere from the 4th to the 12th row depending on the section.

    Where do the Stars shoot twice at American Airlines Center?

    Seating guides place the Stars' first- and third-period net in front of sections 112 and 113. Sections 111 to 114 are the best end seats for Stars fans.

    Where is the Mavericks bench at American Airlines Center?

    Seating guides place it in front of section 117, with the visitors' bench near section 120.

    Where is the Stars bench at American Airlines Center?

    In front of section 119, with the visitors' bench in front of section 118 and the penalty boxes by sections 106 and 107.

    How many rows are in the Terrace Level?

    Seating guides list center Terrace sections from row A to about N, with some sections running to about row T. Rows E and below are closest to the section entrance.

    Where is the stage for concerts at American Airlines Center?

    For most end-stage shows, in front of lower sections 101 and 124, with the floor set up in front of it.

    Sources