Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Kia Forum Seating Chart.
Upcoming events at Kia Forum
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
A concert arena with a championship past
The Kia Forum is a concert arena of about 17,500 seats in Inglewood, a few miles east of LAX. It opened on December 30, 1967, served as the home of the Lakers and Kings for three decades, and today books music and entertainment rather than a home team. The venue describes itself as the only arena-sized venue in the United States dedicated to music and entertainment, and its calendar of major tours, comedy and special events reflects that.
The building sits next to Hollywood Park, the development that holds SoFi Stadium, and near Intuit Dome, the Clippers' arena. On nights when two or three of these venues have events, Inglewood traffic becomes the main obstacle to getting to your seat on time.
How the round, two-level bowl is laid out
The Forum is round, and the seating inside is simpler than at newer arenas:
- Floor: general admission standing room or reserved seats, depending on the show. The 2012 renovation expanded the general admission floor.
- 100 level: the lower bowl, with relatively compact sections ringing the floor.
- 200 level: the upper bowl, with deep sections; some run about 23 rows from front to back.
With no middle tier or full suite stack between the two bowls, the front rows of the 200 level are close and high enough for a clear view, compared with upper levels at Crypto.com Arena and other modern buildings. The catch is the climb: the top rows of the 200 level can require walking up roughly 30 rows of stairs, so allow time and avoid them if stairs are a problem.
When facing the stage, lower seat numbers are generally on the left side of each section. That helps you predict which end of a row sits closer to center stage.
Choosing seats for a show
For most end-stage concerts, three choices stand out:
- Side sections of the 100 level near the stage: close, raised above the floor, and clear of the crowd in front of you. The farther toward the stage end, the sharper the angle, so check how far the stage extends before buying the sections right beside it.
- Front rows of the 200 level facing the stage: often the best value in the building, with a full view of the stage production and sound mixed for the center of the room.
- General admission floor: the closest you can get, but the floor is flat. Arrive early for a spot near the front or along a rail; latecomers watch the screens.
Seats to think twice about: the highest rows of the 200 level directly behind or beside the stage, and the extreme side sections where speaker stacks and set pieces can block part of the stage. For an in-the-round show, the 100 level is strong almost everywhere and the floor is the premium.
Demand follows the act. Opening and closing nights of a residency or multi-night run, Friday and Saturday shows and dates added after a quick sellout tend to draw the most resale interest.
Sound and sightlines from the floor to the top row
Acoustics were a focus of the 2012 to 2014 renovation, which upgraded the room's sound for concerts. The round shape keeps most seats facing the center of the room, so even mid-level side seats have a fairly direct view toward an end stage.
From the 100 level, performers are recognizable without the screens. From the front half of the 200 level, you see the whole production, including lighting and staging that floor fans miss. From the back of the 200 level, the room feels large, and you will lean on the video screens for detail.
Getting to the Forum: parking, rideshare and Metro
- Parking: on-site parking is sold in advance through JustPark, the venue's parking partner. Lots generally open three hours before the event and close one hour after it ends. Prices vary by event, payment is cashless, and oversized vehicles pay extra. Buy ahead, since on-site parking can sell out.
- Tailgating: not allowed. You must enter the event or leave the lot within 30 minutes of the start time.
- Rideshare: a practical choice, but plan for surge pricing and a wait after the show, especially if SoFi Stadium or Intuit Dome also has an event.
- Metro: no rail line stops at the door. For some major events, Metro has run shuttles from the K Line's Downtown Inglewood station and the C Line's Hawthorne/Lennox station. Check whether your date has a shuttle before you rely on transit.
The venue's parking page has current lot details.
Bag policy and entry, as of 2026
As of 2026, the Kia Forum allows clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches and small clutches or wristlets up to about 9 by 6 inches, which do not need to be clear. Diaper and medical bags are allowed with the person who needs them, and every bag is searched. Read the venue's venue policies before you go, since rules can vary by show.
- Cashless: concessions take credit, debit and mobile payments, with cash-to-card kiosks inside.
- Water: factory-sealed water bottles up to 20 ounces are allowed; outside food and other drinks are not.
- Prohibited: professional and video cameras, selfie sticks, tripods, laser pointers, balloons and noisemakers, among other items.
- Box office: typically open Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. and on event days from noon until showtime.
Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee and guaranteed entry.
From the Fabulous Forum to the Kia Forum
Jack Kent Cooke, who owned the Lakers and founded the Kings, built the Forum on a former golf course after the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission refused him the use of its facility. Architect Charles Luckman designed it in the style of a Roman colosseum, with a cable-suspended roof about 407 feet across. Nicknamed the Fabulous Forum, it hosted five NBA Finals in its first six years, and Aretha Franklin gave its first concert in January 1968.
The Lakers and Kings left for Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in 1999. The building was the Great Western Forum from 1988 to 2003, was owned by Faithful Central Bible Church from 2000, and was bought in 2012 by the Madison Square Garden Company, which renovated it and reopened it in January 2014 with six sold-out Eagles shows. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer bought it in March 2020 for about 400 million dollars, and it took the Kia Forum name in 2022.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Kia Forum?
The Kia Forum holds about 17,500 for concerts. The exact number depends on the stage setup and whether the floor is standing room or seated.
Do any sports teams play at the Kia Forum?
No team calls it home today. The Lakers and Kings played there from 1967 to 1999, and the arena now focuses on concerts and entertainment.
Where do you park for the Kia Forum?
On-site parking is sold in advance through JustPark, and lots usually open three hours before the event. Tailgating is not allowed.
What bags are allowed at the Kia Forum?
As of 2026, clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches and small clutches up to about 9 by 6 inches. All bags are searched, so check the current policy before you go.
Can you take the Metro to the Kia Forum?
No rail station is next to the arena, but Metro has run event shuttles from the K Line's Downtown Inglewood station and the C Line's Hawthorne/Lennox station for some major shows.
Is the Kia Forum near SoFi Stadium?
Yes. The Forum sits next to the Hollywood Park development that includes SoFi Stadium and near Intuit Dome, so expect heavier traffic when more than one venue has an event.