The Kia Forum TICKETS

About the Kia Forum 

When Canadian businessman Jack Kent Cooke wanted to bring the NHL to the Los Angeles area, he had one problem: There was no facility in the area that could accommodate a professional hockey team. He decided to solve the issue by building the Forum, now called the Kia Forum since the automaker purchased naming rights in 2022. 

Architect Charles Luckman designed the 18,000-seat arena to accommodate the new NHL franchise, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Cooke-owned Los Angeles Lakers. It opened in 1967 and quickly became one of the most popular venues for sports and concerts among players, artists, and fans. It even hosted several events during the 1984 Olympic Games. 

When the Los Angeles sports teams left the Forum in 1999 for a more spacious facility, the building pivoted to focus on music and entertainment. A world-class destination for musical acts since the 1960s, it’s hard to find a big name that hasn’t played here. 

And the hits just keep coming thanks to a substantial renovation and grand re-opening in 2014. By returning the Kia Forum to its former glory, Inglewood, CA, continues to be a premier destination for the biggest names in music and will be for years to come. 

What It's Like At Events

“The Forum is back!” That was the reaction from many fans when the Forum reopened in 2014 after an extensive $50 million rehabilitation. In addition to returning the building’s exterior to its original red color, the project included upgrading the seats, lights, acoustics, LED video systems, and HD screens for a better entertainment experience.

The Kia Forum consistently ranks among the top places to see concerts in the country, in large part thanks to the arena's relatively small size and great sight lines from most seats. While upper-level seats may not be close to the stage, they offer an unobstructed sight line. Lower-level seats, in some cases, are even closer to the performers than the floor seats. 

The sound quality inside the arena is another reason concertgoers give the Kia Forum high marks. Whatever genre of music or type of event, the upgraded acoustics and sound system ensure clear, amplified sound that’s true to the performance.

Another element of the building renovation was the addition of more retail and dining space. You’ll find a variety of food options from local favorites, including Papa Cantella’s Hot Dogs, Carney’s, and Fresh Brothers Pizza. The venue also has two grab-and-go, checkout-free spots where you can get snacks, hot and cold food, and drinks without a wait. 

If you’d rather dine before or during the show without missing a second of the action, check out the Terrace. This 40,000-square-foot open-air dining area wraps around the Forum, and features a variety of food vendors, comfortable seating areas, and a glass wall that offers a view into the arena. Guests consistently give the food taste and quality high marks, and the fully stocked bars and variety of options set it apart from other concert venues.

Parking can be a challenge at any event, but the Kia Forum is generally easy to get to, and parking is readily available. Traffic can be heavy at the end of the event, but most people experience only minor delays when leaving the venue. 

The Kia Forum consistently ranks among the top two music venues in the United States and the top four in the world, according to research companies Pollstar and Billboard Box Office Rewards. These rankings attest to the quality of the acts that add the venue to their tour schedules and the artist and fan experience. The venue staff can take a lot of credit for those experiences; the friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff makes it easy to get around and find your seats, food, and restrooms. 

Venue Rules 

The Kia Forum wants everyone to have a great time when they attend an event. Keeping a few basic rules in mind ensures everyone’s safety and the best experience. 

Tickets and Purchases

All tickets to sports, music, and entertainment events at this historic stadium are mobile. Gate attendants won’t accept screenshots or printouts of tickets. 

The Kia Forum is a cashless venue. You can use a credit or debit card or contactless payment for all purchases, including parking, food and drink, and merchandise. If you forget and bring cash, you’ll find cash-to-card kiosks throughout the area.

Clear Bag Policy 

Like most stadiums and entertainment venues around the country, the Kia Forum maintains strict policies regarding what guests can carry into the event. 

You may carry a small clutch or wristlet up to 6’ x 9”; it does not have to be clear. Any larger bags, up to 12” x 6” x 12", must be clear. You may also carry a diaper or medical supply bag if the person who needs the supplies is with you. 

Staff can search any bag entering the venue.  

Prohibited Items 

When attending entertainment or sports events at the Kia Forum, you may not bring certain items. These include:

• Weapons of any type, including replica or costume weapons 
• Signs larger than 11” x 17” 
• Signs, banners, or flags not related to the event 
• Outside food or drink, except for factory-sealed water bottles
• Alcohol and illegal drugs 
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses, tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks
• Video cameras, including GoPros
• Computers, laptops, or tablets 
• Balloons or face paint
• Noise-making devices 
• Two-way radios and noise-making devices 
• Hoverboards or skateboards 
• Laser pens 
• Extra batteries 

The list of prohibited items can change at any time, and some events may have additional restrictions, so check the rules for your event before heading out. 

Camera Policy 

If you want to capture memories of your favorite stars or athletes, you’ll have to rely on your mobile device’s camera, a non-professional (point-and-shoot) camera, or disposable camera. The Kia Forum doesn’t allow any type of professional camera equipment inside, including video cameras. Some events prohibit any type of photography or recording, so check the event page beforehand.

Alcohol Policy

Event attendees of legal age may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages they purchase inside the Kia Forum. The stadium limits purchases to two drinks per individual per transaction and will require identification from anyone who appears younger than 40. The venue can refuse to sell alcohol to any person. 

Smoking 

Inglewood city regulations prohibit smoking anywhere inside the Kia Forum. You may smoke in designated areas of the Terrace; if you smoke anywhere inside the arena, staff may ask you to leave. 

Parking Information

If you’re driving to the Kia Forum, you can access the onsite parking lots via the Kareem Court or Prairie Avenue gates. We recommend reserving your parking spot online before the event to ensure you get one, as spaces can fill up fast. You can buy parking by visiting the Kia Forum Stadium Parking page and selecting your specific event. 

Parking fees vary by event and range from $25 to $90, with preferred parking spaces at the higher end. If you don’t buy a spot in advance, you may pay more for a space on the day of the event. Any spots available on the day of the event are first come, first served.

The Kia Forum is a cashless venue, and that applies to parking, too. You can pay with a debit or credit card or contactless payment method.

You can also choose to park in one of the off-site lots near the venue. Policies and prices for these parking areas vary.

In general, parking areas at the Kia Forum open three hours before the event's starting time and close an hour after the event ends. You may not park overnight.

The venue also doesn’t allow tailgating or loitering in the parking lot. At the start of the concert or game, you have 30 minutes to enter the stadium or leave the premises. The tailgating prohibition also means no gear like tables or chairs, no cooking, no kegs, no glass containers, and no drinking games. 

ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Other Ways To Get Here

If you’d rather not deal with parking, you can use a rideshare or public transportation to get to your event at the Kia Forum. In fact, the venue strongly recommends carpooling or alternative transportation to reduce congestion.

Your rideshare driver can drop you off at any entrance. At the end of the show, head to the designated ride-share pickup spot in the onsite parking lot “H” at the intersection of Pincay Drive and Prairie Ave.

The LA Metro Bus Lines 211 and 215 buses also stop near the Kia Forum. Get off at either the Prairie/ Manchester or Prairie/Kelso stop. 

Venue History 

Ask any modern-day musician where they dream of playing, and chances are they’ll say the Kia Forum. Stepping onto the stage in this venerated arena means stepping into rarefied territory, a space where the most legendary names in rock, pop, soul, R&B, hip-hop, and more, performed over the last 50 years. 

Although the early days of the Kia Forum focused on sports, after the Lakers and Kings moved, the venue shifted focus to becoming a premier destination for concerts, comedy shows, combat sports, and e-sports tournaments. Over the years, ownership shifted from former Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke to businessman Jerry Buss, Faithful Central Bible Church, and Madison Square Garden Company. 

The Madison Square Garden Company launched the new era of the Kia Forum with a substantial renovation between 2012 and 2014. Before the 2020 sale to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, the venue hosted a variety of concerts and awards shows, bringing the magic of the legendary arena to a whole new audience. 

Kia Motors took over naming rights for the building in 2022, and the Forum continues to maintain a full schedule of shows from some of the most popular acts in the world across music genres. 

Seating Chart 

Seating arrangements vary by event and the performer’s stage configuration. For many shows, the stage is at one end of the floor, while some shows and events have a center stage to provide views of the entire stadium. 

One of the most unique elements of the Kia Forum is its design, in which no seat is more than 170 feet from the floor surface. This means that even when you score upper 200-level seats, you’ll still have a good view of the stage. 

General Admission 

The Kia Forum has the capacity to offer one of the largest general admission areas of any venue. Tickets for this section typically don’t have assigned seating, and are standing room only. 

Floor Seating

If you would rather have a seat, choose tickets in the floor sections. The stage setup determines the sight line and position of these seats, and the seating chart varies by performer. 

Upper-Level Sections 

The Kia Forum has two upper-level sections: 100-level and 200-level. Some of the 100-level seats are closer to the stage than floor seats and offer a good side view of the performers. 

The 100-level has 14 rows per section, while the 200-level has 28 rows in each section. Center sections have 16 seats in a row, while side sections have 28 seats. Seat 1 starts on the left end of each row; if you’re looking at seats on the right side of the stage, higher seat numbers are closer to the stage, while lower numbers are closer when looking at the left side of the stage.

Premium Seating 

Although the Kia Forum doesn’t have private luxury boxes like other venues, it offers the opportunity to upgrade your experience with seats in a City National Bank Legends Box. If you have at least 10 people in your group, you can reserve one of these luxurious seating areas that include preferred parking, fast-pass entry to the event, comfortable couch seating, and a dedicated server.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need more information? Check out some of these frequently asked questions. 

Where Can I Get Tickets to the Kia Forum? 

You can purchase tickets to events at the Kia Forum via the venue box office on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on the day of the event starting at noon, pending availability. You can also visit the Ticket Squeeze website to buy tickets to upcoming shows online. 

What Is the Kia Forum Used For? 

The Kia Forum is the only arena-sized venue exclusively dedicated to music and entertainment in the United States. Although it was the home stadium for the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings in the past, no professional sports team calls the facility home anymore. 

What Are the Best Seats in the Kia Forum?

The floor at the Kia Forum has one of the largest general admission sections of any venue in the U.S. Because of the relatively small size of the stadium, most seats have a good view of the stage; many reviewers note that the slightly elevated position of the 100-level seats is closer to the stage in some cases than the floor seats. 

Can I Bring Food and Drink Into the Venue?

Guests may only carry factory-sealed bottled water into the arena.