Step Inside: Kia Center – Home of the Orlando Magic

Home of the Orlando Magic

Kia Center is the home court of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Opened in 2010, the 18,846-seat facility is one of the newest venues in the league and boasts some of the most modern, technologically advanced gametime features. In 2023, the Orlando venue underwent a name change from Amway Center to Kia Center.

Kia Center History

The venue opened as Amway Center in 2010, replacing the Orlando Magic’s first home court of over two decades, Amway Arena. The arena made its presence immediately known in downtown Orlando, with an eye-catching 180-foot tall tower adorned with LED lights rising above the nearby I-4 interstate. At the time of its opening, the venue contained the largest Jumbotron in the league with an innovative and interactive LED display. The interior’s 2,100 feet of digital ribbon boards is matched on its exterior by an impressive 53-foot tall video display composed of 5,000 LED sticks.

In December 2023, in partnership with Kia America, Amway Center was renamed the Kia Center.

In their 2010 preseason home debut, the Magic defeated the New Orleans Hornets by a margin of 54 points, then followed with a victory in their first regular season home game against the Washington Wizards. Later that season, the team played their first playoff series in the venue, and advanced to the First Round again in 2019 and 2020. Kia Center was also home base for the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2012.

Outside of the league, Kia Center has hosted rounds of the NCAA men’s March Madness basketball tournament in 2014 and 2017, multiple events for the WWE and UFC and the Arena Football League’s ArenaBowl XXVI in 2013. It continues to house the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and the AFL’s Orlando Predators. Several artists have made repeat stops to the venue as well, including Lady Gaga, Usher, Brad Paisley, Janet Jackson and Ariana Grande.

Parking and Admission at Kia Center

Kia Center provides VIP, reserved and pre-paid parking options at the GEICO Garage on 400 West South Street. Pre-paid parking typically costs $25 before fees and is available via Ticketmaster or the Kia Center box office until 5:00 p.m. local time the day before an event. Parking is valid for the entire event day, though re-entry is not permitted. City parking options are also available nearby with reservation prices starting around $10. View a map of parking options from the City of Orlando here. Bus parking is complimentary. Check out a map of bus parking zones and directions to the venue here.

Commuters that are transporting guests to Kia Center can find a designated pickup and dropoff spot at the intersection of Hughey Avenue and Pine Street near the northeastern region of the venue. For fans taking public transit, the LYNX bus system reaches Kia Center via the 20, 36 and 40 lines as well as the designated LYMMO service via the 61 and 62 lines. The LYNX map can be found here. Passes and fares can be purchased on the LYNX PawPass app.

When entering Kia Center, guests may only bring one small clutch bag measuring 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 1″ at most. Exceptions will be made for medical and parent bags up to 14″ x 14″ x 6″ in size. Larger bags and backpacks are not allowed. Signs are permitted but must not be larger than 11” x 17”, attached to a stick or contain indecent or derogatory comments. The venue does not allow cameras with detachable lenses or lenses longer than 3 inches for most concerts and events. Kia Center states that the admission policy for guests carrying a weapon will be determined by the private event promoter, though it cautions that the vast majority do not allow patrons with weapons to be admitted to their events. Kia Center security personnel reserve the right to inspect any item at any time and prohibit any item deemed inappropriate for crowd safety.

Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to drones, fireworks, Go-Pros, helium balloons, illegal drugs, laptops, laser pointers, noisemakers and amplifiers, non-service animals, outside food and beverages, selfie sticks, wrapped gifts and any unauthorized solicitation, handbills, giveaway or sampling materials. The list of prohibited items is subject to change at the discretion of individual events. Permitted items include umbrellas and strollers.

Kia Center Capacity & Seating Options

Depending on the arena’s configuration, Kia Center has a capacity between 16,486 and 20,000 seats. Across its five concourses, the venue contains 1,428 seats on the Threatlocker Club Level in addition to multiple suite options. Each of the 32 Founders Suites and 28 Presidents Suites hold between 16 to 24 guests, while the two Legend Suites can accommodate 161 guests each. The venue also features 68 Loge boxes for four to six guests as well as two open-air All-Star decks, the Walt Disney World Terrace and the Hardwood Suites on the exclusive Founders Level. The Kia Center seating chart can be viewed here.

Club-tier guests can also visit one of the venue’s three hospitality rooms. Fans can find more about the Orlando Magic’s season ticket policy here.

Food & Beverage Options at Kia Center

Kia Center offers many dining options within the facility. The Orlando Market alone gathers together several local favorites in a street food-style food court, while the Orlando Table offers a similar yet seated experience. Jernigan’s restaurant is also available to Club Level guests. Ticketholders and not alike can stop for a drink at the Big Storm Brewing Co. location adjoining the venue before heading inside. Within Kia Center, guests can imbibe at Bud Light Baseline Bar, Fields Ultimate Lounge, O3 Bar and The ULTRA Club.