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Kia Forum

17,500 seat capacity. Built in 1967, renovated in 2014, still one of the best-sounding rooms in Los Angeles. Your complete guide to parking, seating, events, and tips.

17,500 capacity
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA
Opened 1967 (Renovated 2014)

Kia Forum: Complete Venue Guide

The Forum opened in 1967 and spent decades hosting Laker championships, boxing matches, and concert tours before Kia signed the naming rights. The 2014 renovation updated the amenities without touching the circular bowl - which is why the acoustics still hold up. At 17,500 seats, it is smaller than most NBA arenas, and the sightlines are better for it. The uppermost rows sit roughly 150 feet from the stage floor. Kia Forum books major concert tours, comedy specials, and award shows throughout the year. It rarely goes dark for more than a week at a time.

Legendary concert venue since 1967
17,500 seat capacity
2014 renovation kept the original circular bowl intact
Dedicated parking lots on-site
Minutes from LAX airport
Metro K Line accessible
Clear bag policy enforced
VIP and premium seating options

Parking

Kia Forum on-site lots run about $30 for general parking on most event nights. Preferred spots closer to the main entrance go for $50-$60. Lots open two to three hours before showtime and usually fill by the time doors open. Manchester Blvd has several privately run lots starting around $20 - some are a five-minute walk, some are ten. If your seat is on the Prairie Ave side, street lots off Hardy Ave are worth checking for lower prices.

Seating

The Kia Forum seating chart is a circular bowl: floor level, lower bowl (sections 100s), club level, and upper bowl (sections 200s). Floor configuration varies by show - standing pit, reserved rows, or a mix. The lower bowl runs about 20 rows deep. Sections 101-103 and 119-121 angle slightly toward center stage and give the best elevated sightlines for concerts. The upper bowl is steeper but still close by any large venue standard. Club level includes lounge access and in-seat service.

Getting There

The Kia Forum is at 3900 W Manchester Blvd in Inglewood. Take the 405 to Manchester Blvd eastbound, or the 105 to Prairie Ave northbound. The Metro K Line Downtown Inglewood station is about a 10-minute walk from the venue. Rideshare pickup and dropoff zones are on Prairie Avenue - walk a block south of the main entrance to reduce wait times after the show.

Kia Forum Frequently Asked Questions

How much is parking at Kia Forum?+
General Kia Forum parking starts around $30 for most events. Preferred spots closer to the main entrance run $50-$60. Pre-purchasing online through the venue website or app saves time and usually gets you a slightly better rate. Manchester Blvd private lots start around $20 if you want to cut the cost - just factor in a 5-10 minute walk.
What is the Kia Forum bag policy?+
The Kia Forum enforces a clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and no larger than 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutch purses (4.5" x 6.5") are allowed regardless of material. Backpacks and large non-clear bags are not permitted. Check the event page before you go - some events have stricter rules.
What time do doors open at Kia Forum?+
Kia Forum doors typically open 60-90 minutes before showtime. For major tours, doors sometimes open earlier. Check your specific event on the Kia Forum website for exact times. Arriving 30 minutes after doors open usually means the main entrance line has cleared.
What is the Kia Forum capacity?+
The Kia Forum capacity is approximately 17,500. That number shifts by event - standing floor shows pack in more people, while reserved floor rows reduce the count. The circular design means every seat is within about 200 feet of the stage, which is unusual for an arena of this size.
Where are the best seats at the Kia Forum?+
Floor rows 1-15 are the closest experience for most concerts. For the best elevated view, lower bowl sections 101-103 and 119-121 angle toward center stage and give better sightlines than sections directly behind it. Club level adds lounge access and in-seat service. Upper bowl is affordable and still reasonably close - the steepness works in your favor.
Is there food at the Kia Forum?+
The Kia Forum has concession stands distributed across all levels - floor, lower bowl, and upper bowl. Standard arena food: hot dogs, pizza, nachos, beer. Items run $12-$18 each. Lines thin noticeably once the opener starts, so that's the window to go. Club level offers upgraded food and in-seat service for ticket holders with club access. The circular layout means most fans are within a short walk of a concession stand from their section.
What was the Kia Forum called before?+
The Kia Forum has had four names since it opened in 1967. It was originally called The Fabulous Forum, then The Forum. From 1988 to 1999 it was the Great Western Forum - the name associated with the Showtime Lakers championships. After a $100 million renovation by MSG in 2014, it briefly operated as The Forum until Kia signed the naming rights deal in 2021. Local fans often still call it The Forum.
Where is the Kia Forum located?+
The Kia Forum is located at 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, at the corner of Manchester Blvd and Prairie Ave. The venue is approximately 4 miles from Los Angeles International Airport and 1.5 miles north of SoFi Stadium. Parking lots surround the venue on the west (Preferred) and east sides (General). The Metro K Line's Downtown Inglewood station is a 10-minute walk away.
How far is the Kia Forum from LAX?+
The Kia Forum is approximately 4 miles from LAX, about a 10-15 minute drive in normal traffic. By Metro, take the K Line from Aviation/LAX station (via the free LAX-it shuttle) to Downtown Inglewood station - a 10-minute walk to the Kia Forum. Total Metro trip takes about 20-25 minutes. By rideshare, allow 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Rideshare pickup after shows is in the designated zone on Prairie Ave.
Is the Kia Forum indoors?+
Yes. The Kia Forum is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena. It was built in 1967 with a distinctive circular domed design and no natural light inside the bowl. The 2014 renovation modernized the amenities but preserved the original circular structure. Unlike SoFi Stadium, there is no open-air element - the Kia Forum is a traditional fully enclosed arena.
Is there a Metro stop near the Kia Forum?+
Downtown Inglewood station on the Metro K Line (Crenshaw/LAX Line) is the closest station to the Kia Forum, about a 10-minute walk south on Prairie Ave. The K Line connects directly to the LAX transit hub (via Aviation/LAX station) and to the C Line (Green Line) for connections throughout the Metro system. On show nights, the K Line platform fills up quickly after the final encore - arrive at the station early if you want to get on the first train.
What types of events does the Kia Forum host?+
The Kia Forum hosts primarily concerts, comedy shows, and awards ceremonies. Major touring acts across rock, pop, hip-hop, Latin, K-pop, and country regularly book the venue. Comedy specials are filmed here regularly given the intimate sightlines and acoustic design. The BET Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and American Music Awards have all been held at the Kia Forum. The venue books roughly 150-200 events per year and rarely goes dark for more than a week.
Does the Kia Forum have free WiFi?+
Yes. The Kia Forum offers free WiFi throughout the arena. The network is accessible from all seating levels. Signal can slow at sold-out shows during high-use moments. Mobile tickets work reliably on the WiFi network. The venue uses mobile-only ticketing for most events, so keeping your phone charged is more important than WiFi speed - bring a portable charger if battery is a concern.
Who owns the Kia Forum?+
The Kia Forum is owned by Steve Ballmer, the billionaire former Microsoft CEO who bought the LA Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion. Ballmer purchased the arena from MSG Entertainment in 2020 for approximately $400 million. The acquisition was partly motivated by Ballmer's need for a venue to use during the construction of Intuit Dome. Kia signed the naming rights deal in 2021, the year Intuit Dome broke ground.