When we talk about venues, we mean any place that offers live entertainment, from NBA games and NFL battles to Broadway plays and concerts at the United Center. Venues are everywhere, and we want to explore the different styles and what you can expect from each one. While our focus is mainly on sports, it’s essential to cover other locations as well.
We’ll review various types of venues and provide examples. Some locations will be familiar to you, while others might be new. After reading our venue overview, you’ll be well-prepared to attend events or discuss these spots confidently. Finding the best seats in each of these venues will be determined by several different things. If you keep searching through the Block Party for tickets you will come across plenty of information about where to sit for each type of event. We suggest you read our comparison of SeatGeek vs. StubHub before you make any decisions.
Arenas
There are currently over 60 arenas in the United States with a seating capacity of over 15,000. Many more can accommodate large crowds close to this figure. These indoor arenas host a variety of basketball, hockey, and other sporting events that require such large spaces. With tens of thousands of concerts happening each year, many of them take place inside these big arenas.
Top 10 Arenas in the United States
Madison Square Garden – Located in New York City, New York, seats 19,812 and hosts the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
Crypto.com Arena – Located in Los Angeles, California, with a capacity of 19,068, is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings.
United Center – Located in Chicago, Illinois, can accommodate 20,917 fans and is the venue for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks.
TD Garden – Located in Boston, Massachusetts, seats 19,580 and is where the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins play.
American Airlines Center – Located in Dallas, Texas, with a capacity of 20,000, hosts the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars.
Barclays Center – Located in Brooklyn, New York, can hold 17,732 spectators and is the home court for the Brooklyn Nets.
Wells Fargo Center – Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seats 19,500 and is where the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers compete.
Ball Arena – Located in Denver, Colorado, has a capacity of 20,000 and hosts the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
Chase Center – Located in San Francisco, California, can seat 18,064 fans and is the home of the Golden State Warriors.
Toyota Center – Located in Houston, Texas, with a capacity of 18,055, hosts the Houston Rockets.
Some honorable mentions include the Kia Center, Little Caesars Arena, Bridgestone Arena, KeyBank Center, and the Delta Center.
Stadiums
NFL stadiums in the United States are some of the most impressive venues in the world. These stadiums, each with a seating capacity well over 60,000, are the home of the 32 NFL teams. They provide a complete entertainment experience with modern amenities and various events throughout the year, from concerts to other large gatherings.
Top 10 NFL Stadiums in the United States
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Home to the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium seats 80,000 and has a retractable roof and massive high-definition video screen.
Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
Lambeau Field, with a capacity of 81,441, is the historic home of the Green Bay Packers.
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
This stadium, seating 82,500, is unique as it hosts both the New York Giants and New York Jets.
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
With a seating capacity of 70,240, SoFi Stadium is the cutting-edge home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
Home to the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium seats 71,000 people on any given Sunday.
Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
This stadium seats 68,740 and is home to the Seattle Seahawks.
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Arrowhead Stadium, with a capacity of 76,416, hosts the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Seating 65,878, Gillette Stadium is the home of the New England Patriots.
Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Levi’s Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers, seats 68,500.
U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
With a seating capacity of 66,860, U.S. Bank Stadium is the Minnesota Vikings home.
There are of course many other stadiums in the NFL. This list gives you an idea of what to expect. This doesn’t even include the top stadiums in college football.
Park
Baseball parks, also known as ballparks or baseball stadiums, are the dedicated venues for the sport of baseball. The term “park” evokes the early days of the sport when games were played in more open, park-like settings. Over time, these venues evolved into the modern, elaborate stadiums we see today. Many parks have their unique features.
Top 10 Ball Parks in the MLB
Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)
With a seating capacity of 37,755, Fenway Park is the home of the Boston Red Sox.
Wrigley Field (Chicago, Illinois)
With a seating capacity of 41,649, Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs.
Yankee Stadium (New York, New York)
With a seating capacity of 54,251, Yankee Stadium is the home of the New York Yankees.
Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
With a seating capacity of 56,000, Dodger Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Oracle Park (San Francisco, California)
With a seating capacity 41,915, Oracle Park is the home of the San Francisco Giants.
Busch Stadium (St. Louis, Missouri)
With a seating capacity of 45,538, Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Citi Field (New York, New York)
With a seating capacity of 41,922, Citi Field is the home of the New York Mets.
PNC Park (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
With a seating capacity of 38,362, PNC Park is the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Coors Field (Denver, Colorado)
With a seating capacity of 50,144, Coors Field is the home of the Colorado Rockies.
Target Field (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
With a seating capacity of 38,544, Target Field is the home of the Minnesota Twins.
Amphitheater
Amphitheaters in the United States are venues designed to host a wide range of events. These open-air theaters typically feature a semi-circular seating arrangement, providing excellent sightlines and acoustics for large audiences. Events often include concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, community events, sporting events, other gatherings, and film screenings. The natural acoustics and spacious stages make amphitheaters ideal for live music and theatrical productions, while their large capacity and outdoor setting are perfect for summer tours and multi-day festivals.
Top Amphitheaters in the United States
Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles, California)
With a capacity of 17,500, the Hollywood Bowl has hosted legendary performances by The Beatles and Elton John.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, Colorado)
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with a capacity of 9,525, has seen iconic concerts by U2 and The Grateful Dead.
The Gorge Amphitheatre (George, Washington)
The Gorge Amphitheatre, seating 27,500, has featured performances by Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band.
Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View, California)
Shoreline Amphitheatre, with a capacity of 22,500, has hosted concerts by The Rolling Stones and Metallica.
Jiffy Lube Live (Bristow, Virginia)
Jiffy Lube Live, which seats 25,000, has welcomed artists like Coldplay and Lady Gaga.
Xfinity Center (Mansfield, Massachusetts)
The Xfinity Center, with a capacity of 19,900, has been the venue for performances by Aerosmith and Beyoncé.
PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, New Jersey)
PNC Bank Arts Center, seating 17,500, has hosted concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift.
Ruoff Music Center (Noblesville, Indiana)
Ruoff Music Center, with a capacity of 24,000, has seen shows by Jimmy Buffett and Phish.
Blossom Music Center (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
Blossom Music Center, seating 19,900, has featured performances by Bob Dylan and John Mayer.
Dos Equis Pavilion (Dallas, Texas)
Dos Equis Pavilion, with a capacity of 20,000, has hosted artists like Stevie Nicks and Green Day.
Auditorium – Hall – Theater
A famous auditorium in the United States stands out due to its impressive architecture, historical importance, and the high-quality events it hosts. These venues often feature top-notch acoustics and beautiful interiors, designed to offer an outstanding experience for both performers and audiences. They are typically situated in key locations, attracting large crowds for concerts, theatrical performances, speeches, and ceremonies. The reputation of an auditorium is built over time through a long history of hosting well-known artists, significant events, and moments for attendees.
Top 15 of These in the United States
Radio City Music Hall (New York, New York)
Capacity: 6,015
Known for its iconic Art Deco design and famous rockette performances.
Carnegie Hall (New York, New York)
Capacity: 2,804
Known for its world-class acoustics and historic significance in classical music.
Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, California)
Capacity: 2,265
Famous for its striking Frank Gehry-designed architecture and superior sound quality.
Boston Symphony Hall (Boston, Massachusetts)
Capacity: 2,625
Celebrated for its near-perfect acoustics and is home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The Kennedy Center Opera House (Washington, D.C.)
Capacity: 2,364
Hostis the annual Kennedy Center Honors and a wide range of performing arts.
The Chicago Theatre (Chicago, Illinois)
Capacity: 3,600
Recognized by its marquee and its role in the film and entertainment industry.
Segerstrom Hall (Costa Mesa, California)
Capacity: 2,994
Known for its modern design and for hosting Broadway shows and operas.
The Fox Theatre (Atlanta, Georgia)
Capacity: 4,665
Famous for its stunning Moorish architecture and as a premier concert venue.
The Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco, California)
Capacity: 2,203
Has a lavish interior and hosts Broadway productions.
Bass Performance Hall (Fort Worth, Texas)
Capacity: 2,056
Distinguished by its grand limestone architecture and angel sculptures.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (Kansas City, Missouri)
Capacity: 1,800 (Helzberg Hall)
Known for its unique shell-like design and hosting diverse performances.
Civic Opera House (Chicago, Illinois)
Capacity: 3,563
Notable for its Art Deco style and as the home of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)
Capacity: 2,807
Recognized for its ornate interior and a wide variety of performances.
The Warfield (San Francisco, California)
Capacity: 2,300
Famous for its intimate setting and history of legendary rock concerts.
The Beacon Theatre (New York, New York)
Capacity: 2,894
Known for its stunning interior and is a frequent venue for high-profile concerts and events.
This list of venues across the United States includes locations worth checking out for a game, concert, or any kind of production. There are too many venues to discuss all on one page. There are small venues like bars and clubs. There are also small ballparks for minor-league baseball. College towns may have small arenas for indoor sporting events. However, this list should help you find the best mainstream venues in a city near you.
