Located in the heart of downtown Wichita, Kansas, Intrust Bank Arena is a premier 15,004-seat multi-purpose facility that transformed the city's entertainment landscape. Opened in January 2010 and managed by ASM Global, the venue regularly hosts massive concert tours, family shows, community events, and sporting events like Wichita Thunder hockey. Whether you're heading downtown for a sold-out stadium tour or a local sports matchup, navigating the venue efficiently requires knowing its layout, parking realities, and logistical rules ahead of time.
Knowing the ins and outs of Intrust Bank Arena ensures you avoid long security lines, costly parking mistakes, and confusing entry policies. This guide breaks down everything from seating configurations to box office hours and insider navigation tips.
Location and Layout Overview
The arena sits on the northeast corner of Emporia and Waterman streets at 500 E. Waterman Street, Wichita, KS 67202. Its downtown positioning places it within walking distance of numerous local restaurants, bars, and hotels, making it easy to turn an event into a full evening out.
The building spans roughly 329,850 square feet and features a multi-surface floor capable of hosting ice sports, basketball hardwood, and massive stage setups. Premium amenities include 22 private suites, loge boxes, and over 300 club-level premium seats designed to give corporate guests and VIP ticket holders an elevated experience.
Seating Configurations and Capacity
Depending on the event layout, the maximum capacity of Intrust Bank Arena shifts significantly. Understanding where your seats are located helps you choose the right gates and enter the building smoothly.
- Concerts (Center Stage): Accommodates up to 15,750 attendees with a 360-degree open floor layout.
- Concerts (End Stage): Capacities scale down to around 10,100 when the stage blocks off the rear sections.
- Basketball Games: Configured for roughly 15,004 seats, bringing fans close to the action.
- Ice Hockey: Seats approximately 13,450 spectators, accounting for protective glass and rink setups.
Choosing Where to Sit
If you're attending a concert, sections 101 through 122 make up the lower bowl, offering close-up views without requiring floor access. The upper bowl spans sections 201 through 234. While upper-level tickets are budget-friendly, the steep rake of the arena gives even high-row seats clear sightlines toward the stage or floor. For more details on venue seating maps, check the Intrust Bank Arena About Page.
Parking and Transportation Strategy
Finding a spot for your vehicle doesn't have to be stressful if you plan ahead. Over 4,000 parking spaces sit within a four-block radius of the venue.
Official and Nearby Lots
Intrust Bank Arena operates designated surface parking lots (such as Lots 1 through 4) immediately surrounding the facility. These fill up rapidly on event nights. Numerous private surface lots, street parking options, and parking garages are scattered throughout downtown Wichita. Rates fluctuate depending on the scale of the event.
Rideshare and Accessibility Drop-offs
If you use rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft, plan your drop-off and pick-up zones away from gridlocked immediate perimeter streets. General passenger drop-offs are permitted near the intersection of Emporia and English. ADA guests have designated parking access in Lot 2, Lot 3, and the Waterman Street Circle Drive on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal fee. Tailgating and overnight parking are strictly prohibited in arena lots.
Box Office, Ticketing, and Entry Policies
Getting inside the venue smoothly means complying with security guidelines and ticket age rules.
Ticket Rules and Box Office
Tickets can be purchased online via official platforms like Select-A-Seat or directly at the Intrust Bank Arena Box Office. The box office features 12 indoor ticket windows designed to shield patrons from weather elements. Standard policy dictates that any child aged three years or older requires a dedicated ticket to enter and must occupy their assigned seat. Children's shows occasionally alter this age threshold, so verify specific event details beforehand.
Security and Bag Guidelines
Like most modern entertainment complexes, Intrust Bank Arena enforces strict bag policies to expedite entry lines. Large backpacks, oversized totes, and professional camera equipment without media credentials are banned. Clear bags or small clutch purses that meet size restrictions pass through security much faster than standard luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring outside food and beverages into the arena?
No outside food or drinks are allowed through the security gates. The concourse features numerous concession stands offering standard arena fare, local snacks, and alcoholic beverages for guests of legal drinking age.
Are there cash machines inside the venue?
Intrust Bank Arena operates primarily as a cashless facility. Concession stands, merchandise booths, and box office windows accept major credit cards, debit cards, and contactless mobile payments.
Where is the best place to park for quick highway departures?
Parking on the northern or eastern fringes of downtown Wichita—slightly farther from the immediate venue blocks—allows you to bypass post-event bottleneck traffic and merge onto interstate highways much faster.
What should I do if I need accessible seating relocation?
If your ticketing needs change or you require accessible accommodations upon arrival, speak with guest services or head directly to the box office to request ADA seating relocation, subject to availability.
