Kia Forum

Origin and history

The Kia Forum is a major indoor arena located in Inglewood, California, United States. It was originally constructed and opened in the late 1960s, specifically in 1967, as The Forum. The venue was famously the home of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team and the Los Angeles Kings hockey team for several decades. Its distinctive circular architecture and iconic roof design made it a landmark in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The venue underwent a significant naming rights change in the 2020s, becoming the Kia Forum after a sponsorship agreement with the automotive manufacturer. Throughout its history, it has hosted a vast array of concerts, sporting events, and other major gatherings, solidifying its status as a premier live entertainment venue.

What it is for

The Kia Forum serves as a large-capacity venue designed to host major touring musical artists, comedy acts, and special events. Its primary function is to provide a stage for elaborate concert productions that require significant space for audio, lighting, and visual effects. The arena's layout and infrastructure are built to accommodate the complex logistical needs of modern world tours, including large crews and extensive equipment. It functions as a key stop on many artists' touring schedules, particularly for those targeting the Southern California market. The venue also occasionally hosts sporting events, award ceremonies, and other one-off live entertainment spectacles. Its role is to be a central hub for large-scale, ticketed live experiences in the Los Angeles region.

Kia Forum setlist

A setlist for a concert at the Kia Forum is entirely dependent on the specific artist performing there on a given night. Major touring artists typically structure their setlists to include a mix of their newest material, drawn from the album promoting the tour, and their classic hits. The setlist for a show at this venue often includes one or more encore segments, which are a standard practice for arena-level performances. The length of a typical headlining set at the Kia Forum usually ranges between 90 minutes and two hours, not including opening acts. Some artists may include a unique song selection or a special guest appearance for their Los Angeles-area show, though this is not guaranteed. The exact sequence and choice of songs are curated by the artist and their production team to create a dynamic live experience for the audience.

Kia Forum tour dates

Tour dates at the Kia Forum are individual events scheduled as part of a larger concert tour by an artist. These dates are typically announced as part of a tour routing that includes multiple cities and countries. A tour stop at the Kia Forum is often one of several California dates, sometimes including multiple nights at the same venue due to high demand. The scheduling of these dates is coordinated between the artist's management, tour promoters, and the venue's availability, often months or years in advance. Tickets for these tour dates usually go on sale to the public following an official tour announcement via the artist's channels and ticketing platforms. The specific date a performer plays the Kia Forum is listed on their official tour schedule and on the venue's own calendar of events.

Overview

The Kia Forum is a historic and modernized arena that represents a significant destination for major concert tours. Attending an event here involves navigating a large venue with a capacity of approximately 17,500 for concerts, which creates a substantial and energetic crowd atmosphere. The experience is defined by the artist's production, which utilizes the venue's full capabilities for sound and lighting to create an immersive show. Logistically, events require planning for transportation, parking, and entry procedures, which are standard for an arena of this size and location. The audience demographic can vary widely depending on the performer, but generally draws from the entire Greater Los Angeles area. The overall outcome is a professional, large-scale live music event in a venue with a deep legacy in entertainment history.

What to know

Purchasing tickets for a hot-ticket event at the Kia Forum often involves navigating competitive sales, including presales and potential dynamic pricing on primary platforms. The venue has multiple seating levels, including floor seating, a lower bowl, and an upper balcony, each offering different sightlines and price points. Traffic in the surrounding area of Inglewood can be heavy before and after events, making early arrival and patience when departing advisable. The venue has a clear bag policy and specific security procedures that attendees must follow, which are detailed on its official website. Public transportation access is available via bus lines, and ride-sharing services have designated pickup and drop-off zones. Concession stands and merchandise booths are plentiful but can have long lines, especially during intermissions.

Common questions

A common question is about the best way to get to the Kia Forum, with many seeking advice on driving versus using a ride-share or public transit. Attendees frequently ask about the parking situation, including cost, availability, and how early lots open before an event. People often inquire about the venue's policy on cameras and recording devices, which is typically restricted to non-professional cameras without detachable lenses. Questions about age restrictions are common, as some shows may be all ages while others could have minimum age requirements. Many want to know if there are any hotels within walking distance, though most lodging requires a short drive or ride from the venue. Another frequent inquiry concerns the availability and location of accessible seating and services for guests with disabilities.

Pros and cons

A significant pro of the Kia Forum is its excellent acoustics and sightlines, which have been refined over decades to provide a high-quality live experience. The venue's historical significance and modern renovations offer a blend of nostalgia and contemporary comfort for attendees. A major con is the cost and hassle associated with parking, which is expensive and can lead to lengthy exit delays after an event ends. Some attendees regret choosing seats in the highest upper balcony sections, as the distance from the stage can feel extreme for certain productions. Traffic congestion in the Inglewood area is a consistent drawback, often requiring a plan to arrive very early to avoid missing the start of a show. A common mistake is not checking the venue's specific prohibited items list beforehand, which can lead to delays at security or having to return items to one's car.

Who it suits

The Kia Forum suits dedicated fans of an artist who are willing to navigate the logistics and cost of a major arena show for a chance to see their favorite performer. It is ideal for concert-goers who prioritize seeing a full-scale production with professional sound, lighting, and staging over an intimate venue setting. The venue suits those who live in or are visiting the Los Angeles area and want the convenience of a central, well-known location for entertainment. It is less suited for individuals seeking a low-cost or low-hassle evening, as tickets, parking, and concessions represent a significant financial outlay. The experience is a good fit for groups of friends or families attending together, given the wide range of seating options available. It is not particularly suited for those with severe mobility issues without careful planning, as navigating the large concourses and stairs can be challenging despite available accessible services.