Attending a Sacramento Kings basketball game at the Golden 1 Center can be an exciting experience for any sports fan. With seating for over 17,500 passionate fans, the arena offers a lively atmosphere to take in all the action. However, with so many seating options available, it can be challenging to determine which seats provide the best overall experience. This article will examine the different factors to consider when choosing seats for a Kings game and provide recommendations on the optimal sections and rows.
Lower Level Seats
The lower bowl of the Golden 1 Center provides seats that are closest to the basketball court. This proximity allows fans to be near the players and coaches while feeling immersed in the intensity of the game. Lower level seats are often considered the most desirable, but there are pros and cons to the different sections.
Sections 101-108
Sections 101-108 comprise the lower level seats behind the north basket, which is the side the Kings shoot at in the first and third quarters. These sections offer excellent views of the court and team benches. Sitting on the sidelines also provides a unique vantage point to see plays develop.
Some key advantages of sections 101-108:
- Closest view of the north basket and visiting team bench
- Great sightlines to see plays unfold along the baseline and side of the court
- Often considered the most vibrant sections with diehard Kings fans
Some potential downsides include:
- Can be more expensive than other lower level sections
- Rows 1-7 are very close to the court, resulting in a steeper viewing angle
- Action on the far end of the court is farther away
For sections 101-108, rows 8-20 provide the perfect balance of proximity and optimal viewing angles to the north basket and center court. Seats in the first five rows are great for diehard fans who want a courtside atmosphere.
Sections 109-116
Moving across the lower level to sections 109-116 puts fans behind the south basket. This vantage point is ideal for watching warmups and seeing the Kings up close as they defend their basket in the second and fourth quarters.
Benefits of sections 109-116:
- Get a great view as players drive towards the hoop
- Behind the basket action, like slam dunks and blocks
- More affordable lower level pricing
Things to consider:
- Viewing angles are not as good on the corners of the sections
- Does not provide the best sightlines for watching plays develop
- Far from the visiting team bench and tunnel
Middle seats in rows 8-20 of sections 109-116 balance price and ideal vantage points of the south goal. Sitting in the first few rows can be thrilling for dunks and close-ups of players, but rows 1-5 require looking up at the action.
Sections 117-124
The final lower level sections 117-124 extend from the south baseline up to the Kings bench along the east sideline. This vantage point provides excellent views of the court and player benches.
Why sections 117-124 are great options:
- See plays develop from the sideline view
- Close sightlines to the Kings bench and tunnel
- Rows 8-20 have perfect angles to see the full court and action
Things to keep in mind:
- Pricing is typically higher than corner sections behind the baskets
- Rows 1-7 require looking down at sharp angles to view the far basket
- Does not provide the immersive behind-the-goal experience
Sitting in rows 8-20 between the two free throw lines offers great overall views for Kings games in sections 117-124. Opt for seats in the first seven rows for bench intimacy and player closeups.
Upper Level (200 Level) Seats
The upper deck at Golden 1 Center sits higher above the floor, but still provides excellent sightlines and fan energy at a more affordable price point. 200 level seats are worth considering for great value views.
Sections 201-208
The views from sections 201-208 mirror the lower bowl sideline seats, only from a higher vantage point. These sections provide the same great sightlines for watching plays unfold along the baseline and side of the court.
Benefits of upper sideline sections 201-208:
- Similar viewing angles as lower sidelines, but less expensive
- Immersive fan environment in the upper deck
- Rows 1-8 keep fans reasonably close to the action
Drawbacks to consider:
- Players look smaller than lower sections
- Misses some of the close-up intimacy of courtside seats
- Rows above 15 begin getting farther from the court
Selections in rows 1-15 between the free throw lines offer the optimal balance of price and viewing experience for sections 201-208.
Sections 209-216
The upper level behind the baskets in sections 209-216 also provide great views at an affordable cost. Fans get the full sense of player athleticism and speed as they drive towards the hoop.
Why sections 209-216 are good choices:
- Perfect sightlines of all the backboard action
- Feel player movement and enhanced speed up close
- Lowest ticket prices in building, excellent value
Tradeoffs to keep in mind:
- Players look smaller than lower bowl
- Angled views from the corners
- Misses nuances of plays developing on sidelines
For behind-the-goal upper deck sections, target seats in rows 1-12 near midcourt for ideal views of all the endline excitement. Corner rows bring fans closer but have awkward viewing angles.
Sections 217-224
Finally, upper sideline sections 217-224 align with the Kings bench area. This perspective mirrors lower level sidelines at a fraction of the cost.
Why sections 217-224 make sense:
- Affordable prices for a halfway-decent sideline view
- See coaches, players, and substitutions up close
- Rows 1-12 keep the action reasonably close
Compromises to factor in:
- Players appear farther away than lower sections
- Misses the intimacy of seeing facial expressions and details
- Nosebleed seats in rows above 15 feel very high up
For upper box seats along the sidelines, target sections 217-224 in rows 1-15 between the free throw lines for the optimal balance of viewing and value.
Center Court Sections
Fans wanting a balanced, centrally located viewpoint right at midcourt should consider sections in the following center court locations:
- Lower Level: Sections 115-118
- Upper Level: Sections 215-218
Center court seats provide the ideal view of both baskets and a complete picture of the game’s action from endline to endline. For lower bowl, rows 8-20 are preferred, while rows 1-15 are ideal upstairs.
Benefits of center court seats:
- See the entire court and both baskets equally
- Located right at the 50-yard line of the court
- Unobstructed views from the middle angles
Potential tradeoffs:
- Pricing is typically higher than corner/baseline seats
- Does not get the behind-the-goal perspective
- Players appear farther away than sideline seats
For fans wanting the full scope of gameplay from endline to endline, picking a seat at center court provides the most complete viewing experience.
Club Seats
For an exclusive VIP experience, the Golden 1 Center offers luxurious club seats between the lower and upper decks. Club seating includes amenities like:
- Cushy padded seats with ample legroom
- All-inclusive premium food and drinks
- Private clubs, lounges, and restaurants
- High-end customer service and shorter concession lines
Club seats are located in sections CR1-8 and offer padded cushion seats with 18-22 inches of legroom. Pricing varies based on Rows A-F proximity to the court.
Some benefits of club seats:
- Comfortable, spacious seats with convenient amenities
- Exclusive lounges, clubs, and restaurants
- Priority entry to arena and shorter concession lines
- All-inclusive upscale food and premium drinks
Potential tradeoffs:
- Much more expensive cost than regular seating
- Views are comparable to non-club 200 level seats
- Misses the immersive lower bowl environment
For deep-pocketed fans seeking a luxury VIP experience, club seating offers exclusive amenities and service in an upscale setting.
ADA Accessible Seating
Golden 1 Center provides accessible seating options at various locations around the arena to accommodate fans with mobility needs and disabilities. ADA seats come in a variety of ticket price points.
Benefits of accessible seating:
- Allows those with disabilities to enjoy the game with appropriate amenities
- Wheelchair and companion seats available
- Designated seating and service animal areas
- Nearby accessible restrooms and concession stands
Some things to keep in mind:
- ADA ticket supply is limited, so purchase early
- Bring proper documentation for special accommodations if needed
- Accessible seating views vary based on section
Calling ahead helps ensure disabled fans get tickets in their preferred seating location. Fans should consider accessible seating factors like price, proximity, and view angles to find the sections that meet their needs.
Conclusion
When selecting the ideal seats for a Sacramento Kings game, fans should consider their budget, viewing preferences, and amenities. Here is a quick summary of some of the best seating options:
Section | Key Benefits | Drawbacks |
---|---|---|
Lower Sidelines 101-108, 117-124 | Immersive experience close to players and action. Ideal viewing angles. | More expensive pricing. Far from opposite basket. |
Lower Baseline 109-116 | Affordable lower level pricing. Close to south basket action. | Corners have awkward angles. Far from away basket. |
Upper Sidelines 201-208, 217-224 | Excellent views from elevated vantage point. Very affordable. | Players appear farther away. Less intimate than lower level. |
Upper Baseline 209-216 | Cheap tickets with great backboard views. Lively fan atmosphere. | Very high up. Players look small and distant. |
Center Court 115-118 (lower) or 215-218 (upper) | See entire court and both baskets equally. Midcourt views. | More expensive pricing. Players seem farther away. |
Club Seats CR1-8 | Luxury experience with premium amenities and service. | Costly. Comparable views to 200 level non-club. |
ADA Accessible Seating | Allows disabled fans to attend games with needed amenities. | Limited ticket supply. Call ahead to ensure availability. |
At the end of the day, there is no universally “best” seat, only preferential vantage points based on each fan’s budget and desires. Sitting anywhere in the electrifying Golden 1 Center atmosphere provides a fun, engaging Sacramento Kings experience.