Step Inside: Golden 1 Center – Home of the Sacramento Kings

Home of the Sacramento Kings

Golden 1 Center has been the home court of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings since the 2016–17 season. The publicly-owned arena has become deeply intertwined with the city and its Downtown Commons neighborhood as well as the Kings, Sacramento’s prized, sole major professional sports franchise. In 2022, the venue added four, and later six, 1,800-watt purple lasers to be lit into the sky following a home victory, heralding the Kings’ dominant “Beam Team” and the arena-wide victory chant “Light the Beam!”

Golden 1 Center History

Golden 1 Center opened in 2016, replacing the Sacramento Kings’ former, long-standing home at ARCO Arena and moving the team from the northern edge of town to the bustling Downtown Commons (DOCO) district. The venue’s new central location reaffirmed Sacramento’s devotion to the Kings and the NBA by establishing the address at 500 David J. Stern Walk, named after the late league commissioner who advocated for the team to remain in the city on multiple occasions.

The arena is one of the newest sports venues in the NBA games, and as such boasts one of the most technologically-advanced game experiences for fans. Hailed upon opening as the “most connected” arena in the world, Golden 1 Center provides fast, free wi-fi extending out to the surrounding public plaza. Inside, two 25-foot tall video screens welcome fans before entering the main bowl presided by an 84-foot long videoboard, the second largest in the NBA.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Golden 1 Center was installed in 2022. “The ‘Beam’ was a long-gestating concept that became reality when four purple lasers illuminated the sky for the first time following the first Kings’ home win of the 2022–2023 season. The new tradition was not the only bright spot for the basketball team’s season, but also helped define it: The self-dubbed “Beam Team” eventually secured the team’s first playoff berth in 16 years. Nowadays, Kings fans chant “Light the Beam” in hopes of seeing players, celebrities such as 50 Cent or the team mascot Slamson hit the switch.

Golden 1 Center accommodates 17,608 fans for Kings home games, but can reach a capacity of 19,000 seats for certain special events. Aside from being home to a full host of marquee NBA matches, including numerous notable additions to the Kings’ ongoing rivalries with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, the arena has hosted a handful of WWE events, as well as several rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament in 2017 and 2023. Major artists and performers who have headlined the arena include Elton John, Billie Eilish, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Carrie Underwood, Karol G and Kevin Hart.

Parking and Admission at Golden 1 Center

Golden 1 Center offers local parking across various lots and street-level options through the City of Sacramento. Parking for lots near the venue can start at $10.00, with prices varying depending on the event and the proximity of the lot location. For reservations and more information, visit their website. Guests with suite-level tickets will have the option of complimentary VIP parking at Golden 1 Center’s West Premium Garage. For guests planning to be picked up or dropped off, the venue recommends setting the arrival location for either J Street between 3rd Street and 5th Street, I Street between 7th and 8th Street and 4th Street between L Street and Capitol Mall.

Fans can also access Golden 1 Center via public transit. The Sacramento Regional Transit light rail has three stations within a block of the venue: the 8th and K station via the Gold Line and the 10th and K or 9th and K stations via the Blue Line. For up-to-date information on public transit services to Golden 1 Center, visit the SacRT website.

When entering Golden 1 Center, bags can’t be bigger than 8” x 6” x 1.” Smaller clutches and wallets as well as medical and parental bags above the limit will be permitted, but all are subject to security inspection. Backpacks, purses and camera bags are not allowed. Bottles and cans are not allowed. Cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are not allowed.

Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: weapons of any kind, vape pens, cigarettes, illegal substances, lighters, aerosol cans, audio and visual recording devices, balloons, drones, fireworks, outside food and beverages, laptops, noisemakers, laser pointers, projectiles and attire with any explicit, profane or derogatory display. See the full list of prohibited items on the venue’s official website.

Permitted items include binoculars, umbrellas, and cowbells exclusively at Kings games. Banners and signs are also allowed as long as they are smaller than 11” x 7” and are not attached to a pole made of any hard material.

Golden 1 Center Capacity & Seating Options

Golden Center has a seating capacity ranging from 17,608 to 19,000, depending on the arena configuration for each event. The venue’s 34 suites are made up of several different options including Luxury, Loft, Bridge Loft, Plaza Box and The Club by Red Hawk Casino. Learn about the different suite offerings on the Golden 1 Center website here.

Those who purchase floor tickets to concerts and special events will have access to the RUSH by Sire Spirits or ASSEMBLY by Crown Royal club lounges. The private, 360-degree central bar serves anything from micro-brews to handcrafted cocktails.

The Golden 1 Center seating chart can be viewed on Ticketmaster.

Food & Beverage Options at Golden 1 Center

Golden 1 Center boasts a variety of food options that aim to follow the stadium’s eco-friendly goals with fresh, farm-to-fork ingredients. Vendors include Smokehouse BBQ, Paragary’s or Selland’s for pizza, Centro or El Jefe for Mexican and Sweet Bird for chicken and donuts. Fans can also grab their choice of beverage at the Sierra Nevada Draught House and Union Wine, Spirits & Ale. Alternatively, guests may order food and beverages directly to their seat using the Golden 1 Center app.

Hotels Near Golden 1 Center

Some hotels near the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento include:

1. Hyatt Regency Sacramento
2. Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
3. Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
4. The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection
5. Hyatt Centric Sacramento Downtown
6. Residence Inn by Marriott
7. Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena, an IHG Hotel
8. Larkspur Landing Sacramento – An All-Suite Hotel 
9. The Sterling Hotel 
10. Inn Off Capitol Park, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member