State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is a truly massive venue, renowned for its impressive size and versatile capabilities. If you've ever wondered just how big it really is, or what goes into making such a large-scale entertainment and sports complex run, you're in the right place! Get ready to explore the vastness of this iconic arena, from its seating capacity to its sprawling square footage, and understand what makes it a premier destination.
Step 1: Let's Dive In! Have you ever been to a major arena event and felt completely dwarfed by the sheer scale of the place? That's often the feeling at State Farm Arena. Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, close your eyes for a moment and imagine being in a space that can hold tens of thousands of people, where the roar of the crowd echoes, and a giant scoreboard hangs high above. Pretty incredible, right? Now, let's pull back the curtain and reveal just how immense this architectural marvel truly is.
Step 2: Unpacking the Footprint – How Much Ground Does it Cover?
One of the first measures of an arena's size is its overall square footage. This gives us a sense of the total area enclosed within its walls.
Sub-heading: The Grand Scale of Square Footage
State Farm Arena boasts a substantial footprint, officially listed at approximately 680,000 square feet (or about 63,000 square meters). To put that into perspective, imagine roughly 15 football fields laid out side-by-side! This expansive area isn't just for the main event space; it encompasses concourses, luxury suites, team facilities, administrative offices, concession stands, and more. During its significant $192.5 million transformation, completed in October 2018, the arena reimagined about 100,000 square feet of space, converting former office and storage areas into new clubs and fan engagement zones. This means that while the overall footprint remained the same, the efficiency and quality of the space were significantly enhanced.
Step 3: Seating Capacity – How Many Fans Can Fit Inside?
The number of people an arena can accommodate is perhaps the most common way to gauge its size, especially for sports and concert-goers. State Farm Arena is a multi-purpose venue, meaning its seating capacity can vary depending on the type of event.
Sub-heading: Varying Capacities for Diverse Events
Basketball Games: As the proud home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena is primarily known for its basketball configuration. For these events, the arena can seat around 16,000 to 19,050 spectators, with some sources citing an official capacity of 17,044. This range accounts for slight variations depending on specific seating arrangements and accessibility needs.
Concerts and Other Events: When it comes to concerts, the arena's flexible design allows for a greater capacity. For "in-the-round" performances, it can hold up to 15,212 to 16,500 people. However, for large-scale concerts with an end-stage setup, the capacity can swell to 20,000 to over 21,000! This adaptability makes it a top choice for major musical acts and touring shows.
Ice Hockey: While no longer a primary tenant, for ice hockey (it was formerly home to the Atlanta Thrashers), the capacity was typically around 17,624.
Sub-heading: Beyond the Stands: Premium Seating and Fan Experience
It's not just about the raw numbers of seats. State Farm Arena offers a variety of seating experiences, contributing to its overall size and appeal:
Luxury Suites: The arena includes a significant number of luxury suites – around 92 in total – offering an exclusive and comfortable viewing experience.
Party Suites: For larger groups and special occasions, there are also 9 dedicated party suites.
Club Seats: An impressive 1,866 club seats provide enhanced amenities and closer proximity to the action.
Unique Features: The renovation introduced innovative spaces like Topgolf Swing Suites, allowing fans to play golf simulations while enjoying the game or concert. This kind of unique amenity adds to the "size" of the experience, even if it's not strictly seating capacity.
Step 4: Vertical Space and Impressive Features – Looking Up!
An arena's size isn't just about how much ground it covers or how many people it seats horizontally. The vertical space and innovative features also play a crucial role in its perceived and actual grandeur.
Sub-heading: The Soaring Heights and Technological Marvels
High Ceilings and Open Concourses: The design of State Farm Arena emphasizes an open, 360-degree concourse, allowing fans to maintain sightlines of the court or stage even while grabbing concessions. This open design contributes to a feeling of spaciousness. The arena features continuous linear wood walls and ceilings, with some ceiling sections hanging 90 feet above the arena floor.
State-of-the-Art Video Boards: A truly defining feature of the arena's size and modernity is its incredible center-hung video board. This behemoth weighs 85,000 pounds and boasts 4,500 square feet of screens. It's one of the largest in the NBA, with continuous screens approximately 43 feet wide by 28 feet high facing the sidelines, and 38 feet wide by 28 feet high facing the baselines. There are also numerous other LED screens throughout the building, totaling over 12,000 square feet of display boards, a tenfold increase from before the renovation! This visual immersion adds another dimension to the arena's perceived size.
Step 5: Location and Accessibility – The Arena in its Ecosystem
While not directly related to its physical dimensions, the arena's location and ease of access contribute to its overall scale as a major urban hub.
Sub-heading: Central Location in a Bustling City
State Farm Arena is strategically located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, adjacent to the CNN Center and the Georgia World Congress Convention Center. This central location makes it a significant landmark and a focal point for events in the city. Its accessibility via public transportation and its proximity to other major attractions further amplify its importance and how "big" of a presence it has within the urban landscape.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to determine the exact seating capacity for a specific event at State Farm Arena?
The best way to determine the exact seating capacity for a specific event is to check the official State Farm Arena website or the ticketing platform for that particular event, as configurations can vary.
How to find a seating chart for State Farm Arena?
Official seating charts for State Farm Arena are available on their website (statefarmarena.com) under "Seating Maps" or "Arena Maps," allowing you to view general layouts and sometimes event-specific configurations.
How to navigate State Farm Arena with its large size?
State Farm Arena is designed with clear signage and a 360-degree concourse to help with navigation. Official arena maps are available online and sometimes on-site to guide you to your section, restrooms, and concessions.
How to get to State Farm Arena given its central location?
State Farm Arena is easily accessible via Atlanta's MARTA public transportation system, with a direct connection at the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena Station (now officially the State Farm Arena/Mercedes-Benz Stadium/GWCC station). Ride-sharing services and parking garages are also available nearby.
How to experience premium seating options at State Farm Arena?
To experience premium seating options like luxury suites or club seats, you can contact the State Farm Arena premium seating sales team directly or check for availability through official ticket vendors when purchasing tickets for an event.
How to identify the largest video screen at State Farm Arena?
The largest video screen at State Farm Arena is the massive center-hung scoreboard, featuring continuous LED screens that provide real-time action, replays, and entertainment.
How to compare State Farm Arena's size to other major arenas?
While specific comparisons vary, State Farm Arena's 680,000 sq ft and ~17,000-21,000 seating capacity place it among the larger multi-purpose arenas in the United States, comparable in scale to venues like Madison Square Garden or TD Garden.
How to learn about the 2018 renovation that impacted State Farm Arena's size and features?
Information about the 2018 renovation of State Farm Arena, which significantly enhanced its fan experience and internal layout without changing its overall footprint, can be found on the arena's official website or in various architectural and sports business publications detailing the project.
How to find accessible seating and amenities at State Farm Arena?
State Farm Arena is committed to accessibility. Information regarding ADA-compliant seating, restrooms, and other accessible amenities can be found on their official website under "Plan Your Visit" or "Accessibility."
How to rent event space within the vast State Farm Arena?
For information on renting event space, including smaller meeting rooms or larger areas within the 680,000 sq ft facility, you can contact the State Farm Arena's events and sales department directly through their official website.