
The Kohl Center, home to the University of Wisconsin's men's basketball, women's basketball, and ice hockey teams, has a maximum seating capacity of 17,230 for basketball games. The student section, known as the Grateful Red, holds 2,100 students and spans three decks from the floor to the roof of the arena. The Kohl Center has undergone various reconfigurations over the years, adding more seating options and premium spaces, with the latest changes displacing some longtime season ticket holders. The center is known for its challenging environment for opposing basketball teams, and it has hosted several significant games and events, including NCAA championships and political gatherings.
Explore related products

Student section seats
The student section of the Kohl Center, originally known as "Mr. Bennett's Neighbourhood" after then-coach Dick Bennett, adopted the name “Grateful Red” in 2002. The name was a reference to the rock group, the Grateful Dead, and members wore tie-dyed T-shirts as their pseudo-uniforms. The Detroit News ranked the section the #1 college basketball student section in February 2007. In 2018, the university renamed all student sections “AreaRED”.
The student section holds 2,100 students and extends from the floor to the roof of the Kohl Center, a span of three decks. The student section is situated around the south baseline of the Kohl Center and is always located in sections 114–117, 214–216, and 314–316, with some rows of seats in sections 313 and 317.
The Kohl Center has the fourth-largest seating capacity in the Big Ten Conference, with a maximum capacity of 17,230 in its basketball configuration. The maximum capacity for men's basketball increased from 17,142 to 17,190 in 2006 when the UW Athletic Department sold 48 courtside seats, priced at $10,000 to $12,500 each. Prior to the 2008–2009 season, some of the seating in the upper deck was reconfigured, adding more seating to the arena and bringing the capacity for men's basketball to 17,230.
The Rise of JD Davison: Age and Achievements in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Premium seats
The Kohl Center, home to the University of Wisconsin's men's basketball and ice hockey teams, and the women's basketball team, has a maximum capacity of 17,230 in its basketball configuration. The Center has recently added new premium seating options, which are priced at a premium due to their proximity to the court and the additional amenities provided.
The new premium seats at the Kohl Center include four areas near the floor with ledge seating, featuring rolling or high-top padded chairs behind a counter, and two rows of wider, padded club seats. These seats also include access to one of the Kohl Center's club spaces, with all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages, and a cash bar. The addition of these premium seats has resulted in the displacement of some longtime season ticket holders who previously occupied seats near the court.
The Krantz Club, located on the arena floor level, is one of the exclusive club spaces accessible to premium seat holders. The cost of these premium seats starts at $6,000 per season for men's basketball and $1,750 per season for men's hockey, with priority given to donors who make additional capital project contributions. For men's hockey, the first two rows of sections 109, 110, 120, and 121 are priced at $1,750 for a half season, while the 38 ledge seats in sections 106, 107, 123, and 124 are priced at $2,000 for a half season.
The best seats at the Kohl Center for basketball games are generally considered to be those located closest to mid-court, particularly in sections 107-109 and 121-123. The student section, known as the Grateful Red, is also highly regarded for its energetic atmosphere and is located in sections 114-117, 214-216, and 314-316, with some rows in sections 313 and 317.
Bounce Shots in Basketball: Legal or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Courtside seats
The Kohl Center, located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is a multi-purpose arena and home to the university's men's basketball, women's basketball, and ice hockey teams. The seating capacity of the Kohl Center can vary, as the center can be rearranged to accommodate a basketball court, a hockey rink, or a concert. In its basketball configuration, the maximum capacity is 17,230, with 2,100 of those seats allocated to the student section.
The Kohl Center has offered courtside seats for Badgers men's basketball games since 2006. In the 2006 men's basketball season, the UW Athletic Department sold 48 courtside seats, priced at $10,000 to $12,500 each. These seats were created by eliminating part of the courtside seating for media. The addition of these seats increased the maximum capacity for men's basketball from 17,142 to 17,190.
In 2024, it was reported that Wisconsin had $11 million at stake with the introduction of new premium seats at the Kohl Center. This included new rows of ledge seats, which were added to the existing courtside seating. These new premium seats were priced significantly higher than the average ticket price, with some longtime season ticket buyers being moved out of their seats near the court to make way for the new premium spaces. The new courtside seats also included access to the Krantz Club, a club space with all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages and a cash bar. The proximity to the court and the club access were highlighted as major selling points for these premium tickets.
The best seats at the Kohl Center for basketball games are generally considered to be those located closest to mid-court, specifically in sections 107-109 and 121-123. These sections offer a prime viewing experience and are often in high demand.
The Science Behind Holographic Basketballs
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Ticket prices
Student Tickets
Student tickets for UW students are available for $20 per ticket per game. The student section, known as "AreaRED", holds 2,100 students and spans three decks from the floor to the roof of the Kohl Center.
Season Tickets
Season tickets for 2025 are priced at $399, based on a $57/game ticket price for 7 home games. Season ticket holders can purchase up to 6 new Men's Basketball Season Tickets. The number of seats may vary depending on the row and section.
Premium Seats
The Kohl Center offers premium seating options for men's basketball and hockey, including courtside and rinkside club seats. These premium seats come with access to a club space that offers all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages. The prices for these premium seats can be significantly higher than regular seats. For example, season tickets in the lower level, including courtside seats, can cost $558 plus a minimum donation ranging from $100 to $300, resulting in an average ticket price of up to $47.67. The new premium spaces have much higher per-game prices, ranging from $472.22 to $777.78.
Hockey Tickets
For men's hockey, the general public half-season tickets cost $240 or $220, while some sections have minimum donations of $50 or $25 associated with purchases. The rinkside club seats in the first two rows of premium sections are priced at $1,750 for a half season, and the ledge seats along the glass are priced at $2,000 for a half season.
Badminton Midcourt: The Strategic Center
You may want to see also

Seat configurations
The Kohl Center, home to the University of Wisconsin's men's basketball, women's basketball, and ice hockey teams, has a variable seating capacity. The maximum capacity for basketball games is 17,230, while it can accommodate 15,359 spectators for ice hockey matches. The student section, known as the Grateful Red, holds 2,100 students across three decks, with sections spanning from 114 to 117, 214 to 216, and 314 to 316, as well as some rows in sections 313 and 317.
The Kohl Center has undergone several reconfigurations to optimise seating arrangements. Prior to the 2006 men's basketball season, the UW Athletic Department introduced 48 courtside seats, increasing the maximum capacity from 17,142 to 17,190. Before the 2008-2009 season, the upper deck seating was reconfigured, further boosting capacity to 17,230.
In recent years, the introduction of premium seating options near the court and rink has led to the displacement of some longtime season ticket holders. These premium seats come with access to a club space offering all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages. The Krantz Club, for instance, is being constructed on the arena floor level. The rinkside club seats in the first two rows of sections 109, 110, 120, and 121 are priced at $1,750 for a half season. Ledge seats, which are located behind a counter with rolling or high-top padded chairs, are also available in sections 106, 107, 123, and 124 for a half-season price of $2,000.
The Kohl Center's seating capacity for basketball games has been quoted as 17,071 in some sources, with a distinction made between reserve seating for men's basketball and general admission for women's basketball. This discrepancy in capacity may be attributed to different ticketing strategies for men's and women's games, resulting in varying sellout capacities.
Will Trawick: Rising Basketball Star's Journey and Achievements
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Kohl Center has a maximum capacity of 17,230 for basketball games.
The student section of the Kohl Center, known as the Grateful Red, has 2,100 seats.
Yes, the Kohl Center offers premium seating options near the court, which include access to a club space with food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The premium seats are priced at $777.78, $666.67, and $472.22 per game, which is significantly higher than the average ticket price of $47.67 for the lower-level seats.
No, the seating capacity has changed over time due to reconfigurations. Before the 2006 men's basketball season, the addition of 48 courtside seats increased the capacity from 17,142 to 17,190. Further changes before the 2008-2009 season brought the capacity to 17,230.
























