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Guide To Sleep Train Arena

Sleep Train Arena
(credit: www.sleeptrainarena.com)

Sleep Train Arena

One Sports Parkway
Sacramento
www.sleeptrainarena.com

Home of Sacramento's only top-tier professional sports team, the Sacramento Kings, Sleep Train Arena seats 17,317 for basketball. Over a 13-season stretch from 1985-86 to 1997-98 the Kings hosted an NBA-leading 497 consecutive sellouts.

Parking_2012_STA

Coming and going

Trust me, just drive to the games. For one, you typically don't have to wait in long lines to get into the parking lot, and second, you'll always find a place to park. Driving isn't the cheapest way to get there, but it is by far the most convenient method. Regional Transit buses stop near the arena, but despite increased service before and after the game, you may still have to wait a while to get a seat.

Parking at Kings games sets you back $10. Parking is $12 for all other events.

How early to leave?

To avoid waiting in long lines , you used to have to arrive at least 30 minutes early and leave before the final buzzer. Now, you can usually drive right through and exiting is easier as well, although even with smaller crowds, it will back up a bit.

Surprise Item you can bring in/can't bring in

Water bottles aren't allowed. There are water fountains where you can fill up a free plastic cup offered at the concessions.

kingsRockyWidner98265105
credit: Rocky Widner/Getty Images

Tickets

How much are they? Well, that depends. On Sept. 20, 2010, the Kings switched to variable ticket pricing. Here's what the Kings' president of business operations had to say about it. (http://www.nba.com/kings/news/variable_pricing_release.html)

"We realize that all games are not created equal," said Matina Kolokotronis, Kings president of business operations. "Similar to the successful model used by the hotel and airline industries, we are aligning our pricing to better match the demand set by the market. This new structure also allows us to price many games at a lower price than last season, making Kings games even more accessible for fans."

You can find tickets at nba.com/kings/tickets/ (http://nba.com/kings/tickets/) or on ticketmaster.com.

seating
(credit: www.powerbalancepavilion.com)

Seating

Start with the stadium chart (arena layouts) to find the best seats.

Kids' seating
Are the little ones a little too...little to see the action? Get them a booster seat. You can borrow one from guest relations. You just have to leave your driver's license as collateral. Guest services is located on the main concourse behind Section 123.

Kings v. Suns
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Best People To Ask

If you have a question about anything at the arena, ask Kings team members. They're dressed in purple polo shirts. You can also ask the friendly folks at the Sleep Train Arena Guest Services desk.

Which bathrooms are the best? The cleanest?

All of the 11 public restrooms are well-maintained and clean. But as to which one is the best? The jury is still out.

ConcessionsMap
credit: www.powerbalancepavilion.com

Food

Wine Bar
Located behind Section 113
Wine is available at all portable bars on the Main Concourse (including the Royal Wine Bar behind Section 112), Skyline Restaurant, Cantina Bar and from "in-seat" servers.

Beer Bar
You can buy a cold one at arena concession stands, portable bar on the main concourse, Skyline Restaurant and the Cantina Bar. Beer can also be ordered from "in-seat" servers who provide service to guests in Kings Row and Balcony Seats.

Brands on tap (available at various locations): Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, MGD, Blue Moon, Heineken, Tecate, Sierra Nevada, Newcastle, Gordon Biersch

Prices:
Regular Domestic Draft - $6.50
24 oz. Domestic Draft - $8.75
20 oz. Premium Draft - $9.75
24 oz. Domestic Bottle - $9.74
24 oz. Premium Bottle - $10.25

What's on the menu?
The Skyline Restaurant features Sleep Train Arena's signature chef's tables. The menu changes nightly, so you never know. Whatever it is, it'll be tasty.

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credit: www.facebook.com

Other Cool Stuff

Along with Kings, the arena has also played host to numerous premier concert events, including nine sellout shows by country music superstar, Garth Brooks, who has attracted over 144,000 fans to his Sleep Train Arena concerts. Other top acts include Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Eagles, Alan Jackson, Santana, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Harlem Globetrotters, Professional Bull Riders, Green Day, Disney on Ice, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Elton John, Prince, Reba McEntire and the Rolling Stones.

Sleep Train Arena is just off I-5 near I-80 and is five minutes from downtown Sacramento.

Among the indoor amenities are concession stands throughout featuring 80 service lines, four lounges overlooking the arena interior, eight locker rooms, 297 public toilets and 24-hour security.

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