How many seating capacity does the Rupp Arena has?
Rupp Arena is an arena located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. It is the centerpiece of Lexington Center, a convention and shopping facility owned by an arm of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington’s consolidated city-county government. The arena was the host of the 1985 NCAA Final Four, won in an upset by Villanova. With an official capacity of 23,500, it was the largest arena ever built specifically for basketball in the United States at the time of its opening in 1976. It is once again currently the largest basketball arena in the United States. In Rupp Arena, the Kentucky Wildcats lead the nation in NCAA basketball attendance on a yearly basis. Rupp Arena is located at: 432 W Vine St Lexington, KY 40506 Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
The arena has an official capacity for basketball of 23,500, but has packed in well over 24,000 for many UK basketball games. This is possible because less than half of the seating (approx. 10,000) consists of chair-back seats, all of them in the lower seating bowl. The lower bowl also incorporates a student standing-room area called the “eRUPPtion Zone” behind one goal. One of the zone’s most popular tenants is Kentucky native and UK alum Ashley Judd. The upper bowl is completely made up of bleachers. Unlike many arenas built in the following years, it has no luxury suites, and has never been renovated to add them (although it has received some minor renovations in other areas); the demand for UK basketball tickets is so overwhelming that adding suites would inevitably reduce the capacity and possibly lead to a fan backlash. Also, it is unlike other facilities in that it has no large center-mounted scoreboard or other such amenities, as that would detract from the game itself; however
Rupp Arena’s seating chart very clearly shows a seating capacity of 23,000 for Kentucky Wildcats basketball games. But don’t tell that to Kentucky Wildcats fans. They’ve routinely packed in over 24,000 for big games. Seems like when the Wildcats are rolling everyone is welcome. There’s also a standing room only section for the most highly spirited called the eRUPPtion Zone that puts the shakes into visiting teams. In fact, Rupp Arena is one of the most intimidating places to play in the country and the fans in the seats are a big reason for that. The Rupp Arena seating arrangement is created strictly for the average fan. You won’t find any luxury suites. You also won’t find any distracting scoreboard hanging over the court either, you’re there to see Kentucky Wildcats basketball and that’s exactly what you get. Unless you’re there because you’ve got seats for the NCAA Basketball Tournament, an event that routinely visits Rupp Arena. Sources:
