Sacramento Kings
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
500 David J. Stern Walk
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Sacramento
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
City-owned, indoor arena operated by the Sacramento Kings; part of the Downtown Commons (DoCo) district. The street is named to honor former NBA Commissioner David J. Stern
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
(916) 701-5400 (main); Box Office (916) 701-5401
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
CA
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Golden 1 Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Website
https://www.golden1center.com
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
95814
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Park-and-ride free at outer SacRT lots (Sunrise, Watt/I-80, Florin, Cosumnes River) and take light rail downtown; some prepaid garages list flat ~$15 rates
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.golden1center.com/visit/directions-and-parking/ (pre-paid via City of Sacramento SacPark: https://reserve.sacpark.org/venues/golden-1-center-parking)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
ADA parking available in city garages; ADA accessible drop-off/pick-up provided (see Accessibility). Confirm ADA garage spaces via SacPark / (916) 264-5011
Source statement; not independently verified.
Hours
Garages open 2 hours prior to event/tipoff; pre-purchased passes valid from 2 hours before to 2 hours after the event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Online prepaid via SacPark portal (print-at-home or mobile pass); credit/debit. No physical passes distributed
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Yes — strongly recommended; purchase online through SacPark before arrival. Spots first-come, first-served (not assigned); specific garage subject to availability
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
SacPark prepaid event rates typically run roughly $15–$30 depending on garage/event; drive-up event pricing kicks in 2 hours before tipoff. Confirm exact event-day rates on SacPark
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
SacRT light rail (Blue, Gold, Green lines) has multiple stations within a block; Roseville Transit "Game Day Express" non-stop service from Roseville for Kings games
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor arena; tailgating is not allowed in any city parking garages
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
Downtown grid around J, K, L Streets and 3rd–7th Streets near the arena; I-5 and Capitol Mall ramps congest pre/post game. Note SacRT weekend Gold Line construction closures — check sacrt.com/stationclosure
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
The arena has no on-site parking; uses City of Sacramento SacPark downtown garages and lots, plus street/meter parking. Over 13,500 spaces exist within 1/2 mile of the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is 9.7 miles north (6900 Airport Blvd); no direct rail link — connect via SacRT bus/light rail or rideshare/taxi
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
SacRT website (sacrt.com), ZipPass app, and Moovit for real-time schedules
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
SacRT light rail to St. Rose of Lima Park Station — fastest, family-friendly, and avoids parking/traffic
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
Multiple SacRT bus routes serve downtown Sacramento; see sacrt.com for current routes
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
SacRT fares paid via the ZipPass mobile app, transit cards, or onboard; verify current single-ride fare on sacrt.com
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — indoor arena; no ferry service
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
St. Rose of Lima Park Station (8th & K / 9th & K), the closest SacRT light rail stop, directly serving Golden 1 Center and DoCo. 8th & K and 7th & Capitol platforms are within a 3-minute walk
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
SacRT light rail Blue Line, Gold Line, and Green Line; five light rail stations are in the vicinity
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Check SacRT's Gold Line weekend construction/station-closure schedule (sacrt.com/stationclosure) before a game; Sacramento Valley Station (4th & I) offers Amtrak plus RT trains/buses and taxis
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
St. Rose of Lima Park Station is adjacent to the arena/DoCo (under a 5-minute walk); other light rail stations are within about one block
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Dropoff
Golden 1 Center / downtown Sacramento
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
No shuttle service is provided from the downtown city parking garages — those are within walking distance via pedestrian walkways
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
Roseville Transit (City of Roseville)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Park ride
Roseville Transit park-and-ride for Game Day Express; free SacRT light rail park-and-ride lots (Sunrise, Watt/I-80, Florin, Cosumnes River)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
Roseville (Roseville Transit park-and-ride departure points). Confirm via Roseville Transit
Source statement; not independently verified.
Routes
Roseville Transit "Game Day Express" — non-stop service from Roseville to Kings games
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Rack locations
Golden 1 Center and DoCo provide on-site bicycle parking spaces for event attendees; bike valet at Ali Yousseffi Square (7th & K St)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Secure
Complimentary bike valet (monitored) offered by the Sacramento Area Bike Association (SABA); unattended self-park racks are not monitored and not guaranteed against theft/damage
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share cost
Bike valet is complimentary (free)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Bicycling is prohibited within the outdoor plaza — riders must dismount and walk bikes through; use the valet or designated storage
Source statement; not independently verified.
Valet
Yes — SABA complimentary bike valet at Ali Yousseffi Square (7th & K St), open 2 hours before major events and until 1/2 hour after
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
ADA parking available in city garages via SacPark; ADA drop-off/pick-up provided (see below). Contact (916) 264-5011 for parking help
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Complimentary Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) at Guest Services — Section 109 (Plaza) and Section 207 (Bridge). ID required as a hold
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
888-91-KINGS or adaservices@golden1center.com; requests for ASL/audio-description at least 2 weeks in advance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
ADA drop-off/pick-up at 4th & J St, 6th & J St (alley after the Scientology building), and 7th & K St (in front of Starbucks); 6th & L St for some small events (<3,500). Max 20 minutes in loading zones
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevators
Plaza Level (Sec. 104, 109, 115), Loft Level (outside L03, L13, L26), Suite Level (outside S02, S12, S18), Bridge Level (202, 207, 211, 213). Guests with disabilities have priority on all public elevators
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
In partnership with Ticketmaster and OneCourt, the Kings offer OneCourt haptic displays letting blind and low-vision fans feel live game action in real time through touch
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
Family/accessible restrooms on Event Level (Club Rush, Assembly by Crown Royal, Lexus Lounge), Plaza Level (Sec. 105, 114, 118, 121), Loft Level (outside L13, L42), Suite Level (outside S11, S34), and Bridge Level (Sec. 203, 220)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Sensory
Fully functional Sensory Room on the Event Level (Sensory VIP badge via Guest Services); sensory bags and weighted lap pads available; OneCourt haptic displays for blind/low-vision fans at Kings games
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Service dogs individually trained to perform tasks related to a disability are welcome; emotional-support/companion animals are not permitted inside
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Designated wheelchair-accessible and limited-mobility seating in all price categories, with companion seats available in most cases
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — fully cashless; accepts chip-enabled credit cards, tap-to-pay contactless, and mobile/wearable payments. No cash-to-card kiosks
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
Over 50 beers including local/craft brews from breweries within ~150 miles, alongside favorites like Heineken and Coors; see the official Beer List
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Golden 1 Center is positioned as a farm-to-fork showcase, with about 90% of its food and beverage sourced from within 150 miles of the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Centro (regional Mexican), Cafe Bernardo (fried rockfish sandwich, cheeseburgers, garlic fries), and other rotating local chef/farm-to-fork stands. Roughly 90% of food/beverage sourced within 150 miles
Source statement; not independently verified.
Mobile ordering
Yes — order food and drink via the Sacramento Kings + Golden 1 Center app (see Order Food & Drink FAQ)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Island-style Local Eats stands open on all sides showcasing fresh food prep; clubs/lounges include Rush by Sire Spirits, Assembly by Crown Royal, The Elms, and Lexus Lounge
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside alcohol prohibited; bottles/cans not permitted. Baby bags/plastic bottles/formula allowed (bag max 16"x16"x8"). General outside food largely restricted — confirm per event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
SacPark (City of Sacramento) for prepaid parking
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Locally sourced "Local Eats" — e.g., Centro quesabirria street tacos (16-hour slow-cooked grass-fed beef, handmade corn tortillas), plus burrito bowls and loaded nachos with signature Petaluma Creamery cheese sauce
Source statement; not independently verified.
Vegetarian
Yes — vegan/vegetarian items (e.g., vegan nachos) and gluten-sensitive Local Eats offered; see Local Eats menu
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
AECOM with Mark Dziewulski Architect; general contractor Turner Construction; project manager ICON Venue Group
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
Reported at roughly $534.6 million (some figures cite ~$507M initial estimate and ~$558.2M total); City contributed ~$223–233M, Kings the remainder
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Birth of the "Light the Beam" tradition (2022–23 season); hosted 2017 and 2023 NCAA men's tournament first/second rounds; site of the 2020 California State Legislature special session during COVID-19; selected to host 2026 NCAA women's regionals
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
It was the first indoor sports venue to earn LEED Platinum certification — carbon- and grid-neutral, powered partly by a rooftop solar array plus an 11 MW solar field at Rancho Seco
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
2016 (opened September 30, 2016; first concert Paul McCartney October 4, 2016; first Kings regular-season game October 27, 2016)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
17,608 for basketball (expandable to ~19,000 for concerts)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
Golden 1 Center (naming rights to Golden 1 Credit Union from the outset — $120M over 20 years, secured June 16, 2015)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
2022 installation of the purple "victory beam" laser system in the grand entrance (origin of the "Light the Beam" tradition). No major structural renovation; capacity unchanged
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
17,608 (one of the most intimate seating bowls in the NBA)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed indoor arena; LEED Platinum with smart climate controls that use the natural Delta breeze for cooling and large operable glass doors facing the plaza
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
Sacramento sits at roughly 30 ft above sea level (low-elevation valley arena)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Event Level, Plaza Level, Loft Level, Suite Level, and Bridge Level
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
34 luxury suites (all events year-round) plus 48 loft-style suites; three exclusive premium-level clubs including two skyboxes overlooking the plaza/concourse
Source statement; not independently verified.
Scoreboard
Center-hung 4K Ultra HD board ~84 ft long; main screens ~44 ft wide x 24 ft tall with 6 ft message boards; 600+ HD displays and 1,500+ ft of LED ribbon boards throughout the bowl
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
Sole pro tenant is the Sacramento Kings (NBA); also hosts concerts, WWE/AEW, UFC, PBR, NCAA and CIF basketball, and conventions
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (indoor)
Source statement; not independently verified.