VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Jacksonville, FL: Capacity, Seating & Visitor Tips

Quick Facts

Overview

The arena opened in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan, replacing the old Jacksonville Coliseum. It took on VyStar Credit Union’s name in 2019 under a 15-year sponsorship agreement that also funds a trust supporting local veterans’ programs. It’s home to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen and the Jacksonville Sharks of the Indoor Football League, and it regularly hosts touring concerts, NCAA tournament games, and events like UFC 261, which drew a full-capacity crowd of 15,000 in 2021.

Seating and Layout

• Floor: Configured for concerts as either a standing general admission pit or reserved rows extending across the surface.
• 100-Level (Lower Bowl): Surrounds the floor.
• Suite level: 28 luxury executive suites with private amenities and bar service.
• 300-Level (Upper Bowl): The elevated upper deck, with a direct overhead view of the full stage and lighting rig.

Concert seating maps vary by tour, so it’s worth checking the specific event’s chart rather than assuming a standard layout. Center lower-bowl sections facing the stage generally offer a balanced combination of proximity and viewing angle, while sections at the extreme sides of the bowl can face a sharper angle relative to the stage’s backdrop displays, depending on the production.

Capacity

Concert capacity reaches up to 15,000, which is higher than the arena’s other configurations: 14,091 for basketball, 13,141 for hockey, and 13,011 for arena football. The 15,000 figure represents the arena at its fullest, floor-plus-bowl configuration.

Accessibility

The arena is fully ADA-compliant, with accessible platform seating on the lower and upper levels, public elevators, companion seating, and assistive listening systems.

Venue Policies

• Bags: All bags brought to entry points are subject to search and must be 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller. Medical device carriers exceeding that size are permitted but subject to search.
• Cameras: Personal cameras are permitted. Professional cameras with lenses exceeding 6 inches, detachable lenses, and audio or video recording devices aren’t allowed, and some events enforce modified camera policies.
• Signs: Signs larger than 8.5″ x 11″, or ones deemed inappropriate or obstructive, will be confiscated.
• Payment: Fully cashless across all concession counters and merchandise stands.

Because bag and camera policies can vary by specific event, it’s worth checking the venue’s official rules or the event page before you go.

Getting There

• Driving: The arena is easily accessed from I-95, I-10, or the Hart Bridge Expressway.
• Parking: Official Jacksonville Sports Complex surface lots, including Lots Z, Y, J, and XX, are shared with EverBank Stadium. Pre-purchasing a parking pass online is recommended for popular events.
• Public transit: JTA bus routes and the JTA Skyway serve the area, with the nearest Skyway stop at Rosa Parks Transit Station.
• Rideshare: Pickup and drop-off areas are designated along Duval Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard.

Nearby

The arena sits in Jacksonville’s Sports Complex, close to Intuition Ale Works, the Daily’s Place amphitheater, and downtown dining spots.

Before You Arrive

Plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before showtime to navigate parking lots and security screening without feeling rushed.

What to bring:

• A smartphone with your digital ticket loaded
• A credit card, debit card, or mobile payment method, since the venue is cashless
• A bag under 12″ x 6″ x 12″, since larger bags and backpacks aren’t permitted

Frequently Asked Questions

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