Kia Forum
Kia Forum is a single-site arena in Inglewood, California dedicated solely to music and entertainment. It serves live-event attendees, premium-box buyers, and corporate renters with concerts, sports, comedy, and award shows, ranking among the top two U.S. arenas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersInglewood, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kia Forum does
Kia Forum is a single-site music and entertainment arena located at 3900 W Manchester Blvd in Inglewood, California, operated by Kia Forum Entertainment LLC. Originally opened in 1967 as The Forum and substantially renovated and rebranded under the Kia naming in January 2014, it is described in the source material as the only arena-sized venue in the United States dedicated solely to music and entertainment. The venue serves live-event attendees of headlining concert tours across pop, rock, hip-hop, Latin, K-pop, and electronic genres, along with combat sports, family shows, comedy festivals (e.g., Netflix Is a Joke), and broadcast award shows. It consistently ranks in the top two U.S. arenas and top four worldwide per Pollstar and Billboard Box Office Reports, and was named Pollstar's Arena of the Decade for the 2010s. The arena serves premium-box buyers (City National Bank Legends Boxes, minimum 8–10 guests), corporate and private event renters, and accessibility-requiring guests through ADA seating, wheelchair access, and on-request signed performances.
The arena operates on a fully cashless infrastructure with mobile-only ticketing routed exclusively through Ticketmaster, multi-layer security screening (walk-through metal detectors, metal-detecting hand wands, x-ray bag screening, AED-equipped medical response), and two state-of-the-art checkout-free convenience stores for in-venue food, snacks, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Following the 2012–2014 renovation, acoustics were upgraded, former locker rooms were redesigned as artist dressing rooms, and the floor was converted into one of the country's largest general-admission sections. Accessible services include ADA seating, wheelchair, aisle-transfer, and semi-ambulatory seating options, plus signed performances available with 10 business days' advance notice.
Kia Forum generates revenue across six streams: (1) transaction fees on event ticketing shared with promoters via Ticketmaster and the on-site Box Office (open Fridays 12pm–6pm and on event days from 12pm through show start); (2) high-margin premium seating rentals for the City National Bank Legends Boxes with VIP parking, fast-pass entry, dedicated servers, and optional branded décor; (3) sponsorship and advertising revenue from a multi-year official partner portfolio spanning Kia (naming rights), City National Bank, Ticketmaster, Lyft, Pepsi, and a deep beverage stack (Jack Daniel's, Don Julio, Casamigos, WhiteClaw, Tanqueray, Ketel One, Seaglass Wine); (4) food and beverage concessions featuring local vendors such as Carney's and Papa Cantella's alongside alcohol partners, limited to 2 drinks per customer per transaction; (5) cashless on-site parking and prepaid event parking via JustPark; and (6) B2B venue rentals for corporate, private, and special events. GTM is hybrid — direct-to-consumer ticketing through the venue's owned calendar, social channels (@TheKiaForum), and email newsletter, paired with inside/field sales for premium seating and venue rentals, and extensive co-marketing through the official sponsor ecosystem.
Kia Forum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kia Forum
- Legal name
- Kia Forum Entertainment LLC
- Website
- https://thekiaforum.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Kia Forum is a single-site arena in Inglewood, California dedicated solely to music and entertainment. It serves live-event attendees, premium-box buyers, and corporate renters with concerts, sports, comedy, and award shows, ranking among the top two U.S. arenas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kia Forum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Venue
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues) (MPAGALAA)
Keywords
Where Kia Forum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Inglewood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kia Forum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Premium seating (City National Bank Legends Boxes): Private box rentals (minimum 8-10 guests) including VIP parking, fast-pass entry, dedicated server, preferred parking, and optional branded décor; revenue is event-night, high-margin recurring rental income sold through direct sales outreach.
- Event ticketing (commission/share with promoters): Mobile tickets sold through Ticketmaster and on-site Box Office for concerts, sports, family shows, comedy, and award shows; venue earns its share of ticket revenue across arena events.
- Sponsorship and official partner rights: Multi-year sponsorships and official partner designations across beverage (Jack Daniel's, Don Julio, Casamigos, WhiteClaw, Tanqueray, Ketel One, Seaglass), consumer (Pepsi), automotive naming (Kia), financial (City National Bank), ticketing (Ticketmaster), mobility (Lyft), and parking (JustPark), plus advertising placements on site.
- Food & beverage concessions: Concession sales featuring local brands (Carney's, Papa Cantella's hot dogs) and alcohol partners (Casamigos Tequila, Ketel One Vodka, Jack Daniel's) sold through traditional POS and two checkout-free stores; alcohol limited to 2 drinks per customer per transaction.
- Parking (via JustPark): Cashless on-site parking (rates vary by event, open ~3 hours before start, close 1 hour after end, no overnight) plus prepaid event parking routed through JustPark as the Official Parking Partner. Vehicles over 18 ft length or 9 ft width are charged extra.
- Venue rentals and hosted events: B2B rentals of the arena for corporate, private, and special events marketed through the Connect/Venue Rentals pages.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | City National Bank Legends Boxes - premium private boxes (min 8-10 guests) with VIP perks |
| Unit Pricing | — | Standard mobile event tickets sold via Ticketmaster and on-site Box Office |
| Unit Pricing | — | Event-day parking (cashless) and prepaid parking via JustPark |
| Unit Pricing | — | On-site food & beverage concessions (including checkout-free stores) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kia Forum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kia Forum is a 17,500+ capacity music and entertainment arena in Inglewood, CA, hosting headlining concerts, multi-night residencies, comedy, family shows, combat sports, and award shows. Its core commercial offerings are mobile event tickets sold via Ticketmaster, City National Bank Legends Boxes premium private suites, on-site food & beverage concessions (including two checkout-free stores), cashless event parking, and B2B venue rentals for corporate and private events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- City National Bank Legends Boxes (Premium Private Boxes) Premium private box rental product for high-spend individuals, groups, and small corporate hosts attending concerts, sports, family shows, and special events at the Kia Forum. Includes VIP parking, fast-pass entry, a dedicated server, and optional branded décor customization.
- Concert and Event Tickets (mobile-only via Ticketmaster) Mobile-only digital tickets for headlining concerts, multi-night residencies, comedy, family shows, combat sports, and award shows, sold via Ticketmaster and the on-site Box Office for individual consumers.
- Food & Beverage Concessions (including two checkout-free stores) On-site food and beverage concessions featuring local SoCal brands (Carney's, Papa Cantella's) and named alcohol partners, sold through traditional cashless POS and two checkout-free convenience stores, available to all event attendees.
- Event Parking (cashless on-site and prepaid via JustPark) Cashless on-site and prepaid event-day parking for Kia Forum guests, with rates varying by event and oversized-vehicle surcharges, available to individual consumers attending events.
- Venue Rentals (B2B corporate, private, and special events) Full-arena rental service for corporations, brands, and event organizers hosting private functions, brand activations, and large-scale corporate gatherings inside the Kia Forum.
- Accessibility Services (ADA seating, signed performances, companion seating) Accessibility services for guests with disabilities, including ADA seating, wheelchair, aisle transfer, semi-ambulatory seating, companion seating up to three seats, and on-request signed performances for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Companies that use Kia Forum
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kia Forum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
Kia Forum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- KiaflagshipNaming-rights partner — the venue carries the 'Kia' name (Kia Forum). The arena was substantially renovated in 2012 and re-opened in January 2014 under the Kia naming. The site is owned and operated by Kia Forum Entertainment LLC.
- City National BankflagshipCo-branded 'City National Bank Legends Boxes' — the venue's premium private box experience (minimum 8-10 guests) carries CNB branding, with VIP parking, fast-pass entry, dedicated server, and branded décor option.
- TicketmastercoreOfficial ticketing partner; all Kia Forum tickets are mobile and routed through Ticketmaster. ADA seating is also purchased via Ticketmaster.
- LyftcoreOfficial Rideshare Partner of the Kia Forum; drop-offs permitted at all entrances. New Lyft users get a promo code for 50% off first two rides (up to $10/ride).
- JustParkcoreOfficial Parking Partner; resells prepaid event parking for Kia Forum (and SoFi Stadium) through JustPark's event parking platform.
- Jack Daniel'scoreOfficial sponsor; Jack Daniel's whiskey is featured as an alcohol offering across the venue, including on-site banner advertising.
- Don JuliocoreOfficial sponsor; Don Julio Tequila is featured in the venue's spirits lineup with on-site banner advertising.
- CasamigoscoreOfficial sponsor; Casamigos Tequila is part of the venue's alcohol offerings, with dedicated banner placements on the Food & Drink page and throughout the site.
- WhiteClawcoreOfficial sponsor featured on the venue's sponsors strip alongside other beverage partners.
- PepsicoreOfficial sponsor; Pepsi appears on the venue's sponsors strip and on the Accessibility page banner, indicating a non-alcoholic beverage partnership.
- TanqueraycoreOfficial sponsor; Tanqueray gin is part of the venue's spirits offerings, listed on the sponsors strip.
- Seaglass Wine CompanycoreOfficial sponsor; Seaglass Wine is part of the venue's alcohol lineup with on-site digital banner advertising.
- Ketel OnecoreOfficial sponsor; Ketel One Vodka is part of the venue's spirits offerings with on-site banner advertising (e.g., on event pages such as RÜFÜS DU SOL).
- NBA (Los Angeles Clippers / Intuit Dome)flagshipOperational / affiliate linkage — the Kia Forum careers page and footer link to the LA Clippers' careers site, and the Connect page links to Intuit Dome Events. The NBA also uses the Kia Forum as a venue for All-Star programming (NBA All-Star Pitch Competition, Ruffles Celebrity Game, HBCU Classic).
- TikTok (WORSHIP event co-promotion)minorCo-marketing on TikTok is reflected on the WORSHIP event page footer, suggesting a digital content partnership for select events.
- NBA (multi-venue All-Star 2026 programming)flagshipExecutive Kelly Flatow outlined expanded All-Star programming spanning an entire week including NBA Crossover, Celebrity Game, HBCU Classic, Rising Stars mini-tournament, and G League events across multiple venues including the Kia Forum; broadcast in 200 countries with 27 marketing partners and the largest merchandise village in All-Star history.
- Papa Cantella'scoreLocal food vendor partnership — premium hot dogs from Papa Cantella's (family-owned Vernon, CA manufacturer since 1980) are served throughout the venue as part of the local food lineup alongside Carney's.
- Carney'scoreLocal food vendor partnership — Carney's is featured as one of SoCal's celebrated local food brands available to guests at the Kia Forum.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kia Forum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Greek Theatre: Smaller but iconic LA live-music venue also in the LA basin; overlaps with Kia Forum on headlining concert demand and ticket buyer base.
- The O2 Arena (London): One of the world's busiest music-focused arenas; closely comparable to Kia Forum in dedicated-music positioning, premium hospitality, and Pollstar/Billboard global rankings.
- Intuit Dome: Newly opened arena in Inglewood, CA operated by the same affiliated LA Clippers organization; directly competes for the same touring artist bookings and corporate events in the same submarket as Kia Forum.
- Madison Square Garden: Iconic New York arena and benchmark for arena revenue per event night; comparable in scale, premium-seat monetization, and top-tier global concert and awards-show bookings.
- Chase Center: San Francisco arena serving as home to the Golden State Warriors with substantial concert and event programming; comparable in scale, premium experience design, and high-margin sponsorship structure.
- SoFi Stadium: Adjacent Inglewood venue and part of the same Hollywood Park destination complex; overlaps with Kia Forum on large-format concerts and special events and shares JustPark as a parking partner.
- Crypto.com Arena: Premier downtown Los Angeles arena and one of the highest-grossing venues globally; competes head-to-head with Kia Forum for headlining tours, awards shows, and premium hospitality bookings in the LA basin.
- T-Mobile Arena: Las Vegas-based arena with similar music-first event programming, premium suites, and shared sponsors (e.g., beverage and ticketing partners); competes for top-tier US touring routings.
Emerging players
- Sphere: New Las Vegas experiential entertainment venue attracting premium residencies and immersive event programming; partial overlap with Kia Forum on high-spend, premium live experiences and could absorb touring and residency demand.
Broad incumbents
- AEG / AEG Presents: Global venue operator and concert promoter that owns/operates Crypto.com Arena and other venues; competes with Kia Forum as a promoter and venue partner and shapes artist routing decisions across the LA market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kia Forum social profiles
Digital presenceKia Forum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kia Forum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Kia Forum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kia Forum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kia Forum
What does Kia Forum do?
Kia Forum is a 17,500+ capacity music and entertainment arena in Inglewood, CA, hosting headlining concerts, multi-night residencies, comedy, family shows, combat sports, and award shows. Its core commercial offerings are mobile event tickets sold via Ticketmaster, City National Bank Legends Boxes premium private suites, on-site food & beverage concessions (including two checkout-free stores), cashless event parking, and B2B venue rentals for corporate and private events.
Is Kia Forum a public or private company?
Kia Forum is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Kia Forum founded?
Kia Forum was founded in 1967. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Kia Forum based?
Kia Forum is headquartered in Inglewood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kia Forum make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Premium seating (City National Bank Legends Boxes) is the primary driver. The others are event ticketing (commission/share with promoters), sponsorship and official partner rights, food & beverage concessions, parking (via JustPark) and venue rentals and hosted events.
Who are Kia Forum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Greek Theatre, The O2 Arena (London), Intuit Dome, Madison Square Garden, Chase Center, SoFi Stadium, Crypto.com Arena and T-Mobile Arena. Sphere is listed as an emerging player. AEG / AEG Presents is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kia Forum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kia Forum.
What industry is Kia Forum in?
Kia Forum's product category is Live Entertainment Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAA, Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.