You've probably heard the rumors that Coleman Coliseum is on its last legs or that a new arena is coming "eventually." But for now, if you’re heading to Tuscaloosa to catch Nate Oats’ high-octane offense or a legendary gymnastics meet, you’re dealing with the current layout. And honestly? The Coleman Coliseum seating chart is a bit of a weird beast. It’s a 15,383-seat arena that feels both massive and surprisingly intimate, depending on where you end up.
If you just grab the cheapest ticket without looking at a map, you might find yourself staring at the back of a basket stanchion or stuck behind a support beam. Nobody wants that. Especially not when the Tide is playing Auburn and the energy is hitting the roof.
The Layout Basics: No Levels, Just Rows
Most modern arenas have a lower bowl, a middle club level, and an upper deck. Coleman doesn't play by those rules. It’s basically one giant concrete bowl. You enter on the concourse level and either walk down toward the court or hike up toward the ceiling.
This means a section like Section K or Section L doesn't have a "break" in it. You could be in Row 5 or Row 45 of the exact same section.
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- Total Capacity: Roughly 15,383 for basketball.
- The "Bowl" Structure: 360-degree continuous seating.
- Student Sections: These are primarily located in Sections R, S, T, U, and V. If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon of basketball, stay away from these. It’s loud, they stand the whole time, and the energy is chaotic in the best way possible.
Where the Bama Bench and Visitors Sit
For those who want to be close enough to hear the trash talk, knowing which side is which matters. The Alabama Crimson Tide bench is located in front of Section E. If you want to see the visiting team’s frustration up close, their bench is in front of Section G.
Behind the benches, you have some of the most expensive real estate in the building. These are the "Floor" sections. If your ticket says "Floor E" or "Floor F," you’re basically on the hardwood. Just keep your feet back; those refs are picky.
The Best Seats (And Which Ones to Avoid)
Honestly, the sideline seats are the gold standard here. Sections D, E, and F on one side, and Sections P, Q, and R on the other give you that classic broadcast view.
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The "Avoid" List
- Low Baseline Seats: Sections J, K, and L (and the opposite side A, Z, Y) can be hit or miss. If you are too low, the basket itself blocks a huge chunk of the opposite end of the court. You’ll be watching the jumbotron more than the actual game.
- Extreme Corners: Because of the way the arena is angled, the very top corners can feel incredibly far away.
- Rows 40+: Unless you like a "bird's eye view," the air gets a little thin up there. The scoreboard is great, but you’ll feel disconnected from the floor.
Premium Options: The Club Room
If you’ve got a little extra cash or the right connections, the Coleman Coliseum Club Room is where the food is. It’s located on the third level of the east side.
It’s not like a private suite where you watch the game through glass (though there are windows). Most people go there to eat, grab a drink (yes, they have beer and wine available for purchase), and then head to their actual seats in the arena. It’s a 5,200-square-foot space that feels a lot more modern than the rest of the 1968-era building. For the 2025-26 season, passes for certain games (like the women's game vs. South Carolina) have been going for around $30, but men's season passes are usually a much tougher get.
Accessibility and ADA Seating
Alabama has actually done a decent job retrofitting this old building for accessibility. You’ll find ADA-compliant seating in:
- Section B
- Section C
- Section E
- Section F
- Section I
- Section L
- Section Y
If you need an elevator to reach the higher rows, they are located at various gates, but keep in mind that the lower level is mostly accessed via internal ramps. If you're coming in with a wheelchair, the North Entrance is usually your best bet for a smooth entry.
What's Changing in 2026?
You might notice some construction if you're visiting this year. There is a massive $60 million+ renovation and expansion project currently wrapping up (scheduled for completion around June 2026).
While most of this is a new "Basketball Training and Player Development Facility" (basically a fancy new gym and weight room for the players), it does impact the southeast corner of the coliseum. The good news? The actual seating chart for fans hasn't been nuked yet. The training facility is an expansion, meaning the "old lady" Coleman is still standing for now.
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Pro Tips for Your Visit
- The West Entrance is for Students: If you aren't a student, avoid the West doors. It’s a bottleneck. Use the North or East entrances.
- Parking Shuttles: Parking right at the Coliseum is almost impossible unless you have a high-level Tide Pride pass. Park at the Soccer Lot or use the campus shuttles that start 90 minutes before tip-off.
- The Videoboard: It’s a four-sided center-hung board. If you’re in a "bad" seat, at least the screens are high-def and massive.
When you're looking at the Coleman Coliseum seating chart, remember that Row 1 isn't always the "best." Sometimes Row 10-15 gives you that perfect elevation to see the plays develop without a cameraman blocking your view.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your row number: If you're buying on the secondary market, anything above Row 35 is going to be a "climb."
- Verify the event: Gymnastics meets use a different floor configuration than basketball, often opening up more floor-level seating for "The Tide" (the gymnastics fan section).
- Download your tickets: Cell service around the stadium gets spotty when 15,000 people are trying to post to Instagram at once. Get that QR code ready before you hit the gate.