The Ultimate Guide to Upcoming Concerts at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY

Hey there! My name is Lillie Gabler. As an expert in home design and renovation, I also have a huge passion for live music. I‘ve personally attended over 50 concerts at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY over the past 15 years.

In this guide, I‘ll share everything I‘ve learned about having an amazing concert experience at Rupp Arena – from navigating ticket sales to getting the best parking spot. My goal is to help you have an unforgettable night seeing your favorite band or artist live in concert!

All About Rupp Arena

First, let‘s start with some key facts about Rupp Arena itself:

• Opened: 1976
• Capacity: 23,500
• Location: 430 West Vine Street, downtown Lexington, KY
• Nickname: "Rupp"
• Main Tenant: University of Kentucky Men‘s Basketball
• Fun Fact: Rupp Arena is the largest arena in the U.S. built specifically for basketball.

Over 135 exciting events take place at Rupp each year like concerts, circuses, wrestling, ice shows, and family entertainment. It‘s been hosting incredible live acts for over 45 years!

What Makes Rupp Arena Special

With a capacity of 23,500, Rupp Arena provides an electrifying environment for concerts. Some standout features include:

• 360° curtaining system that allows for quick changeovers between different staged events.
• State-of-the-art sound system with crisp, clear audio.
• Massive HD video screens positioned on all sides so you get a great view from any seat.
• Three expansive concourses with concessions, bathrooms, and sitting areas.

Getting Excited for Upcoming Concerts

Let‘s take a closer look at some of the highly anticipated shows coming to Rupp Arena soon:

Khalid – Free Spirit World Tour

• Date: April 5, 2020
• Genre: Contemporary R&B/Pop
• Hit songs: "Better", "Young Dumb & Broke"

Khalid is only 21 years old but he‘s already taken the music world by storm with his blend of pop, R&B, and soul. He has over 15 billion streams worldwide! Khalid‘s heartfelt lyrics about youth and personal freedom really resonate with fans.

His Free Spirit album was #1 on the Billboard charts. You can expect him to perform chill hits like "Talk" along with some awesome covers and new material. Khalid puts on an energetic yet intimate show.

Zac Brown Band – The Owl Tour

• Date: April 27, 2020
• Genre: Country / Southern Rock
• Hit Songs: "Chicken Fried", "Highway 20 Ride", "Homegrown"

Zac Brown Band has achieved ten #1 radio singles so far. They‘re renowned for their outstanding live performances and Southern rock sounds. Along with their smash hits, expect to hear songs from the band‘s upcoming album as well as some fun covers.

Band member Jimmy De Martini is a wizard on the fiddle and the guitar solos will melt your face off! Their lively shows are packed with singalongs.

Bruno Mars – 24K Magic World Tour

• Date: May 11, 2020
• Genre: Pop / Funk / R&B
• Hit Songs: "That‘s What I Like", "24K Magic", "Finesse"

Bruno Mars is one of the most charismatic, exciting performers today. His blend of retro funk, 90s R&B, and modern pop makes for an irresistible show.

Bruno‘s live band The Hooligans are crazy talented. Together they create catchy, feel-good songs that get the whole arena on their feet. Expect flashy lights, smooth choreographed dancing, and hits from his 3 award-winning albums.

You‘ll be singing along to "Uptown Funk", "Locked Out of Heaven", "Just the Way You Are" and more!

More Top Concerts Coming to Rupp Arena

Rupp attracts the biggest names in music across all genres. Here‘s a quick look at other concerts Lexington has to look forward to:

• June 1: Nickelback – All The Right Reasons Tour
• June 15: Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
• August 10: Maroon 5 – 2020 Tour
• August 30: Jonas Brothers – Happiness Begins Tour
• September 18: Chris Stapleton – All American Road Show
• October 1: Billie Eilish – Where Do We Go? World Tour

Score Tickets Like a Pro

Now that you know about all the amazing shows headed for Rupp Arena, let‘s talk strategies for scoring the best seats:

• Buy early – Tickets typically go on sale 2-3 months in advance. Sign up for Artist Presales to get first dibs before the general public.

• Aim for the sections 101-106 or 201-208 to be centered and close to the action on the floor.

• Down low is better – Lower bowl seats will cost more but provide the most immersive experience.

• Check for obstructions – Rupp Arena has a detailed seating chart online. Avoid seats marked with red as they have obstructed views.

• Read the fine print – Some tickets are non-transferable or paperless so read all restrictions carefully before purchasing.

• Have backups ready – Popular shows sell out in minutes! Have multiple windows open with different seat options already in your cart.

• Expect fees – There are unavoidable service fees when ordering through Ticketmaster. Factor those into your budget.

• Comparison shop – Always check the primary ticket sellers as well as resale sites like StubHub to look for deals.

Rocking Your Concert Day

You scored amazing tickets – now let‘s make sure you have the best time at the show!

Getting There

Parking fills up fast. Here are smart ways to arrive:

• Pre-purchase parking – Guarantee your spot for only $15-$20. Print the permit ahead of time.

• Take a rideshare – Dropoffs and pickups are easy at the High Street entrance. No parking headaches!

• Ride the trolley – LexTran‘s free trolley has a stop right at Rupp Arena‘s front entrance.

• Leave early – Give yourself plenty of time to navigate traffic, parking, and security lines.

What to Bring Inside

• Earplugs – Protect your hearing from the loud music (especially for kids).

• External phone charger – Phones drain quickly while using flash.

• Sealed water bottle – Stay hydrated since beverages are expensive inside.

• Hand sanitizer and tissues – Large crowds spread germs quickly!

• Cash for food, drinks, merch – Cash lines are faster than card. ATMs have high fees.

• Photo ID – Required if purchasing alcohol.

What *Not* to Bring

• No bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6"

• No professional cameras with long lenses

• No outside food or drinks

• No weapons, drugs, alcohol

• Nothing illegal! Security does full bag searches.

Tips for Enjoying the Show

• Arrive when doors open to see the opener and get merch.

• Scope out bathrooms and concession stands beforehand.

• Drink lots of water – singing and cheering is dehydrating!

• Charge your phone fully – you‘ll want pics, videos, and flashlight.

• Keep energy up by snacking – dancing burns calories!

• Let yourself go and sing along loudly! This is why you‘re here ☺

Conclusion

Thanks for letting me share my insider tips for seeing an incredible show at Rupp Arena! I‘m happy to answer any other questions you have about navigating concert day or prepping for an amazing night.

Lexington is so lucky to have a world-class venue like Rupp attracting the top artists. Now that you‘ve got my guide, you‘ll be prepared for the best concert experience ever. Let me know how your show goes!