Red Hat Amphitheater Seating Chart
Red Hat Amphitheater is the outdoor concert venue at 500 South McDowell Street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, next to the Raleigh Convention Center. It opened in 2010 as the Raleigh Amphitheater, and the City of Raleigh owns and runs it, with Live Nation booking shows. The 2026 season is its last at this site, with the final listed show on October 27, 2026. The city plans to tear down the old venue soon after. A new Red Hat Amphitheater one block south, at 205 West Lenoir Street, is set to open in 2027.
Quick answer
The current Red Hat Amphitheater holds about 5,990 people, WRAL reported in 2024. When it opened in 2010, the News & Observer listed 1,800 fixed seats, room for up to 2,700 movable seats and about 1,000 people on the lawn. The new venue opening in 2027 one block south is planned for more than 6,000 seats, NC Construction News reported.
- 2026 is the final season at 500 S. McDowell St.
- The new venue opens in 2027 at 205 W. Lenoir St.
- Personal lawn chairs aren't allowed.
- The venue is cashless.
Sections at Red Hat Amphitheater
These details cover the current amphitheater, which closes after its 2026 season. They are read off the venue's official seating chart, which shows a pit, VIP tables, seven reserved sections and a lawn.
- GA pit — standing room in front of the stage at select shows
- VIP Tables and VIP Patio — premium tables inside section 3 and a patio area
- Reserved sections 1 to 7 — fanned around the stage
- GA Lawn — general admission at the back, along McDowell Street
Best seats at Red Hat Amphitheater
We found no official best-seat guide. Ticketmaster's venue guide says Section 2 has the closest views from the center, and warns lawn guests that two towers in Sections 6 and 7 could block some views. On the official map, Section 3 is the large side section to the left of the stage, running to row MM with seats up to 54, read off the map. The VIP Tables sit inside it. These maps apply to the current site only.
Tips before you go
Bags must be clear totes up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, plus or instead of a small clutch up to 6 by 9 inches. Personal lawn chairs aren't allowed, but chairs can be rented at some shows while supplies last, and small blankets and metal-free seat cushions are fine. Outside food and drinks aren't allowed except one sealed or empty reusable water bottle up to a gallon. The venue is cashless, there is no re-entry, and shows go on rain or shine.
How to read the Red Hat Amphitheater seating chart
Reserved sections 1 to 7 fan out around the stage, with the general admission lawn behind them along McDowell Street. At shows with a pit, the front of section 2 becomes standing room, read off the map.
Each section numbers its own seats from 1, and row counts differ, read off the map. Section 7 runs rows A to W, section 6 runs A to BB and section 3 reaches row MM. The sound booth sits between sections 1 and 2.
Wheelchair and companion seats are in all sections, and the companion seat is bought separately. Assistive listening needs 72 hours' notice and ASL 45 days.
Building a seating chart for an event at Red Hat Amphitheater
Red Hat took the naming rights in 2012 and has renewed them through 2030, so the name moves to the new venue. The new amphitheater, designed by TVS with RATIO Design, has no covered seating and sits behind a condo tower. In October 2026, the venue buried a time capsule at the new site, to be opened in 2076.
Hosting a private event at Red Hat Amphitheater?
From dinner rounds to program rows to head tables, lay out your Red Hat Amphitheater event the way the room will actually run. The maker supports up to 500 seats and exports a print-ready PDF for the Raleigh venue's event staff.
Open the seating chart generatorFrequently asked questions
- How many people does Red Hat Amphitheater hold?
- The current Red Hat Amphitheater holds about 5,990 people, WRAL reported in 2024. When it opened in 2010, the News & Observer listed 1,800 fixed seats, room for up to 2,700 movable seats and about 1,000 people on the lawn. The new venue opening in 2027 one block south is planned for more than 6,000 seats, NC Construction News reported.
- What are the best seats at Red Hat Amphitheater?
- We found no official best-seat guide. Ticketmaster's venue guide says Section 2 has the closest views from the center, and warns lawn guests that two towers in Sections 6 and 7 could block some views. On the official map, Section 3 is the large side section to the left of the stage, running to row MM with seats up to 54, read off the map. The VIP Tables sit inside it. These maps apply to the current site only.
- What sections does Red Hat Amphitheater have?
- Main sections include: GA pit — standing room in front of the stage at select shows; VIP Tables and VIP Patio — premium tables inside section 3 and a patio area; Reserved sections 1 to 7 — fanned around the stage. Full breakdown in the sections list above.
- Where is Red Hat Amphitheater located?
- The current venue is at 500 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. The box office is outside Gate 1 at Cabarrus and McDowell, open on show days from 2 to 9 p.m. The closest public decks are on Lenoir, South, Davie, Cabarrus and Salisbury streets, with accessible spaces on each first level.
- How do I plan a private event at Red Hat Amphitheater?
- Children 2 and under get in free, and no ID is needed to enter. Plan your group's pre-show dinner tables in our free chart maker.