visiting orlando
Our Guide On Buying Tickets & Going To An Orlando Magic Game
Whether you’re a frequent visitor or perhaps it’s your first trip to Orlando, a holiday to ‘City Beautiful’ is not complete without catching an Orlando Magic game.
Take a break from the theme parks for an evening, head downtown and watch some of the best basketball players in the world.
Orlando welcomes over 1 million UK holiday makers every year and we are regularly asked questions about going to a game, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide by Mikey, Geraint and Paul who’ve been to over 75 games between them.
Here you will find all you need to know about an Orlando Magic game, getting to the Amway Center, parking, buying tickets, merchandise and read Mikey, Geraint and Paul’s own personal recommendations about their favourite seating, food and more.
Click on the link below to jump to a specific guide.
Buying Tickets | Getting To The Game | The Experience | Quick Guide: The Game | Our Recommendations
*This guide has been produced for the purpose of advice only, based upon personal experience. We aim to keep this page up to date as often as possible where necessary. Orlando Magic UK and those herein contributing accept no responsibility or liability.
Buying Tickets
If you’re planning on attending a game, you can purchase single game tickets by visiting ticketmaster.com or by contacting an Orlando Magic Ticket Representative by visiting orlandomagic.com/tickets using the ‘Live Chat’.
Another option is buying tickets or a ticket and transportation package from a reputable UK travel ticket company. This is a great option if you’re concerned about driving to the arena or if you want to enjoy a few beers at the game.
Simply choose which game you’d like to attend and where you’d like to sit and they will take care of the rest. They will arrange transportation to pick you up from your hotel, drop you off at the Amway Center with your tickets and they will be waiting for you straight after the game to take you back to your hotel. That easy!
We recommend visiting attractiontickets.co.uk, floridatix.com, orlandoattractions.com or ocean-florida.co.uk for more information. They sell tickets to all of the major theme parks, attractions, day trips and excursions to other must see areas around Florida too.
No matter where you sit or how much money you spend on tickets at an Orlando Magic game, there is not a bad seat in the Amway Center and you will have a great time!
Ticket prices will vary for each opponent, more often tickets for games against the more popular teams (Eg. Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics) are placed in higher priced tiers, the less popular teams (Charlotte Hornets or Detroit Pistons) are placed in lower priced tiers. So you will likely have to spend more money for the same seat to watch the Golden State Warriors than you would to see the Sacramento Kings.
Tickets in the Upper Bowl (Promenade VI) can start from as low as $14 (about £10) all the way up to $1000+ (£725+) for Courtside Seats. You can buy tickets that are very affordable or pay more to sit closer to the action.
The Amway Center has five different seating options and we’ve broken them down into ‘budget’ and ‘premium’ pricing.
“Budget Seating”
Promenade Level
The arena’s ‘Upper Bowl’ section typically provides the cheapest seating options. Tickets usually start around $14 in sections 202-232. *Please note that views from these sections are high up inside the Amway Center and we would not recommend the Promenade Level to anybody who is afraid of heights.*
Terrace Level
The Amway Center’s cheaper ‘Lower Bowl’ seating provides some of the best views of the game. Sections 101-103, 108-112 and 117-118 are usually cheaper sections to buy tickets because you’re positioned more behind the basket. Sections 104-107 and 113-116 will usually be more expensive as you’re sat closer to centre court.
“Premium Seating”
Club Level
The ‘Club Level’ has a wide range of Premium Suites available with private lounges, leather seating and in-seat service. These are more suitable for corporate events and large groups.
Ultimate Seating
The first five rows in sections 104-107 and 113-116 give you a VIP kind of experience and is definitely a recommendation if your budget allows. You get access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge with all-inclusive food and drinks, you’ll find Magic legends like Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw walking around and interacting with fans. Stand in line by the Magic locker room with a chance to high five players and get some of the best seat views in the Amway Center.
Courtside or Floor Level Seating
This is every basketball fans dream! These are the most expensive seats in the house being Courtside, if you sit in the first row you’ll literally have your feet on the court! But get up close to the action, with in-seat waiter service as well as access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge with all-inclusive food and drinks.
If you’re planning on attending two or more Orlando Magic games during your trip, we recommend talking to an Orlando Magic Ticket Representative about a ‘Ticket Plan’ or ‘Partial Plan’. These plans typically provide bigger discounts on Magic tickets when you buy tickets for several games. Visit orlandomagic.com/tickets to chat to an Orlando Magic Ticket Representative using the ‘Live Chat’.
No matter where you sit at an Orlando Magic game, their are additional experiences that you can include within your game day experience like attending the post game press conference, have your photo on the court after a game, or meet Stuff The Mascot.
Download the Official Orlando Magic App and check out the experiences available at the game once inside Amway Center. For more details chat to an Orlando Magic Ticket Representative by visiting orlandomagic.com/tickets using the ‘Live Chat’.
Have you bought your tickets to a game? Or maybe you can’t decide where you’d like to sit?
Check out the view from your seat in the Amway Center including seating on the Promenade, Club, Terrace, Ultimate and Courtside levels by visiting the Orlando Magic Virtual Venue.
Getting To The Game
If you’re visiting by car, there’s easy access to the GEICO Garage from SR408 and I-4, offering guests reserved and pre-paid parking located at 400 West South Street. Reserved and pre-paid parking is available through ticketmaster.com or the Amway Center Box Office. Purchases must be made by 5pm on the day before the event.
Alternatively, purchase reserve and pre-paid parking at orlandoeventparking.com.
The City of Orlando has additional downtown parking options available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking prices vary from $10-$20.
When traveling in downtown Orlando, please allow extra time due to ongoing I-4 Ultimate construction that can directly impact traffic flow around the Amway Center. For the latest updates on road closures and traffic rerouting, please visit the City of Orlando website.
Take advantage of public transportation options, including SunRail and LYMMO, or utilise rideshare options like Uber and Lyft.
Taxis are another option when you don’t have a hired car or vehicle. One way, single fare prices from the Disney area are estimated at $55-85. If you are staying around International Drive or closer to downtown Orlando, prices may be cheaper.
The Experience
Plan your perfect night at an Orlando Magic game from things to do in Downtown Orlando, what to do when you head to Amway Center and how to make the most of ‘The Experience’.
Downtown Orlando is very well known for its dining, nightlife, culture and entertainment and there’s plenty to do before heading over to the Amway Center for the Magic game.
Take a stroll and stretch the legs for a lap around famous Lake Eola before heading up to Church Street to grab some food at Hamburger Mary’s or a drink at Harry Buffalo, some favourites for pregame.
On select nights, outside the main entrance of Amway Center on Church Street, get involved in the FanFest which features basketball games, live music and other entertainment.
We recommend checking out visitingorlando.com for a full list of things to do, restaurants to visit and events downtown.
There are three main entrances into the Amway Center.
Main Entrance
From Church Street enter through the main entrance into the Disney Atrium. From here you can take the escalator to the Terrace (lower) and Promenade levels (upper).
Orlando Magic Team Shop
A popular choice is to head in through the Orlando Magic Team Shop, on the corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue. Pick up your Magic merchandise prior to the game and leave through the back of the Team Shop leading you into the Disney Atrium.
GEICO Garage Pedestrian Bridge
Gain direct access to the Amway Center using the pedestrian bridge on the 5th floor of the GEICO Garage leading you inside the arena onto the Terrace (lower) level.
On the corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue, visit the Orlando Magic Team Store, open Monday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm and on Orlando Magic game days. Grab the latest NBA apparel including Orlando Magic jerseys, t-shirts, hats and more.
Alternatively, purchase your Orlando Magic merchandise before you travel with one of our affiliate partners, the Official NBA Store Europe or Fanatics UK. If you choose this option, please order in plenty of time before your trip incase there are any delays with your order.
Use our discount code MAGICUK10 at the checkout for 10% off your entire order. This is not limited to Magic gear, the discount is available site-wide. *Please note, some exclusions may apply.
To make the most of your experience we recommend downloading the Official Orlando Magic App. You’ll have access to:
Mobile Tickets
Access and manage your tickets and scan them on your phone to enter the Amway Center.
Magic Money
Add money to your account to purchase food and beverage, merchandise, seat upgrades, additional tickets and unique experiences throughout the Amway Center.
Magic Marketplace
Make your Magic game day unforgettable! Use Magic Money or your debit or credit card to access exclusive items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
In-Seat Delivery
Order food and beverages and have your meal delivered to your seat.
Express Pick Up
Skip the longer lines, get your food faster and get back to your seat for the game.
Merchandise
Shop from your seat, place your order and pick up your items when you’re ready.
News, Stats & Scores
Get the latest news, statistics, standings and scores, plus exclusive photos and videos. Stay up to date with Magic Gameday with Dante & Galante, Magic Drivetime and Magic Rewind.
Once you set foot inside Amway Center, there are plenty of things to do pregame.
Freebies
Pick up your free Orlando Magic gameday programme, on select nights grab freebies such as rally rackets, towels and bam bams, you may even find a free t-shirt on your seat.
Bally Sports Florida Broadcast
Catch a glimpse of Dante Marchitelli and other guests pregame at the Bally Sports Florida set, usually inside the Disney Atrium (main entrance) or on the Terrace Level, next to the Bud Light Baseline Bar.
Orlando Magic Hall of Fame
Visit the Hall of Fame on the Terrace Level, featuring tributes to Magic legends including Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Nick Anderson and Darrell Armstrong.
Photo Opportunities
As you’re walking around the concourses before, during and after the game, keep an eye out for the 407 dance team, Stuff The Mascot or even a Magic legend.
If you have children who need to run off some energy themselves, the Amway Center has Stuff’s Magic Castle, an interactive, indoor play area on the upper bowl section of the arena which you can take the little ones, even during a game.
Photo via www.orlandoattractions.com
Quick Guide: The Game
Is it your first time going to an Orlando Magic game? Or maybe you want to brush up on your knowledge and the rules, then check out this part of the guide ‘Quick Guide: An NBA Game’.
NBA games are 48 minutes long, consisting of four, 12 minute quarters. With small breaks in between quarters, a 10 minute interval at half time and various timeouts throughout the game, expect to be entertained for 2-3 hours.
Games are played until either team wins, at the end of regulation (48 minutes) if the scores are tied, the game will go into ‘overtime’. An overtime period is 5 minutes long and is played until either team wins. If the score is tied at the end of an overtime period, they keep playing additional overtime periods (5 minutes) until one of the teams win.
If you’re going to a game that tips off at 7:00pm, it’s usually over by 9:00-10:00pm but remember, they keep playing ‘overtime’ until someone wins. So unless you’re in a rush to get back to your hotel or catch a taxi, don’t leave early, overtime games can be really thrilling!
The atmosphere at the Amway Center is a lot of fun no matter what age you are or where you’re sitting. There’s much more entertainment than just the game including the signing of the National Anthem, player introductions, the 407 hype squad firing t-shirts into the crowd during timeouts and fun appearances on the big screen.
If you have children who need to run off some energy themselves, the Amway Center has Stuffs Magic Castle, an interactive, indoor play area on the upper bowl section of the arena which you can take the little ones, even during a game.
During the regular season, Orlando Magic home games typically start at 7:00pm, 6:00pm on Sunday’s. We recommend checking the schedule on orlandomagic.com for local times in Orlando. If you’re looking for tip off times in the UK, please click here.
Doors to the Amway Center usually open 1 hour before the game, if you’ve not been to a game before we definitely recommend getting there early to make the most of the evening.
Give yourself plenty of time to walk around the Orlando Magic Team Store, grab a bite to eat and drink, wonder around the arena checking out the various attractions on the concourse before taking your seat before introductions start at 7:00pm.
The NBA ‘National Basketball Association’ season includes three parts, Preseason, the Regular Season and the NBA Playoffs.
Preseason typically starts around the beginning of October, the Orlando Magic usually play 4-6 preseason games including games at home in the Amway Center and on the road.
All 30 teams including the Orlando Magic play 82 Regular Season games, 41 at home and 41 on the road, starting in the middle of October and finishing in mid April.
The NBA Playoffs commence the weekend following the final regular season games, beginning with the play-in tournament. Consisting of three rounds, the 1st Round, 2nd Round and the Conference Finals before the NBA Finals in June.
Visit Orlando between October and April, there’s a very good chance you’ll get the chance to catch a Preseason or Regular Season game. If the Magic make the postseason you may get the opportunity to go to an NBA Playoff game between April-June, but tickets are much harder to get your hands on.
If possible, we recommend booking your trip once the NBA announces the schedule in August/September, then you can decide what game(s) you’d like to see and save any disappointment.
Recommendations
Read Mikey, Geraint and Paul’s ‘Personal Recommendations’ on their favourite time of the year to go to Orlando, where to buy the best seats in the Amway Center and how they enjoy a night at an Orlando Magic game.
Geraint's Recommendation
Mikey's Recommendation
When my wife Becky and I plan our holiday’s to Orlando, we wait until the NBA releases the full schedule around August/September so we can book a two week break and squeeze in as many Magic games as possible.
Our favourite time to go is at the end of February or beginning of March, after NBA All Star Weekend. Most seasons, the Magic have a long home stand around this time of year, we’ve been to as many as six games in a 14 night holiday.
We find the weather to be really nice around March time too, with temperatures in the mid twenties which is perfect for us, especially during long days at the theme parks.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the budget to afford Courtside Seats at a Magic game, something most NBA fans dream of doing. We only get to experience live Magic games every couple of years so we buy the best possible seats that fit into our budget. My wife Becky doesn’t like heights either, so she has to twist my arm into sitting in the Lower Bowl for all of the games.
Our favourite experience is sitting in the Ultimate Seats, the first few rows of Section 107 behind the Orlando Magic team bench. With your Ultimate Seat wristband, you get to walk around on the Floor Level, access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge with food and beverages included and a chance to high five the Orlando Magic players as the head out onto the court.
We buy Ultimate Seats for the lowest tiered game and split our remaining budget to buy tickets for the other 4 or 5 games we’re in Orlando for. We get a great experience with Ultimate Seats and get good seats in the Lower Bowl for the other games.
We hire a car and drive when we’re in Orlando, so we like the ease of pulling off I-4 and parking in GEICO Garage, next to Amway Center.
Our first stop is the Orlando Magic Team Store when doors open, having a look at the latest Magic merchandise, I definitely recommend setting yourself a budget, it’s very easy to spend a lot in the Team Store. Look out for ‘Item of the Night’ or big discounts on certain items, you can get some real bargains in the Team Store too.
We head through the back of the Team Store into the Disney Atrium and head up to the concourse level using the escalator. We usually do a full lap taking in the ‘Orlando Magic Hall of Fame’, check out the food options and look around the smaller merchandise stands and stores before grabbing a beer and chicken tenders.
We’re in our seats 10-15 minutes before we cheer the team onto the court before the National Anthems and starting lineups are announced… this is a must!
One last tip! Leave the Amway Center through the Disney Atrium, turn left onto S Division Avenue and get in line by the players entrance for a chance to get an autograph or two. As the players drive out, they usually stop for the occasional autograph so get there early and get a good spot!
Paul's Recommendation
Choosing this period sees us get multiple Magic games (including Opening Night) plus in the parks we get both Halloween and the start of the Christmas events.
The weather is still very warm averaging in the mid to high twenties, great for a relaxing water park day and not so hot that it makes visiting the parks a sweaty slog.
To start with I will say I have sat in pretty much every type of seat available, including courtside. As we plan to go to multiple games we do budget. One consideration is that my wife is not a great fan of heights, so we always aim for sitting in the lower bowl.
My favourite ticket is the Ultimate Seat. Great views of the game in a comfy seat situated within the front six rows. I love Block 106, the seating puts you at either centre court (behind the Magic commentary team of David Steele and Jeff Turner) or is behind the Magic bench. The Ultimate Seat also gives you access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge, with complementary food, beverages and snacks prior and during the game. The Fields Ultimate Lounge is accessed via the Magic’s tunnel so gives the opportunity to have interaction with players and team staff. Worth every penny you pay, but aim for doing this on the lowest category game as the cost is not cheap.
To sit court-side is incredible and something we were very lucky to be given the opportunity to experience. It is not something our budget can stretch to but if you can afford it once…DO IT!
We always hire a car in Florida so drive to a game. We pre-book parking at the 55 West Garage, which has a pedestrian exit out onto West Church St.
If we have the Ultimate Seat we head straight to the Amway for entry as early as possible (90 minutes before tip off). We enjoy a meal, hang around the tunnel to meet some players and take in shoot around. Something fun (particularly if you have children with you) is to be in the tunnel as the team run onto court as the players will high 5 as they run by.
If we have a standard ticket we head onto Church St to Harry Buffalo for a drink and a bite. We then hit the Magic fan fest on Church St outside the Amway. Then it’s into the Amway via the team store entrance to check out the “Item of the Game”. From here it’s the Disney Atrium, onto the Magic Hall of Fame and then to our seats with drinks and snacks in hand!
A must for us is to be in our seat at least 15 minutes before tip time (regardless of our ticket type). You get to catch the warm up, cheer the team onto court, experience the anthem and finally the starting line-up announcements.
*This guide has been produced for the purpose of advice only, based upon personal experience. We aim to keep this page up to date as often as possible where necessary. Orlando Magic UK and those herein contributing accept no responsibility or liability.