Payne Arena

Capacity: 7,000

Events: NBA G League, Central Hockey League, concerts, special events

Home Teams: Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

Payne Arena

Payne Arena is a venue in Hidalgo, Texas, that has been known by many other names. It has also been called Dodge Arena, State Farm Arena, and State Farm Hidalgo Arena.

For most of its events, like ice hockey, basketball, indoor football, and soccer, the arena seats up to 5,500 people. It can be expanded to a capacity of 7,000 for concerts. The arena went up in 2003 and cost $23 million.

Payne Arena Rules

Payne Arena can deny anyone access to the venue if they break the rules or bring items that are not allowed. Find a complete list of prohibited items on the official website. Here are a few to remember:

• No Cigarettes, Lighters, or Vapes

• No Outside Food or Drinks

• No Strollers

• No Umbrellas (Bring Raincoats instead!)

• No weapons

• No Offensive Clothing

• No Portable Heaters

• No Liquids larger than 10 ounces

Payne Arena Bag Policy

Payne Arena has a clear bag policy, as seen on the Plan Your Visit portion of their website.

• All bags have to be plastic, PVC, or vinyl and transparent smaller than 12x6x12”

• Clutch bags are permitted if they are 4.5x6.5” or less

• Clear bags will go through a visual inspection before you enter the arena.

Payne Arena Seating

The Payne Arena can be configured differently for sporting events versus concerts and other special events. To ensure you know where your seats are, check the Payne Arena Seating Chart right here.

Payne Arena Review

Reviewers on Reddit let newcomers in on seating options. According to their experiences, any seat is a good seat. Even higher-up seats are good for viewing the event. Here are specific options:

• Section 120

  • According to A View From My Seat, Section 120 has a great view for concerts. The section is raised from the floor and has an almost straight-on view of the stage. The tickets are cheaper than others, too, so you can save up and hit the concession or merch stands while you’re there. Since the arena is small, the sound is good everywhere.

  • Though you can see the stage well, it’s still not close enough for certain hardcore fans. It’s not a floor seat, and you can’t see the sweat running down a musician’s face. Don’t buy seats in this section if that is what you want.

• Section 122

  • If you attend an indoor football game, this is one of the sections you can get for a low price. Some fans feel it’s fun to see the teams score up close. On A View From My Seat, they reported that one section up had drink holders, so they were a bit jealous.

  • Others dislike the fact that they can only see one end zone. The price is nice, but it’s not worth missing half the game played on the other side of the field.

• Club Seats

  • According to the Payne Arena website, the best seats for any show are in the 508 Club Seating Area. Those with these seats own them and have the first chance to buy tickets for any event. The seats are in center sections for concerts and mid-field for sporting events. Views are always unobstructed. They are also padded seats and receive in-seat services.

If you are going to attend events regularly at Payne Arena, the club seats are hard to beat. Otherwise, we recommend section 120 for concerts and 114 for sporting events for a mid-field view.

Getting to Payne Arena

Payne Arena by Car

The Payne Arena Box office faces 10th street, and driving to the arena by car is easy. The arena is located on Hwy 336, or 10th street. From International Blvd N, you turn west on Arena Drive, and the Arena is on your right.

If you start on Hwy 2, you can catch Hwy 336 South and then hit the International Blvd N.

Payne Arena Parking

Parking is located on the east and west sides of the arena. Accessible parking is also available. Be sure to have the right signage to use a handicapped spot. You can see a map of some of the parking areas here.

How Much Does Payne Arena Parking Cost?

There are plenty of parking spots around the venue outside of the property. You can see some of them here. These spots are often in the $20 range.

You can also pre-purchase parking passes for that event to guarantee your spot. Prices vary based on the event and the demand.

Payne Arena by Public Transportation

Public transportation to the arena is available. The DART bus, number 49, is open 7 days a week and takes you directly to Payne Street across from the arena.

Victory Station, near the Payne Arena, is a regular stop for the Trinity Railway Express.

Hotels Near Payne Arena

• Super 8 by Wyndham Hidalgo

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel

• Hampton Inn & Suites McAllen

• Staybridge Suites McAllen

• Radisson Hotel McAllen Airport

Restaurants Near Payne Arena

• Santa Fe Steakhouse and Cantina

• Salt

• Brunetta Tinto & Pasta

• The Republic of Rio Grande

• Dave & Buster’s

Accessibility at Payne Arena

All guests at the Payne Arena need to have equal access to the events. Here are some of the accessibility options available to guests with disabilities:

• Accessible Parking

  • Located on the East and West sides

• Ramps

• Entrances

• Services Animals allowed

• Listening Devices

  • Requests must be made 72 hours in advance

• Sign Language Interpreters

  • Requests must be received 14 days before the event

• Low Water Fountains

• Accessible Seating

  • Make sure to purchase tickets in advance through the Box Office for a smooth experience

• Companion Seating

  • 1 adjacent companion seat and up to 2 additional companion seats may be purchased