Venues · Rigging and LED
Kia Center Orlando: rigging, show power and load-in
Kia Center at 400 West Church Street, Orlando, is the venue formerly named Amway Center. Use this guide to prepare the LED, audio, lighting and structural scope with the venue’s Event Manager.
Which document covers production, and which covers guests?
The official site links Production Guide 8.0, last updated January 16, 2026. The Amway Center name changed to Kia Center on December 20, 2023. Search both names while keeping one venue record.
Page references below use the printed page numbers; the PDF cover adds one to the viewer’s count. The A-Z Guide covers guest entry and credentials, but it does not establish roof capacity or authorize production equipment. Ask the Event Manager to confirm the applicable revision and attachments.
How do rigging limits work, and when is engineering review required?
Pages 29–30 require loads to hang from the members identified on the load plan. A segment limit applies to the sum of loads on that segment; it does not multiply by the number of hoists. Joint, truss, orientation and house equipment limits also apply.
The introduction refers to weights above 150,000 lb; a note on the same page includes 150,000 lb or more. For advance planning, treat 150,000 lb and above as requiring review and confirm the rule in writing. Rigging around or below the center scoreboard also requires engineering review, billed to the show/promoter.
| Guide criterion | Published reference | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Segments [5] / [8] / [10] / [16] | 5,000 / 8,000 / 10,000 / 16,000 lb per segment. | Location and combined loads using the current plot. |
| Joints and trusses | Tributary cross-stage beam load at each joint: 10,000 lb; A: 13,000; B: 16,000. T1/T2: 25,000; T3/T4: 75,000; T5/T6: 85,000 lb. | Apply combined limits in notes 7–8; do not add ratings to derive spare total capacity. |
| Orientation | More than 45° from vertical: 25% reduction. | Review the complete geometry against the page 30 diagram. |
| House truss winch | Deduct 3,000 lb from each supporting beam. | Note 14 retains the overall truss limits in note 8. |
What show power is listed, and what still needs allocation?
The page 12 table lists three-phase 120/208 V services. Outlets in an area share transformers: adding their breaker ratings does not establish simultaneous available power. Confirm the show allocation, protection, connectors and connection responsibility with the venue.
The page 13 map retains a 2015 revision and former branding. Use it only as a location reference to be checked against the table and the current event plan; do not resolve discrepancies yourself.
| Area / service | Page 12 reference | Required confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Upstage Left and Upstage Right, each side | 3 × 400 A + 2 × 200 A; isolated: 2 × 200 A + 1 × 400 A. | Each side: normal group 500 kVA / 1,387 A; isolated group 225 kVA / 624 A. Confirm allocation. |
| Arena North Floor | 2 × 200 A + 1 × 125 A isolated. | Shares group (5), 500 kVA / 1,387 A, with other outlets. |
| Loading Dock | 6 × 200 A on group (1) and 6 × 200 A on group (3). | Confirm occupied services and cable routing. |
| Fan Fest Plaza, northwest corner | 1 × 400 A, group (5). | Confirm outdoor use and event scope. |
Where does equipment enter, and what floor information is missing?
Page 10 locates load-in at 401 South Street between Hughey Avenue and Division Avenue; page 26 identifies it as 401 W South Street. It lists 5 docks for load-in and 6 for load-out. Coordinate the assigned slot and entrance; the guest address is not a truck dispatch instruction.
The truck dock door is listed as 8 ft wide × 12 ft high; the dock 1 drive-in ramp as 18 × 18 ft. That ramp must remain clear for emergency vehicles during events. Dock 2 has a listed 55 ft push to the floor and a 17 × 10 ft opening. Check the complete route against the largest packed item.
Page 32 gives approximate dimensions by configuration, including end stage at 211 ft × 86 ft 4 in. Dimensions do not certify point or wheel loads or floor/ice-cover protection. Request accepted limits and protection for towers, ground-supported LED, lifts and transport.
Who contracts labor, and how is house equipment reserved?
Page 31 identifies the City of Orlando as operator and manager. The promoter or building licensee must contract stage labor through venue-approved companies and pay the costs. Confirm the current list and authorized roles; this guide does not establish GLMedia as an approved provider.
Pages 14–15 list equipment subject to availability and provide for two technical staff to work with show personnel on show day. This does not replace a load-in and load-out staffing plan. Document hoists, control, operators, riggers, lifts, schedules, minimum calls and current rates in the contract.
How should haze, pyrotechnics and other effects be advanced?
Page 28 includes pyrotechnics, fireworks and special effects among activities requiring an application to Orlando Fire Department. It also lists flame, gases, hazardous devices and tents over 100 sq ft; a separate building permit may apply. Its wording places applications within the 10 business days before the event. Confirm the exact deadline and accepted lead time without treating it as an approval guarantee.
The current city fireworks page requests insurance, a federal explosives license or permit, specifications and a site plan. That process does not establish the application for haze, fog, lasers or flame effects. As an advance recommendation, identify equipment, fluid, location and cue sequence; obtain the applicable venue and authority procedure before marking an effect confirmed. Do not interfere with detection or fire protection systems.
What needs to be settled before equipment is dispatched?
Collect the rigging plot and full LED, truss, hoist, cable and accessory weights; engineering review where applicable; electrical allocation; load-in routes; floor configuration and limits; reserved labor and equipment; and accepted effects and operating conditions.
Record the decisions separately: the venue accepts the setup; the authority determines and issues applicable permits; the organizer defines the program and layout; and the contract assigns services and costs. Track revisions and changes. This is a technical preparation recommendation, not a permit or complete technical sign-off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use eight one-ton hoists because they appear in the guide’s inventory?
The listing alone is insufficient. Page 14 lists eight one-ton chain hoists, subject to availability. Confirm reservation, condition, chain, control and operation, and separately verify every load against the accepted rigging plot.
Does steel at 103 ft establish usable LED screen height?
No. Page 10 lists steel at 103 ft and scoreboard trim/clearance at 72 ft. Establish usable height from the show plan, scoreboard, PA, catwalks, suspension angles and space for the complete system.
Can a light tower be installed if no floor load rating is given?
No. The reviewed sections did not confirm an applicable point or wheel load limit. Submit weights and footprints to the venue, including the transport route and actual surface. Ground support requires its own acceptance.
Official documentation
Official sources reviewed October 18, 2026. Guide 8.0, updated January 16, 2026: printed pages 10, 12–15, 28–32; A-Z Guide for guests. Advance information; confirm the applicable revision, contract and event authorizations.