Everyone thinks about the event stage, but do you know what’s just as important? Event seating.
Consider this: you’re selling VIP tickets for prime spots close to the stage. If those seats don’t offer an exceptional view and comfort, how impressed will your VIPs be? How likely are they to attend another of your events? We’d guess not very.
At Eventbrite, we’ve helped event organizers sell over 300+ million tickets. From cozy backyard concerts to massive conferences and festivals, we’ve seen it all, and we know every detail of the attendee experience matters.
In this article, we’ll dive into nine types of event seating arrangements and tools and help you decide which one is right for you.
Discover the different types of event seating
Cabaret or crescent-style seating
1. Theater-style seating
Theater-style seating involves rows of chairs on either side of the room, with an aisle down the middle for easy access. However, the exact arrangement can vary depending on the type of stage you’re working with.
For instance, for a proscenium stage, where the audience views the performance through a large, framed opening, you might consider angling the seats toward the center or staggering the rows to ensure everyone has a clear view of the stage.
Key features of theater-style seating:
- Rows: Typically, there are 10-15 seats per row, with options for staggering rows in larger venues to accommodate bigger numbers.
- Aisles: The stage generally has two aisles, one on each side of the stage. Additional aisles can be used for balcony seating or upper-level sections.
- Capacity: Can fit anywhere from 100 to over 1,000 people, depending on the floor space.
- Sightlines: Offers a clear sightline of the stage, though seats on the far sides might not allow for a full 180-degree view.
Advantages:
✅Focused attention on the central stage
✅Maximizes seating capacity
Things to keep in mind:
💡Emergency evacuation plan: Ensure your seating arrangement complies with fire safety regulations outlined by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), such as providing a direct path to exits.
💡Comfort level and event duration: Fixed theater seats are usually around 19–23 inches wide with about 18–22 inches of legroom. So, plan an intermission for longer events to allow attendees to stretch.
Types of events where theater-style seating makes sense:
- Comedy or theater show: Theater-style seating is perfect for comedy or theater shows, like the Laugh Factory Chicago, where you want to keep the audience focused on the central stage while creating an immersive atmosphere.
🪑Buying tip: Look for chairs with high-density foam cushions and leather coverings, like the Wimpfeheimer’s lush velvet seats.
2. King’s table seating style
King’s table seating style is a communal arrangement where attendees are seated on both sides of a long, rectangular table.
Key features of king’s-table-style seating:
- Rows: A standard king’s table measures around 8 x 42 inches, seating 8–12 attendees, with 4–6 on each side of the table.
- Aisles: Usually located at the ends of the table and along both sides.
- Capacity: Depends on the size of the venue and the table arrangement. For example, a 1,600-square-foot venue could comfortably accommodate 200 attendees.
- Sightlines: Mostly horizontal, focusing strongly on those seated across the table. Attendees farther from the stage may need to turn to see the front of the room.
Advantages:
✅Allows for intimacy while still accommodating large numbers
✅Good for indoor and outdoor events
Things to keep in mind:
💡Length of tables: King’s table seating style works best in a venue with a rectangular floor plan, as this allows you to maximize seating capacity without creating awkward gaps.
💡Noise levels: If the table is particularly long (20 feet or more), overlapping conversations can make it hard for guests seated further apart to hear each other. You might need to add sound-absorbing materials to your venue to reduce echo and background noise.
Type of events where king’s-table-style seating makes sense:
- Corporate and outdoor dining events: Ideal for corporate events and networking events, and events where the emphasis is on shared experiences.
🪑Buying tip: Choose a chair that’s lightweight and easy to store, like the Resin Folding Padded Chair.
3. Banquet-style seating
Banquet-style seating is a formal seating arrangement where tables are spread across the venue, taking up most of the space. It usually features round or rectangular tables, with some guests facing the front and others positioned to face each other.
Key features of banquet-style seating:
- Rows: Arranged in clusters with 8-10 seats per table.
- Aisles: Narrow aisles on each side of a table cluster and a wider central aisle for main access.
- Capacity: Can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 300+ guests, depending on the venue’s size and table configuration.
- Sightlines: Sightlines can be somewhat limited, as the 360-degree table layout doesn’t always allow for a full view of the stage from every seat.
Advantages:
✅Allows opportunity to increase ticket price for front-line tables
✅Encourages interaction between guests
Things to keep in mind:
💡Different table designs: Each table shape (square, rectangular, or round) has different considerations. For example, a square table that seats 8-12 people typically measures around 70×70 inches, which requires more room (aka a larger venue).
💡Limited capacity: The average table is 60 or 72 inches in diameter and seats 8–12 people. Planning a larger event with over 300 guests means you’ll need at least a 25,000 square-foot venue.
Types of events where banquet-style seating makes sense:
- Fundraising galas and events: Banquet-style seating is ideal for fundraising events, such as HER Too’s fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel.
🪑Buying tip: Invest in an elegant chair with a cross back, such as the Rustic Wood Back Chair.
4. Auditorium-style seating
In this event seating setup, rows of chairs are aligned in straight lines facing the stage or presentation area. The seats are often tiered — each row slightly higher than the one in front of it — to ensure everyone has a clear view, even from the back.
As Fiona Liang from Leadcom Seating Company points out, there are five different types of auditorium-style seating arrangements: continental, multi-aisle, wide fan, end stage, and ¾ arena, that impact the configuration of your seating layout.
Key features of auditorium-style seating:
- Rows: The number of rows depends on the seating arrangement style and the venue’s size. For instance, continental arrangements often feature long rows with up to 40 seats per row, whereas multi-aisle setups break rows into smaller sections of 10-15 seats.
- Aisles: Typically include two wide aisles along the outer edges, allowing for smooth traffic flow and easy access in and out of the seating area.
- Capacity: Auditorium-style seating can range from a few hundred to several thousand seats. For example, a wide fan configuration can seat over 1,000 people with excellent 180-degree vertical and horizontal sightlines.
- Sightlines: Wide fan and ¾ arena setups offer clear 180-degree views of the main stage. However, continental and multi-aisle arrangements can obstruct views for attendees further back or near aisles.
Advantages:
✅Easy to create tiered ticketing for different seating options
✅Accommodates large numbers of attendees
Things to keep in mind:
💡Usually has fixed seating: Often features fixed chairs, which means you won’t have the flexibility to rearrange the layout based on your event’s needs.
💡Space between seats: Ensure 30-55 inches of distance between rows for easy access.
Type of events where auditorium-style seating makes sense:
- Concerts: Auditorium-style seating is ideal for concerts or music events, as the fixed, tiered seating allows for efficient crowd management while optimizing acoustics.
🪑Buying tip: Search for a chair that’s specifically designed for auditoriums, such as the Molio Wood Plus.
5. Cabaret or crescent-style seating
abaret-style seating is a relaxed layout, with small tables spread out in a zig-zag pattern across a venue. You’ll usually see this seating style in venues like bars or small restaurants, where the focus is on creating an intimate atmosphere, often with dim lighting and a candle on each table to enhance the cozy vibe.
Key features of cabaret-style seating:
- Rows: Round 36×36-inch cocktail tables are arranged in clusters with 4-6 seats per table.
- Aisles: Normally 6 feet wide, positioned between clusters of tables to allow easy movement.
- Capacity: Highly dependent on the venue. To calculate a venue’s capacity, divide the total square meters by 10. For example, if your venue is 500 square meters, you could comfortably seat around 50 guests.
Sightlines: The open side of each table ensures attendees directly facing the stage have a direct “frontal view,” but those seated on the far sides may experience a “partial view” where only 120–150 degrees of the stage is visible.
Advantages:
✅Can be used in many different venue types and sizes
✅Positions attendees close to the stage
Things to keep in mind
💡View of stage: You’ll need to arrange the tables at a slight angle so that there’s enough room for everyone to see the stage clearly without any obstructions.
💡Overcrowding at tables: Overcrowding one table with more than six seats can make guests uncomfortable.
Types of events where cabaret-style seating makes sense:
- Intimate performance or dining event: Cabaret-style seating is ideal for events like OASIS hosts, where you want to place attendees close to the action.
🪑Buying tip: Search for stackable simple chairs, such as Bentwood dining chairs.
6. Classroom-style seating
Classroom-style seating is an event seating arrangement where tables are set up in rows facing the front of the room.
Key features of classroom-style seating:
- Rows: Multiple rows of tables with 2-4 seats per row, arranged in straight lines or angled (chevron) toward the front of the room. Most venues have at least 3 feet of space between rows to comply with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Aisles: This depends on the room’s layout, but there’s usually a central aisle down the middle of the room and narrower aisles for each branch of the seating arrangement.
- Capacity: It can comfortably accommodate 50–100 attendees, depending on the venue size and table configuration.
- Sightlines: Attendees have a clear view of the stage and front of the room when seating is elevated.
Advantages:
✅Can be used for small or big events
✅Easy to set up and pack down
Things to keep in mind:
💡Creating levels: To ensure attendees have a clear view of the stage, you need to create levels. If you’re working with a flat venue without built-in tiers or stairs, try using risers or temporary platforms to elevate certain sections and ensure attendees don’t block sightlines.
💡Offering “bundle pack” seating: Offer group seating options to cater to groups that prefer to be seated together.
Types of events where classroom-style seating makes sense:
- Product launches and training sessions: Classroom-style seating gives attendees their dedicated workspace, making it perfect for events with active participation.
🪑Buying tip: Use a chair with padding and slender feet, like the Slide Sled Conference Chair.
7. Conference-style seating
For conference-style seating, chairs are arranged around one long communal table in the center of the room, typically rectangular or U-shaped.
Key features of conference-style seating:
- Rows: Seats are arranged around a central table with all participants facing inward toward the center or presenter.
- Aisles: Aisles aren’t typically marked.
- Capacity: Limited to no more than 30 attendees, with guests spread across four eight-foot tables.
- Sightlines: In a boardroom setup, those seated at the ends may have difficulty seeing visual aids, while in a U-shape, attendees on the far ends might have limited views of those across from them.
Advantages:
✅Adds level of professionalism
✅Provides an organized layout
Things to keep in mind:
💡Restricts venue choice: Conference-style seating requires a large space to fit the long table and surrounding chairs, especially in U-shaped layouts.
💡Risks blindspots: No matter how you arrange it, there will always be a spot where someone is facing away from the presenter. To avoid this, consider setting up A/V screens on each wall to ensure everyone can see what’s going on.
Type of events where conference-style seating makes sense:
- Roundtable discussions and workshops: Ideal for agenda-focused events, such as the National Society of High School Scholars conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.
🪑Buying tip: Hunt for a professional office chair, like the Ace High Back Chair, with a long backrest so attendees can sit comfortably for extended periods without frequent breaks.
8. Horseshoe seating style
For the horseshoe-style seating arrangement, seats are arranged in a U-shape, allowing all participants to see and interact with one another while also being able to see the front of the room.
Key features of horseshoe-style seating:
- Rows: Typically three rows, with one on either side and one across the back to create the “U” shape.
- Aisles: Usually no central aisles; instead, access is provided from the open end of the “U.”
- Capacity: Can comfortably accommodate small to medium-sized groups of 10–50 people.
- Sightlines: The curved arrangement minimizes the distance between the audience and the focal point, ensuring attendees have a level eyeline with the presenter.
Advantages:
✅Facilitates group work
✅Allows for creative presentation
Things to keep in mind:
💡Engagement: Horseshoe seating encourages interaction between attendees and the presenter, promoting open discussions.
💡Central focal point: Position the “U-shape” around the central focus point of your event so that all attendees have clear vertical and horizontal sightlines.
Types of events where horseshoe-style seating makes sense:
- Immersive experiences, workshops, or poetry readings: Horseshoe-style seating allows attendees to easily become part of the experience, making it ideal for underground art shows or intimate poetry readings.
🪑Buying tip: Look for chairs with durable metal frames and high-quality upholstery, such as the Black Padded Conference Chair.
9. Customized seating layout with Eventbrite
No matter what event seating arrangement you choose, you still need to offer a clear and easy way for attendees to see what seats are available when booking their tickets. With Eventbrite’s reserve seating tool, you can create a seating chart, customize your seating layout, and allow attendees to select their preferred seats at registration.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Access your event dashboard: Log in to your Eventbrite account and select the event you want to set up reserved seating for. From your event dashboard, navigate to the “Tickets” section.
2. Enable reserved seating: In the “Tickets” section, choose the option to enable reserved seating. This will allow you to create a seating plan for attendees to select seats during ticket purchase.
3. Create Your Seating Map: Use Eventbrite’s seating map tool to design your event’s seating layout. Drag and drop seats, rows, and sections to match your venue space and configuration. You can customize the layout by adding labels to sections, rows, and individual seats.
4. Assign Ticket Types to Seats: Once your seating map is complete, assign different ticket types to specific seats or sections. This allows you to control pricing and availability based on the venue’s location. For example, premium seats closer to the stage can be priced higher than those further back.
5. Preview the Seating Map: Before finalizing, preview the seating map to ensure everything is correctly set up. Make necessary adjustments to the layout, ticket assignments, or seat availability, and then publish the event.
From there, you can monitor the seating map to see which seats have been reserved as tickets are sold. If an attendee needs to change their seat, you can easily manage this through the Eventbrite dashboard by adjusting seating assignments or reassigning seats with just a few clicks.
Choose the right seating arrangements for your event
Choosing the right seating arrangements for your event might not be the first thing you think about, but it can greatly impact how attendees experience your event.
The best seating arrangement for your event depends on several factors, including the type of event you’re hosting, the venue, and your guest list. This can change for each event, so save this guide for future reference.
After that, make sure to check out our reserved seating solution. It allows your attendees to create a custom seating map to help visualize the value of premium seating at your venue and to choose their seats right on the app.
