Orlando's downtown arena, about 22 miles from Lake Nona, home of the Orlando Magic and the city's biggest indoor concerts.
The Kia Center is a downtown Orlando arena at 400 W. Church Street, about 22 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. It opened in 2010 as the Amway Center and was renamed the Kia Center in 2023. It is home to the NBA's Orlando Magic and the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears, and is Orlando's main arena for large concerts. The arena seats close to 19,000 for basketball and up to about 20,000 for some concert layouts. Reserved event parking is sold in advance for the garage next to the arena, with other downtown garages and lots nearby.
For Lake Nona residents, the Kia Center is where you go for an Orlando Magic game or a big arena concert. It is about 22 miles away in downtown Orlando, and the difference between an easy night and a slow one is almost entirely about parking and timing.
This guide is written for people weighing a move to Lake Nona. It covers how far the arena is, what happens there and how to plan an event night.
How far is the Kia Center from Lake Nona?
The Kia Center is about 22 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, on the west side of downtown Orlando.
The usual route takes SR 417 north to the East-West Expressway (SR 408), both toll roads, then exits into downtown near the arena. It avoids most of I-4. On event nights, traffic builds on the downtown exits in the hour before start time.
| Distance from Lake Nona Town Center | About 22 miles |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 W. Church Street, Orlando |
| Opened | 2010 (as the Amway Center; renamed in 2023) |
| Home teams | Orlando Magic (NBA), Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) |
| Capacity | Close to 19,000 for basketball |
What events are held at the Kia Center?
Orlando Magic basketball, Orlando Solar Bears hockey, major concerts and touring shows, and college basketball and other large events.
Magic home games run through the NBA season from fall into spring, and Solar Bears hockey offers a more affordable night out with a family feel. The arena is also the main stop in Orlando for big touring concerts, family shows and events such as wrestling. For a Lake Nona household, a Magic game or a concert is the most common reason to head downtown on a weeknight.
How does parking work at the Kia Center?
Reserved event parking is sold in advance for the garage next to the arena, and other downtown garages and city lots are within walking distance.
The arena's main garage has reserved parking that can be bought with tickets or through the box office, and it connects to the arena by a pedestrian bridge. Reserved spots usually need to be booked by the day before the event. Other garages and city lots nearby are first come, first served. Rideshare pick-up and drop-off has a designated zone a short walk from the arena. Check the Kia Center's directions and parking page for current options before you go.
Can you take SunRail to the Kia Center?
On weekdays, yes: SunRail's Church Street station is a short walk from the Kia Center, and Meadow Woods Station is about 7 miles from Lake Nona.
SunRail generally runs on weekdays only and does not run regular weekend service, and its schedule is built around commuters, so check the last train before relying on it for a late game or concert. For most weekend events, Lake Nona residents drive. See our SunRail guide for more.
How can Lake Nona residents make an event night easy?
Reserve parking ahead, arrive early enough to eat downtown, and expect a short wait to leave the garage after the event.
The Church Street area next to the arena has restaurants and bars that fill up before games and concerts. Once you are out of downtown, the expressways back to Lake Nona are usually clear late at night. For more on the rest of downtown, see our Downtown Orlando guide.
How does the Kia Center fit alongside Lake Nona's other nearby venues?
The Kia Center is one of several major downtown venues, alongside the Dr. Phillips Center, Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium.
The Dr. Phillips Center is a few blocks east for Broadway and the arts. For sports closer to home, see our Nona Sports hub, and for more of Orlando, the Explore Orlando hub.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- NBA basketball, hockey and major concerts in one downtown arena.
- About 22 miles from Lake Nona on toll roads.
- Reserved parking next to the arena, connected by a pedestrian bridge.
- Restaurants and bars nearby for a full night out.
Cons
- About 22 miles each way, with SR 417 and SR 408 tolls.
- Event parking adds to the cost, and reserved spots sell out for big nights.
- Traffic builds on the downtown exits before events.
- SunRail does not run regular weekend service or late enough for many events.
Our Take
The Kia Center is the reason many Lake Nona residents go downtown on a weeknight. A Magic game or a concert is an easy night if you reserve parking ahead and give yourself time for traffic. Solar Bears hockey is the underrated option for families: cheaper, less crowded and just as much fun.
What the Neighbors Know
Lake Nona sports fans often plan around the Magic schedule and a few big concerts a year, reserving parking when they buy tickets. The drive home late at night is usually easy. If regular trips downtown are part of your plans, compare Lake Nona neighborhoods by how quickly they reach SR 417.
Official Sources
- Kia Center
- Kia Center: directions and parking
- Orlando Magic
- Orlando Solar Bears
- Central Florida Expressway Authority (SR 417 and SR 408 tolls)
Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Kia Center from Lake Nona?
About 22 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. The usual route uses SR 417 and SR 408, both toll roads.
Was the Kia Center called the Amway Center?
Yes. The arena opened in 2010 as the Amway Center and was renamed the Kia Center in 2023.
Where do you park for a Magic game at the Kia Center?
Reserved event parking is sold in advance for the garage next to the arena, which connects by a pedestrian bridge. Other downtown garages and city lots nearby are first come, first served.
What teams play at the Kia Center?
The Kia Center is home to the NBA's Orlando Magic and the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears hockey team.
