The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do I have to pay for parking at Patriot Center events?

A. No, parking is included in the admission ticket for all Patriot Center events. If an event does not require a ticket for admission to the facility, parking is free.

Q. At what age is a child required to have a ticket to attend an event?

A. Once a child has reached his/her second birthday, a ticket is required for admission even if the child sits on the lap of a parent or guardian. We strongly recommend having a seat for a child old enough to occupy a seat to ensure that patrons sitting next to you and in front of you are able to enjoy the event without disruption.

Some touring shows have different admission policies on the age a child needs a ticket. For example, Sesame Street Live requires a child who has reached their first birthday to have a ticket. Please check call (703) 993-3000 and check with us about the admission policy for a particular presentation.

Q. What different kinds of payment are accepted at the Patriot Center box office when purchasing tickets?

A. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for tickets to Patriot Center events. The Patriot Center box office also serves as a Ticketmaster outlet selling tickets to events all over the region. For events NOT taking place at the Patriot Center, we also accept cash, Visa, MasterCard only. For some large events, we will take cash only on the first day of sale. Checks are NOT accepted at the box office.

Q. Can I take the Metro rail system to get to the Patriot Center?

A. The closest Metro station to the Patriot Center is the Vienna station, the last stop on the Orange line in Virginia. Metro bus and the Fairfax CUE bus system both will take you to the George Mason University campus. However, we encourage you to check with Metro and CUE bus for their schedules as many events end past the time these transportation systems run buses.

Q. How do I find out about events being held at the Patriot Center?

A. In addition to bookmarking this website and checking it regularly, Patriot center events are advertised in the Washington Post Friday weekend section and Sunday Arts section, on the local television stations and the appropriately formatted radio station for each event (check the rock 'n roll stations for rock concerts, etc).

Q. If I am driving my child and her friends to a concert, but do not wish to attend the concert myself, is there a place where I can wait for her?

A. Yes, the Patriot Center has a "Quiet Room" where parents can wait and relax while their children and friends are enjoying an event. The "Quiet Room" is located at the administrative offices down below the East entry.

Q. How do I get backstage passes for a concert?

A. Unfortunately, backstage passes are not something for which you can make a request. Backstage passes are issued by the representatives of the performers just like any invitations to any private function. Don't worry... nothing really happens backstage anyway.

Q. For George Mason basketball games, where is the Pass Gate located?

A. The Pass Gate is located just inside the South entry adjacent to the South box office.

Q. What are your standard policies for general admission concerts?

Opening the arena:
For general admission concerts we normally open the doors one and a half hours (90 minutes) prior to the start of the show. There are three entrances used for every event: South, West and North, so it is to your benefit to choose the least crowded one (typically the North) in order to enter the building expeditiously and get to the seating area of your choice. Entry of patrons is controlled and there is no running to seats or crowding at the doors.

Seating:
There are no chairs on the floor for general admission events; the floor is standing room only. For a concert where the floor is general admission, the permanent seats in the arena are RESERVED seats. On each general admission ticket there are numbers printed for "seat" and "row," but these numbers are for ticketing inventory purposes only, and do not correspond to a location inside the building.

Search and prohibited items:
For the safety of patrons and performers, everyone must pass through a security checkpoint before entering the arena. You may be subject to a physical search prior to entry, as there are a variety of items which are not allowed into the Patriot Center. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: backpacks, luggage, bags larger than a women’s purse, still cameras, video cameras, laser pointers, food and drink, and hard containers of any kind. If you have any questions about bringing an item into the building, please call or email us in advance. We do not have a “coat check” area to hold items during the show. All prohibited items must be returned to your vehicle or left outside. Patriot Center cannot be responsible for items left outside the arena.

Quiet Room / Parents Waiting Area:
Patriot Center normally has a "Quiet Room" available for most general admission shows. However, this can vary depending upon the event, so it is recommended that you contact us prior to a specific show to find out what arrangements have been made. This also helps us to plan for a larger or smaller number of Quiet Room attendees.

If you can think of other questions we can add to our FAQ section, please email them to bgeisler@patriotcenter.com