Official tickets for the Palacio de los Deportes Martin Carpena

The José María Martín Carpena Sports Centre is the leading venue for large-scale events in southern Spain. This impressive indoor arena, situated in one of Málaga’s most up-and-coming areas, stands out for its cutting-edge architecture and versatile interior, capable of adapting to any type of large-scale event.

It is world-renowned as the home ground and official arena of Unicaja Málaga, one of the leading clubs in the ACB Basketball League and the Basketball Champions League. The passion with which sport is experienced in these stands has transformed the venue into a veritable temple of top-flight competition.

However, its activities extend far beyond professional basketball. Thanks to its excellent acoustics and modular technical infrastructure, the arena is regularly transformed into a spectacular indoor auditorium. Every season, its court hosts a host of highly prestigious national and international artists, large-scale family shows, international tennis competitions such as the Davis Cup, and top-tier corporate events. If you’re planning to visit this venue, this detailed guide will help you organise your visit.

Types of seats and areas at the Martín Carpena

Málaga’s Palacio de Deportes boasts a highly efficient architectural layout, structured across four clearly defined levels.

This ensures excellent visibility of the centre court from virtually any point in the stands, allowing spectators to enjoy an immersive experience.

When buying your tickets for an event or match, it’s essential to understand how the different areas of the venue are organised so you can choose the seat that best suits your plans.

For basketball matches, the most exclusive and sought-after area is the Centre Court. However, for other types of major events, such as large-scale concert tours, the wooden court is either removed entirely or covered and protected with heavy-duty technical covers.

This astonishing versatility means that, in a matter of hours, the space where basketball is played can be transformed into a concert venue — whether as a standing area to get up close to the stage or with numbered seats in the stalls — or into an impressive ramp for jumps and stunts by freestyle riders.

Buying Tickets for the Martín Carpena

If you’re planning to attend any of the events on the calendar, the most important rule is to secure your tickets as quickly and securely as possible. As this is the largest indoor venue in the province, demand for tickets is usually extremely high, with events selling out within a matter of hours.

To guarantee you’re buying official tickets and securing your seats at the regulated price, you can complete the entire booking process directly via our platform. Avoid unnecessary risks and last-minute surprises at the entrance gates.

Remember that for the vast majority of shows, it is not compulsory to print out paper tickets. You can gain entry by showing the QR code on your mobile phone screen at the turnstiles.

Surrounding the perimeter of the court are the Lower Stand and the mobile telescopic stands. These seats offer exceptional proximity to the day’s stars, creating an electrifying atmosphere. If you prefer an option that balances comfort, a full panoramic view and consistent acoustics, the Middle Stand and Upper Stand sections are the most recommended for a family outing.

How to get to the Arena and Where to Park

The José María Martín Carpena Sports Centre enjoys an unbeatable strategic location in the western part of Málaga (Parque Litoral), very close to the airport and the main motorway links on the Costa del Sol. There are several very convenient ways to get to the venue:

• By Metro (Recommended Option): This is the quickest and most convenient option if you’re coming from the city centre. Line 2 of the Málaga Metro has a dedicated station called ‘Palacio de los Deportes’, the exit of which leaves you just a few metres from the venue’s entrance. It’s ideal for avoiding the traffic jams when leaving after events.

• By city bus: The EMT bus routes that connect directly to the area around the venue are Route 7 (from Miraflores and the city centre) and Route 31 (which connects directly to Vialia railway station).

• By private car or ride-hailing service (Uber/Cabify): If you’re travelling by car from anywhere else on the Costa del Sol, the venue offers excellent, quick and direct access via the MA-22 ring road. The complex has a large area of free surface car park surrounding it. However, we strongly advise you to arrive well in advance of the start of the show. On days when the venue is completely full for concerts, Unicaja matches or Freestyle events, free spaces fill up quickly.

If you can’t find a space on arrival, you can safely use the secure, paid underground car park ‘Parking Litoral’, situated directly beneath the adjacent public park.

Recommended accommodation near the venue

This tourist area offers excellent dining options, modern hotels and the well-known Playa de la Misericordia beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the arena. However, if you’d prefer to stay right in the heart of the Costa del Sol’s tourist area, neighbouring coastal towns such as Torremolinos or Benalmádena are just a 20- or 30-minute drive away, offering the perfect combination of beach, leisure and direct access to the event.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Martín Carpena (FAQ)

What is the exact capacity of the Martín Carpena Sports Arena?

The venue has a maximum capacity of up to 11,300 seated spectators for official basketball competitions and matches. For large concerts, musical performances or freestyle shows, the capacity is flexibly adjusted according to the size and positioning of the stage, usually accommodating over 10,000 attendees when combining the floor and stands.

Is the arena accessible for people with reduced mobility (PRM)?

Yes, the Martín Carpena is a fully accessible venue. It features integrated external access ramps, lifts to move between levels, toilets adapted to meet regulations, and walkways with reserved seats offering excellent visibility, specifically designed for wheelchair users and their companions. When purchasing your tickets on our website, please ensure you select the seats labelled as PRM.

How far in advance should I arrive at the venue?

We recommend arriving between 60 and 90 minutes before the event starts. This will allow you to park your car with plenty of time to spare if you’re travelling by car from the Costa del Sol, go through the security checks and bag inspections at the gates without rushing, and find your seat in the stands comfortably before the show begins.

Can I bring my own food?

In accordance with general safety and event regulations, outside food and large sandwiches are not permitted. Cans and bottles with caps are also not allowed. In the interior corridors of the venue, there are food stalls, snack kiosks, hot dogs and drinks available for consumption inside.

Do children need a ticket?

• For Unicaja Málaga matches: Children aged 0 to 5 enter free of charge without occupying a seat (they must sit on an adult’s lap). From the age of 6, a ticket must be purchased.

• At concerts and events (such as Freestyle): The policy varies depending on the organiser, but children usually have to pay for a ticket regardless of their age due to strict capacity and security controls at the venue.

Is there a cloakroom service?

No, the arena does not provide a cloakroom service for the general public.

For reasons of safety, comfort and access control, there is no space provided within the venue to leave coats, jackets, motorbike helmets or suitcases.

A very important tip:

We recommend that you leave bulky items, helmets or suitcases in the boot of your car or at your hotel. It’s best to come to the venue with only the essentials (wallet, mobile phone and keys) to get through the security checks at the entrance as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Are there gluten-free food options?

By regulation, the food stalls and kiosks inside the venue offer gluten-free snacks and products, but the choice is usually very limited (crisps, nuts and a few drinks).

If you’re coeliac, we recommend having dinner before or after the event at the restaurants in the Parque Litoral area (just a few minutes’ walk from the venue), where you’ll find a much wider, safer and more suitable range of food options.

Is beer sold inside the venue?

Yes, beer is sold at the bars and kiosks in the pavilion, but it is strictly non-alcoholic (0.0%). Under current Spanish legislation governing public entertainment and sporting events, the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks within the venue is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, for safety reasons, all drinks must be served in plastic cups without lids.