The purse policy is NOT advertised nor is it on the tickets. This is a ridiculous policy and I have never attended an event where this same policy applies at any other location. My friend purchased ti...ckets for a concert from someone and the tickets were transferred via Ticketmaster. She received multiple emails from Ticketmaster about the event and read every single email and not one mentioned the purse policy (we even re-read after the event). We were responsible and took an Uber to the concert since we were planning to have some drinks, so there was nowhere to take my purse when informed at the gate that I could not bring it in. My only choice was to throw it in the trash. Not a bin or a table, but the trash. Please note my purse is a cross-body that is roughly 9 inches wide and 5 inches high; it is not a large tote. I emptied the contents of my purse into a clear plastic ziploc type bag that was supplied and threw my purse into the trashcan so I could attend the show that I paid to attend. I still had everything from the purse, just not the purse. What is the point? What did that resolve? I want to point out that during this transition no one ever actually looked at any of the contents of my purse. I dumped it all into the bag and walked away. Making women throw their purses away is not going to avenge the riots at your confederate statues. See More

We were there last night for the Pink, nowhere on the ticket did it say that you could not bring in a purse (mine was 3x4) we were told it was on the website well screw your website, we had to walk 20... minutes to one way to drop the purse back at the car, Every arena I’ve attended for a concert serves mixed drinks, well guess what not this arena so I was left to drink nasty beer. You are only allowed four drinks or person and halfway through the concert at 9 o’clock they stop serving beer. The staff is rude, unprofessional and foul, Charlottesville and UVA should be mortified if they have an arena that is such a shit hole!! Prince could come back from the dead and I could be offered free tickets and would throw them in the garbage! See More

I recently went to John Paul Jones for the UVA vs UNC game. I paid quite a bit for the tickets I purchased for my fiancé Christmas. Upon arriving at the arena I was told I couldn’t bring my small cros...s body with my cell phone and wallet into the arena and I would have to take it back to the car. I had already walked 20 minutes to the arena and I then had to walk 20 minutes back and another 20 the arena AGAIN. Mind you, the wind chill was -10 that day. I was extremely upset that this was not on the website and was not advertised until close to the arena. The staff was very rude and not helpful when we arrived at the arena. I will not be coming back here, hence another reason why I did not choose UVA as my university in the first place. With that being said, roll dukes and be more appreciate of the patrons that support your athletics and town. See More

This is the first time I’ve ever been to John Paul Jones Arena and it will be the last time I ever go to John Paul Jones Arena the staff was totally disorganized and rude! We had VIP and no one could ...tell us where VIPs were supposed to go in at. So we ended up going in with as if we never paid for VIP. I paid a lot of money for VIP tickets and still couldn’t see the show! John Paul Jones Arena in my opinion you suck! Pink did a great job for her concert and I would love to go and see her again but it won’t be at John Paul Jones Arena! See More

I don’t think they deserve 1 star. Sold me 5 tickets and day of event said I don’t have seats. Now sold out. Way to break a 3 year old girls heart. Worst event place ever. Don’t ever go there you have... been warned! See More

Superior security, service personnel to include EMS, Police, Scanners for entry, event contractors. All very helpful and friendly. It was great to feel safe during an event. JPA is a beautiful arena. ... My seats were perfect and I will definitely be back. See More

I attended the Def Leppard, Poison, and Tesla concert here on May 5th. The show itself was absolutely incredible, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. This is a non-smoking venue, but as the c...oncert went on, you could definitely smell cigarette smoke in the air. I realize the staff can't possibly catch everyone who's trying to light one up in there, and it is hard to tell with all the cell phone flashlights shining. It would just be nice if people were more considerate of others! I loved our seats, and if I ever go back to another concert there, I would try to get seats like that again. We were in section 113, which is lower level, kind of beside the stage, and we were in the last row on the end, which was great because I did a lot of dancing and jumping around and didn't have to worry about anyone behind me getting annoyed, and being on the end made it easy to get out to use the restrooms or go to concessions. The cash parking was $20, which I thought was ridiculous. I ended up having a great time at the concert, in spite of the negatives, but then again Def Leppard has been my favorite band for 30 years, and they, along with Tesla and Poisin made it an unforgettable experience! See More

The concert itself was awesome! A couple things bothered me though. I was in the upper level and the view was great (even without the jumbo screens) but my knees were cramped/jammed the whole night. ... I'm a small person and it was still uncomfortable. The other is a BIG concern for me. There was a lady in the row behind me smoking a cigarette. Not an e-cig or a vapor but an actual cigarette. She was trying to hide it when people started looking around because of the smell but it was obvious. I thought smoking was prohibited indoors at facilities like this but I guess not. I'm not a fan of the smell but my sister gets a bad cough with cigarette smoke with her asthma. Hopefully this gets addressed or I won't be back to this arena. I also agree with several other reviewers that $20 for parking is a little excessive. The attendants are not helpful at all (had no clue about handicap parking even though it's an ADA requirement) and passed us on to the next person. See More

We were in the upper level for the Def Leppard, Poison and Tesla concert on May 5. We had good seats (row B directly in front of the stage) and really enjoyed the concert. But, the leg room was very ...limited when seated. By the end of the night, my knees were hurting a bit from being so cramped. Also, the parking was horrible. We arrived about 15 minutes after public parking opened and got routed up past the arena, around the corner and around another corner. We had to park about a mile away. Next time I will pay for the preferred parking!! Otherwise, the staff was courteous, consessions were fairly fast and the facility as a whole was nice. I would definitely go back again! See More

Saw Def Leppard, Poison, Tesla on May 5th. Got the prepaid parking pass with the ticket and glad I did. It was my first time at the arena but I had heard stories from friends about parking issues.
Ve...nue staff was polite and friendly.
I was a little confused about seating. Went online within 2 minutes of tickets going on sale and best seats I could get were in section 303. Wondering if fan clubs, VIP, etc took all the good seats ahead of time?
Being really afraid of heights I was a nervous wreck up in those seats, but once everyone else filled in it didn't feel as bad. Isles were very narrow though and did not have much room to move when standing.
Overall I had a great time. The show itself was amazing and I would come here again.
Thanks to all JPJ staff. See More

I went to the Def Leppard Concert last night and it was the first time I visited this arena. I was surprised that if you needed to get up in the upper sections of the balcony you would have to get all... the folks to move out of your way. Just so you could go get a drink bathroom and etc... Should have shorter sections so folks could get out. Felt like a packed sardine. Next time I will know better to choose different seats...smh. See More

My Sister and I traveled 3 hours to come to the Def Leopard/Poison/Tesla concert. The concert was awesome and the venue was nice and clean with very friendly staff. Was so glad to see a smoking deck ...for the smokers so they would not be tempted to smoke in the concert. We were very pleased with the experience and will definitely return for another concert. The only complaint I have is the leg room. Since we came a long way we stayed at a local Hotel and their shuttle bus took us to the concert and picked us up afterwards. It was a easy in and out. See More

Doors opened a little before they were supposed to easy going in, if you are looking for mixed drinks they do not have them and you get a band and only allowed 4 drinks per person so you couldn't get ...a spouse or such to get yours as they get theirs. The seats are comfortable but are slim area in front of you so when people need to get thru it's a real tight fit. The staff is really friendly! See More

I was there for the Tessla,Poison and Def Leppard show. Section 303...up high. The seats are tiny with no leg room. Your feet are under your knees with no room to move. The seats are narrow,maybe 15in...ches...no room to sit back. You have to stand up if anyone stands below you because you cant see. Never again will I go unless i can afford floor seating. The concert was awesome! The leg and back cramps not so much. See More

The venue is five stars for sure!! I enjoyed a concert there and there wasn't a bad seat in the house. I am sure it's even better to watch a UVA basketball game! My only complaint was the parking. Fir...st was the price of twenty dollars, but worst of all was the traffic! Charlottesville is a college town and the streets are not designed for the large amount of traffic. The police did a good job directing the chaos though. Overall the arena is great and the staff was fantastic!!! See More

My husband and I saw Fall Out Boy last march here and then last night a friend and myself saw Def Leppard, Posion and Tesla. Always have a blast, only can complain about the parking issue for last nit...e and the cops sent us to a street that didn't even have parking. Found it on our own and then the person in front of us keep standing up so my friend was having to duck around to see some. I know everyone is paying for their seat but just rude to block someone else who has paid to see the same thing. See More

First time visit to the venue. Usually see Def Leppard in VA Beach. The show was incredible! Loved every minute. The parking however was the worst I've EVER encountered. Not sure where the $20 parking... was but would have definitely paid if it was any closer or easier to get in to or out if than the parking deck. After the show waited an entire hour and cars did not move one inch. Would go back but definitely find other parking arrangements. See More

Enjoyed the Def Leppard, Poison , Tesla concert on the 5th of May. Venue was very clean and nice. Parking was atrocious. No one really directing the cash parking patrons and the police were just r...unning the traffic around in circles. Not much guidance as to where was available​ to park.
Finally found it on my own and lesson learned. No thanks to traffic attendants. See More

Tesla, Poison & Def Leppard were all amazing. The staff was nice and accommodating. I have never gotten into or out of a venue, parking or into the building, as easily & quickly as we did last night. ...I would go to another show here...even though it's a 5 hour drive from my home. :) See More