FAQs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where do I park and how much does it cost?
Event parking for the Sovereign Center and the Performing Arts Center is provided at all of the parking garages and lots owned and operated by the Reading Parking Authority.
Event parking is traditionally $6.00 at all facilities, except for the Penn Court Lot which is $9.00.
However, parking for “special events” incorporates a graduated fee schedule…the closer the customer parks to the Sovereign Center, the more the parking fee. Therefore, graduated rates are as follows:
- State Lot, BARTA garage – $10.00
- South Penn garage, Reed and Court garage, 7th and Washington Lot – $7.00
- 4th and Cherry garage, Poplar and Walnut garage, and 6th / Cherry lot – $6.00
Please consult the Parking Authority for the dates of “special parking”. You can contact them at
www.readingparking.com or by calling 610-655-6166.
Parking Garage Map
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is your facility ADA Accessible?
The Sovereign Center, Reading Eagle Theater and Sovereign Performing Arts Center are all ADA accessible. There are two elevators located in the Sovereign Center/Reading Eagle Theater which can be utilized to transport patrons to and from both the suite level and floor level of the arena when needed. These elevators are located behind section 114 and also at the main entrance of the building at the box office, located by section 102.
For concerts, family shows or ice shows that have ADA seating on the floor of the arena, patrons must use the elevator located behind section 114 to gain access to this area. From there an event staff representative will assist you to your seating location. For ADA seating on the suite level at both, hockey games and other events, both elevators can be used to reach these areas.
Other sections of the arena that contain ADA seating are section 101 and section 106. ADA patrons are also able to gain access to the arena through the Royal Club Entrance located near the 8th and Penn Street corner of the building. These doors give patrons direct access to the concourse level of the building near section 106. The Sovereign Performing Arts Center also has two elevators in the main lobby. These elevators give ADA patrons access to the balcony level as well as the lower level of the building where restrooms are located.
There is also one uni-sex ADA restroom located in the main lobby near the entrance to the orchestra level of the theater. Event staff representatives are always available to assist patrons with any questions they may have. If you have any questions regarding either facility, please seek out someone from the event staff to help you with your needs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What time do the doors open prior to an event?
Doors will open one hour prior to the event time. Please be aware that event dates and times are subject to change at any time so check back to our site often for updates on any special rules or regulations that may have been put in place for specific events. Please check the individual event information on the event calendar for updates. Click Here for the calendar of events.
http://www.sovereigncenter.com/events/ (link to this website)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are cameras, video cameras or recording devices allowed at events?
Professional cameras (professional = having a removable lens) and audio/video recording are prohibited in the Sovereign Center for most events. Please check the individual event information on the calendar of events for more specific show rules and regulations. Call for detailed show information closer to the date of the show. 610-898-7469
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I allowed to bring food/beverage into the facilities?
Outside food and beverage is prohibited at the Sovereign Center. Please do not bring any bottles of water/juice/soda or any alcoholic beverage of any kind. All patrons found bringing outside food and beverage into the arena will be asked to return it to their vehicle or dispose of it in the trash.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I allowed to smoke at the facilities?
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the Sovereign Center/Reading Eagle Theater. There is a designated smoking section located outside of the building. Access to this area is through the exit doors located behind section 111 on the concourse level. Smoking is also restricted in the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. Patrons are permitted to exit the theater and smoke outside by the 6th street entrance and then regain entry to the theater with a valid event ticket.
- **Reminder: Smoking in the facilities is strictly prohibited. Patrons found violating this policy are subject to ejection from the building and will not be allowed re-entry to the event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What fundraising opportunities exist for my group at your venue?
Looking for a new way to earn funds for your school group, sports organization, church or civic organization? Tired of the same old bake sales, car washes and door to door selling? Perhaps you’d like to give some thought to volunteering your organization’s time working a concession stand at the Sovereign Center . We’re looking for interested nonprofit groups to work concession stands at Reading Royals hockey games, Reading Express football games and all of the other concerts and shows that the Sovereign Center hosts every year. Aside from being a part of all the action, you’ll get to earn some money for your organization in a unique atmosphere.
Click Here to Download the Non-Profit Group Application.
Click Here to Download the Non-Profit Group Agreement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How and where do I buy tickets?
Tickets for events can be purchased by visiting the Sovereign Center box office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, online at
www.ticketmaster.com and charge-by-phone: 800-745-3000.
Please call 800-745-3000 to purchase ADA tickets over the phone for arena events.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What form of payment can I use?
We accept cash, American Express, Visa and MasterCard. We do not accept The Discover Card.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does Ticketmaster have extra fees?
YES, a convenience charge is assessed when purchasing your tickets through Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone and Ticketmaster.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is there a convenience charge?
Ticketmaster assesses a convenience charge to each ticket purchased for an event. This fee exists for the services Ticketmaster provides that allows patrons to purchase tickets from their own home or over the phone so they don’t have to drive to the facilities for every on sale.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where is the best place to get my tickets?
There isn’t a “Best” place to purchase tickets to our events. All tickets for a show are pulled from the same Ticketmaster database giving all patrons equal opportunity to get the best seats possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is there a Will Call window at your box office?
There is a will call window at both the arena and theater box offices. Will Call allows patrons to pick their tickets up the night of the event at the box office. Will Call is usually used when purchasing tickets over the internet or if you need to leave tickets for family, friends or associates.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are the box office hours?
The box office hours are typically Monday – Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Box office hours are subject to change. The most up to date box office hours are located on our box office page. Please Click here for box office info.
http://www.sovereigncenter.com/udp.php?id=75 (link to this website)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does your venue have a lost and found?
How do I contact them?The Sovereign Center/Reading Eagle Theater has a lost and found located in the security office. If you have lost or misplaced a possession and you believe it happened at one of these facilities, please call 610-898-7469 during normal business hours and ask to speak to someone in lost and found.
If you believe you have lost a possession at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center, please call 610-898-7299 to see if it is in the lost and found. Please note that the Sovereign Center, Sovereign Performing Arts Center and Reading Eagle Theater are not responsible for lost possessions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are there prohibited items at the facilities?
The following items are prohibited at our facilities:
- Guns, knives or weapons of any kind
- Outside food and beverage
- Laser pointers
- Large bags or backpacks
- Recording devices (audio or video)
- All patrons are subject to search
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where/What is the Reading Eagle Theater?
The Reading Eagle Theater is a conversion of the Sovereign Center. The Reading Eagle Theater has two separate configurations for 2,500 or 4,500 patrons. Please see our seating charts section of the website for more information. This theater creates a more intimate setting for family shows and concerts. The configuration allows for all patrons to be closer to the stage for shows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who owns the Sovereign Center, Sovereign Performing Arts Center and Reading Eagle Theater?
All facilities are owned by the Berks County Convention Center Authority, a municipal authority formed by the County of Berks to oversee the recently built Sovereign Center and renovated Sovereign Performing Arts Center, formally the Rajah Shrine Temple.
SMG has been chosen to manage the facilities under the Berks County Convention Center Authority.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides facility services to over 170 venues, in 41 States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Europe, manages over nine million square feet of exhibit space and controls over 1.46 million entertainment seats worldwide. SMG manages 49 convention centers such as The Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Reliant Center in Houston, Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu and the Atlantic City Convention Center.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where is the first-aid station located?
The first-aid station at the Sovereign Center/Reading Eagle Theater can be found behind section 107/108 next to the concession stand. If you need immediate assistance, please contact an event staff member and paramedics will be directed to your location immediately.
The Sovereign Performing Arts Center does not have a specific location for first-aid. There is always at least one paramedic on location for events at the theater. For immediate assistance, please contact an usher or event staff member and paramedics will be directed to you immediately.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do I find out more information on group sales?
