Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Paris La Défense Arena: times, access... everything you need to know

This Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Paris La Défense Arena opens its doors to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for two major concerts as part of their "Grand National Tour". But when are the doors of the Paris venue due to open? What time should the evening begin? How do I get to the venue by public transport? What objects are prohibited? Here's everything you need to know before coming to Paris La Défense Arena for these two Kendrick Lamar and SZA shows in the capital!

Kendrick Lamar and SZA are set to land at Paris La Défense Arena for the very first time. On Tuesday July 15 and Wednesday July 16, 2025, the rapper and neo-soul singer are set to light up Europe's largest indoor venue for two not-to-be-missed evenings.

Kendrick Lamar set the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans ablaze on the night of Sunday February 9 to Monday February 10, 2025, during the Super Bowl half-time show. The American rapper brought the house down with several of his signature tracks, including " Humble " and " DNA ", as well as " Luther " alongside SZA and his hit " Not Like Us ".

So, what do Kendrick Lamar and SZA have in store for you on their joint European tour, entitled the"Grand National Tour"? To find out, don't miss one of the two major concerts scheduled at the Paris La Défense Arena.

So when are the venue's doors due to open on July 15 and 16? What time do Kendrick Lamar and SZA plan to take to the stage? The Paris La Défense Arena has lifted the veil on the practical and useful information that fans need to know in order to best prepare for their visit.

The doors of the Paris La Défense Arena will open to the general public at 5pm, while the opening act is scheduled to perform at 7pm. No word yet on the exact start time of the Kendrick Lamar & SZA show.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA in Paris: the program for the two concerts

5pm: doors open
7pm: start of first part

Please note that Paris La Défense Arena recommends that spectators arrive as early as 4pm.

How to get to Paris La Défense Arena

Another piece of information concerns transport to and from the venue. In view of the large crowds expected, the arena invites spectators to use public transport to get to and from Paris La Défense Arena.

As a reminder, you can take metro line 1 (La Défense stop), RER A (La Défense stop or Nanterre-Préfecture stop), RER E (Nanterre-la-Folie or La Défense Grande Arche stop) or tramway T2 (La Défense stop), as well as Transilien lines L and U ( La Défense stop).

Paris La Défense Arena: how to get to the venue? What you need to know before coming
Europe's largest indoor venue is located in Paris, not far from the Grande Arche de La Défense. Throughout the year, the Paris La Défense Arena hosts numerous concerts, shows and sporting events. Planning to go there soon? Here are a few practical tips to help you prepare your visit and get to the Paris La Défense Arena easily. [Read more]

Locate your entrance

Paris La Défense Arena has several different entrances, depending on where you sit in the hall. Therefore, " the coloured access indicated on your ticket (yellow, red or purple) helps you to find your way around, but does not represent an obligatory point of passage for screening ", explains the Paris La Défense Arena, which advises you to go directly to the entrances indicated below:

Entrances to the left-hand Gold Pit and Energy Floor are via entrance 32;
Entrances to the right-hand gold pit will be via entrance 33bis ;
Entrances to the standing pit are via entrance 33;
Entrances to level 1 will be via entrances 5, 34 & 60 ;
Entrances to level 4 are via entrances 8 & 56;
Entrances to dressing rooms and lounges are via entrances 21, 39 & 55;
Access for people with disabilities and reduced mobility will be via entrances 38 & 56.

Forbidden items

On its website, the Paris La Défense Arena unveils the list of prohibited objects at concerts, " in accordance with legislation governing establishments open to the public ". Forbidden are " all dangerous and illicit objects that are bulky, that could be used as projectiles and that could be a danger to spectators, visitors or artists, or that could be diverted from their intended use for malicious purposes ", such as bags weighing more than 10 liters, all containers and receptacles, including metal or glass bottles, as well as helmets, alcoholic beverages, any object on wheels (skateboards, rollerblades, etc.) or even cameras and cameras without authorization..), unauthorized cameras, non-retractable umbrellas and posters larger than A3.

On the other hand, small handbags (less than 10 liters), computers and tablets up to 15 inches in size, and retractable umbrellas are authorized. For full details, visit the Paris La Défense Arena website.

In addition, in view of the high temperatures forecast for this week, the Paris venue is inviting spectators to wear a cap or small fans, which are authorized for the occasion, as there is no shaded area outside. Plastic or cardboard water bottles (smaller than 50 cl) are also permitted on Tuesday and Wednesday. Paris La Défense Arena also specifies that the venue is air-conditioned.

Leave the room

Once the concert is over, we recommend that you return to Paris via La Défense station (Line 1 / RER A).

For all other directions, go to La Défense station for the Transilien L line. " If you're taking public transport to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Cergy and Poissy, you can get to Nanterre Préfecture station and take the RER A," adds Paris La Défense Arena.

Enjoy the Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert!