The Kohl Center has the fourth largest seating capacity in the Big Ten Conference with 17,287 for basketball and 15,539 for hockey.

[3] It is the second largest indoor venue in Wisconsin after Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and is located at the intersection of West Dayton and North Frances Streets.

The Kohl Center has hosted a number of big games where a Badger victory led to fans storming the court: Prior to the Kohl Center, the basketball teams played at the Wisconsin Field House, while ice hockey was played at the Dane County Coliseum.

The old scoreboard remained in the Kohl Center for seven years, and after the money was raised, a new and modern circular unit was bought and installed before the 2004–2005 winter sports season.

At the same time a LED ribbon board was installed, which surrounds the arena below the second balcony, displaying advertising, messages, and scores.

[18] The athletic department's master plan included adding a practice rink for ice hockey after construction of the Kohl Center.

Other events are held at the Kohl Center, including commencement ceremonies for the UW, concerts, ice skating shows, career fairs, political gatherings, and conventions.

The Kohl Center is the site of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) high school Boys' basketball and individual wrestling championships.

The Kohl Center also hosts the annual Varsity Band Spring Concert, an event that began in March 1975 and has grown into a three-night affair with professional staging, lighting, sound and pyrotechnics.

On October 30, 2017, DJ Khaled hosted a concert at the Kohl Center after UW Student Sam Jeschke handed out 43,000 bottles of Mentos Gum.