EVENT CAPACITY GUIDES

Choosing the right equipment can sometimes be challenging and varies based on many factors and requirements for each event. We have provided some tables with information that can serve as general guidelines to help you get started. We hope you find this information helpful. Please call us if you have any questions or if you need any assistance in determining the right size and style of equipment to fit your event.

STEP 1:

Okay, so you’ve been teetering with the idea of needing a tent for your next event, the first thing you need to figure out is what kind of tent are you wanting. Chicagoland Event Rentals has three types of tents: Pole Tents, Frame Tents and Pop Up Tents.

Pole Tents also known as tension tents, tend to be more elegant than the Frame and Pop Up Tent. They consist of a higher peaks and dips and require putting stakes into the ground and hoisting the canopy up with the large center piece poles. Very Similar to how you would imagine a circus tent going up! Pole Tents can only be placed on grass. Most event hosts go with the Pole Tent because of the classic look that they give both on the exterior and on the interior.

Frame Tents are free standing structures that can go on grass, concrete, asphalt., decks, and rooftops! There are no center poles that block the view of the inside, unlike the pole tents. Aluminum poles are visible in the interior roof of the tent.

STEP 2:

Once you have decided what kind of tent you want for your event, it is now time to determine what the guest count will be for your event.

STEP 3:

Once the tentative guest count is made, the next step is to specify what type of event you are hosting.

The chart below helps give you an approximate number of the required square footage you will need per guest depending on the kind of event you are hosting.

EVENT TYPE		SQ. FEET PER PERSON
Cocktail Parties and Receptions	Standing Room Only	8 sq. ft. per person
Cocktail Parties and Receptions	Partial Seating	10 sq. ft. per person
Dining & Banquet Seating	6’x2.5’ Banquet Table	10-12 sq. ft. per person
	8’x2.5’ Banquet Table	10-12 sq. ft. per person
	4-5’ Round Table	15 sq. ft. per person
	5.5-6’ Round Table	15 sq. ft. per person
Theater Style & Classroom Style Seating	Tables & Chairs in Rows	8 sq. ft. per person
Additional Space	Dance Floor	2-4 sq. ft. per person
	Bar	100 sq. ft. per bar
	Buffet	100 sq. ft. per table
	Band	25 sq. ft. per person
	Disk Jockey	50 sq. ft. per table

Maximum Capacity per Tent Size:

Note: These are maximum capacity. If buffet tables, dance floor, etc. will be put under the tents as well, that will reduce the number of guest tables that the tent will accommodate.

10′ x 10′ Tent

1 – 6’ round tables (seats 10)

1 – 5’ round tables (seats 8)

2 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 16)

10′ x 20′ Tent

2 – 6’ round tables (seats 20)

2 – 5’ **round tables plus 1- 8’ x 30**” table (seats 16)

3 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 24)

10′ x 30′ Tent

3 – 6’ round tables (seats 30)

3 – 5’ **round tables plus 1- 8’ x 30**” table (seats 24)

4 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 32)

20′ x 20′ Tent or 10′ x 40′ Tent

4 – 6’ round tables (seats 40)

5 – 5’ round tables (seats 40)

6 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 54)

20′ x 30′ Tent

6 – 6’ round tables (seats 60)

8 – 5’ round tables (seats 64)

9 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 78)

20′ x 40′ Tent

8 – 6’ round tables (seats 80)

10 – 5’ round tables (seat 80)

12 – 8’ x 30” tables (seat 108)

40′ x 40′ Tent

16 – 6’ round tables (seats 160)

20 – 5’ round tables (seats 160)

24 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 216)

40′ x 60′ Tent

24 – 6’ round tables (seats 240)

30 – 5’ round tables (seats 240)

36 – 8’ x 30 tables (seats 324)

40′ x 80′ Tent

32 – 6’ round tables (seats 320)

40 – 5” round tables (seats 320)

48 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 432)

DANCE FLOOR SIZING CHART

Floor Size	Square Feet	Capacity	3×3 people
9’x9’	81	18	9
9’x12’	108	24	12
9’x15’	135	30	15
12’x12’	144	32	16
12’x15’	180	40	20
12’x18’	216	48	24
15’x15’	225	50	25
15’x18’	270	60	30
15’x21’	315	70	35
18’x18’	324	72	36
18’x21’	378	84	42
18’x24’	432	96	48
21’x21’	441	96	49
21’x24’	504	112	56
21’x27’	567	126	63
24’x24’	576	126	64
24’x27’	648	144	72
24’x30	270	160	80

As a rule of thumb if you are having an event for 100 people than no more than 50% of the total number of people will be dancing at one time. So if you are planning for a party of 100 guest than you should expect to have a 15×15 dance floor since it holds a capacity of 50 people.

STEP 4:

Add up the total square footage that you and your quest will need for your event

STEP 5:

We have provided a chart that you can cross reference for the required square footage for your event. If your total of required space falls between two tent sizes we always suggest to go with the larger tent. It’s always better to have extra space than to be in a crowded space.

Tent Size	Square Footage Provided
10’x10’	100 sq. ft.
15’x15’	225 sq. ft.
20’x20’	400 sq. ft.
20’x30’	600 sq. ft.
20’x40’	800 sq. ft.
30’x30’	900 sq. ft.
30’x40’	1200 sq. ft.
30’x45’	1350 sq. ft.
30’x50’	1500 sq. ft.
40’x40’	1600 sq. ft.
30’x60’	1800 sq. ft.
30’x70’	2100 sq. ft.
30’x80’	2400 sq. ft.
40’x60’	2400 sq. ft.
40’x80’	3200 sq. ft.
40’x100	4000 sq. ft.
40’x120	4800 sq. ft.
40’x140’	5600 sq. ft.