Ball Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Light rail is the obvious call, and it actually works. The Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station is directly next to the venue and is serviced by the D, E, H, and W lines. From Union Station, it's 2 stops westbound — about 6 minutes — and a 2-minute walk to the entrance. Bus and light rail fares with RTD cost $2.75 for a three-hour pass and $5.50 for the entire day , easily purchased on the RTD app. The W Line is a particularly smooth option if you're coming from the western suburbs — it runs from the Jefferson County Government Station in Golden through Lakewood to Union Station , with free park-and-ride at outer stations.

If you're flying in, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the airport. Take the A Line commuter rail from DEN to Union Station (about 37 minutes), then switch to the E or W Light Rail west to Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens — total trip around 50–55 minutes door to door.

Driving: the venue has easy access from I-25 and Auraria Parkway. From the north, use the Speer Blvd exit off I-25. Rideshare drop-off and pickup: the designated rideshare zone is at 5th and Walnut.

There are almost 5,000 parking spaces located on the grounds of Ball Arena, spread across six lots. The lots are named after Toyota vehicles — Camry, Tundra, RAV4, 4Runner — which is either charming or confusing depending on your mood.

Official lots open three hours before an event. The 4Runner Lot is best for general public parking (approximately $35–40), while the Tundra and RAV4 lots are the closest premium parking ($70+). Pre-booking through apps like SpotHero can get you nearby spots for $10–$30 — that's the move if you're planning ahead. Third-party surface lots within a few blocks on the LoDo side are often cheaper and give you more post-game flexibility. Arrive at least 75 minutes before tip-off if driving; the lots fill fast for marquee matchups.

LoDo (Lower Downtown) is the obvious first choice and earns it. You're within walking distance of the arena and surrounded by restaurants, craft beer bars, and the renovated Union Station, which anchors some of the best hotel options in Denver. The Crawford Hotel inside Union Station itself is the splurge pick — it's genuinely beautiful, puts you 10 minutes from the arena on foot, and drops you right at the Light Rail hub. The Maven Hotel on Wewatta is a solid mid-range choice with good rooms and zero commute to games.

The RiNo (River North) neighborhood is worth considering if you want something hipper and slightly cheaper — a $10 rideshare from the arena, with excellent restaurants and bars that feel less touristy than the immediate LoDo scene. Avoid booking too far east into Capitol Hill or downtown corridor hotels that look close on a map but require a car or long walk at 11 PM after a game.

Rhein Haus (1415 Market St, ~0.5 miles): Just a couple of blocks into LoDo, the German-style beer hall Rhein Haus is one of the popular hangouts before and after games. Big steins, indoor bocce courts, and a crowd that trends festive rather than aggressive. Good for away fans to blend in.

Coohills (1400 Wewatta St, just across Speer Blvd): Just across Speer Boulevard from Ball Arena, Coohills is considered one of Denver's best restaurants. Located in LoDo, it creates a unique dining experience focusing on local, regional, and farm-fresh ingredients — fresh Crudo salads, house-cured charcuterie, signature crab cakes, and fresh seafood. Book ahead for a pre-game dinner.

Tavernetta (1889 16th St, Union Station): Acclaimed Italian spot at Union Station — handmade pastas and a genuinely excellent wine list. Upscale but not stuffy, and easy to get to on the Light Rail ride in. One of Denver's best full-sit-down options for a game-night dinner.

The 1Up Arcade Bar (~0.8 miles in LoDo): This lighthearted LoDo favorite is filled with vintage arcade games, pinball machines, and cheap draft beer. Great for a post-game decompression spot, especially if your team lost and you need to destroy something virtually.

Ball Arena enforces one of the most restrictive bag policies in the Denver metro area. Only small clutches, wristlets, and fanny packs no larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5" are allowed inside. Diaper and medically necessary bags are permitted only if they are 14" x 14" x 6" or smaller and go through x-ray screening. Purses and backpacks of any kind are explicitly prohibited. This is not an exaggeration — they will turn you away at the gate. If you show up with a standard everyday bag, you'll be directed to a mobile bag check service in the parking lot, where you fill out a slip, pay $10, and get a tag to reclaim your bag after the game.

Official parking lots open three hours before an event , and general doors typically open 90 minutes before tip-off. Debit/credit and mobile payment such as Apple or Google Pay are acceptable — no cash will be accepted. All tickets are mobile-only, so charge your phone before leaving the hotel. Ball Arena has a "No Re-Entry" policy for all events.

The arena provides dispersed accessible seating across all levels. Wheelchair accessible seating is widespread in Ball Arena, and guests requiring these seats are guaranteed unobstructed views and may purchase adjacent companion seats, subject to availability. ADA-accessible passenger elevators provide access to all concourses, with two elevators at the East Atrium entrance (Sections 140/250/367) and two at the Grand Atrium entrance (Sections 106/206/311). The designated ADA entry doors are labeled as the VIP Entrance at both the Grand Atrium and East Atrium entrances — these are the doors closest to the arena.

Assistive listening devices are available upon request at the Guest Relations Kiosk in the Grand Atrium; Guest Relations will loan a device for the night in exchange for a photo ID. Sensory bags can be checked out at Guest Relations Kiosks and two sensory nooks are available on-site. Open captioning is available for all Nuggets games, with captioning boards positioned below Sections 210, 222, 240, and 252 in the venue bowl. ADA parking is available in the Camry North, Tundra, and RAV4 lots with a state-issued placard required.

There's no official designated away section at Ball Arena — this is the NBA, not the Premier League, so you'll be scattered based on where you bought tickets. The practical advice: buy in the upper bowl (300-level) corners if you're on a budget. Upper-level corner seats and mid-level end-zone areas offer excellent views at an affordable price.

The Nuggets' bench is in front of Section 148, and the visitors' bench is in front of Section 102. If you want to be close to your team's bench and watch the coaches, aim for lower-level sections near 102–110. Away fans sometimes cluster organically in the 300-level corners, particularly the Sections 340–350 range — you're less surrounded by intense home fans, the sightlines are good for the full court, and it's cheaper. Avoid Sections 148 area lower bowl on the Nuggets bench side if you're looking for any kind of neutral ground.

Fans go crazy over Mexico City Lounge's tacos (Sections 118 and 331), the New York-style sourdough slices from Redeemer Pizza (Sections 126 and 343), and the brisket at Big Belly Brother's BBQ (Sections 148 and 379). The Michelob Ultra Mountain House is a full-service lodge-style restaurant inside the arena that accepts reservations for parties of six or less, bookable up to 120 days in advance. Beers run roughly $14–17 for a domestic, and a full meal will set you back $20–30. The entire arena is cashless — debit, credit, Apple Pay, and Google Pay only.

Denver crowds are passionate but not nasty — this is a city that spent decades as a mid-tier franchise before Nikola Jokić turned everything upside down, and the fan base reflects that: genuinely into basketball, knowledgeable, and loud without being hostile. With a basketball capacity of just over 19,000, it consistently ranks among the most energetic home courts in the league. The arena is genuinely intimate for its size — the seating bowl is tight and the sound system carries, so when the Nuggets go on a run, you'll feel it. The one thing that catches first-timers off guard: Denver is at 5,280 feet, and the thin air is real. If you're flying in from sea level, two arena beers hit differently than they do at home. Pace yourself in the first half.

Light Rail is the clear winner for post-game egress. The Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station is steps from the arena's west exit and RTD runs extra frequency after events. Expect a wait of 5–15 minutes on the platform; trains can get packed but they move. The payoff is avoiding the parking lot entirely — you'll be moving in 10 minutes while drivers are still sitting in the lot. Walk to the station immediately after the final buzzer for the shortest wait.

Driving is painful if you're in the close lots. If you parked in a lot, go to the far side of the West lot — it's the fastest exit and dumps you out toward Auraria , which clears faster than the Speer Boulevard side. Realistically, budget 30–45 minutes from final buzzer before you're moving freely on I-25. There's no shortcut here — the arterials are simply tight for 19,000 people.

Rideshare surges hard immediately after a Nuggets game. The designated rideshare zone is at 5th and Walnut — walk there rather than ordering from the arena doors. The tip: wait 20–25 minutes after the final whistle inside the arena or at a nearby bar. By the time you walk out, surge pricing has dropped by a third and pickup wait times are half what they were at 0:00 on the clock. One opinionated tip: grab a beer at the arena concourse bar after the game ends and let the first wave of departures clear. Ten minutes of patience saves you $15 on the rideshare and 20 minutes of standing in the wrong zone.

What light rail line goes to Ball Arena?

The Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station is directly next to the venue and is serviced by the D, E, H, and W lines. From Union Station, it's about 6 minutes and two stops westbound.

What is the bag policy at Ball Arena?

Only small clutches, wristlets, and fanny packs no larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5" are allowed inside. No purses, no backpacks, full stop. Leave the everyday bag at the hotel.

How much does parking cost at Ball Arena?

The lowest charge is $20 for lacrosse games; for Nuggets games, most lots are $30 and often rise to a $35 minimum for premium matchups. The closest Toyota-branded lots (Tundra, RAV4) run $70+.

Does Ball Arena accept cash?

No — debit/credit and mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay are accepted. No cash is accepted.

What are the best seats for away fans?

The visitors' bench is in front of Section 102. For budget-friendly sightlines, the 300-level corners (Sections 340–350) give you good views at the lowest prices and tend to attract the most scattered crowd, making them comfortable for visiting fans.

When do gates open for Nuggets games? General doors typically open 90 minutes before tip-off. Official parking lots open three hours before an event.

Is outside food allowed at Ball Arena?

Outside food and beverage is not permitted inside the stadium. Empty reusable water bottles (32 oz or less) are allowed for Nuggets games.

What is the rideshare pickup zone?

The designated rideshare zone is at 5th and Walnut. Walk there rather than requesting from directly outside the arena doors to avoid surge pricing and congestion.