Visiting Akron for a Game?

Akron is served primarily by Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), located about 36 miles north of downtown Akron, with a drive of roughly 45 minutes under normal traffic. A rental car is the most flexible option, while Uber from CLE averages around $66 and 42 minutes. Budget-conscious travelers can take Cleveland RTA's Red Line from the airport to downtown Cleveland, then walk or take a short local bus to an x61 stop on Euclid Avenue to board METRO RTA's x61 Northcoast Express bus to Akron's Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center for roughly $7.50 total (approximately $2.50 for the Red Line and $5.00 for the x61); note that the x61 is a weekday-only service running only a few times per day in the early morning and late afternoon, and does not operate on weekends.

Akron's public transit is operated by METRO RTA, a bus-only system with single rides at $1.25 and day passes available; after a 2023 network restructure that added more frequent and weekend service, it is a reasonable option for getting between downtown and the University of Akron area near InfoCision Stadium. That said, most visiting sports fans will find a rental car or rideshare (Uber and Lyft both operate in Akron) to be far more practical, especially for evening game departures or reaching restaurants and bars in Highland Square or downtown.

Downtown Akron is the most convenient base for sports visitors, putting you within a short rideshare of InfoCision Stadium and close to pre-game options along South Main Street and Lock 3 Park; expect to pay roughly $100 to $160 per night at mainstream hotels like the Courtyard by Marriott or Hilton. The Highland Square neighborhood on West Market Street is a local favorite for bars and restaurants and is a solid alternative if you want more nightlife walkability. Visiting fans should note that Akron is a college football town, so hotels near the University of Akron campus book up quickly on home game weekends and prices will spike, so book early.

Akron is a quintessential college football town built around the University of Akron Zips, and the atmosphere around campus on game days has a genuine blue-collar energy that sets it apart from larger programs. The city's proximity to Cleveland (about 40 miles north) means a sports trip to the region can easily be combined with a Cleveland Guardians, Browns, or Cavaliers game, making it a strong multi-sport weekend destination in Northeast Ohio. The Zips play in the MAC (Mid-American Conference), a conference known for affordable tickets and fan-friendly access to players and coaches, which appeals to traveling fans who want an authentic college football experience without the price tag of a Power Four program. LeBron James's roots in Akron give the city a genuine connection to NBA culture, and local pride in that legacy is palpable throughout the city.