Getting There
The main gateway is St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), located roughly 27–29 miles west of Edwardsville by road — about 37 to 41 minutes by car depending on traffic. Renting a car at STL is the most practical option for sports fans, as Edwardsville is a suburban college town with limited direct transit from the airport. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from STL to Edwardsville runs approximately $55–70 and takes around 30–35 minutes on average.
Getting Around
Edwardsville is a car-dependent city and visiting sports fans should plan to rent a vehicle or rely on rideshare apps, as most attractions and hotels are spread across a suburban landscape. Madison County Transit (MCT) operates bus routes serving Edwardsville and the SIUE campus — including Route 16X (Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Express) which connects to downtown St. Louis, and Route 4 (Madison-Edwardsville) for local travel — but service is infrequent and not optimized for game-day timing. MCT buses also connect to the MetroLink light rail system at Fairview Heights station, about 20 minutes away, giving fans without a car a path into the broader St. Louis transit network.
Where to Stay
Downtown Edwardsville, centered around Main Street, is the most convenient base for sports fans — it puts you within a short 10-minute drive of First Community Arena on the SIUE campus and within walking distance of bars and restaurants for pre- and post-game activity. Hotel options in and immediately around Edwardsville are limited, with chains like Courtyard by Marriott and Holiday Inn Express nearby running roughly $110–160 per night on game weekends. For a wider selection and potentially better rates, consider staying closer to the I-270/I-255 corridor on the Illinois side, or even crossing into the St. Louis metro where options are more plentiful. Book early for marquee conference matchups, as the limited local inventory sells out quickly.
Sports Fan Notes
Edwardsville's sports identity is anchored entirely around SIUE, a Division I program in the Ohio Valley Conference — the intimate, community-driven atmosphere at First Community Arena (capacity ~4,000) makes for a genuine college basketball experience without the corporate polish of a major arena. A major perk of a trip to Edwardsville is its proximity to St. Louis: you are roughly 20–25 miles from Busch Stadium (Cardinals, MLB), Enterprise Center (Blues, NHL), and the broader St. Louis sports scene, making it easy to combine an SIUE game with a pro sports outing across the river. The men's basketball program made its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 2025, signaling a program on the rise and adding buzz to home games. Fans who enjoy a laid-back, college-town atmosphere with a passionate local following will find Edwardsville a refreshing alternative to big-city venues.
Venues in Edwardsville
First Community Arena
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from STL to downtown Edwardsville?
The fastest and most practical option is to rent a car at STL or take a rideshare — the drive is roughly 27–29 miles and takes about 37–41 minutes, while an Uber averages around $55–70 and 30–35 minutes. If you prefer public transit, Madison County Transit (MCT) bus routes connect Edwardsville to the MetroLink light rail network (board at Fairview Heights station, about 20 minutes from Edwardsville), and MetroLink runs directly to STL airport terminals — but this multi-leg trip involves a transfer and takes well over an hour. For a game day, renting a car or rideshare is strongly recommended.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Edwardsville for a sports trip?
Downtown Edwardsville (the Main Street corridor) is the top choice — it offers the closest cluster of restaurants, craft beer bars, and walkable nightlife, and it sits just a short 10-minute drive from First Community Arena on the SIUE campus. Staying downtown also positions you well for any day trips into St. Louis, which is only about 25 miles west via I-270.
Which sports teams play in Edwardsville?
Edwardsville is home to the SIU Edwardsville Cougars, with both the men's basketball team (NCAAB) and women's basketball team (NCAAW) playing at First Community Arena on the SIUE campus. Both programs compete in the Ohio Valley Conference at the NCAA Division I level, and the intimate 4,000-seat arena means every seat is close to the action — fans willing to attend both a men's and women's game on the same trip can catch two programs in one visit.
Is Edwardsville a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Edwardsville is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Kansas City, Missouri, approximately 250 miles west of Edwardsville, which is one of the official North American venues for the tournament.
Sports cities near Edwardsville
Close enough to pair with a Edwardsville trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.