Getting There
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the main gateway for visiting fans, sitting approximately 58 miles by road from Emmitsburg — about a 1 hour 15 minute to 1 hour 30 minute drive depending on traffic. Renting a car at BWI is strongly recommended, as Emmitsburg is a semi-rural college town with very limited public transit connections. For those without a car, shared-ride shuttles such as BayRunner Shuttle can take you from BWI to Frederick (about 25 miles from Emmitsburg), where you must then use Uber or Lyft for the remaining leg.
Getting Around
A personal vehicle or rental car is essentially mandatory in Emmitsburg — the town is compact and walkable once you arrive near campus, but there is no local metro or urban transit network. Transit Services of Frederick County operates the Emmitsburg-Thurmont Shuttle with very limited runs (essentially twice daily on weekdays), making it impractical for game-day travel. Uber and Lyft do operate in the area but response times can be long given the rural setting, so plan ahead, especially for post-game pickups.
Where to Stay
The most convenient lodging for visiting fans is in Emmitsburg itself, right near the Mount St. Mary's campus; the Sleep Inn & Suites Emmitsburg is the go-to budget-friendly option steps from the action, with average nightly rates around $140–$160. If you want more choices at varying price points, Gettysburg, PA (about 12 miles north) offers a wide selection including the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Gettysburg and The Lodges at Gettysburg, both within a short drive of Knott Arena. Fans who prefer a larger city base can stay in Frederick, MD (about 26 miles south), where chains like Residence Inn and Extended Stay America Suites offer more options, though you will be fully car-dependent for every trip to campus.
Sports Fan Notes
Emmitsburg is a tight-knit college sports town built entirely around Mount St. Mary's University, meaning Knott Arena delivers an intimate, on-campus atmosphere that big-city arenas simply cannot replicate — both the Mountaineers men's and women's basketball programs compete in the NEC, so a winter visit can offer fans back-to-back games on the same weekend trip. The campus community is passionate and the crowds are small enough that opposing fans are welcome and visible, making for a genuinely social game-day experience. Gettysburg, PA is just a short drive away and provides a natural add-on for history-minded sports travelers, while Baltimore (about 57 miles southeast) puts Orioles games at Camden Yards and Ravens games at M&T Bank Stadium within reach for a multi-day sports itinerary.
Venues in Emmitsburg
Knott Arena
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from BWI to Emmitsburg?
The fastest and most practical option is to rent a car at BWI — the drive is approximately 58 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes via MD-140. If you prefer not to drive, BayRunner Shuttle offers reserved service from BWI to Frederick, MD, and from there you take an Uber or Lyft for the remaining ~25 miles to Emmitsburg. Expect a total transit time of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours car-free, and costs can exceed $80–$100 round-trip via rideshare for the final leg.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Emmitsburg for a sports trip?
Stay as close to the Mount St. Mary's University campus as possible — the area around Old Emmitsburg Road places you within minutes of Knott Arena. The Sleep Inn & Suites Emmitsburg is the primary on-town option and is the most convenient for game nights. If availability is limited, Gettysburg, PA (roughly 12 miles north) is the best overflow market, with a wider hotel selection and a manageable drive to campus.
Which sports teams play in Emmitsburg?
Emmitsburg is home to Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers men's basketball (NCAAB) and Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers women's basketball (NCAAW), both playing at Knott Arena on the university campus. Both programs compete in the Northeast Conference (NEC), and a winter visit can realistically include both a men's and women's game on the same trip.
Is Emmitsburg a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Emmitsburg is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is in the New York/New Jersey metro area, where games are being played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ — approximately 250 miles from Emmitsburg.
Sports cities near Emmitsburg
Close enough to pair with a Emmitsburg trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.