Getting There
Salt Lake City is served by Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), located approximately 7 miles west of downtown. The UTA TRAX Green Line connects directly from the airport terminal to downtown in about 20 minutes for $2.50, departing every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays (every 30 minutes on Sundays). If you prefer a faster door-to-door option, taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are available curbside and run about $20-45 to downtown depending on surge pricing.
Getting Around
Salt Lake City's UTA TRAX light rail system is genuinely useful for sports fans: the Green Line links the airport to downtown, and the Delta Center sits steps from the Arena TRAX station — served by both the Green and Blue Lines — making it one of the easiest arena commutes in the NBA. Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah is served by the Red Line at the Stadium stop. A car is not necessary for downtown-centric trips, but rideshares are widely available if you want flexibility; Uber and Lyft both operate reliably throughout the city.
Where to Stay
Downtown Salt Lake City is the clear choice for sports fans: it puts you within walking distance of Delta Center and directly on the TRAX network for connections to Rice-Eccles Stadium. Expect to pay roughly $130-200 per night for a 3-4 star hotel in the downtown core, with budget options around $90 and luxury properties like the Asher Adams (directly across from Delta Center) running $250 and up. Book well in advance for Jazz and Mammoth home games, and note that ski season (December through March) drives up hotel prices city-wide by 30-50%, so game-trip weekends in winter will cost more than a fall Utes visit.
Sports Fan Notes
Salt Lake City is one of the few mid-sized American cities where you can realistically double- or triple-dip on professional and major college sports: the Utah Jazz (NBA) and the newly arrived Utah Mammoth (NHL) both play at the Delta Center downtown, while the Utah Utes play college football at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus a short TRAX ride away. Jazz fans are famously loud and passionate, and the Delta Center atmosphere for a Western Conference matchup rivals most buildings in the league. The city's alcohol laws have relaxed in recent years, so finding a pre-game beer near either venue is no longer the challenge it once was, with the Granary District emerging as a go-to spot for craft breweries.
Venues in Salt Lake City
Jon M. Huntsman Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from SLC to downtown Salt Lake City?
The easiest option is the UTA TRAX Green Line, which departs from directly outside the terminal (exit Door 1A and walk east to the platform). The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs $2.50 each way, with trains running every 15 minutes from roughly 5am to midnight on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 30 minutes from 6am to midnight on Sundays. Taxis (Yellow Cab is the sole authorized provider at SLC) and Uber/Lyft are also available curbside and take about 12-15 minutes, costing roughly $20-45 depending on traffic and surge pricing.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Salt Lake City for a sports trip?
Downtown Salt Lake City is the top pick. It puts you within walking distance of the Delta Center (home of the Jazz and Mammoth), directly on the TRAX Green Line for airport travel, and a short Red Line ride from Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Gateway District and Temple Square corridor have the highest concentration of hotels and pre/post-game dining and bar options, making it the most convenient base for a multi-game trip.
Which sports teams play in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is home to three major teams: the Utah Jazz (NBA) and Utah Mammoth (NHL), both playing at the Delta Center in downtown, and the Utah Utes (NCAA football) at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus. A visiting fan with a flexible schedule can realistically catch an NBA game one night, an NHL game the next, and a college football game on the weekend, all without renting a car.
Is Salt Lake City a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Salt Lake City is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Los Angeles, California, which is hosting matches at SoFi Stadium. Other relatively nearby host cities include San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.
Sports cities near Salt Lake City
Close enough to pair with a Salt Lake City trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.