College Park Center: Guide for Visiting Fans

Arlington is the largest city in the United States without a traditional fixed-route transit system running to its core — and that's not hyperbole, it's a genuine planning quirk of the DFW metro. The old Metro Arlington Xpress (MAX) was a single bus route that connected CentrePort/DFW Airport station on the Trinity Railway Express to downtown Arlington and the UTA campus , but the pilot program started in August 2013 and was replaced by a rideshare service in December 2017.

What that means in practice: your best transit play in 2026 is the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) to CentrePort/DFW Airport station, then the Arlington Transportation app (the city's on-demand microtransit) for the last leg. The City of Arlington provides citizens with an affordable rideshare service through the Arlington Transportation app, which covers all of Arlington, with additional connections to the Trinity Metro for access to Fort Worth and CentrePort station for access to the greater DFW region. Fares are cheap — fares on this service range from $3–5 per trip. From CentrePort to the CPC area is roughly 10–15 minutes depending on demand.

Flying in? DFW is the major international hub, while Love Field (DAL) offers many flights around the U.S. and is the central hub of Southwest Airlines. From DFW International Airport (DFW), the TRE connects at CentrePort — figure 30–40 minutes total travel time to campus using TRE + the Arlington app. From Love Field, you're better off just getting a Lyft or Uber; it's about 25 minutes with no traffic.

Driving? Exit I-30 onto S. Center St. and go south approximately two miles — the parking garages will be on your right at 600 S. Center St. From I-20, exit onto Cooper St. (FM 157) and go north approximately three miles, then turn east onto W. Mitchell St. and follow event parking signs.

Parking here is straightforward and campus-adjacent, though it'll cost you. Parking is available on gameday for $30 in all College Park Garages, Lot 45, KC North, and Retail 39 the day of the event. All of these are within a 5-minute walk of the arena entrance. Premium Ticket Members receive complimentary parking in Lot F13, which is located directly across from Gate 1 of College Park Center. If you're not in that club, don't sweat it — the College Park Garages are genuinely close and well-lit. Arrive 45 minutes before tip for an easy pull-in; 20 minutes before and you'll be circling. Exiting the parking lot after events can be a disorganized mess due to lack of direction, causing significant delays — more on that in the egress section. Pre-paying through the venue's parking portal before game day will save you the fumbling-for-a-card moment at the gate.

Downtown Arlington proper is your best base. Hotels in the immediate campus zone mean a 5–10 minute walk to the arena and easy access to the handful of bars and restaurants near UTA. The Live! by Loews – Arlington is the premium choice — it's part of the Texas Live! entertainment complex and a short Uber from CPC, with rates typically in the $180–$280/night range on game days. For mid-range, the Sheraton Arlington Hotel on Convention Center Drive is well-positioned, usually running $130–$180/night, and has more parking flexibility.

Budget travelers should look toward the cluster of chain hotels (Courtyard, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn) along I-20 or near Six Flags. You'll be 10–15 minutes by car from the arena, but room rates can drop to $90–$120/night. Just know that Arlington is very much a driving city, so if you don't have a car, the closer-in options are worth the premium.

The Tipsy Oak is the standout local pick — a downtown Arlington gastropub-icehouse with a chef-driven menu, craft beer, wine, full bar, and live music. It's exactly the kind of place you'd hope to find near a small arena: not a chain, actually good food, and populated by locals rather than tourists. A pre-game beer here beats anything you'll buy inside at roughly half the price.

Division Brewing (on Division Street, about a mile from campus) is a solid craft brewery tap room that gives you the chance to knock back something interesting before the game. Local rotating taps, casual vibe, no pretension.

Rodeo Goat – Arlington rounds out the pre-game options as a craft burger spot with an excellent beer list. It's a short rideshare from the arena and popular with sports fans heading to games across the Arlington entertainment district.

Hurtado Barbecue rounds out the list for anyone who wants proper Texas brisket before the game — it's one of the top-rated spots near College Park Center and legitimately worth building your arrival time around. Get there early; they sell out.

A clear bag policy is in full effect for all events at College Park Center. Specifically: a clear one-gallon re-sealable plastic bag or a clear tote (plastic, vinyl, or PVC) not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12" is required; small clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 8.5", with or without a handle or strap, can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag.

The Box Office/Will Call is located on the north end of the venue between Gates 2 and 3, and is open a minimum of one hour before the event start time. All tickets are on AXS Mobile ID — download the app and log in with your tickets before you arrive. Don't try to screenshot your ticket; the rotating barcode won't scan. All patrons are required to submit to security screening procedures, with the use of bag check, hand-wanding, and walk-through magnetometers, before entering the building. Gate 1 is your main entry point for accessible access and has an elevator inside; Gates 2 and 3 on the north end handle box office and will call.

The CPC meets all State of Texas Accessibility and Federal ADA requirements, with at-grade entries and 71 wheelchair positions at the concourse level. The arena has one elevator inside Gate 1 and two additional elevators on the main concourse, near sections 104–105 and 110; all guests, including guests with disabilities, are welcome to use the elevators. Accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

College Park Center is a Sensory Inclusive certified venue. Through CPC's partnership with KultureCity, arena staff have been trained to assist guests with sensory sensitivities; guests can check out CPC sensory bags (which include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and a weighted lap pad) from guest services, located by Section 103.

This is a small arena — regardless of where you sit, you're likely to have a great view of the event. There is no formal designated away section for WNBA games the way you'd find in soccer, so away fans are distributed throughout. Sections 100–107 (lower bowl, sideline) give you the closest view of the action and are worth the extra spend for a first visit. The end sections (108–110 and 100–102) are cheaper and still tight to the court given the arena's compact footprint.

Avoid the very top rows of the upper concourse if you want to hear the PA clearly — the acoustics can get muddy up there. Sections 103–106 on the main sideline are the sweet spot: great angles, visible benches, and if you can get the lower rows, you're practically courtside by WNBA arena standards. Court-level seats exist but are typically reserved for sponsors and season members — check StubHub on game day if you're feeling bold.

The concession stands and kiosks on the main concourse offer fan favorites like barbecue, hot dogs, nachos, pizza, popcorn, soda, and beer. Expect to pay $10–$13 for a beer and $8–$12 for a basic meal item — standard small-arena pricing. Note that only Pepsi products are served at the venue , so Coke drinkers, plan accordingly. Within the arena, beer sales are limited to two per customer, per purchase — a policy worth knowing before you send your friend to get a round.

Visiting fans here are treated well, full stop. This isn't a building where you'll get a beer poured on your head or get heckled out of the concourse — Wings crowds are enthusiastic and loyal, but it's a college town arena with a friendly, family-oriented vibe. What you will notice is how intimate the place is: at 7,000 seats, good chanting travels. Bring a group of four and you'll actually be heard. The arena's compact design means every seat is close to the floor, so even if the home crowd is in good voice, you won't feel like you're watching from a parking garage. The one thing that surprises first-time visitors — the concourse is genuinely tight. The concourse area can get crowded, especially during popular events, making it difficult to navigate comfortably. Hit the concession stand at halftime before the buzzer, not after it.

Transit: The Arlington Transportation app is your post-game lifeline. Book your ride back to CentrePort station before the fourth quarter ends — demand spikes immediately after the final buzzer. The TRE runs until roughly 11:30 p.m. on weeknights; confirm the last departure for your game day. Wait 10–15 minutes after the final whistle before requesting the Arlington app ride so the pickup zone at Spaniolo Drive clears slightly.

Driving: Exiting the parking lot after events can be a disorganized mess due to lack of direction, causing significant delays. Lot F13 (Gate 1 side) and the College Park Garages both bottleneck onto Center Street. The move is to exit toward Mitchell Street rather than fighting the main Center Street flow — it adds a couple blocks of walking but cuts 15 minutes off your wait. Realistically, expect 20–30 minutes to reach a free-flowing road if you leave with the crowd.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in fast after the final horn — it's a small venue with a concentrated rideshare demand. Walk two blocks south toward E. Abram Street or west toward Cooper Street to find a pickup spot away from the arena drop-off zone; you'll get a faster match and often a lower price. Best tip: wait in a nearby bar for 20–25 minutes post-game. Surge pricing typically normalizes quickly at a venue this size, and you'll leave with a cleaner ride and without the parking lot chaos.

Is there a subway or light rail to College Park Center? No direct light rail serves Arlington. Your best option is the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) to CentrePort/DFW Airport station, then the Arlington Transportation app rideshare for the final leg into downtown Arlington.

What is the bag policy at College Park Center?

You need a clear one-gallon re-sealable bag or a clear tote not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutch purses (max 4.5" x 8.5") are also allowed, with or without a strap.

How much is parking at College Park Center for Dallas Wings games?

Parking is available on gameday for $30 in all College Park Garages, Lot 45, KC North, and Retail 39.

Is College Park Center cashless?

Yes — College Park Center is completely cashless and accepts debit card, credit card, and contactless payment like Apple Pay and Google Pay for parking, box office, concessions, and merchandise.

When do gates open for Dallas Wings games?

The Box Office opens a minimum of one hour before the event start time. Plan to arrive at least an hour before tip-off to clear security and find your seats.

What's the best section for away fans? There's no designated away section. Lower-bowl sideline sections 103–106 offer the best sightlines and proximity to the court, and work well for groups of visiting fans.

Which airports serve Arlington, TX?

DFW International Airport is the major hub, while Love Field (DAL) is the central hub for Southwest Airlines. DFW connects to the TRE at CentrePort; from Love Field, Uber or Lyft is your best option.

Is College Park Center ADA accessible?

Yes — there is one elevator inside Gate 1 and two additional elevators on the main concourse, near sections 104–105 and 110. Sensory bags are available from guest services near Section 103 for guests with sensory sensitivities.