FedExForum: Guide for Visiting Fans

FedExForum is located at 191 Beale Street in downtown Memphis. Memphis doesn't have a subway or light rail, so your transit options are MATA buses or your own wheels. Several MATA bus lines stop near FedExForum, including routes 4, 12, 34, 39, and 57. The nearest stops are at 3rd Street at MLK Jr Avenue and 3rd Street at Peabody Place, with the closest just a 2-minute walk away.

A word on the historic Main Street Trolley, which used to be a lovely way to cruise into the arena district: MATA suspended trolley service indefinitely in August 2024 due to an investigation into braking issues and costly upgrades recommended by TDOT. However, the trolley system has returned to operation after repairs — currently only the Memphis Main Street Trolley Line is running. Check MATA's service alerts page before your trip; that situation has been fluid.

By car, the arena is easily accessible from exits off I-40, I-55, and Midtown I-240, as well as Poplar Avenue and other east-west arteries. Memphis International Airport (MEM) is about 12 miles southeast — budget 20–30 minutes without traffic, longer on game nights when downtown fills up. Rideshare is very viable here. The designated drop-off and pickup area for rideshares is at the east end of the arena on 4th Street between Beale Street and Linden Avenue.

FedExForum's attached Gossett Motors Parking Garage offers 1,500 spaces across five levels, with both entrances on Dr. MLK Jr. Avenue between B.B. King Boulevard and Fourth Street. For Grizzlies games, parking is sold on a season basis , meaning the attached garage can be spoken for by season ticket holders — reserve in advance through the official site to be safe. Safe parking nearby in a parking garage runs around $30, while garages further away will cost less.

There are also additional parking garages within walking distance of FedExForum, including the Mobility Center at 60 Beale Street. Surface lots along the Beale Street corridor fill up fast on busy nights. The smart play: book the Gossett Garage in advance via SpotHero or the FedExForum site, or target a cheaper garage two or three blocks east and walk in — it's a walkable neighborhood and worth the extra five minutes.

Stay downtown, full stop. The arena is embedded in the entertainment district, and being within walking distance of Beale Street means you can skip the rideshare surge entirely after the game. The Westin Memphis Beale Street and the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis-Beale Street both put you within a few minutes' walk of the arena and keep you in the middle of the action. The Peabody Memphis is the classic choice — famous for its duck march, great bar, and a lobby that's worth the splurge even if you're just stopping in for a drink before tip-off. Budget travelers can find solid rates at the SpringHill Suites Memphis Downtown, which trades character for convenience and price. Avoid booking out by the airport unless you're flying in the morning after; you'll spend half your trip in a rideshare.

Silky O'Sullivan's is the obvious pregame anchor. The Oyster Bar entrance is located directly across the street from the FedEx Forum, making it one of the best pregame destinations on Beale Street — established in 1973 and celebrating over 50 years. Housed in a 100-year-old building on Beale Street, Silky's offers 11,000 square feet including the largest outdoor patio downtown, with live music every day and a fully stocked bar featuring local beers and signature drinks. Order the Diver if you dare, and give yourself time to actually find your seat afterward.

Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous is the barbecue pilgrimage you owe yourself. It's in an alley off Union Avenue, about a 10-minute walk, and it's been feeding Memphis since 1948. Dry-rubbed ribs only — they'll look at you sideways if you ask for sauce. Book ahead; it fills up fast on game nights. Conveniently, Rendezvous also has locations inside FedExForum itself on the Plaza, Pinnacle, and Terrace levels if you can't make it beforehand.

Esco Memphis is the spot if you want to skip the tourist drag. Located across from FedExForum, Esco is the go-to for pregame and postgame fun, with DJs, cocktails, hookah, and great food — and it's the official postgame spot for the Memphis Grizzlies. The energy shifts from dinner to club as the night goes on.

Alfred's on Beale is worth mentioning for its rooftop patio. The rooftop is a perfect spot to hang before heading inside. Great views of the street, solid drinks, and a crowd that's there for a good time, not to Instagram their food.

Only clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC no larger than 6×8×2 inches are allowed, plus one quart-size or smaller clear plastic storage bag (Ziploc-style). Wallets must be no larger than 5×3.5 inches. All bags and wallets are screened through X-ray machines. Limit one clear bag per person. Exceptions exist for medically necessary bags and diaper bags (child must be present); patrons with medically necessary bags must enter through the Grand Lobby at marked doors.

Unlike most arenas, FedExForum funnels fans in via one central entrance, with multiple doors and lines to spread out the traffic. Once through the turnstiles, you're in a large lobby featuring a marquee advertising that night's game. FedExForum features a 35,000-square-foot outdoor plaza where all fans enter the building — it serves as the gathering area before events. Arrive early; the plaza is worth the time, and the security line through a single main entrance can back up when the crowd is heavy.

The Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum promote inclusion of patrons with disabilities so they may enjoy all of the same opportunities as patrons without disabilities, providing auxiliary aids and services. Parking for guests with disabilities is available in the FedExForum garage and the Dr. MLK Jr. Avenue marshalling area. The designated drop-off location for disabled patrons is on the north side of FedExForum, off the Beale Street alley, reachable by turning eastbound off Third Street.

Restrooms are located on all levels and equipped to meet the needs of all guests, including those with disabilities. Family restrooms are available on all general public access levels. For guests with sensory needs: a sensory room is available on the Pinnacle level, and sensory bags and weighted lap pads can be checked out at all Guest Services and Concierge desks. Contact Guest Services in advance if you need specific accommodations; the arena's single main lobby entry simplifies accessible routing considerably.

There's no dedicated away section at FedExForum — this is the NBA, not the Premier League. Visiting fans tend to cluster naturally in the upper terrace (200 level), partly because that's where the cheaper secondary market tickets land and partly because it keeps you among fellow travelers rather than surrounded by hostile Grizz diehards.

The venue is known for its intimate seating bowl and excellent sightlines. The bowl is genuinely tight, which means there's not a bad seat for watching basketball, but it also means you'll be heard — and seen — if you're cheering for the wrong team. The 100-level sideline sections (around 107–115 on one side, 119–127 on the other) are excellent for sightlines if you want to splurge, but expect to be in the thick of Grizzlies faithful. FedExForum was the first arena in NBA history to implement a see-through shot clock, giving fans behind the basket an unobstructed view of the court — the behind-the-basket sections in the 200s are perfectly acceptable if budget is the priority. Avoid the very top rows of the terrace if you have any mobility concerns; the dome shape can make those high corners feel steep.

FedExForum is a cashless venue , so leave the cash in your wallet (or just don't bring it). Alcohol options include wine ($10), cocktails ($13), beer ($12.50), and seltzers ($13.50). Food vendors include Rendezvous BBQ, Rock N Dough, Chick-fil-A, Taco Nganas, and more spread across the concourse levels. The Rendezvous stands inside the arena are the best use of your money — the dry-rub ribs-adjacent options are a genuine step above standard arena fare and give you a taste of Memphis's most iconic barbecue institution without the alley detour.

Memphis fans are passionate, not hostile — there's a difference, and it's worth knowing before you walk in wearing another team's colors. The Grizzlies fanbase is built on the Grit and Grind era mythology, and there's a deep civic pride to how they support this team. You'll get chirped, you'll get looked at, but you won't feel unsafe. What you will notice: the playing floor is actually lower than ground level , which gives the seating bowl an unusually steep, enveloping feel — the crowd noise collects and amplifies in a way that doesn't happen in arenas built like flat warehouses. When the Grizzlies go on a run, this building gets genuinely loud in a physical way. Visiting fans in the upper terrace will want to keep their celebrations low-key until they've identified the like-minded travelers nearby.

By transit (MATA bus): Buses on routes 4, 12, 34, 39, and 57 serve the arena area, but late-night service is limited — the last bus on some routes runs around midnight. The Route 1 is the last bus that goes near FedExForum, stopping nearby at around 12:00 AM. If tip-off is 7 PM and the game ends around 9:30–10 PM, you're fine. Check the MATA GO901 app for real-time arrivals and don't dawdle — post-game bus waits can stretch 20–30 minutes.

By car: The Gossett Motors Garage exits onto Dr. MLK Jr. Avenue. The lot clears slowly because of the single-entry plaza flow, so expect 20–30 minutes to get moving after the final whistle if you leave at the buzzer. The tip: wait about 10–15 minutes inside the arena lobby after the game ends. Grab one last beer or hang by the concourse — the first wave of exiters creates the jam, and it resolves faster than you'd think. From MLK Jr. Avenue, head north toward I-40 or east toward I-240; both clear faster than pushing south toward Beale Street through foot traffic.

By rideshare: The designated rideshare pickup zone is on 4th Street between Beale Street and Linden Avenue. Surge pricing kicks in hard in the first 15 minutes post-game. Walk two or three blocks north toward Union Avenue or east past 4th Street — app prices drop noticeably when you're out of the immediate arena footprint. Wait 15–20 minutes after the final buzzer before calling your ride and you'll pay half the surge price of someone who ran straight out at the horn.

One opinionated tip: Beale Street itself is the trap after the game. It looks like the obvious path, but it's a pedestrian scrum. Exit via Linden Avenue or cut north through the plaza to 3rd Street — you'll move faster and your rideshare driver will actually be able to reach you.

How do I get to FedExForum without a car?

MATA bus routes 4, 12, 34, 39, and 57 stop near FedExForum at 3rd Street at MLK Jr. Avenue and 3rd Street at Peabody Place. The Main Street Trolley has had service interruptions — check MATA's website before your trip for current status.

What is the bag policy at FedExForum?

Only clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC, no larger than 6×8×2 inches, are allowed — or one quart-size clear zip bag. Wallets must be no larger than 5×3.5 inches. No opaque bags, no exceptions outside medical necessity.

How much does parking cost at FedExForum?

The nearest parking garages run around $30. Surface lots and garages further from the arena will cost less. Book the Gossett Motors Garage in advance through the official FedExForum site or SpotHero.

Is FedExForum cashless?

Yes — FedExForum is a cashless venue. Bring a card or use your phone's digital wallet at all concession stands and bars.

What are the best seats for away fans? Upper terrace sections (200-level) are your best bet for finding fellow visiting fans and keeping the cost down. Sightlines from the 200s are good throughout the bowl — this is a compact arena and there's no truly terrible seat for basketball.

When do gates open for Grizzlies games?

FedExForum encourages early arrival, and entrances are opened to allow fans to spread out and reduce entry wait times. Plan to arrive at least 60–90 minutes before tip-off to clear security and find your seat without stress.

What airport serves Memphis, and how far is it? Memphis International Airport (MEM) is approximately 12 miles southeast of downtown. Budget 20–30 minutes by rideshare under normal conditions, longer on game days when downtown traffic thickens.

Can I bring outside food or drinks into FedExForum?

Outside food or beverages of any kind — including alcoholic beverages — are not permitted. Plan your pregame eating on Beale Street and accept NBA prices once you're inside.