Mohegan Sun Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Mohegan Sun is conveniently located only minutes off Interstate 395 in Uncasville, Connecticut. If you're driving from Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford — the most common fly-in option — the driving distance is about 56 miles and takes approximately 1 hour 7 minutes. From the highway, take I-91 South to I-84 East to Route 2 East to I-395 South, then Exit 79A (Route 2A) East — it's less than 1 mile to Mohegan Sun Boulevard. T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Warwick, Rhode Island is a comparable option at roughly 60 miles out.

The smartest non-driving option is Amtrak. Fast, convenient rail access from major Northeast cities to New London — just 20 minutes from Mohegan Sun — is provided by Amtrak and Shore Line East. Once you're at New London Union Station, SEAT (Southeast Area Transit District) offers set bus routes and scheduled pickup and drop-off times to Mohegan Sun, specifically the Route 1 bus to the Mohegan Sun/Indian Summer Garage stop. This is your most realistic car-free option — just be aware that there is no shuttle service operating between New London and Mohegan Sun during the winter, and schedules are limited on game nights, so check SEAT's timetable before committing. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from New London to the arena runs about 20–25 minutes and typically costs $20–35 depending on surge.

There are no direct scheduled line buses running from Hartford or the airports to Mohegan Sun — there are no line buses making scheduled runs to Mohegan Sun. Don't try to piece together a multi-leg transit route from BDL on game day; it's a five-hour ordeal that will outlast the game itself.

This is where Mohegan Sun is genuinely exceptional among WNBA venues: Mohegan Sun offers over 13,000 parking spots free of charge. Self-parking is free at Mohegan Sun in the Indian Summer, Riverview, and Winter Parking Garages.

The Riverview Garage is closest to the arena entrance and tends to fill first for higher-demand events. If you want something premium and covered with a quick walk, Riverview Reserved Parking, located on the ground floor of the Riverview Garage, can be secured in advance through Ticketmaster while purchasing your Mohegan Sun Arena tickets. For free general parking, the Indian Summer Garage is a solid fallback — slightly more walk but rarely a problem. Tesla Destination Chargers are available on Level 4 of the Indiana Summer Garage, Level 3 of the Riverview Garage, and Level 2 of the Winter Garage, compatible with any EV offering both Tesla and Universal adapters.

Arrive at least 90 minutes before tip-off if you want a spot in Riverview. For a WNBA game (as opposed to a sold-out concert), you almost never need to stress — the 13,000 spaces handle the 10,000-seat capacity with room to breathe.

The easiest answer is to stay on-site. Valet service at the hotel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the Sky Tower and Earth Tower hotels put you steps from the arena — literally a walk through the casino floor. Rates vary wildly by night and demand, but budget $200–350/night for a standard room on a Sun game night. Book early; the resort does fill up on weekends.

If you want something more affordable, there's a cluster of chain hotels just off the highway exits near Uncasville and Norwich — Fairfield by Marriott, Microtel, and Hyatt Place all have options in the casino area. These run $100–180/night and are a short rideshare from the complex. Mystic, about 15–20 minutes south, is a genuinely charming coastal town worth considering if you're making a weekend of it — better restaurant variety, walkable waterfront, and usually cheaper rooms than the casino hotels.

The real advantage of Mohegan Sun's all-in-one setup is that your pre-game bar and restaurant situation is solved before you even park.

Bow & Arrow Sports Bar — Right inside the casino, Bow & Arrow Sports Bar is one of the top-rated bars near the arena, with multiple screens, a solid beer selection, and the lively pre-game crowd you'd want. Get there early; it fills up on event nights.

The Farm Italy — Located inside Casino of the Earth, The Farm Italy Restaurant & Bar recently earned a nomination for Best Italian Restaurant in Connecticut and is known for its grand ceilings, handcrafted Italian cuisine, and vibrant atmosphere. This is the splurge dinner option — sit-down, upscale, worth it if you're making a night of the trip.

TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge — TAO Asian Bistro offers a distinctive culinary experience with Asian-inspired specialties focusing on Chinese, Japanese, and Thai techniques, including signature dishes like Peking Duck and Lobster Wontons. One of the buzziest spots on the property; make a reservation.

The Shed Restaurant — Located in the Casino of the Earth, The Shed brings scratch-made American comfort food with brunch, lunch, and dinner served 7 days a week, known for serving an amazing brunch all day along with a wide selection of lunch and dinner dishes. The most practical choice for a casual pre-game meal that won't break the bank.

The following bags are NOT permitted in the Arena: backpacks, string bags, diaper bags, shopping bags, messenger bags, briefcases, and rolling style bags. Small purses and clutches are fine. Anyone entering the Arena is subject to a reasonable search, including bags, purses, coats, and hats. At the discretion of venue management, certain items may be left at the bag checks at either entrance to the Arena.

There are two entrances — Earth by the Box Office, and Sky near the Arena Club. For WNBA games, Earth (by the Box Office) is the main entry for most ticketholders. If your seats are on the upper concourse side, Sky can save you some walking.

Gates for Connecticut Sun games typically open 60–90 minutes before tip-off — confirm on the event page, as this isn't always posted prominently. Mohegan Sun Arena is a smoke-free venue; smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Arena, including restrooms. No outside food or beverage is allowed in the arena except for certain medical conditions.

The Mohegan Sun is an accessible venue for patrons in wheelchairs, with ADA-compliant seating available throughout the arena bowl. Wheelchairs are available at any of the venue's coat check locations, with coat checks located at each of the three entrances. For motorized scooter rentals, contact the Transportation Services Reservation Center.

Mohegan Sun has three "Family Assisted Restrooms" for guests with special needs, located outside Autumn Essentials, Kids Quest, and next to SolToro Tequila Grill. Mohegan Sun's Guest Assistance Center is open 24/7 and can be reached by phone. If you need specific seating accommodations or assistive listening devices for a Sun game, contact the Connecticut Sun ticket office at 877-SUN-TIXX well in advance — the venue recommends contacting them at least 2 weeks prior to the ticketed event date for other accommodations.

With a capacity of around 10,000 for basketball, the arena is intimate yet modern, offering excellent sightlines for sports and concerts alike. Honestly, there's not a truly bad seat in this building — it's compact enough that even the upper sections (200-level) keep you close to the action.

For away fans, there's no formally designated visitor section at a WNBA game, so sit wherever your ticket puts you. The 100-level baseline sections (roughly 101–104 and 118–121) are energetic and close to the court. If you want to be with neutrals or a more mixed crowd, the upper corners are your best bet — the die-hard Connecticut Sun fans tend to cluster in the lower sidelines directly across from the benches. Court-level seats and club sections near the scorer's table offer exceptional sightlines and are worth the upgrade if available.

All major credit cards and mobile payment options are accepted at concession stands, but not at portable kiosks, so carry a card but don't count on a random kiosk taking it. Expect arena-standard pricing: beers typically run $10–13, a basic food order (hot dog, nachos, pretzel) $7–11. No outside food or beverage is allowed in the arena except for certain medical conditions, so plan your pre-game eating at the casino restaurants and save yourself the markup.

Connecticut Sun fans are among the most passionate WNBA supporters in the country, which means the arena gets genuinely loud — don't mistake the 10,000-capacity compact venue for a quiet night out. That said, the crowd is knowledgeable and respectful; this isn't a hockey barn where visiting jerseys earn you a beer in the back. The unusual thing about attending a Sun game as an away fan is that the casino atmosphere does something to the pre-game energy: you might be sitting next to someone who just came from the blackjack tables and is on their third drink before tip-off, which creates an unpredictability you don't get at a typical standalone arena. The sightlines are legitimately excellent from every section — this was built as a concert venue that plays basketball, and it shows.

By car: The 13,000-space parking situation means gridlock is real but manageable. Riverview Garage exits can stack up — if you parked in Indian Summer or Winter, you'll generally get out faster. Wait 15–20 minutes after the final buzzer before heading to your car; the first wave of exiters creates the worst congestion on Mohegan Sun Boulevard. Once you're moving, the Route 2A approach clears quickly once you hit I-395.

By rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in hard the moment the final quarter winds down. If you're calling a car, either do it with 3–4 minutes left in the fourth quarter (risk: your driver shows up and you miss the finish) or wait 25–30 minutes until surge eases. The designated rideshare pickup area is near the Winter Parking Lot entrance — walking away from the main arena exits toward the outer garage pickup zone typically gets you a driver faster and cheaper than standing in the main drop zone.

By SEAT bus/Amtrak: The SEAT Route 1 bus back to New London runs on a fixed schedule and doesn't add extra service for events — check the last bus time before the game, not after. Missing the last bus to New London means you're in a cab or rideshare to New London Station for your train. Amtrak's last train back toward New York or Boston from New London is typically late enough to catch a 7:00 PM tip-off game, but verify the schedule for your specific date. Opinionated tip: if you're taking transit, skip the post-game casino temptation and head straight to the bus stop — the SEAT bus won't wait.

How do I get to Mohegan Sun Arena without a car? Your best option is Amtrak to New London, then the SEAT Route 1 bus to the Mohegan Sun/Indian Summer Garage stop. Rail access from major Northeast cities to New London — just 20 minutes from Mohegan Sun — is provided by Amtrak and Shore Line East.

Is parking free at Mohegan Sun Arena?

Yes, self-parking is free at Mohegan Sun in the Indian Summer, Riverview, and Winter Parking Garages. Premium reserved spots in Riverview can be purchased in advance.

What bags are not allowed into Mohegan Sun Arena?

Backpacks, string bags, diaper bags, shopping bags, messenger bags, briefcases, and rolling style bags are all prohibited. Small purses and clutches are fine.

What is the payment policy inside the arena?

All major credit cards and mobile payment options are accepted at concession stands, but not at portable kiosks. Have a physical card on you.

When do gates open for Connecticut Sun games? Gates typically open 60–90 minutes before tip-off. Check the Connecticut Sun's official game-day page for the exact time, as it can vary by event.

What are the best seats for away fans? There's no formal away section. Upper corner seats (200-level) offer a mix of fans and great sightlines. Lower baseline sections 101–104 get you close to the action without being in the core of the most vocal Sun supporters.

Which airport should I fly into?

Bradley International Airport in Hartford is approximately 58 miles away; T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island is approximately 60 miles; and Groton-New London Airport in Groton is only approximately 14 miles away. If you can get a flight into Groton-New London, do it — it's by far the most convenient option.

Can I bring food or drinks into the arena?

No outside food or beverage is allowed in the arena except for certain medical conditions. Eat at the casino restaurants beforehand.