Nationwide Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Nationwide Arena opened in 2000 and sits in the Arena District of downtown Columbus, Ohio — which means it's unusually transit-accessible for a mid-sized American city. COTA's CBUS is the city's free downtown circulator, traveling from the Brewery District through Downtown to the Short North and back again. CBUS runs to and from all weeknight Blue Jackets home games at Nationwide Arena, with service extended until midnight on weekdays when the Blue Jackets play at home. The nearest bus stop to Nationwide Arena is Nationwide Blvd & McConnell Blvd — a 3-minute walk from the front door. Multiple COTA routes also stop nearby, including routes 1, 10, 11, 3, 4, 6, and 8.

Flying in? You're landing at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), about 10 miles east of downtown. A rideshare runs roughly $20–30 and takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. There's no direct rail link, so Uber or Lyft from CMH is the practical play.

Driving in via I-670 or I-71 is straightforward — take the High St. or Front St. exits for the Arena District and follow the parking signs. The arena recommends West Street for guest drop-off and pick-up. For rideshare, use that same West Street pickup zone to avoid the chaos on Nationwide Blvd.

There are more than 15,000 parking spaces available within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena, including surface lots and parking garages. That's the good news. The bad news is that the lots immediately adjacent to the arena — particularly the attached garage off McConnell Blvd — fill up fast and will cost you $20–35 on game night. You can purchase parking in advance at the Arena District ParkMobile site. Do this. Walking in with pre-paid parking on your phone saves time and usually saves money.

The smarter play for budget-conscious visitors: surface lots just west on Nationwide Blvd or south toward Rich St. typically run $10–20 and are no more than a 5-10 minute walk. If you park further south toward the Brewery District, prices drop even more, but build in extra walking time and be aware that egress from those lots can be slow post-game. Early arrival (90+ minutes before puck drop) gives you the full range of options before the premium spots are gone.

The Arena District itself is ground zero for hotel convenience. The Hyatt Regency and Hilton Columbus Downtown are both full-service options anchoring the Greater Columbus Convention Center — both within a short walk of the arena and fine if you want predictable comfort without any travel friction. The Drury Plaza Hotel and Red Roof Inn are solid family options, while the Canopy by Hilton Columbus offers enhanced amenities including a rooftop bar and restaurant.

The more interesting option is booking a hotel in the Short North — the arts-and-nightlife district that begins just north of the Convention Center. The Canopy by Hilton, for instance, sits in the Short North and is within a half-mile of Nationwide Arena, putting you in a neighborhood full of independent restaurants and bars that's more memorable than the convention-center bubble. Rates in the Arena District run $150–250 on game nights; Short North can be slightly cheaper on weekdays.

Frog, Bear & Wild Boar — One of the flagship pre-game bars in the Arena District, a popular spot with Blue Jackets fans that gets very busy on game nights. Expect a lively crowd, nothing precious about it, and your standard bar food done competently. Arrive early if you want a seat.

Land Grant Brewing Company — Columbus's craft beer scene is legitimately good, and Land Grant is one of the anchors of it. It's located in the Franklinton neighborhood about a 10–15 minute rideshare from the arena, but worth it if you have time before the game. Land Grant is one of the local Columbus breweries with a presence inside the arena itself , but the taproom is where you want to be if you're not in a rush.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse — If someone else is paying, or if you just want to do the pre-game right. Hyde Park sits adjacent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center and is a short walk from Nationwide Arena, with a menu built around aged prime steaks and fresh seafood. Splurge tier, but the quality holds up.

Marcella's — A lively Italian spot with a dynamic bar, an extensive wine list, and a menu of antipasti and pizza. It brings an authentic Italian cafe feel to the Short North Arts District. Good for a pre-game dinner where you're not rushing, close enough to walk to the arena in 10 minutes.

The bag policy here is strict and worth knowing before you show up. Bags are generally NOT permitted. The only exceptions are medical bags, diaper bags, or clutches no larger than 8"×5"×1". All three types will be X-rayed via dedicated screening lines at each entry. This is a "no bag" policy in practice — leave the backpack, the tote, and the oversized purse at the hotel. A small clutch or just your phone and card is the move.

Doors typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. For hockey, arrive at least 60–90 minutes early if you want to explore concessions and find your seats comfortably. The arena's main entrances are on Nationwide Blvd and McConnell Blvd. Away fans typically don't have a dedicated entrance, so any gate works — just check your ticket for the nearest one to your section. Ticketing has gone mobile, with tickets delivered as a Ticketmaster SafeTix code. Keep your phone charged — screenshots and printed tickets won't scan.

Wheelchair-accessible tickets are available at all price levels and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, The Chillers, or the Box Office. The multi-tiered seating bowl has elevator access between the main (100-level) and upper (200-level) concourses. RF-style assisted listening devices are available through Guest Services at Nationwide Arena — ask at the Guest Services desk across from Section 112 to arrange one.

Family and inclusive amenities include nursing rooms and universal changing tables — the universal changing table is located on the main concourse near Section 110 and on the upper concourse near Section 220. ADA drop-off is best coordinated via the West Street entrance. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the arena's guest services line ahead of your visit to confirm the best entry point for your seats.

There is no formal designated away section at Nationwide Arena — visiting fans scatter based on where they bought tickets. That said, the upper bowl (200-level) is your friendliest territory as an away fan. Prices are lower, the crowd is looser, and you'll find more mixed allegiances up there. Sections in the 200s above the visiting team's bench give you a good elevated view of the full ice.

If you want lower bowl seats, Sections 110–114 (opposite the Blue Jackets bench) are solid for sightlines and put you on the right side of the ice for the period when the visiting team attacks twice. Be aware that rows A–C behind the glass get frequent puck contact on the boards, which can obstruct your view at key moments. The corners at either end of the 100-level are generally fine but expect slightly angled sightlines. Avoid the very last few rows of the upper deck if heights bother you — the last 3 rows of the upper bowl are notably steep.

Nationwide Arena is fully cashless — purchases are made with debit or credit card, and concession stands accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. Reverse ATMs on the Main and Upper Concourses exchange cash for a no-fee debit card if you come in with only bills. Expect to pay around $12–15 for a beer and $8–12 for basic food. The official beer of the Blue Jackets is BrewDog's Cannon Blast, a pale ale available throughout the arena. For something more local and interesting, the Arch City Ales stand near Section 117 carries a rotating selection of local beers on draft. Outside food and drink is not permitted.

Columbus is genuinely one of the more hospitable NHL road experiences in the league — the fans here are real hockey people, not fair-weather corporate-suite types, but they're not looking for a fight either. The building gets loud during power plays and especially when the Blue Jackets score, because the team fires an 1857 Napoleon replica cannon after every goal, audible throughout the entire arena — you can see it up close near Section 111. The first time that thing goes off if you're not expecting it, you will absolutely flinch. The sightlines are genuinely good throughout the bowl — this is a compact, hockey-first building, and there isn't a bad seat in the lower two-thirds of the arena. Wear your team's gear without worry, but expect some chirping in the upper bowl if the game gets close.

On foot/CBUS: The CBUS is your best option if you're heading to a bar or hotel within the circulator zone. CBUS runs every 10–15 minutes , and post-game it'll be crowded but functional. The stop on N. High St. (a 6-minute walk from the arena) sees slightly shorter queues than the stop closest to the building. Give it 10–15 minutes after the final whistle before heading out to let the first wave clear.

Driving: The attached garage on McConnell Blvd is the last place you want to be for 20 minutes post-game. Surface lots to the west on Nationwide Blvd or south of the arena clear considerably faster because they have direct exits to streets that flow away from the main pedestrian crush. Realistically, budget 20–30 minutes to reach a freely moving road if you're in one of the primary lots. If you parked further out (Brewery District direction), you're actually at an advantage — just avoid the main Nationwide Blvd corridor until it clears.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in immediately after the final whistle — figure 1.5x–2x normal rates if you request the moment the game ends. The single best move: walk 5–8 minutes south on High St. or west on Rich St. away from the arena before requesting your ride. The official rideshare drop-off and pickup area is on West Street , but drivers can get stuck in the post-game gridlock. Walking a block or two to a less congested street often cuts your wait and your fare. Wait 20–25 minutes after the buzzer if surge pricing is a concern.

Is there a subway or light rail to Nationwide Arena? No. Columbus does not have a rail transit system. COTA's free CBUS downtown circulator is your best transit option, with multiple COTA bus routes also serving the arena.

What is the Nationwide Arena bag policy?

No bags are permitted except medical bags, diaper bags, or clutches no larger than 8"×5"×1" — all of which are X-rayed at entry. Leave the backpack at the hotel.

How much does parking cost at Nationwide Arena?

There are 15,000+ spaces within a 10-minute walk, including surface lots and garages. Expect to pay $15–35 depending on lot proximity and whether you pre-paid online.

What airport should I fly into? John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), about 10 miles east of downtown. Rideshare to the arena runs roughly $20–30.

When do gates open?

Doors typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time.

Where should away fans sit at Nationwide Arena? The 200-level upper bowl is most welcoming for visiting fans. Lower bowl Sections 110–114 (opposite the home bench) offer good sightlines with less home-crowd density.

Is Nationwide Arena cashless?

Yes — fully cashless. Use debit, credit, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Reverse ATMs are available on the Main and Upper Concourses to convert cash to a no-fee Visa debit card.

Can I bring food or drinks into Nationwide Arena?

No — outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the arena. Eat before you arrive or plan on buying inside.