Paycom Center: Guide for Visiting Fans

Paycom Center is located at 100 W Reno Ave., just off I-40 in downtown Oklahoma City, just steps away from a number of hotels, attractions, and dining and entertainment options in Downtown OKC and Bricktown. If you're flying in, you're coming through OKC Will Rogers International Airport , and it's only about 10 miles from the venue — figure 15–20 minutes by rideshare under normal conditions, around $20–30.

The most satisfying way to get to the arena without dealing with parking is the OKC Streetcar. There are two stops right outside the arena: one immediately north on Reno Avenue, and another directly southwest at Oklahoma City Boulevard and South Robinson Avenue. EMBARK's Game Day Shuttle also gives fans two ways to ride via the OKC Streetcar or the RAPID shuttle when parking at the Sheridan/Walker or Arts Garages, with both routes offering convenient stops right outside the arena running every 15 minutes starting two hours before tip-off.

If you're on the RAPID bus rapid transit line, the two stops closest to Paycom Center are #3003 at Broadway and Park and #4249 at Robinson and Park, both about 2½ blocks from the arena. Driving? Exit at Shields off I-40, head north toward downtown, then turn left on Reno Ave — the arena will be on your left.

There is no arena-owned lot. Paycom Center doesn't have its own parking facility, but several garages are close by, including the Prairie Surf Studios parking garage, the Cox Convention Center, Century Center, and Arts District garages.

EMBARK operates four garages: Century Center Garage at 100 W Main Street, Convention Center Garage at 15 SW 4th Street, Sheridan/Walker Garage at 501 W Sheridan Avenue, and Arts District Garage at 431 W Main Street. Garage parking is available at $2 per hour or $10 for the day, payable at the garage kiosk or via the Flowbird app. Here's the real gem: when you park in one of these garages, your parking receipt is your ticket to ride RAPID and the OKC Streetcar for free all day. That's a legitimately good deal. For big games, the garages closest to the arena fill up within an hour of tip-off — arrive early or book ahead on the Flowbird app. The Arts District Garage is the best choice for oversized vehicles like pickup trucks since it has the highest clearance.

Downtown OKC is your best bet — specifically the blocks around Reno Ave, Bricktown, and Oklahoma City Boulevard. You'll be walking distance from the arena, and you won't need a car for anything once you're settled. Options include the Courtyard by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown (2 W Reno Ave, right across the street), the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, the Colcord Hotel (a Curio Collection by Hilton), the Wyndham Grand, the Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown, and the Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown–Bricktown. The Courtyard is the closest — genuinely across the street close. The Omni is the splurge pick: it's connected to the convention center, has solid dining on-site, and feels like a proper NBA-city hotel. Bricktown hotels like the Aloft put you a slightly longer walk away but right in the middle of the pre- and post-game bar scene, which has its own appeal.

Bricktown Brewery — A local institution right in the Bricktown entertainment district, about a 10-minute walk east of the arena. It has a nice atmosphere, good service, a relaxed vibe, and a very wide, impressive beer selection. Reliable pre-game stop, especially if you want something to eat without fighting for a table.

Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse — Located in the heart of Bricktown, it's a classic steakhouse with a contemporary American flair, named after Oklahoma's baseball legend and spanning 10,000 square feet with a chef-driven menu. This is the place if you want a proper pre-game meal rather than bar food. Make a reservation.

Jazmo'z Bourbon St. Café — Established in 2000 just after the opening of the Bricktown Canal, it offers Southern hospitality alongside the flavor and festive vibe of New Orleans, with local live music, craft cocktails, Cajun food, and patio views along the canal. Good for groups who want to keep the energy going pre-game.

Culprits — A collaboration with James Beard-nominated Chef James Fox inside the Renaissance Hotel, serving a globally inspired menu of sushi, steaks, and seafood with craft cocktails in a refined atmosphere, walking distance to the canal and just minutes from Paycom Center. Best option if your group wants something elevated without going full white-tablecloth.

Keep it small. All bags are searched upon entry; bags smaller than 6"×9"×2" are allowed (this includes clear bags), and all items must be 6"×9"×2" or smaller. That's a pretty restrictive limit — smaller than a standard hardcover book. A standard stadium clear bag won't fit this policy. Think phone-wallet-keys-small-pouch. Outside food and beverage are not permitted.

Arena doors open 90 minutes before the start of each Thunder home game. The arena is cashless; cards are accepted throughout, and guests can exchange cash for a Mastercard prepaid card at Reverse ATMs located at the Northeast Entrance near Section 106, the Northwest Entrance near the Michelob Ultra Club, and Sections 311/312.

For away fans, the northwest entrance off Reno is the main public entry point. Get there early — the bag check line at peak arrival (about 45 minutes before tip-off) gets deep on big games.

Wheelchair-accessible seats are available at all price levels; up to three companion tickets may be purchased with each accessible ticket, and you should indicate your needs at the time of purchase. Accessible drop-off is available at Reno and Robinson near the northwest entrance.

There are three sets of passenger elevators, and escalators are available near each of the two primary public entrances to reach the Club, Suite, and upper-level seating. Assistive listening devices are available at no charge for hearing-impaired guests at the Guest Relations desk just inside the northeast entrance, across from Section 105; valid ID is required as a deposit. Paycom Center has also created a quiet sensory space next to First Aid at Section 112 for fans who need a calm atmosphere related to sensory issues or for nursing mothers. Complimentary wheelchair escorts are available at any entrance at the Guest Relations desk, though wheelchairs are limited and not available for use throughout the event.

There is no dedicated away section at Paycom Center — it's NBA, not soccer. Away fans tend to cluster organically in the upper deck (300 level), particularly in corners like Sections 314–320 on the south end. The arena is compact enough that sightlines from the 300s are genuinely good — the building is the smallest in the NBA by square footage , which means even the cheap seats feel close to the action. If you want to be surrounded by fellow road-trippers rather than hostile locals, the upper corners are your best bet — locals heavily favor the lower bowl and club level. Avoid the lower 100s sideline sections on big games unless you want to be enthusiastically reminded whose house this is. The 200-level club sections are comfortable and a bit quieter than the tunnel-like upper bowl.

The arena is fully cashless, so cards are accepted throughout. The venue includes The Old No. 7 Club full-service restaurant and bar, The Pub (an Irish pub-themed bar), The Courtside Club restaurant and lounge, and the Victory Club, Sunset Carvery, and Terrace Lounges. Expect arena prices: a domestic beer typically runs $10–13, a craft pour $13–15, and a full meal from a concession stand $14–20. Outside food and beverage are not permitted , so plan your dinner accordingly — eat before you arrive or budget for the arena.

OKC Thunder fans are loud, passionate, and knowledgeable — this is a one-NBA-team town, and people here don't take it lightly. The arena is known for its loud and passionate fans, who create a unique home court advantage. Away fans are generally tolerated with competitive good humor rather than genuine hostility, but don't mistake midwestern friendliness for indifference — come talking trash and it will come back. The specific thing to know: this is the smallest arena by square footage in the NBA , which means the crowd noise gets trapped and compressed in a way that doesn't happen in newer, roomier buildings. When 18,000 Oklahomans get loud on a defensive stop, it's genuinely disorienting from the upper deck. Wear your team's gear, respect the building, and you'll have a good time.

Streetcar: The Game Day Shuttle runs every 15 minutes and ends one hour after the game. After the game, fans should return to the Arena Streetcar stop to board RAPID service back to their destination. When departing, be mindful to get back on the same streetcar loop you used for arrival — the Bricktown and Downtown loops go in different directions. Plan to wait 5–10 minutes post-game; the streetcar fills fast but turns around quickly.

Driving: The garages on the south side (Convention Center, Century Center) clear faster than street-level lots because they have multiple exit lanes. Getting back to I-40 means heading south to the Shields exit — expect 20–35 minutes to reach a moving highway on a sold-out night. The worst thing you can do is sit in your car immediately after the buzzer. Wait 20–25 minutes, grab a drink somewhere nearby, and you'll cut your exit time roughly in half.

Rideshare: Surge pricing hits hard the moment the final whistle blows. Walk two to three blocks away from the arena toward Bricktown (east on Reno) before calling your ride — prices drop noticeably and pickup is faster. Give it 15 minutes after the game ends before even opening the app. The corner of Sheridan and Oklahoma City Boulevard is a reliable pickup spot with less congestion than the arena frontage.

Opinionated tip: The OKC Streetcar is genuinely your best egress option. Grab it immediately after the final buzzer from the Reno Ave stop (north side), beat the crowd to the parking garages, and you're at your hotel or car before most people have found their keys.

How do I get to Paycom Center without a car?

The OKC Streetcar has two stops right outside the arena — one immediately north on Reno Avenue, and one to the southwest at Oklahoma City Boulevard and South Robinson Avenue. The RAPID bus also has stops within a couple of blocks.

What is the Paycom Center bag policy?

All bags are searched upon entry; bags smaller than 6"×9"×2" are allowed, including clear bags. That's extremely small — leave your backpack or regular purse at the hotel.

How much does parking cost near Paycom Center?

EMBARK-managed garage parking is available at $2 per hour or $10 for the day. Private lots in the area can charge $20–40 on game day. Book ahead if possible.

Does Paycom Center accept cash?

No — the arena is cashless, but Reverse ATMs that exchange cash for a Mastercard prepaid card are available at the Northeast Entrance near Section 106, the Northwest Entrance, and Sections 311/312.

When do gates open for Thunder games?

Arena doors open 90 minutes prior to the start time of each Thunder home game.

What are the best seats for away fans? Upper deck corners in the 300s (especially Sections 314–320) are where road fans naturally cluster. Sightlines are solid in this compact building and you'll be less isolated than in the lower bowl.

How far is Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) from Paycom Center?

Will Rogers World Airport is only about 10 miles from the arena — roughly a 15–20 minute rideshare, usually $20–30.

Is outside food allowed at Paycom Center?

Outside food and beverage are not permitted. If you need to bring food for medical reasons, email sking@paycomcenter.com for assistance in advance.