Prudential Center: Guide for Visiting Fans

Transit is the obvious and correct answer here. NJ Transit offers direct service to Newark on six rail lines, more than two dozen bus routes, and the Newark Light Rail system, so you can get here from almost anywhere in New Jersey as well as New York and Philadelphia. Newark Penn Station is a short two blocks east of the arena; to exit Prudential Center toward Penn Station after the game, use the Citizens Tower exit at the northeast corner near Sections 20–22, 130–133, or 231–233.

From New York Penn Station, NJ Transit trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, or Raritan Valley Line get you to Newark Penn in roughly 20–25 minutes. From Lower Manhattan or Midtown, the PATH train to Newark is often faster and cheaper — and drops you at the same station. If you're coming from Manhattan, PATH takes you straight to Penn Station and from there it's a few blocks to the arena — well worth avoiding bridge tolls, parking fees, and post-game traffic.

Flying in? Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is your gateway. The AirTrain connects EWR directly to Newark Penn Station in about 10–12 minutes, making it a genuinely convenient option — arrive, hop the AirTrain, walk two blocks. Budget 30–35 minutes door to door from terminal to arena seats.

Driving: Major highways near the arena include I-95/New Jersey Turnpike, I-78, I-280, US 1/9, NJ 21, and the Garden State Parkway. For rideshare, the official pickup and drop-off zone is on Edison Place between Mulberry Street and McCarter Highway, east of the Citizens Tower entrance.

Prudential Center is one of the most easily accessible arenas in the country with over 3,500 parking spaces within two blocks. That sounds great until it's 45 minutes after puck drop and every exit lane is gridlocked. Parking rates near Prudential Center range from about $6 to $25 depending on the day, time, and duration of your stay, though event-night rates at the closest lots typically run $25–$40. The Prudential Center's own deck runs about $30; independent lots nearby vary from $15 to $30, but you'll need to be willing to walk.

Book ahead on SpotHero or ParkMobile — the lots fill quickly on Devils nights, and pre-booking usually saves you $5–$10. A smart budget strategy is to park at a commuter lot near an NJ Transit or PATH station — such as near the Harrison PATH Station — and take transit the rest of the way, which eliminates event-day congestion entirely. Truly free parking near Prudential Center is very hard to find on game nights — the downtown Newark street grid is largely metered or permit-restricted, and enforcement is active around events. One more note: Newark city ordinances prohibit grilling and open containers in public areas around the arena, so no tailgating in the lots.

Downtown Newark is your best bet for walkability — you can roll out of bed and be inside the arena in under 10 minutes. The DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Penn Station and the TRYP by Wyndham Newark Downtown are both solid mid-range options within a few blocks of the arena; neither is cheap, but you're paying for the convenience of staggering home after the game. The Courtyard Newark Downtown is another reliable option in the same zone.

If you want something with more personality and don't mind a short rideshare, staying in Jersey City puts you near the PATH with a quick shot to Newark, and the bar/restaurant scene there is considerably livelier. For those flying through EWR, several airport-adjacent Marriott and Hilton properties are connected to Newark Penn via AirTrain, giving you a reasonable commute to the game without paying downtown Newark rates.

The arena is just west of the Ironbound, Newark's section known for its Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian restaurants — and that's where the real pre-game action is. If you exit the back door of Newark Penn Station, you're in the Ironbound district. The walk from the arena to Ferry Street is about 10 minutes, and it's worth every step.

Fornos of Spain (Ferry Street) is the old-school splurge option — white tablecloths, tuxedoed waiters, an enormous wine cellar, and portions that'll make you question your decision to eat inside the arena. Get there early and give yourself time; service is unhurried and you don't want to rush it.

Redd's Biergarten is the closest pre-game watering hole to the arena itself. It's a huge biergarten right next to the Prudential Center — perfect before games and events, with plenty of beer selections and room to spread out. Fair warning: happy hour deals are voided on event nights, so price accordingly.

American Whiskey Newark consistently shows up as a fan favorite for a reason — it's a serious whiskey bar with actual bar food and a game-day crowd that's rowdy without being insufferable. A good place to decompress after a road win.

Mompou Tapas Wine Bar on Ferry Street offers a sangria-heavy, Spanish tapas experience for those who want something more refined before the game. You can sit on the patio and have a glass of their famous sangria. Just time yourself — on a game night, Ferry Street can be packed by the time you're trying to walk back.

Bags up to 12"×14" are permitted inside Prudential Center; backpacks of all sizes are not permitted; bags larger than 12"×14" are not permitted with the exception of childcare or medical bags. Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags are recommended; small clutches no larger than 4.5"×6.5" are also permitted. Clear bags are not strictly required — they're just recommended to speed up entry. If you show up with a backpack, you'll be turned away: prohibited bags can be stored in lockers outside the M&M's Tower and Lafayette Lobby Entrance for $8–$10.

The arena opens 90 minutes before every event , so get there early — the lines thin out considerably if you're inside before the rush. There are five building entrances for easy access to your seats. The Lafayette Street entrance is the main entry and usually the most crowded; the Edison Place/Citizens Tower entrance is faster if you're coming from Newark Penn Station. Cash is not accepted at concessions, retail locations, or the box office — pay with debit, credit, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If you only have cash, Reverse ATM kiosks with no transaction fees are available near Sections 1, 14, 125, and inside the Box Office Lobby.

Prudential Center is fully ADA-compliant; accessible seating can be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling the dedicated ADA line at 800-877-7575. The arena is equipped with elevators that access all public areas; guests requiring special assistance reaching their seats should contact Guest Services in advance or find a representative on the day of the event. The pick-up and drop-off location for guests with special needs is at the corner of Mulberry and Lafayette Streets, and ramps are provided for entrance through the M&M's Tower.

Designated accessible parking is available for guests with disabilities; guests who wish to transfer from their wheelchair or mobility device can have it stored at Guest Services on the Main Concourse outside Section 9 or the Upper Concourse outside Section 114. Assistive Listening Devices are available for hearing-impaired guests at no cost from the Guest Services Center outside Section 9 on the Main Concourse. Captioning services are offered at New Jersey Devils games. Sign language interpretation can be requested in advance through Guest Services.

There is no formally designated away section at Prudential Center — visiting fans scatter themselves throughout the arena depending on where they bought tickets. The upper bowl (Sections 200–233) fills with deal-hunters and mixed fandom, which means away fans can find some safety in numbers up there without being surrounded entirely by red-and-black. The corners in the upper level tend to have looser Devils energy.

For better sightlines, the mezzanine level (100s sections) along the side boards offers excellent sight lines without the nose-bleed vertigo of the upper deck. The upper tiers have a steep climb, so if that's an issue, stick to the 100-level. Avoid the lower bowl corners directly behind the glass if you hate craning your neck — the sight lines aren't as good as they look on the seat map.

If you're traveling with a group, buying a block of seats in the 200-level corners lets you cheer freely without being too conspicuous. The arena is compact enough that there really isn't a bad view of the ice — there is no bad seat in this venue.

Grab nachos at Goya, pizza at The Jersey Tomato, or chicken and waffles at Melba's; the Main Street Diner stand offers Taylor Ham on a roll and disco fries — the kind of local flavor that actually earns its place at an arena. Beer runs roughly $12–$15 for a domestic draft, and a full meal will set you back $18–$25. Outside food and beverages are not permitted, with exceptions for medical needs, and cash is not accepted at any concession stand.

The Devils crowd is passionate, not mean — they've been through enough lean years that most of them are just focused on the game rather than your jersey. That said, don't be the guy wearing opposing gear and yelling at the top of your lungs after a goal in the lower bowl; you'll earn some unwanted attention. Up in the 200s, you're mostly among hockey fans who respect the game, and postgame handshakes with Devils fans are genuinely common. The one thing that catches away fans off guard is how quickly this building fills: Prudential Center is one of the most easily accessible arenas in the country, which means the crowd is also larger and arrives faster than you'd expect from a mid-size market. The arena is loud when the Devils are rolling, and the low roof keeps sound in nicely — it can rock in a way that surprises first-timers who wrote off Newark as a hockey backwater.

Transit: This is the move. To exit toward Newark Penn Station, head to the Citizens Tower exit at the northeast corner near Sections 20–22, 130–133, or 231–233. NJ Transit runs additional post-event trains on game nights, and the walk is only two blocks. The surge out of the station is real but moves fast — wait 5–10 minutes after the final whistle if you want to avoid the thickest bottleneck on the platform. Buy your return trip ticket before going into Prudential Center to skip the post-game machine lines. PATH runs regularly until at least 1 a.m. and is often less crowded than NJ Transit heading back to New York.

Driving: The lots directly adjacent to the arena are the slowest to exit — event crowds mean the closest spots are often slow to exit. If you parked farther south or west of the arena, you can cut out via Raymond Boulevard toward I-78 or I-280 and be moving within 15–20 minutes of the final buzzer. Expect to sit 25–40 minutes if you're in the primary lots right next to the building. The trick is to leave with 3–4 minutes left in the third period if the game is decided — sacrificing the final goal celebration for an extra 20 minutes of road time is a trade worth making.

Rideshare: The official rideshare pickup zone is on Edison Place between Mulberry Street and McCarter Highway, east of the Citizens Tower entrance. Post-game surge pricing is real — expect 1.5–2x rates for the first 20 minutes after the crowd pours out. The opinionated tip: walk two blocks east past the surge zone, away from the arena, and request your ride from closer to Penn Station. Drivers can reach that area without fighting the Edison Place gridlock, and your wait time and fare will both drop.

How do I get to Prudential Center from New York City?

PATH from Manhattan takes you directly to Newark Penn Station, which is just a few blocks from the arena — well worth the savings on bridge tolls and parking. NJ Transit from New York Penn Station is also fast, around 20–25 minutes on the Northeast Corridor.

What is the Prudential Center bag policy?

Bags up to 12"×14" are permitted; backpacks of all sizes are not allowed. Clear plastic or vinyl bags are recommended; small clutches up to 4.5"×6.5" are also allowed.

How much does parking cost at Prudential Center?

Rates range from about $6 to $25 depending on the lot, day, and duration, though official event-night lots nearest the arena run closer to $25–$40. Book in advance on SpotHero or ParkMobile.

What time do gates open for Devils games?

Prudential Center opens 90 minutes before every event, giving you access to food, drinks, and the concourse well before puck drop.

Where are the best seats for away fans? There's no formal away section. Upper-level corners (200s) are your best bet for mixing with visiting fans comfortably. Mezzanine-level side sections offer great sightlines if budget allows.

Is Prudential Center cashless?

Yes — cash is not accepted at any concession stand, retail location, or the box office. Pay with debit, credit, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Reverse ATM kiosks with no transaction fees are near Sections 1, 14, and 125.

What airport should I fly into? Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is your best bet — the AirTrain connects directly to Newark Penn Station in about 10–12 minutes, putting you within a 2-block walk of the arena.

Is there accessible seating and ADA parking?

Accessible seating can be purchased via Ticketmaster or at the Prudential Center Box Office. Designated accessible parking is available in official lots for every event. Elevators access all public areas of the arena.