Official Ball Arena parking lots
Ball Arena has two primary official parking areas managed by the venue:
- Elitch Lot 1 (attached garage): $25–$40/event — this is the closest parking structure, connected to Ball Arena on the north side. It fills fastest, especially for concerts. Pre-purchase through Ticketmaster or AXS to guarantee a spot and save $5–$10.
- Ball Arena South Lot: $20–$30/event — surface parking south of the arena along Speer Boulevard. Slightly farther walk but often has availability later into game day.
- Cash lanes: Usually available but move slower than card or pre-paid lanes. If you didn't pre-purchase, use the credit card lane to save time.
- Online pre-purchase: Buy event parking through Ticketmaster or AXS when you purchase tickets. It's the most reliable way to guarantee your spot and lock in a lower rate.
Cheapest parking near Ball Arena
Significant savings are available within a 5–15 minute walk of Ball Arena:
- Auraria campus surface lots: $10–$15 on event nights when available. Located east of the arena toward Speer and Colfax. Not all lots are open for public events — check signage.
- Union Station garages: $10–$20 in the LoDo/Union Station area, roughly a 10–15 minute walk along the Platte River trail or Wewatta Street. The walk is flat and scenic along the South Platte.
- Dairy Block garage: $15–$25 in the LoDo area — a popular option for fans who want to grab dinner in LoDo before the game and walk over together.
- SpotHero pre-booked lots: Lots from $8 available when booked in advance. Search for Ball Arena on the app and filter by price. The cheapest spots fill first.
| Lot / Option | Distance | Price | Transit Accessible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elitch Lot 1 (attached) | Adjacent | $25–$40 | Yes — Light Rail station attached |
| Ball Arena South Lot | 2 min walk | $20–$30 | Yes |
| Auraria campus lots | 5–8 min walk | $10–$15 | Walkable |
| Union Station garages | 10–15 min walk | $10–$20 | A Line + Light Rail |
| SpotHero pre-book | Varies | From $8 | Depends on lot |
Prices are per-event estimates. Concert nights typically command higher rates than regular-season games. Pre-booking always saves money.
Getting to Ball Arena by transit
Ball Arena has arguably the best arena-to-transit connection in Denver — and one of the best in the country:
- RTD Pepsi Center–Elitch Gardens Station is literally attached to the arena. You step off the Light Rail platform and walk directly into the building. No streets to cross, no shuttle, no walk in the cold.
- All RTD Light Rail lines serve this station — the C, E, and W Lines all stop here. From downtown Denver, it's typically one or two stops. From Union Station, it's a single stop west on the C/E/W lines.
- No parking needed at all. For anyone within a reasonable distance of a Light Rail line, transit to Ball Arena is faster, cheaper, and far less stressful than driving and parking.
Concerts at Ball Arena — parking tips
Concerts sell out Ball Arena parking faster than any Nuggets or Avalanche game. Here's what to know:
- Arrive 2+ hours early if you're driving. The attached Elitch Lot 1 fills first — often an hour or more before showtime on major concert nights.
- Pre-purchase concert parking when you buy your tickets on Ticketmaster or AXS. This is the only way to guarantee the attached garage spot without uncertainty.
- Union Station + walk is a stress-free alternative. Park in a LoDo garage, grab dinner, and take the Light Rail one stop to the arena. Post-concert, you exit the chaos and grab the train before the traffic gridlock clears.
- Rideshare drop-off: Ball Arena has a designated Lyft/Uber zone. Post-show surges can push rides to $25–$40, so factor that in versus parking costs.
Flying in for a Nuggets or Avalanche game?
Getting from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Ball Arena is straightforward and surprisingly fast:
- DIA → A Line → Union Station → Light Rail → Ball Arena: The RTD A Line runs from DIA to Union Station in 37 minutes for $10.50. At Union Station, connect to the C, E, or W Line westbound one stop to the attached Pepsi Center–Elitch Gardens Station. Total trip: under 60 minutes from baggage claim to arena seat.
- If your trip spans multiple nights: Compare off-airport DIA parking options from $9/day — significantly cheaper than the DIA terminal garage for multi-day trips.
- No rental car needed if you're just in Denver for the game. The transit connection is too good to miss.