How Much Is Parking at Ball Arena?
Parking at Ball Arena ranges from roughly $15 to $40 depending on the lot tier, the event type, and whether you pay in advance or at the gate.
General lots like the Toyota 4Runner and Tundra lots run $25 for Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games and drop to $15 for Colorado Mammoth games. Premier parking in the Toyota RAV4 Lot costs $30 for Nuggets and Avalanche games and around $20 for Mammoth games. The TRD Pro Valet Lot, the most premium on-site option, is priced at $35 for NBA and NHL games and climbs to $40–$45 for concerts and special events. Concerts and other non-sports events typically run $25–$35 across most lots.
One important payment note: credit and debit cards are accepted at all official Toyota Ball Arena parking lots. Cash is only accepted at the Tundra Lot, and paying by card there saves you $5 off the posted rate. Playoff game and special event pricing are subject to change, so always verify before you arrive.
Third-party lots and garages within walking distance can bring your cost down significantly. Options like the Sugar Cube Garage start at event rates around $7, and the Riverpoint Lot can run as low as $5 for evening events. Booking any lot in advance through platforms like SpotHero, LAZ Parking, or Ticketmaster typically secures a lower rate than paying at the gate.
Ball Arena Parking Lots and Maps
Ball Arena is surrounded by a large network of Toyota-branded official lots, all managed on-site and open 3 hours before every event.
Here is a breakdown of each official lot, its general location, and typical Nuggets/Avalanche game pricing:
– Toyota Camry North Lot: Located on the southwest side of the arena, accessible from 12th Street and Chopper Circle or 7th Street off Auraria Parkway. This is the primary VIP and ADA lot. During Avalanche and Nuggets games, access is restricted to vehicles with a VIP pass or permit. Mammoth game rates are approximately $15. – Toyota RAV4 Lot (Premier Parking): Located at 1476 11th Street, accessed off 11th Street from Chopper Circle or Auraria Parkway. This is the premier general-admission option at $30 for Nuggets and Avalanche games. – Toyota Tundra Lot: Located at 1198 Chopper Circle, accessed off Chopper Circle. Priced at $25 for NBA and NHL games. The only official lot that accepts cash; card payment saves $5. – Toyota 4Runner Lots (North, South, West): Three connected lots priced at $25 for Avalanche and Nuggets games. The 4Runner West lot also houses the official Rideshare Zone. All cashless. – Toyota Corolla Lot: Situated east of Ball Arena across 12th Street, approximately a 2-minute walk to the arena. Priced in the $25–$30 range for most events. – Toyota Tacoma Lot: Located on the west side of the arena, accessible from 16th Street. General parking at rates consistent with other general lots. – TRD Pro Valet Lot: Located on the circle drive outside the East Atrium at 1199 Chopper Circle. Permit holders and Club Lexus members only. Priced at $35 for Nuggets, Avalanche, and Mammoth games.
Be aware that several lots north of Ball Arena are shared with Elitch Gardens, and lots to the south are shared with Metropolitan State University of Denver. Elitch Gardens manages its own separate parking lot — if you plan to use it for a Ball Arena event, check their site directly for pricing and policies.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Ball Arena
The two closest-in and most convenient options at Ball Arena are the TRD Pro Valet Lot and the Toyota RAV4 Lot.
The TRD Pro Valet Lot is the top-tier choice. It sits on the circle drive directly outside the East Atrium entrance and is reserved for permit holders and Club Lexus members. Pricing is $35 for Nuggets, Avalanche, and Mammoth games, jumping to $40–$45 for concerts and large special events. If you qualify, this is the fastest in-and-out experience at the arena.
The Toyota RAV4 Lot serves as the premier parking tier for general ticket holders. It is priced at $30 for Avalanche and Nuggets games and $20 for Mammoth games. Access is off 11th Street from either Chopper Circle or Auraria Parkway, keeping it close to the arena without the exclusivity requirements of the valet lot.
VIP ticket holders and premium seating customers may be eligible for complimentary parking in the Camry Lot south of the arena, accessible via Auraria Parkway. The number of complimentary passes is limited, so check with your ticket package details before game day. Guests can also purchase parking in advance through Ticketmaster after buying event tickets, which is the simplest way to secure a premium spot before they sell out.
Free Parking Near Ball Arena
Truly free parking near Ball Arena is hard to find, and fans should not rely on it as a plan-of-first-resort.
Street parking exists in the surrounding neighborhoods, but most spots near the venue are metered, time-restricted, or signed for permit holders only. Denver enforces parking regulations and meters actively, so always read posted signs before leaving your car. Arriving significantly early — 90 minutes or more before lots open — gives you the best chance of finding an unrestricted street spot, particularly in blocks further east toward downtown or south of Auraria Parkway.
If you are comfortable with a longer walk, Denver RTD operates a Park-and-Ride program where you can leave your car free for the first 24 hours at designated Park-and-Ride locations, then catch the light rail directly to the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station. This is arguably the most reliable budget option for drivers who want to avoid paying $25–$30 to park on-site. The RTD day pass is $6, making the total round-trip transit cost a fraction of arena lot prices.
Third-party apps like SpotHero and LAZ Parking list nearby privately-operated lots that often run lower event rates — some starting as low as $5 for evening events at locations like the Riverpoint Lot. These lots require a short walk of 5–15 minutes to the arena entrance but can represent real savings on a night out.
Can You Tailgate at Ball Arena?
Tailgating is technically allowed at Ball Arena but is not officially encouraged, and significant restrictions apply to what you can do in the lots.
There are no designated tailgating zones within the Toyota Parking Lots. Fans may only occupy the number of spaces they have purchased, and saving additional spaces is prohibited. All lots are monitored at all times during events. Open consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all Toyota Parking Lots surrounding Ball Arena. Open fires using logs or charcoal grills are also banned. If you bring a propane grill or heater, tanks must be under 20 lbs.
For a proper pregame experience, many fans head to nearby bars and restaurants. Brooklyn’s at Ball Arena is located directly across the street and is a popular pregame destination with multiple screens, draft beer, and outdoor seating. Commons Park, a short walk from the arena, is a public green space where fans can gather before events — bring your own food and follow park rules.
Some third-party parking lots in the area may permit tailgating, but policies vary by operator, so confirm directly with the lot before setting up. If a proper tailgate is important to your game-day experience, plan on being at a bar or off-site location rather than an official Ball Arena lot.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Ball Arena
Ball Arena provides accessible parking on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is strongly recommended.
To use any ADA parking space, you must display a valid state-issued accessible parking permit, placard, or license plate. Three official lots offer accessible spaces:
– Toyota Camry North Lot: The primary ADA lot, with 103 standard accessible spaces and 7 van-accessible spaces. Special Needs parking is also available in this lot once all other accessible spaces are occupied — the number of Special Needs spaces varies by event. Access from 12th Street and Chopper Circle or 7th Street off Auraria Parkway. – Toyota Tundra Lot: Offers 8 standard ADA spaces and 4 van-accessible spaces. Accessed off Chopper Circle. – Toyota RAV4 Lot: Provides 3 standard ADA spaces. Accessed off 11th Street from Chopper Circle or Auraria Parkway.
Across all three lots, the combined ADA inventory totals 114 standard spaces and 11 van-accessible spaces. ADA and accessible rideshare drop-off is also available at the dedicated roundabout on 9th Street, separate from the main rideshare lot. All RTD buses and rail vehicles are accessible for mobility aids, and RTD operators are trained to assist passengers boarding and exiting. Contact Ball Arena’s guest services team in advance of your visit if you have specific accessibility needs beyond parking.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Ball Arena
The official rideshare drop-off and pickup zone for Ball Arena is located at the intersection of 5th and Walnut Streets, inside the 4Runner West parking lot only.
This dedicated Ball Arena Rideshare Lot, presented by Lyft, serves all rideshare services including Uber, Lyft, taxis, and limos. The lot is positioned adjacent to Interstate 25 and was specifically designed to provide expedited freeway access after events. Fans exiting Ball Arena on the west side should continue straight past the Camry lots to 5th Street. Fans exiting on the east side should wrap around the side of the building and then head through the Camry lots toward 5th and Walnut.
For guests who need ADA or accessible rideshare service, a dedicated drop-off and pickup point is available at the roundabout on 9th Street, separate from the main rideshare lot. Set this address specifically in your app if you require accessible vehicle pick-up.
After high-demand games and sold-out events, surge pricing and longer wait times are common. To avoid the post-event surge, consider grabbing a meal or drink at a nearby restaurant for 20–30 minutes after the final buzzer or horn before requesting your ride. Ball Arena is the most-requested Uber destination in the Denver area, so drivers circulate the area actively during and after events — patience pays off.
Public Transit to Ball Arena
Ball Arena is one of the best-served sports venues in Denver for public transit, with light rail stopping just steps from the entrance.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) Light Rail is the fastest and most direct transit option. The C, E, and W lines all stop at the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station, which is only a short walk from the arena’s main entrance. The C Line connects from Littleton/Mineral Station, the E Line from Lincoln Station, and the W Line from the Jefferson County Government Center. A single RTD trip costs approximately $3 for a 3-hour pass, or $6 for a full day pass — far less than on-site parking. All RTD rail vehicles are fully accessible for mobility aids.
RTD bus service is also available. Several bus routes stop at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway, directly adjacent to Ball Arena grounds — Routes 1, 15L, and 20 all serve this stop. Check the RTD trip planner at rtd-denver.com or call 303-299-6000 for current schedules.
The free MallRide shuttle runs along the 16th Street Mall for approximately two miles and connects to light rail at Union Station, which is roughly one mile from Ball Arena. Note that due to ongoing 16th Street Mall reconstruction, MallRide vehicles currently operate on 15th and 17th Streets. Union Station itself serves as a broader transit hub connecting multiple bus and train lines from around the metro area, making it a convenient starting point for fans arriving from Denver’s suburbs or from Denver International Airport.
Ball Arena Parking Tips
Smart planning before you leave home makes a major difference in your Ball Arena parking experience.
Arrive early. Parking lots open 3 hours before every event, and the best spots fill up fast. For Avalanche and Nuggets games with high ticket demand, being in a lot 90 minutes before puck drop or tip-off is a safe target. The arena doors open 90 minutes prior to the event start.
Prepay whenever possible. Guests can purchase parking in advance through Ticketmaster immediately after buying event tickets, or separately through LAZ Parking at lazparking.com. Prepaid reservations on SpotHero and other aggregators often list nearby lots at rates well below gate prices. Locking in parking the week before your event eliminates the day-of scramble entirely.
Choose your lot based on your gate. The RAV4 Lot on 11th Street works well for fans entering from the west side. The Corolla Lot on 12th Street puts you a 2-minute walk from the east entrance. If you are parked in an official lot on the west side after the event, follow signage straight to 5th Street to avoid the rideshare and foot-traffic backup near the main atrium.
Consider transit for playoff games and sellouts. During postseason runs for either the Nuggets or Avalanche, every official lot fills well before game time, and third-party lots spike in price. Taking the C, E, or W RTD Light Rail line to the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station eliminates parking stress entirely and gets you out of the neighborhood faster post-game than most drivers.
Note the cash restriction. Only the Tundra Lot accepts cash, and you save $5 there by paying with a card. Bring a credit or debit card to every other official lot — cashless payment is required at all remaining Toyota-branded lots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Ball Arena for a Nuggets or Avalanche game?
General lots like the 4Runner and Tundra lots cost $25 for Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games. The RAV4 Premier Lot is $30, and the TRD Pro Valet Lot is $35. Prices for concerts and special events are typically higher and subject to change.
Can I prepay for parking at Ball Arena?
Yes. Fans can purchase parking in advance through Ticketmaster after buying event tickets, or directly through LAZ Parking at lazparking.com. Third-party platforms like SpotHero also list both official and nearby independent lots for advance booking, often at discounted rates.
What lots accept cash at Ball Arena?
Only the Toyota Tundra Lot accepts cash payments. All other official Toyota Ball Arena parking lots require a credit or debit card. Paying by card at the Tundra Lot saves you $5 off the posted cash rate.
Where does Uber and Lyft drop off at Ball Arena?
The official rideshare pickup and drop-off zone is at the intersection of 5th and Walnut Streets inside the 4Runner West parking lot. ADA-accessible rideshare drop-off is available at the dedicated roundabout on 9th Street.
Is there ADA parking at Ball Arena?
Yes. The Camry North Lot has 103 standard ADA spaces and 7 van-accessible spaces u2014 the largest ADA inventory on-site. The Tundra Lot provides 8 standard and 4 van-accessible spaces, and the RAV4 Lot has 3 standard accessible spaces. All require a valid state-issued accessible parking permit and are first-come, first-served.
What light rail lines go to Ball Arena?
The RTD C, E, and W Light Rail lines all stop at the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station, which is a short walk from the arena’s main entrance. An RTD day pass is $6, and all rail vehicles are accessible for mobility aids.
Is tailgating allowed at Ball Arena?
Tailgating is technically allowed but not officially encouraged. There are no designated tailgate areas u2014 fans may only use the spaces they have purchased. Open alcohol consumption and open fires are prohibited in all official Toyota lots, and propane tanks must be under 20 lbs.
When do Ball Arena parking lots open?
All official Ball Arena parking lots open 3 hours before the scheduled event start time. The arena itself opens its doors 90 minutes prior to the event.
