How Much Is Parking at State Farm Arena?
Parking at State Farm Arena typically ranges from $15 to $40, depending on the lot, the event, and whether you book in advance.
Official arena lots — the Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck, Ruby Lot, and State Farm Drive — sit at the higher end of that range on premium or sold-out nights. Third-party garages and lots booked through platforms like SpotHero or ParkWhiz can bring costs down, especially for weeknight Hawks games with lighter demand.
Prices fluctuate by event. A regular-season Hawks game on a Tuesday will cost less than a marquee matchup, a playoff game, or a night when Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also hosting an event nearby. Parking passes on SeatGeek for Hawks games have been listed from as low as $8 for budget lots to $40 or more for close-in official decks.
The single best way to save money is to prepay. The official arena partners with ParkMobile, and booking in advance locks in the lowest available prices before day-of demand pushes rates up.
State Farm Arena Parking Lots and Maps
State Farm Arena operates four official parking locations: the Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck, Ruby Lot, and State Farm Drive lot.
The Sapphire Deck is located at 127 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW and is widely regarded as the best official choice for the shortest, most direct walk to the arena entrance. The Ruby Lot sits at 199 Alabama St. SW and is a covered, well-lit, paved lot that is under a 3-minute walk from the arena, with access near the Five Points MARTA Station. The Diamond Deck is located at 100 Lower Andrew Young International Dr. NW and is an underground, covered, secured garage with a sub-1-minute walk to the arena — it doubles as the VIP and player/artist entrance deck. The State Farm Drive lot at 1 State Farm Drive is the closest surface option, steps from the main entrance, offering both hourly and event parking.
Beyond official lots, the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) campus offers additional garage space that fans use on event nights. Third-party options throughout downtown Atlanta — bookable on SpotHero, ParkWhiz, and Way — expand inventory further, especially useful when the arena lots are sold out.
The arena sits adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the GWCC, so on nights when multiple venues are active, available inventory compresses fast. Checking a live parking map before you leave the house is a reliable habit on busy weekends.
Preferred/Premium Parking at State Farm Arena
The Diamond Deck is the premium parking option at State Farm Arena, functioning as the primary VIP, player, and artist entrance garage.
Located at 100 Lower Andrew Young International Dr. NW, the Diamond Deck is an underground, secured, covered garage with a walk of under one minute to the arena. It is the top choice for fans who want the closest possible access. State Farm Arena also has two EV charging stations (EVCS) in the Diamond Deck, with two more in the Sapphire Deck, making these the go-to options for electric vehicle owners.
The Sapphire Deck at 127 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW is the best all-around official option for most fans — close to the arena, arena-controlled, and accessible for early arrivals who want a guaranteed spot. Booking premium official parking in advance through ParkMobile is the only way to secure these decks at the lowest price before they fill up.
Free Parking Near State Farm Arena
Free parking near State Farm Arena is extremely limited, and fans should not plan a trip expecting to find a free spot close to the venue.
State Farm Arena is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, where street parking and free surface lots are scarce in the immediate vicinity of the arena. SpotAngels confirms there is no free parking near State Farm Arena on event nights. Most surrounding streets in the downtown core are metered, timed, or restricted on event days.
The most budget-conscious approach is to use MARTA park-and-ride lots at suburban stations further from downtown, then take the train in. This avoids downtown parking costs entirely and gets you to the GWCC/CNN Center Station steps from the arena entrance. If you prefer to drive, booking a third-party garage a few blocks out through SpotHero or Way well in advance gives you the best chance at rates below the official lots. On a typical weeknight game, walking a few extra blocks from a less central garage is a reasonable trade-off for a lower price.
Can You Tailgate at State Farm Arena?
Tailgating is permitted at State Farm Arena in select lots, with the Ruby Lot being the most tailgating-friendly official option.
The Ruby Lot at 199 Alabama St. SW is a covered, well-lit lot that has been noted by fans as the best spot to gather before the game. As with all official lots, tailgating is generally permitted before the event, but is not allowed during or after the game. Open-flame grilling and oil-frying equipment are prohibited.
Tailgating rules can vary by specific event, so confirming details with the arena before arrival is always a good idea. For the most current event-specific tailgate policies, check the event detail page on the official State Farm Arena website or contact the arena directly before your visit.
ADA and Handicap Parking at State Farm Arena
State Farm Arena provides ADA-accessible parking in all three of its main parking locations: the Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck, and Ruby Lot.
ADA spots in all official lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is important for securing an accessible space. The arena also confirms accessible parking is available across all of its parking decks. For specific assistance, questions, or to arrange parking for an RV or bus, fans can reach the parking team directly at SFA.Parking@hawks.com.
Inside the arena, State Farm Arena is fully ADA-compliant with wheelchair-accessible seating, elevators, and guest services throughout. Fans who need accessible seating can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, at the Box Office next to Gate 2 on Centennial Olympic Park Drive on event day, or exchange non-accessible tickets at the Box Office subject to availability.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at State Farm Arena
The designated rideshare drop-off and pickup zone at State Farm Arena is located on Centennial Olympic Park Drive, running from the Dominique Wilkins Statue to State Farm Drive in front of Gate 2.
Gates 2, 4, and 5 are the closest arena entrances to the rideshare zone, which is addressed at 12 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Rideshare vehicles can also access the area from Andrew Young International Blvd, with signage directing riders toward Gates 5 and 7.
After the event, rideshare demand spikes significantly the moment the final buzzer sounds. Wait times and surge pricing both increase in the first 10–15 minutes after the crowd exits. Staying inside for a few minutes, grabbing a post-game snack nearby, or simply waiting before opening your app can meaningfully reduce your wait time and fare.
Public Transit to State Farm Arena
State Farm Arena is one of the most transit-accessible arenas in the NBA, with a MARTA rail station just steps from the arena entrance.
The primary station is GWCC/CNN Center Station (also listed as SEC District Station on official arena materials), located directly next to the arena on the Red and Gold MARTA lines. Riders from the north (Buckhead, Dunwoody, Doraville) use the Red or Gold line south toward downtown. Riders from the east (Decatur, Avondale) use the Blue or Green line to Five Points and transfer, or walk from Five Points Station, which is about a 5-minute walk from the arena via the Ruby Lot side. A standard MARTA fare is $2.50 each way, plus a one-time $2 Breeze Card purchase.
Several MARTA bus routes also pass through downtown Atlanta. MARTA park-and-ride lots at suburban stations are a smart option for fans driving in from outside the Perimeter who want to skip downtown traffic and parking costs entirely. On sold-out nights or when Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also hosting an event, MARTA is consistently the fastest way in and out of the arena district.
State Farm Arena Parking Tips
The single most important parking tip for State Farm Arena is to book in advance — official lots fill up quickly, especially on nights when the GWCC or Mercedes-Benz Stadium are also active.
Reserve your spot through ParkMobile on the official arena site for guaranteed access at the lowest official prices. If the official lots are sold out or overpriced, check SpotHero, ParkWhiz, or Way for third-party inventory in the surrounding downtown blocks.
Arrive at least 60–90 minutes before tip-off. Downtown Atlanta traffic on I-20, I-75/85, and GA-400 is heavy during evening rush hour, and garage access can back up once the rush hits. The Sapphire Deck is the best all-around official choice for a clean arrival close to the arena. If you are prioritizing a fast post-game exit over a short walk, consider a garage on the outbound side of downtown relative to your drive home — the first 10–15 minutes after the arena empties is when traffic is at its worst. If you drive an EV, book the Diamond Deck or Sapphire Deck early, as those are the only two official locations with EV charging stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at State Farm Arena for a Hawks game?
Parking at State Farm Arena for Atlanta Hawks games typically costs between $15 and $40 depending on the lot and how far in advance you book. Official lots like the Sapphire Deck and Diamond Deck run higher, while third-party garages booked through SpotHero or ParkWhiz can offer lower rates for budget-conscious fans.
Where is the best place to park for State Farm Arena?
The Sapphire Deck at 127 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW is the best all-around official parking option, offering the closest controlled walk to the arena entrance. The Diamond Deck is the top choice if you want the absolute nearest covered, secured parking with VIP access.
Can I prepay for parking at State Farm Arena?
Yes. State Farm Arena partners with ParkMobile for advance parking reservations on all official lots. Booking in advance is the best way to guarantee your spot and lock in the lowest prices before day-of demand pushes rates up.
What MARTA station is closest to State Farm Arena?
The GWCC/CNN Center Station (also called SEC District Station) on the Red and Gold MARTA lines is located directly next to the arena entrance. A standard fare is $2.50 each way plus a one-time $2 Breeze Card purchase.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at State Farm Arena?
The designated rideshare zone is on Centennial Olympic Park Drive between the Dominique Wilkins Statue and State Farm Drive, in front of Gate 2. The area is also accessible from Andrew Young International Blvd near Gates 5 and 7.
Is there ADA parking at State Farm Arena?
Yes. ADA-accessible parking is available in the Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck, and Ruby Lot on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions or special assistance, contact the parking team at SFA.Parking@hawks.com.
Can you tailgate at State Farm Arena?
Tailgating is allowed in select lots before the event, with the Ruby Lot being the most tailgating-friendly official option. Open-flame grilling and oil-frying equipment are not permitted, and tailgating is generally not allowed during or after the game.
Is there free parking near State Farm Arena?
Free parking near State Farm Arena is essentially unavailable on event nights in the immediate downtown area. The best budget option is to use a MARTA park-and-ride lot at a suburban station and take the train downtown, avoiding parking costs entirely.
