Great American Ball Park Parking Guide: Rates, Lots, and Tips for Reds Fans
Parking at Great American Ball Park is straightforward once you know your options. Buy a prepaid pass in advance, know your garage entrance, and you’ll be in your seat before the first pitch. Check current parking prices here.
Parking Rates at Great American Ball Park
Parking at a Reds game runs $5 to $20 depending on the lot and proximity to the stadium. Day-of purchases at the official garages are credit card only – no cash accepted. Specific day-of rates: $25 for the Central Riverfront Garage (east side), $21 for the west side, $15 for the East Garage, and $15 for Lot E. Buying a prepaid pass online in advance is typically cheaper and guarantees your spot.
Great American Ball Park Parking Lots and Maps
The three Reds-operated prepaid garages sit directly adjacent to the ballpark: the Central Riverfront Garage, Central Riverfront Garage West, and East Garage. All lots open three hours before first pitch. Each garage uses a color-coded pass system to keep entry simple on game day.
Recommended entrance addresses for each garage:
Central Riverfront Garage
Primary entrance: 202 East Mehring Way. Additional access at 149 Broadway Street, 182 Race Street, and 124 East Mehring Way. Yellow Pass holders enter at Dock 1.
East Garage
Primary entrance: 502 East Mehring Way. Additional access at 475 East Pete Rose Way. Blue Pass holders use this garage.
Central Riverfront Garage West
Primary entrance: 102 West Pete Rose Way. Additional access at 182 Race Street. Green Pass holders use this garage.
Preferred and Premium Parking at Great American Ball Park
The Central Riverfront Garage is the closest option to the ballpark and is the top pick for fans who want the shortest walk. Third-party platforms – Premium Parking, SpotHero, and ParkWhiz – also offer reserved spots near the ballpark at a range of price points. Booking in advance through any of these platforms is the best way to lock in a guaranteed space, especially for high-demand games.
Free Parking Near Great American Ball Park
Free parking exists, but you’ll need to cross the Ohio River into Northern Kentucky to find it. Covington and Newport, KY are the best bets for free or very low-cost parking on game day.
Parking meters in Covington and Newport are free Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., and all day on Sundays. For evening games, you can often find a free meter spot near the Roebling Suspension Bridge and walk across to the ballpark. The Park & Ride location below the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge – accessible via Pete Rose Pier near the Courtyard hotel at 500 W. Pete Rose Way – is another solid option.
TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) operates free park-and-ride locations in Northern Kentucky. Once parked, catch a bus or the Southbank Shuttle for a cheap ride across the river directly to the ballpark.
Can You Tailgate at Great American Ball Park?
Tailgating is not permitted at Great American Ball Park. There is no dedicated tailgating area, and grills and coolers are not allowed in the parking garages.
The Banks – the entertainment district right outside the ballpark – is the go-to pre-game spot. Open-air bars and restaurants are steps from the stadium entrance. Popular options include the Moerlein Lager House and the Upper Deck rooftop bar. Newport on the Levee across the river in Newport, KY is another strong choice, with restaurants and bars a short walk across the Purple People Bridge or a quick Southbank Shuttle ride from the ballpark.
ADA and Accessible Parking at Great American Ball Park
Accessible parking is available in two locations: the East section of the Central Riverfront Garage for $27, and the East Garage for $16. Passes for the Central Riverfront Garage can be purchased in advance by calling the Reds at (513) 765-7400 or online at reds.com/parking.
The primary accessible drop-off and pick-up zone is on Joe Nuxhall Way, between Mehring Way and Freedom Way, along the west side of the ballpark. A second accessible drop-off and pick-up zone is at the corner of Broadway and Mehring Way on the southeast corner. Both zones are available to cars, vans, and small buses displaying a valid accessible placard or license plate, starting one half hour before gates open through approximately one hour after the game ends. Large school buses and charter/tour buses are not permitted in these zones.
Great American Ball Park is a fully accessible facility. Accessible seating areas are equipped with electrical outlets for recharging at no charge. Wheelchair service is available upon request – find any GABP staff member or visit a Guest Services booth in sections 119 or 420.
Uber and Lyft at Great American Ball Park
Uber and Lyft both service the ballpark area in downtown Cincinnati. The Joe Nuxhall Way drop-off zone – between Mehring Way and Freedom Way on the west side – works well for rideshare arrivals, sitting close to the main entrance.
For post-game pickups, request your ride early. Demand spikes immediately after the final out, and streets near Mehring Way, 2nd Street, and Pete Rose Way get congested fast. Walking a block or two away from the ballpark perimeter before requesting your pickup can cut wait times significantly.
Public Transit to Great American Ball Park
Two main transit systems serve the ballpark: Queen City Metro (Hamilton County and downtown Cincinnati) and the Southbank Shuttle operated by TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky).
The Southbank Shuttle connects Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati with a stop near the ballpark, running every 15 minutes for $1 per ride, with stops in both Newport and Covington. TANK also runs additional buses labeled “Great American Ball Park” as the destination on high-demand game days. The #8 Eastern Avenue/Crestview Hills bus stops at 4th and Walnut – about a block and a half from the ballpark – with a last departure around 11:30 PM.
Queen City Metro offers routes that drop riders close to the ballpark. Contact Metro at (513) 621-4455 for current schedules. Cincinnati’s free streetcar – The Connector – runs a continuous loop connecting downtown and Over-the-Rhine to the ballpark area, with Station 1 at The Banks located steps from the entrance. Surface lots, garages, and meters are available along the streetcar route, making it easy to park further out and ride in.
Great American Ball Park Parking Tips
Buy your parking pass in advance. Prepaid passes for the official Reds garages sell out for popular games, and third-party lot prices spike on busy nights. Purchasing ahead locks in your spot and usually saves money.
To save on parking, cross the river into Covington or Newport, Kentucky. Rates are lower, and free street parking is often available for evening and Sunday games. A short walk across one of the bridges – or a quick Southbank Shuttle ride – gets you to the ballpark in minutes.
Post-game traffic backs up on 2nd Street under the ballpark and Pete Rose Way near the East Garage. Fans parked in Kentucky or further north in downtown Cincinnati generally have an easier exit. Use the color-coded pass system when entering the official garages – Yellow for Central Riverfront, Blue for East Garage, Green for Central Riverfront West – to avoid pulling into the wrong entrance and sitting in extra traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Great American Ball Park?
Official Reds garage parking typically ranges from $5 to $20 depending on the lot and how close it is to the stadium. Day-of game purchases are available by credit card only, with rates such as $25 for the Central Riverfront Garage (east side), $21 for the west side, $15 for the East Garage, and $15 for Lot E.
When do the parking lots open at Great American Ball Park?
Parking lots at Great American Ball Park open approximately three hours before first pitch, with some sources noting they may open as early as five hours before game time. Arriving early is recommended to secure your preferred spot and beat traffic congestion.
Can you pay cash for parking at Great American Ball Park?
No u2014 day-of-game parking passes at the official Reds garages are available by credit card only. Cash is not accepted. If you want to guarantee your spot and avoid any payment issues, purchasing a prepaid pass in advance online is the best option.
Is tailgating allowed at Great American Ball Park?
Tailgating is not permitted in the official GABP parking garages or lots. Instead, fans can enjoy the open-air bars and restaurants along The Banks, located right next to the ballpark, for pre-game fun.
Is there accessible parking at Great American Ball Park?
Yes. Accessible parking is available in the East section of the Central Riverfront Garage for $27 and in the East Garage for $16. Vehicles must display a valid handicap tag or license plate. The accessible pickup and drop-off zone is located on Joe Nuxhall Way, between Mehring Way and Freedom Way, along the west side of the ballpark.
Is there cheap parking near Great American Ball Park?
Yes u2014 fans willing to walk can find significantly cheaper options. Newport on the Levee in Kentucky offers parking for around $5, and it's roughly a 20-minute walk to the ballpark across the Purple People Bridge. Surface lots near 3rd and Main or 204 Broadway in downtown Cincinnati offer similar rates. Lots on 5th or 6th Street north of the ballpark also tend to be less expensive than those on 3rd Street.
Is there a shuttle service to Great American Ball Park?
Yes. The Southbank Shuttle, operated by TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky), runs every 15 minutes and costs just $1 per ride, with stops in both Newport and Covington. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar is free to ride, with Station 1 at The Banks located just steps from the ballpark.
Who do I contact for parking questions at Great American Ball Park?
For general parking and directions questions, call the Reds at 513-765-7400. For bus group parking inquiries, call 513-765-7600 or email groups@reds.com. You can also purchase prepaid passes online at reds.com/parking.
