Paycor Stadium parking ranges from $25-$50+ across official stadium lots and surrounding garages. Cincinnati Bengals game day parking passes can be prepaid online for the closest lots, with cheaper options available within walking distance of the venue. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots only; find lot maps, ADA accessible parking, and rideshare drop-off details below.
Common questions
How much is parking at Paycor Stadium?
Where can I find cheap parking near Paycor Stadium?
Where do I park for a Cincinnati Bengals game at Paycor Stadium?
Can you tailgate at Paycor Stadium?
How Much Is Parking at Paycor Stadium?
Parking at Paycor Stadium ranges from $25 to $50 or more depending on the lot and whether you buy in advance or on game day.
The CRG garage lots, CRG East, CRG West, and CRG Mid, are the most expensive options, running $40 when purchased in advance and $50 or above if you pay on game day. The surface lots closest to the stadium, Lots 1, 1U, A, B, D, and E, cost $30 in advance and $35 on game day. The Hilltop and Hilltop North lots, located about a mile west of the stadium, are the most affordable official option at $25 in advance and $30 on game day.
Third-party resale platforms like Vivid Seats list passes at higher prices that reflect secondary market demand, so always check bengals.com or aggregators like SpotHero and ParkWhiz first to get the best face-value rate. Prepaying online is consistently cheaper than arriving without a pass and paying at the gate.
Paycor Stadium Parking Lots and Maps
Paycor Stadium is served by four CRG garages and a series of surface lots that ring the stadium along the Cincinnati riverfront.
The four CRG garage lots, CRG Premium (purple), CRG West (green), CRG Mid (yellow), and CRG East (blue), open six hours before kickoff, giving tailgaters the longest window of any parking area. These garages are positioned just east of the stadium with entrances off Mehring Way and E. Pete Rose Way, making them the closest covered parking to the gates.
The surface lots, Lot 1U, A, B, D, E, Hilltop, Hilltop North, and Longworth Hall, open four hours before kickoff. Lots A, B, C, D, and E are owned and operated by the Cincinnati Bengals and sit directly adjacent to Paycor Stadium, offering quick in-and-out access. The Longworth Hall lot is located at 700 W. Pete Rose Way and serves fans approaching from the west side. The Hilltop and Hilltop North lots sit approximately one mile from the stadium and are the furthest official option, but they come with the lowest price tag and are a solid choice for fans willing to walk or use transit.
Downtown Cincinnati also has over 20,000 parking spaces spread across multiple garages and surface lots, including the Duke Energy Center Garage 1 at 605 Plum Street, Duke Energy Center Garage 2 at 609 Elm Street, Fountain Square Garage at 520 Vine Street, and the Enquirer Building Parking Garage at 312 Elm Street. These off-site options often cost less than official stadium lots and work well for fans comfortable with a short walk into the stadium footprint.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Paycor Stadium
The CRG Premium garage (purple) is the top-tier parking option at Paycor Stadium and is the closest covered structure to the stadium entrances.
The CRG Premium lot requires a season parking pass and is not available for single-game purchase through standard channels, so individual game attendees seeking the closest garage parking should target CRG West or CRG Mid. All four CRG garages open six hours before kickoff, two hours earlier than the surface lots, which makes them the go-to choice for fans who want maximum tailgate time and a covered spot regardless of weather.
Season ticket holders have priority access to the team-operated lots closest to the stadium gates, and the Bengals restrict ownership of parking passes to one pass for every four Club Ownership Agreements (COAs) held. For single-game premium access, buying a CRG East or CRG West pass in advance through bengals.com at the $40 rate is the best available option outside of a season pass.
Free Parking Near Paycor Stadium
There is no free parking available in the official Paycor Stadium lots, all require a fee on game day.
That said, budget-conscious fans can significantly cut costs by parking in the broader downtown Cincinnati area and walking or taking transit to the stadium. Street parking exists throughout downtown Cincinnati, though metered spaces fill up quickly on game days. The Hilltop and Hilltop North lots at $25 prepaid are the most affordable official option and represent the best value for fans driving in.
Fans willing to make a slightly longer trip can park in residential neighborhoods north of downtown or near the University of Cincinnati area and catch a Go Metro bus downtown. Parking in a standard downtown garage unaffiliated with the stadium, such as the Fountain Square Garage at 520 Vine Street or the Duke Energy Center garages on Plum and Elm Streets, often costs well under the stadium lot rates on non-prime game days. Comparing prices on SpotHero before you leave home is the fastest way to find the best deal in the broader downtown footprint.
Can You Tailgate at Paycor Stadium?
Yes, tailgating is permitted in the parking lots surrounding Paycor Stadium before Bengals games.
Fans can set up in the lots adjacent to the stadium, with the CRG garages and surface lots all allowing pre-game celebrations. Tailgating hours run from the time lots open, up to six hours before kickoff for the CRG garages and four hours before kickoff for the surface lots, through the start of the game. The Lot E area and the Central Riverfront Garage zone are popular tailgate gathering spots among Bengals fans.
The ground rules are straightforward: fans must not block other parking spaces or vehicles, alcoholic beverages are permitted in the lots but must be disposed of before entering the stadium, and grills are allowed. Tailgating is not permitted during or after the game, so wrap up before kickoff. The CRG garages’ extended opening window makes them the best lots for fans who want to maximize pre-game time.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Paycor Stadium
ADA parking is available at every lot at Paycor Stadium, with dedicated accessible spaces spread throughout the official parking footprint.
For season ticket holders, ADA-reserved spaces are included in lots matching their parking pass. For single-game attendees, the primary accessible parking option is Lot 1, located at the corner of Pete Rose Way and Central Avenue, spaces there are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans must display a state-issued handicap tag or license plate to use these spaces, and the designated areas are close to the stadium entrances to minimize distance for guests with mobility needs.
For ADA drop-off and pick-up, the official designated zones are: the curb cut-out along Central Avenue between West Pete Rose Way and Mehring Way, which provides direct access to Gate A; and the corner of Race Street and Freedom Way just outside E + O Kitchen, which provides direct access to Gate D. ADA parking spaces at the stadium are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Contact the Bengals guest services line at (513) 946-8100 with any accessibility accommodation questions before game day.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Paycor Stadium
The official rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone at Paycor Stadium is on 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut.
This location keeps rideshare traffic off the main stadium approach roads and puts riders within easy walking distance of the stadium. Plan your route to the 2nd Street zone in your Uber or Lyft app before departing to avoid confusion on arrival. After the game, rideshare demand is extremely high immediately outside the stadium, so walking a few blocks away before requesting your ride will significantly cut your wait time.
Uber, Lyft, and taxi services also use designated areas along Central Avenue and Race Street for additional event traffic management. If you are an ADA passenger using rideshare, the ADA drop-off zones on Central Avenue near Gate A and at Race Street and Freedom Way near Gate D are available in addition to the main 2nd Street rideshare corridor.
Public Transit to Paycor Stadium
Paycor Stadium is well-served by multiple public transit options connecting downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on game day.
The Go Metro bus system (operated by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, SORTA) runs several routes with stops near the stadium, including Government Square Station and Central Parkway Station. A one-way bus fare is $2.50, payable with cash or a bus pass. The Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar also connects downtown neighborhoods and can drop fans within walking distance of the stadium. For riders in downtown, the entire stadium complex is walkable from much of the central business district.
Fans coming from Northern Kentucky have two solid options. The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) operates bus service from Northern KY to stops convenient to Paycor Stadium. The Southbank Shuttle runs on gameday for just $1 with service every 15 minutes, connecting fans from the Covington and Newport riverfronts directly to the stadium footprint, it is one of the best transit bargains in the Cincinnati area on game days.
For a unique alternative, Queen City Riverboats pick up fans at The Beer Sellar and Hooters on the Kentucky shore for $10 per person. Boats depart every 30 minutes starting two hours before kickoff, with return trips starting at halftime and running through 45 minutes after the final whistle. Keep your ticket, the return trip is free.
Paycor Stadium Parking Tips
The single biggest tip for Paycor Stadium parking: buy in advance. Prepaid passes through bengals.com, SpotHero, or ParkWhiz are consistently $5-$10 cheaper per lot than paying at the gate on game day, and the closest lots sell out well before kickoff for marquee matchups.
If you want garage parking with maximum tailgate time, target the CRG garages, they open six hours before kickoff, two hours earlier than any surface lot. For the best value close to the stadium, Lots A, B, and D sit directly adjacent to the gates and cost $30 prepaid. If price is your main concern, the Hilltop or Hilltop North lots at $25 prepaid are the budget pick, though the roughly one-mile walk should factor into your planning, especially for night games or cold-weather matchups.
Traffic on I-71 and I-75 builds significantly on game days, use Waze or Google Maps to navigate and aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Fans entering from I-75 should take Exit 58A and follow stadium signage. If you are parking in one of the downtown off-site garages like the Duke Energy Center Garage or Fountain Square Garage, build in extra walking time. Post-game, the Southbank Shuttle and rideshare on 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut are your fastest exits if you parked in a lot with heavy outbound traffic.
Heading to a show? See our Paycor Stadium bag policy for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Paycor Stadium for a Bengals game?
Parking at Paycor Stadium ranges from $25 to $50 or more depending on the lot. CRG garage lots run $40 prepaid or $50+ on game day. Surface lots like A, B, D, and E are $30 prepaid or $35 on game day. The Hilltop lots are the most affordable at $25 prepaid.
Where is the rideshare drop-off at Paycor Stadium?
The official Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up zone is on 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut in downtown Cincinnati. After the game, walk a few blocks from the stadium before requesting your ride to avoid long wait times.
Can you tailgate at Paycor Stadium?
Yes, tailgating is allowed in the parking lots surrounding Paycor Stadium before Bengals games. Grills are permitted, alcohol is allowed in the lots but must be disposed of before entering the stadium, and tailgating ends at kickoff.
Where is ADA parking at Paycor Stadium?
ADA-accessible spaces are available in every official lot. Single-game handicap parking is in Lot 1 at the corner of Pete Rose Way and Central Avenue, available on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid state-issued handicap placard or license plate.
What time do Paycor Stadium parking lots open?
The CRG garage lots, CRG Premium, CRG West, CRG Mid, and CRG East, open six hours before kickoff. All surface lots, including Lots 1U, A, B, D, E, Hilltop, Hilltop North, and Longworth Hall, open four hours before kickoff.
Can I buy parking passes in advance for Paycor Stadium?
Yes, prepaid parking passes are available through bengals.com and third-party platforms including SpotHero and ParkWhiz. Buying in advance is cheaper than paying at the gate on game day and guarantees your spot before lots sell out.
Is there a bus to Paycor Stadium on game days?
Yes. Go Metro (SORTA) runs bus routes with stops near the stadium, including Government Square Station, for a $2.50 one-way fare. TANK operates buses from Northern Kentucky, and the Southbank Shuttle connects Covington and Newport to the stadium for just $1 with service every 15 minutes.
Is there a riverboat option to get to Paycor Stadium?
Yes. Queen City Riverboats pick up fans from The Beer Sellar and Hooters on the Kentucky shore for $10 per person, with departures every 30 minutes starting two hours before kickoff. The return trip after the game is free if you keep your ticket.
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