A Guide to Ball Arena
Ball Arena is the multi-purpose entertainment hub in downtown Denver home to the Nuggets, Avalanche, and Outlaws Lacrosse. Nestled near the historic LoDo district, the venue is a central pillar of Colorado's sports culture.
Getting to the Arena
- Driving & ParkingTake I-25 towards Denver, exit 210B for Auraria Parkway, Merge onto Auraria Parkway. Turn left onto 7th, 9th, or 11th Street to enter Ball Arena grounds. There are numerous parking lots directly next to the arena. The Toyota Camry lot nearest the arena on the southwest side are exclusively permitted for those with VIP parking. The 4Runner lot further away are available for general admission. The Rav 4 Lot southeast of the stadium offers the closest parking for a higher price. The Tundra Lot is the only general admission lot on the east side of the stadium and the only lot that accepts cash.
- Public Transit
- Light Rail (RTD)The C Line returns: Direct rail service between Littleton•Mineral and Union Station stopping at Ball Arena is being reinstated. D and H Line Reroute: Due to downtown track work, these lines will be diverted to serve Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens and Union Station instead of the usual downtown loop.
- BusPrimary Routes: The 1, 15L, 20, and 43 remain the core lines serving the arena. Route 43 Update: As of June 2026, Route 43 is seeing a service increase, now running every 7.5 minutes during midday/peak hours to help with downtown congestion. 16th Street FreeRide: If you are coming from the 16th Street Mall, the shuttle frequency has improved to every 3 minutes. Note that it is currently operating on 15th and 17th Streets due to ongoing mall reconstruction.
- RideshareThe designated rideshare lot is at the intersection of 5th and Walnut Streets in the 4Runner West Lot.
Pregame Festivities
Denver's pregame scene stretches from the arena's own onsite options into the LoDo and Highlands neighborhoods. The craft beer culture here is among the best in the country, and the Avs fanbase takes full advantage.
Bars & Restaurants
- The arena's own attached bar and restaurant; solid pregame spot with Avs décor and a game-day atmosphere that builds as puck drop approaches.
- Denver heritage brewery with a big taproom on the Auraria campus, a short distance from the arena.
- Denver's oldest bar, a no-frills spot on the Platte River with great burgers and local beer on tap.
- Classic Denver sports bar with plenty of TVs, cold beer, and a solid pregame crowd.
- Intimate cocktail bar in the Highlands for something more refined before the game.
- Denver-born mission-style burritos and green chile; fast, filling, and perfect pregame fuel.
Neighborhood Attractions
- An immersive, mind-bending art experience near Sun Valley; a wildly unique pregame or off-day activity.
- A world-class museum with a striking Daniel Libeskind-designed building in the Golden Triangle neighborhood.
- Denver's oldest and most charming block, lined with independent shops, restaurants, and string lights.
- Where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River is a scenic walk or bike ride from Ball Arena with views of the downtown skyline
Monuments & Unique Features
- The Ball Arena Infinity MonumentLocated in the Grand Atrium Plaza near the 4Runner West Lot, this 1,700-pound aluminum structure is a centerpiece added after the 2020 renaming.
- The Grand Atrium SculptureInside the main glass atrium, look for a massive, 1.5-times life-size bronze sculpture depicting an athlete in motion.
- Championship Banners-Retired NumbersChampionship banners for 1996, 2001, and 2022 hang from the rafters alongside retired numbers for Sakic, Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg, and Adam Foote.
- The Pierre Lacroix BannerIn addition to players, the Avalanche have a special banner honoring the late General Manager who built their championship era.
History & Notable Moments
- The 2001 Cup team is widely considered one of the most talented rosters ever assembled, featuring Roy, Sakic, Forsberg, Rob Blake, and Ray Bourque — whose emotional Cup lift remains one of hockey's greatest moments
- The Colorado-Detroit rivalry of the late 1990s (Lemieux-Draper, Roy-Osgood, the Brawl in Hockeytown) is one of the fiercest in NHL history
- Nathan MacKinnonand Cale Makar led the 2022 championship run, bringing the Cup back to Denver after a 21-year drought
- Trophy DisplayDuring the regular season, keep an eye on the Club Level near the Colorado Social entrance, where replica championship trophies and historical memorabilia from the 2022 and 2023 title runs are often showcased in glass rotunda displays.
Seating & Special Sections
- Colorado SocialLocated across from Sections 228–232, this is a high-end restaurant and bar featuring a culinary program with locally sourced ingredients and a curated list of Colorado craft spirits.
- Forget Me Not LoungeA chic, upscale cocktail lounge inspired by the popular Cherry Creek destination. It specializes in elegant cocktails and elevated bar snacks, offering a "street-to-seat" lifestyle vibe.
- Código LoungeLocated near Sections 202–204, this exclusive bar focuses on premium tequila-based cocktails, craft beer, and grab-and-go gourmet snacks.
- Lexus Luxury BoxesThese are premium, semi-private boxes that provide a view of the action with the comfort of a private lounge. They include dedicated VIP entrance access and in-box catering.
- Legacy & Signature SuitesStarting in Summer 2026, the standard suites are being remodeled into these two new categories. They feature modern, social layouts, upgraded finishes, and enhanced technology.
- Ice Deck & Zamboni DeckThese are unique, small-group areas 8 tickets each located at the glass level for Avalanche games. These spots include food and beverage and offer one of the most immersive views in hockey.
Concessions
- Denver green chile makes its way onto burgers, brats, and fries throughout the concourse.
- Redeemer PizzaSections 126 & 342. NY 2.0 artisan pizza using Grande Mozzarella and Ezzo Pepperoni.
- Mexico CitySections 118 & 330: Famous for their legendary fried tacos the #1 fan-requested item.
- Big Belly Brothers BBQSections 148 & 379: Features 20-hour smoked brisket sandwiches and Brisket Fries.
- Illegal BurgerSection 102: Colorado-local elevated burgers using antibiotic-free and hormone-free beef.
- Nola JaneSection 303: New Orleans-themed fare including Alligator Sausage, Gumbo, and Nola Poutine fries smothered in gumbo.
- Jake’s Baby D’sSection 134: A newer addition specializing in gourmet hot dogs and variations.
Arena Information
Capacity
18,007
Avg Attendance
18,122
Opened
1999
Last Renovated
2015
Architect
Populous
Construction Cost
$187 million
Notable Events
The franchise moved from Quebec City in 1995 and won the Stanley Cup in their very first season in Denver 1996, led by Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy.
Suggested Places
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