Denver Nuggets
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
1000 Chopper Circle
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Denver
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Owned and operated by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE); a multi-purpose arena in Denver's Central Platte Valley hosting 250+ events per year
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
(303) 405-1100 (arena main line)
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
CO
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Ball Arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
80204
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
On-site, 4Runner and Elitch's lots ($35 Nuggets); the Tundra cash rate is also reduced $5 with card. Off-site lots within walking distance can be cheaper (via Way/SpotHero apps)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.ballarena.com/plan-your-visit/parking-directions/ (book via Ticketmaster or LAZ Parking)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
First come, first served with a state-issued accessible permit. Camry North (103 standard + 7 van ADA, plus Special Needs spaces), Tundra (8 standard + 4 van ADA), RAV4 (3 standard ADA)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Hours
Lots open 3 hours prior to the start of the event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Credit/debit accepted at all Ball Arena lots; cash accepted only at the Tundra lot (a $5 discount applies when paying by card at Tundra)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
Camry (VIP) and Corolla lots are permit-only; premium amenities tie to suites/club seats. RAV4 is the closest public premium lot; TRD-Pro offers valet
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Yes — prompted after buying tickets on Ticketmaster, or book in advance via Ticketmaster/LAZ Parking (lazparking.com for daily/monthly)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Nuggets games — 4Runner $35, Tundra $40, Elitch's $35, RAV4 Premier $70; Camry/Corolla permit only; TRD-Pro valet permit only/Club Lexus. Playoff/special-event pricing subject to change
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
RTD light rail Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station is a short walk; RTD bus stop at 9th St & Auraria Pkwy
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor arena (no published tailgating program)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
I-25/Auraria Parkway interchange, Speer Boulevard, and Chopper Circle congest heavily pre/post-game; downtown Denver event traffic compounds delays
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
Multiple Toyota-branded lots — Camry (VIP), Corolla, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, RAV4 (Premier), TRD-Pro (Valet) — plus the adjacent Elitch's Lot
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
RTD A Line train (Denver Union Station to DEN airport); transfer at Union Station to light rail for the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
RTD NextRide / RTD MyRide app and rtd-denver.com for real-time arrivals
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
RTD light rail to Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station — about a one-minute ride from Union Station
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
RTD bus stop adjacent to the grounds at 9th Street & Auraria Parkway, served by multiple routes (call 303-299-6000 for schedules)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
RTD fares via the RTD MyRide app/cards or onboard; see rtd-denver.com (local fares apply)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — landlocked inland arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station (RTD light rail), a short walk from the main entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
RTD D, E, H and W light rail lines serve the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens stop
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
From downtown, take the free MallRide to Union Station, then a light rail line to the arena; note ongoing 16th Street Mall reconstruction (MallRide currently runs on 15th/17th Streets)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station is roughly a 1–3 minute walk to the arena entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Notes
The free RTD MallRide on the 16th Street Mall connects Union Station to downtown; transfer to light rail to reach the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Park ride
RTD operates regional Park-n-Rides feeding light rail to the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens Station (see rtd-denver.com)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Rack locations
Three racks on arena grounds — outside the East Atrium, outside the Grand Atrium, and in Toyota 4Runner Lot South
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share provider
Lime (Denver's current dockless bike/scooter share provider; prior Denver B-cycle dock program discontinued)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Ball Arena is reachable via the multi-use Cherry Creek Trail and a shared-use sidewalk on Auraria Parkway; see Denver's bike map
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
First come, first served with state-issued permit — Camry North (103 standard + 7 van), Tundra (8 standard + 4 van), RAV4 (3 standard); Special Needs spaces in Camry North
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Assistive listening and closed-caption devices available at the Guest Relations Kiosk in the Grand Atrium; captioning boards below Sections 210, 222, 240, and 252
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
Guest Relations (via Grand Atrium kiosk); full guide at ballarena.com/Accessibility
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
ADA pick-up/drop-off at the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot (4Runner West) and at the 9th Street roundabout
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevators
Elevators throughout the multi-level facility, including lobbies at Section 120 and Section 340; complimentary wheelchair escort service via Guest Relations
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Captioning boards are positioned for optimal viewing below four upper-level sections so deaf and hard-of-hearing fans can follow in-arena audio
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms available throughout the arena (ADA-compliant facility)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Sensory
Two Sensory Nooks in the elevator lobbies at Section 120 and Section 340 to reduce noise/stimuli; sensory kits/quiet space support available
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Service animals welcome; must stay leashed/harnessed and rest in the guest's seating area (not the aisle); Grand Atrium provides relief-area directions
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Dispersed wheelchair and companion accessible seating on all levels; folding chairs provided for companion seats
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Largely cashless — concessions, suites, and premium locations take debit/credit; select locations still accept cash
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
20-oz domestic drafts (Coors, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Avalanche Ale) at $10 on the 100/300 levels and two Club Level spots; Michelob Ultra Mountain House full-service lodge-style bar/restaurant
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The Nuggets' regulation playing court is one of the few in North America paired with a full-size in-building team practice court
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Denver/Colorado vendors such as Mexico City Lounge, Redeemer Pizza, and Big Belly Brother's BBQ; arena has added value concessions and new local vendors
Source statement; not independently verified.
Mobile ordering
Yes — mobile ordering offered at select locations alongside cashless payment
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Mexico City Lounge, Redeemer Pizza, Big Belly Brother's BBQ, Michelob Ultra Mountain House, Codigo Lounge, and Colorado Social
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food and beverages are prohibited; purchased bottles/cans must be opened in front of staff per NBA/NHL rules
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
Parking purchased via Ticketmaster and LAZ Parking (lazparking.com); third-party apps (Way, SpotHero) cover nearby off-site lots
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Local favorites include Mexico City Lounge tacos (sections 118 & 331), Redeemer Pizza NY-style sourdough-crust slices (sections 126 & 343), and Big Belly Brother's BBQ brisket (sections 148 & 379)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Vegetarian
Yes — plant-based and vegetarian items available across stands; specific menu varies by event (see ballarena.com concessions)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
HOK Sports Facilities Group (Kansas City)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
More than $180 million in private funds, built over 21 months
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Nuggets' first NBA Championship (2023) and the October 24, 2023 banner-raising/ring ceremony; Avalanche Stanley Cup runs (2001, 2022); numerous major concerts and family shows
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The Grand Atrium sculpture weighs 2,000 lbs, cost $75,000, and is 1.5 times life-size; the center-hung Daktronics scoreboard weighs about 70,000 lbs
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
1999 — opened October 1, 1999 with a sold-out Celine Dion concert (groundbreaking November 20, 1997)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
~19,099 for basketball / 18,007 for hockey at opening; ~675,000 sq ft on a 4.6-acre footprint
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
Pepsi Center (1999–2020); renamed Ball Arena in 2020 when Ball Corporation acquired naming rights
Source statement; not independently verified.
Records
Nikola Jokic MVP-era milestones and franchise playoff records during the 2023 title run (Jokic earned Finals MVP)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
Renamed Ball Arena 2020; ongoing upgrades including premium clubs (Club Level), Codigo Lounge, Colorado Social, value concessions, 4K floor projection system, and a planned large-scale KSE arena-district development
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Nuggets retired numbers — 2 (Alex English), 12 (Fat Lever), 33 (David Thompson), 40 (Byron Beck), 44 (Dan Issel), 55 (Dikembe Mutombo), and 432 (Doug Moe, for wins); plus the 2023 NBA Championship banner
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
~19,099 for Nuggets basketball (some arena pages cite 19,520; figures vary by configuration)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena with arena-wide Wi-Fi; ice plant for hockey/lacrosse covered with fiberglass board for other events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
~5,280 ft (Denver, the "Mile High City")
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Five-level facility with lower bowl, club/suite levels, and upper bowl
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
~89–95 luxury suites on two levels, ~1,900 club seats, two Theatre Boxes, and clubs including the Select Health Club Level and Ford Champions Club
Source statement; not independently verified.
Scoreboard
~70,000-lb Daktronics center-hung scoreboard (among the largest of its kind) plus a 4K floor projection system and JBL Vertec line-array sound
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
NHL's Colorado Avalanche and NLL's Colorado Mammoth also play at Ball Arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (233 pieces, ~41,625 lbs total); convertible floor over the NHL ice sheet
Source statement; not independently verified.