Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers Travel Guide: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

How to Get There

• Flying In: You will fly into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). It is located roughly 12 miles southwest of downtown and is heavily serviced by United, American, and Southwest Airlines.

• Airport Transit: Cleveland has a fantastic public transit connection from the airport. You can board the RTA Red Line train directly inside the airport terminal. It takes about 30 minutes to drop you off at Tower City Center in the heart of downtown, all for under $3.

Where to Stay

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is located in the Gateway District in downtown Cleveland (sharing the neighborhood with Progressive Field, home of the Guardians). Staying downtown gives you completely walkable access to the arena, world-class dining, and entertainment.

Budget/Mid-Range Options

• Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade: Located just a few blocks from the arena, this is one of the most architecturally unique hotels in the country. It is built directly into the historic 1890 Arcade, one of the first indoor shopping malls in the US. It is an excellent value option and typically runs between 9,000 to 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown: Situated right in the Gateway District, this boutique hotel keeps you securely within the immediate arena footprint, making for an incredibly easy walk to the gates.

Higher-End Options

• Metropolitan at The 9, Autograph Collection: This chic, highly stylized luxury hotel offers a premium experience right in downtown. It features excellent on-site dining and The Vault, an upscale lounge built directly into historic bank vaults in the basement. Expect redemptions to hover around 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland: For the ultimate luxury weekend, this 5-star hotel offers stunning views of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. More importantly, it is physically attached to Tower City Center, which offers a massive logistical advantage on game day.

Nearby Activities

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: You cannot visit Cleveland without seeing this iconic glass pyramid on the shores of Lake Erie. Located just a short ride or walk from the arena, it features decades of legendary music artifacts, instruments, and interactive exhibits.

• East 4th Street: This pedestrian-only brick street is the culinary and entertainment heartbeat of downtown Cleveland. It is packed with fantastic restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs.

Pregame Food and Drink

• East 4th Street: This is the undisputed pregame hub for Cavs fans. Stop by Mabel's BBQ (owned by celebrity chef Michael Symon) for incredible Cleveland-style barbecue, or grab a pint at Flannery's Pub, which gets absolutely packed with jerseys before tip-off.

• The Clevelander Bar & Grill: Located just a block away from the arena, this is a true, no-frills Cleveland sports bar staple. It offers cheap drinks, classic pub food, and a loud, passionate pregame atmosphere.

• Inside the Arena: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse recently underwent a massive $185 million renovation, creating a stunning glass atrium and completely revamping the concourses. Grabbing a drink at the massive Budweiser Brew House inside the arena is a great way to escape the cold early.

Getting to the Event

• The Indoor Walkway: If you are staying at the Ritz-Carlton, the Renaissance, or anywhere connected to Tower City Center, you can use the indoor, climate-controlled walkway that connects the transit hub directly to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. This is an absolute lifesaver during freezing winter games.

• Walking: If you book a hotel in the Gateway District or near East 4th Street, the arena is just a simple 5-to-10-minute walk down the sidewalks.

• Driving: If you choose to commute from the suburbs, you should pre-purchase a parking pass for the Gateway East Garage, which shares a footprint with the arena.

Where to Sit at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

• The Cavs Bench: The home team sits in front of Sections 106 and 107.

• Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Sections 108 and 109, which sit directly behind the visitor's bench.

• The Premium Club Experience: For the best luxury experience, look for seats that include access to the Oswald Court Club. Located on the event level, this Biergarten-inspired lounge offers an all-inclusive premium food and beverage menu and unique behind-the-scenes perspectives near the players' parking garage.

• The Sweet Spot: The lower-level corner sections, specifically Sections 103, 111, 122, or 130, offer fantastic proximity to the court without the massive price tags attached to the center-court club seats.

• The Budget Seats: The 200-level (upper deck) provides the most affordable tickets. To ensure you don't feel too far removed from the action, try to score tickets in the lower rows (1-5) of center-court Sections 208, 209, 225, or 226.