Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets Travel Guide: Ball Arena

How to Get There

• Flying In: You will fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). It is a massive hub for United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, making direct flights highly accessible. Be prepared for a large, sprawling airport—it is one of the busiest in the world.

• Airport Transit: Denver offers one of the best airport-to-downtown transit hacks in the country. Skip the expensive rental car and board the RTD A Line commuter train located right at the airport terminal. It costs around $10 and drops you off directly at Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown in just 37 minutes.

Where to Stay

Ball Arena is located on the edge of the LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood and the Auraria Campus. Staying in LoDo or near Union Station is the elite strategy, giving you completely traffic-free walking access to the arena, world-class breweries, and great restaurants.

Budget/Mid-Range Options

• Hyatt House Denver/Downtown: Located just a few blocks from the arena and the Colorado Convention Center, this extended-stay property offers spacious rooms and a free hot breakfast. It is a fantastic value and typically runs between 9,000 to 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• Aloft Denver Downtown: Situated in the downtown core, this modern, tech-forward hotel offers a vibrant lobby bar and a comfortable, highly reliable stay. It is about a 15-minute walk to the gates, with redemptions usually ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Higher-End Options

• Thompson Denver: Located right in the heart of LoDo, this boutique luxury hotel offers stunning mid-century modern design and an incredible ground-floor French restaurant, Chez Maggy. It is a quick walk to both Union Station and the arena. You can often book this for 20,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Denver: For the ultimate luxury weekend, this 5-star property offers legendary service, a world-class spa, and is home to the famous ELWAY'S downtown steakhouse. Expect redemptions to hover around 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Nearby Activities

• Cherry Creek Trail: If you want to keep up with your weekly running routine while traveling, this paved trail runs right through downtown Denver and connects directly to the Ball Arena footprint. It is the perfect place to knock out a few morning miles, just remember to pace yourself in the altitude!

• Denver Union Station: This beautifully restored historic train station is much more than a transit hub. The massive grand hall is filled with high-end coffee shops, boutique bars, and excellent restaurants, making it a destination of its own.

• Rocky Mountains: While not in the city, popular mountain towns like Winter Park and Vail can be reached in about 90 minutes from downtown Denver and is a great way to extend our the weekend.

Pregame Food and Drink

• Tivoli Brewing Co.: Located literally across the street from the arena on the Auraria Campus, this historic brewery operates out of one of the oldest buildings in Denver. It features an incredible local craft beer list, fantastic pub food, and gets completely packed with Nuggets fans before tip-off.

• Brooklyn's at Ball Arena: This is the most traditional, no-frills pregame sports bar in the area. It sits right next to the arena's parking lots and offers a loud, classic pregame atmosphere with plenty of TVs and cheap drinks.

• McGregor Square: Located a short walk away near Coors Field, this massive outdoor entertainment plaza features a gigantic 66-foot LED screen, multiple bars, and Tom's Watch Bar. It is a highly energized spot to grab a drink and watch the early games before walking over to Ball Arena.

Getting to the Event

• Walking: If you secure a hotel in LoDo or near Union Station, walking is absolutely the best way to get to the game. The sidewalks are wide, safe, and heavily populated with fans crossing over Speer Boulevard.

• RTD Light Rail: The Ball Arena / Elitch Gardens Station sits just a few hundred feet from the arena doors. You can take the C, E, or W rail lines directly to the stadium, bypassing all downtown vehicle traffic.

• Driving: If you choose to commute from the suburbs, you can pre-purchase a parking pass for the Highlander or Toyota Prius lots on the arena property. Just be aware that exiting these surface lots after the game can take quite a while.

Where to Sit at Ball Arena

• The Nuggets Bench: The home team sits in front of Section 146.

• Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Section 148, which sits directly behind the visitor's bench.

• The Premium Club Experience: The Club Level (200-level) offers a fantastic premium experience. These tickets provide access to an exclusive, less-crowded concourse with high-end food and full-service bars. The seats are slightly elevated, offering arguably the best uninterrupted sightlines in the entire building.

• The Sweet Spot: To get the energy of the lower bowl without paying center-court prices, look at the corner sections, specifically Sections 104, 110, 134, or 140.

• The Budget Seats: The 300-level provides the most affordable tickets. Because of the steep pitch of the upper deck, you will actually feel quite close to the action. For the best balance of price and a full-court view, target the lower rows of Sections 344, 345, 301, or 302.