Getting There · Value City Arena · Columbus
Getting to Value City Arena — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to Value City Arena without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on Ohio State Buckeyes game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center), Columbus fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 18,809, the streets around Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center), Columbus tighten up fast during the pre-game window. This guide covers the transit lines that drop you closest to the arena, the rideshare zones, walking routes from Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center), and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About Value City Arena
Home of the ohio state buckeyes, inside the schottenstein center. the arena has hosted events at this site since 1998. located at 555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210.
Transit Routes to Value City Arena
COTA buses and the CABS campus shuttle serve the arena from campus and downtown Columbus. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from Value City Arena — you are moving while the parking lots around Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center), Columbus are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Value City Arena
Uber and Lyft both serve Value City Arena. On busy nights the apps route you to a designated drop-off zone near the arena rather than the front gates, keeping traffic and pedestrians separated. Surge pricing is usually shorter-lived at smaller venues. Still, walking a block or two from Value City Arena before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to Value City Arena from Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center)
Value City Arena is located at 555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, in the Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center) area of Columbus. While Value City Arena is not in the core downtown area, the Ohio State University campus (Schottenstein Center) surroundings have sidewalks and pedestrian access from nearby parking areas, hotels, and transit stops. Walking in from a few blocks away also sidesteps the worst of the event-night traffic and is often the single fastest way to leave once the show ends. The walk to Value City Arena is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at Value City Arena
Value City Arena holds 18,809 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like Value City Arena means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the Ohio State Buckeyes have a sold-out crowd, add another 15-20 minutes to your buffer. The smaller footprint means you can get from the gate to your seat quickly once you are inside.
Late-Night Exit from Value City Arena
If you took transit to Value City Arena, your post-event exit plan hinges on the last departure from the nearest stop. Before the event, look up the schedule for the specific line referenced in the transit section above — (COTA buses and the CABS campus shuttle serve the arena from campus and downtown Columbus) — and screenshot it. Evening events at Value City Arena typically let out between 10:00 and 11:00 PM, though encores and overtime can push later. Having the schedule saved means you can decide during the event whether to catch the last train or switch to a rideshare backup.