Getting There · Ball Arena · Denver
Getting to Ball Arena — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to Ball Arena without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Central Platte Valley, Denver fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 18,007, the streets around Central Platte Valley, Denver 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 Central Platte Valley, and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About Ball Arena
Shared home of the colorado avalanche and denver nuggets. the arena has hosted events at this site since 1999. located at 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver, CO 80204.
Transit Routes to Ball Arena
Served by RTD light rail at the Ball Arena-Elitch Gardens station. The Central Platte Valley, Denver location means multiple transit connections are available within a short walk, giving you backup options if one line is delayed. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from Ball Arena — you are moving while the parking lots around Central Platte Valley, Denver are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Ball Arena
Uber and Lyft both serve Ball 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 Ball Arena before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to Ball Arena from Central Platte Valley
Ball Arena is located at 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver, CO 80204, in the Central Platte Valley area of Denver. The urban location makes Ball Arena walkable from many Denver hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs. Fans staying in the Central Platte Valley area can often walk to the arena in under 15 minutes, which is frequently faster than driving and parking on event nights. 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 Ball Arena is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at Ball Arena
Ball Arena holds 18,007 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like Ball Arena means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets 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 Ball Arena
If you took transit to Ball 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 — (Served by RTD light rail at the Ball Arena-Elitch Gardens station) — and screenshot it. Evening events at Ball 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.