Getting There · McCarthey Athletic Center · Spokane
Getting to McCarthey Athletic Center — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to McCarthey Athletic Center without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on Gonzaga Bulldogs game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Gonzaga University campus, Spokane fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 6,000, the streets around Gonzaga University campus, Spokane 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 Gonzaga University campus, and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About McCarthey Athletic Center
Home of the gonzaga bulldogs, known as the kennel. the arena has hosted events at this site since 2004. located at 801 North Cincinnati Street, Spokane, WA 99202.
Transit Routes to McCarthey Athletic Center
STA buses serve the Gonzaga campus and downtown Spokane near the arena. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from McCarthey Athletic Center — you are moving while the parking lots around Gonzaga University campus, Spokane are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at McCarthey Athletic Center
Uber and Lyft both serve McCarthey Athletic Center. 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 McCarthey Athletic Center before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to McCarthey Athletic Center from Gonzaga University campus
McCarthey Athletic Center is located at 801 North Cincinnati Street, Spokane, WA 99202, in the Gonzaga University campus area of Spokane. While McCarthey Athletic Center is not in the core downtown area, the Gonzaga University campus 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 McCarthey Athletic Center is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at McCarthey Athletic Center
McCarthey Athletic Center holds 6,000 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like McCarthey Athletic Center means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the Gonzaga Bulldogs 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 McCarthey Athletic Center
If you took transit to McCarthey Athletic Center, 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 — (STA buses serve the Gonzaga campus and downtown Spokane near the arena) — and screenshot it. Evening events at McCarthey Athletic Center 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.