Rocket Arena: A Practical Venue Guide

Overview

Rocket Arena sits in downtown Cleveland's Gateway District, on the corner of Ontario Street and Huron Road at 1 Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115. It is an indoor arena, and it is easy to reach by car: it stands 1/4 mile from all major freeways, with access from exits off the I-90 Innerbelt, I-77 and Route 2.

The venue hosts Cleveland Cavaliers games, Cleveland Monsters games and concerts, and the details below are drawn from the arena's own guest pages, with a link to SeatCommons for browsing events at the building. Where those pages do not address something, this guide says so rather than guessing.

One heads-up before you plan your route: ongoing construction near the arena may affect your commute, including lane restrictions on Huron Road and Ontario Street between the Detroit-Superior Bridge and the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge.

Getting there

The easiest arrival is often the one that skips traffic entirely. RTA's Walkway connects Tower City Center and Rocket Arena, beginning at the Tower City Center food court and ending in the lobby of Rocket Arena. For most events the Walkway opens three hours prior to an event and remains open for approximately three hours after the event ends. For Cleveland Cavaliers games it opens four hours prior to the game and stays open for three hours after the game ends.

RTA offers services to Rocket Arena from all parts of Cuyahoga County by bus or rapid transit, and there are over 7,000 free parking spots at RTA's various rail stations. After the event, the trains will be ready for your trip back home, with departure times determined by the length of the event. For routes, schedules and services, call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500.

Lyft is Rocket Arena's Official Rideshare Partner. The arena pages name no specific rideshare pickup zone or drop-off point; if you need one, check the arena's directions and parking page before you travel.

Entrances and finding your seat

Rocket Arena has four named entry points listed on its guest pages. The Sherwin-Williams Entrance is on the corner of Ontario Street and Huron Road. The Cleveland-Cliff's Entrance is on the corner of Huron Road and East 6th Street. The SERVPRO Entrance faces Progressive Field. The Huntington Club Level East Bridge is a pedestrian walkway connecting the Arena to the Gateway East Garage, and guests must have event tickets to enter the venue via that bridge. Automatic doors are located at all Rocket Arena ground entrances.

Inside, the arena is laid out across the Street Level concourse and the upper Loudville level, with numbered portals marking the way to sections. Elevators and escalators do the climbing: the Northwest elevators are on the Street Level at Portal 29, the Northeast elevators are on the Street Level near Portal 4 and 5, and escalators run from the Street Level directly to Loudville at Portals 8 and 25.

Do allow for the current phase of the arena's upgrade process: one elevator at the four-bank elevators near Portal 29 will be out of service. Escalators located near Portals 10 and 25 will be available until work begins again in November 2025. At the conclusion of each event, all escalators will only go directly from Loudville to the Street Level.

If you need help once inside, staff at the Solutions Hubs at Portal 1 on the Street Level and Portal 52 on Loudville can take comments, compliments and concerns during an event.

Food and drink

Restaurants and concession stands are located throughout the building and offer a variety of food as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Outside food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are not permitted inside Rocket Arena. Exceptions are made for medical reasons, baby food and reasonable children's snacks such as crackers, raisins and juice boxes. Reusable food or drink containers, including popcorn buckets and souvenir cups, are not permitted to be brought inside.

Two practical notes for buying anything on site. Cash is no longer accepted inside the arena: all purchases must be made with a valid debit or credit card or a mobile wallet option such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. A valid ID (state ID, driver's license or military ID) is required to purchase alcohol if you appear to be 30 or younger, with a service limit of 2 alcoholic beverages per transaction. Alcohol service cuts off at the beginning of the 4th quarter for NBA games, at the end of the second intermission for AHL games, or at management's discretion. Purchased alcohol may not be taken outside the premises under any circumstances.

Accessibility

Last checked October 28, 2026. Automatic doors are located at all Rocket Arena ground entrances, and the venue is accessible to all levels via seven passenger elevators and two escalators. The Northwest elevators are on the Street Level at Portal 29 and the Northeast elevators are on the Street Level near Portal 4 and 5. Both on-site garages are accessible and have multiple passenger elevators to access the venue at ground level.

Accessible seating is purchased by selecting the "Accessible" filter while browsing tickets; if that option is not available for an event, all ADA seats are currently sold out. Wheelchair escorts are a complimentary service between Rocket Arena entrances and seating locations, requested by speaking with the Experience Engineer scanning your ticket after security screening. The service is not available outside the building, at inside concessions, restrooms or merchandise stands. Large items such as an ECV, knee scooter or personal wheelchair can be stored at Security across from Portal 18 on Street Level.

Rocket Arena has partnered with KultureCity to improve its ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory processing needs. Sensory bags and tools can be checked out at the Solutions Hubs on the Street Level near Portal 1 and on Loudville near Portal 52; there is no checkout fee, but a valid credit card is required in case of damage or stolen items. The Sensory Pod is located in the Sherwin Williams Atrium on Street Level.

A limited number of hand-held captioning devices are available during an event. Amplification devices operable from any seat and hearing-aid compatible devices are available at the Solutions Hub near Portal 1; a driver's license or ID is required to borrow all devices, and they must be returned at the conclusion of the event. Guests needing a sign language interpreter are asked to contact Rocket Arena via Contact Us with the subject "Interpeter Request" at least two weeks in advance of the event.

Braille signage is displayed on all public areas of the arena, including elevators, seat sections, restrooms and offices. Braille menus are available at Rocket Arena restaurants upon request, and braille menus for concession stands are available at the Solutions Hub on the Street Level and Loudville. Wheelchair height tables are in both main food court areas on the East and West sides of the Arena.

All 22 men's, 22 women's and two gender-inclusive restrooms throughout the Arena, plus four unisex/family restrooms, are accessible. The all-gender restrooms are near Portals 29-30 on the lower Street Level concourse next to the Power Portal and near Portals 58-59 on the Loudville upper level concourse next to the Gilly's Bar. Trained guide dogs or service animals are welcome while emotional support animals are not permitted, and service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Breast pumps are permitted inside Rocket Arena. Two first-aid stations staffed with registered nurses are on the Street Level near Portal 14 and on Loudville near Portal 66.

Parking and rideshare

Two on-site garages, the Great Day Improvements Garage (formerly Gateway East Garage) and JACK Cleveland Casino Garage, accommodate 3,300 cars between them. Both are accessible and have multiple passenger elevators to access the venue at ground level. The Great Day Improvements Garage has a connecting bridge that leads directly into the facility, accessed off Garage Level 3 from the elevators, and guests must have event tickets to enter the venue via the bridge.

Parking at the Great Day Improvements Garage runs on a Vision Technology Platform: license plate readers log your entry and bill you automatically on exit. Event parking prices automatically populate and will vary by event; the official pages give no flat rate. Pre-paid parking passes are available via SeatGeek for select Rocket Arena events.

Mind the height and size limits if you are not in a standard car. Vehicle clearance to get into the Great Day Improvements Garage is 7'6" (tow trucks included), and limited space with a 7'6" clearance is available for vans. Sprinter vans are required to park on Level 1/Street Level in a Platinum spot and should be no more than 7' wide and 19' long.

When there is a dual event at Rocket Arena and Progressive Field (a Cleveland Guardians game), the Great Day Improvements Garage will only accept parking passes purchased in advance.

The Great Day Improvements Garage has a limited number of designated accessible spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis. A variety of other parking options are available within a five- to ten-minute walk of the arena. LAZ Parking operates multiple garages and lots throughout downtown Cleveland allowing you to buy parking passes in advance, and parking can be reserved in advance through ParkMobile.

Lyft is Rocket Arena's Official Rideshare Partner. New Lyft users can use code ROCKETARENA for 50% off their first 2 rides (up to

Bag policy and arena rules

Purses and diaper bags 14" x 14" x 6" or smaller are permitted and subject to inspection by security. Bags and purses larger than 14" x 14" x 6", or that do not fit under your seat without blocking the aisle, are not permitted, and backpacks of any size are not permitted. Clear bags and purses are permitted but will still be searched and/or run through the X-ray machine at entry. Bags larger than 6" x 9" x 1", including diaper bags and medical bags, must go through the designated X-ray lane.

Binoculars and cell phones are permitted and subject to inspection. Umbrellas are permitted if the closed length does not exceed 16" and they fit neatly under your seat without blocking the aisle or creating a safety hazard. Any professional and/or commercial camera with interchangeable or detachable lenses is not permitted. Sealed packages of any kind, including gifts for performers, are not permitted.

Weapons of any kind, including firearms, mace, pepper spray, tasers, stun guns and knives of all sizes, are prohibited. In accordance with Ohio's "concealed carry" law and the right for private entities to ban handguns on their premises, firearms and other weapons of any kind are strictly forbidden on the premises of Rocket Arena. Use of any prohibited item will be confiscated without return.

Rocket Arena has a no re-entry policy: once you leave the building during an event, you will not be permitted to return. Exceptions are made for medical reasons and emergencies. The venue is completely smoke-free, including the outside areas immediately surrounding the building, and this applies to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes and all smokeless tobacco products.

On devices: tablets and similar electronic devices are permitted for Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters games, while concerts and other events may have different guidelines set by the artist or promoter.

Show times and doors

Door times for Rocket Arena events and concerts will vary according to each event, so the official event page is where you confirm doors and start time for the show you are attending. The arena's A to Z guide states the sports door times below.

For Cavaliers games Monday through Thursday, doors open 75 minutes prior to tipoff with Atrium doors opening 90 minutes before the game. For Friday through Sunday Cavaliers games, doors open at 90 minutes prior to tipoff with Atrium doors set to 2 hours before the game. Door times for all Cleveland Monsters games are 60 minutes prior to the puck dropping, with Atrium doors opening 90 minutes before the game. For doubleheader dates where the Cleveland Monsters play ahead of the Cavaliers, doors open 60 minutes prior to tipoff with Atrium doors opening at 90 minutes.

Check tickets

Browse events on SeatCommons to see what is coming up at Rocket Arena and find your seats.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rocket Arena?

Rocket Arena is at 1 Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115, in the Gateway District on the corner of Ontario Street and Huron Road. It sits 1/4 mile from all major freeways.

How do I get to Rocket Arena from Tower City Center?

Use RTA's Walkway, which connects Tower City Center and Rocket Arena. It begins at the Tower City Center food court and ends in the lobby of Rocket Arena.

When does the RTA Walkway open?

For most events the Walkway opens three hours before the event and stays open for approximately three hours after it ends. For Cleveland Cavaliers games it opens four hours before the game and remains open for three hours after.

What is the bag policy at Rocket Arena?

Purses and diaper bags 14" x 14" x 6" or smaller are permitted and subject to inspection. Backpacks of any size and bags that do not fit under your seat without blocking the aisle are not permitted.

Can I leave Rocket Arena and come back in during an event?

No. Rocket Arena has a no re-entry policy, so once you leave the building during an event you will not be permitted to return. Exceptions are made for medical reasons and emergencies.

Does Rocket Arena have on-site parking?

Yes. The Great Day Improvements Garage and JACK Cleveland Casino Garage accommodate 3,300 cars. Event parking prices populate automatically and vary by event, and the Great Day Improvements Garage has a connecting bridge into the facility that requires an event ticket.