Ball Arena

Ball Arena is Denver’s premier indoor sports and entertainment venue, located at 1000 Chopper Circle in the Sun Valley neighborhood just west of downtown. Home to three professional franchises—the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL)—the 675,000-square-foot, five-level facility hosts more than 250 events annually and seats up to 21,000 for concerts. One of the most active large-capacity venues in the American West, it has played host to major championships, national political conventions, and some of the world’s biggest concert tours.

Construction broke ground on November 20, 1997, and the arena opened on October 1, 1999, with a sold-out Celine Dion concert that doubled as a tribute to the Columbine community following the tragedy earlier that year. The $187 million project was developed and is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), a Denver-based sports and entertainment company. Designed by HOK Sport Facilities Group of Kansas City, the building replaced the aging McNichols Sports Arena as Denver’s primary indoor arena. Originally named Pepsi Center under a long-term naming rights deal with PepsiCo, the arena was rebranded Ball Arena in October 2020 when Ball Corporation—a Broomfield-based sustainable packaging company and Colorado homegrown brand—acquired the naming rights.

The five-level arena spans 4.6 acres and includes 95 luxury suites, 1,900 club seats, and two Theatre Box areas. Seating configurations vary by event: basketball seats 19,520, hockey and lacrosse seat 18,007, and end-stage concerts accommodate up to 20,000 or more in center-stage format. A 70,000-pound Daktronics scoreboard, JBL Vertec sound system, and 4K projection capability serve every event. Arena-wide Wi-Fi is standard. The building also houses a full-size basketball practice court and a Breckenridge Brewery Mountain House restaurant. Highlights of the arena’s championship history include the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup wins in 2001 and 2022, the Nuggets’ first NBA Championship in 2023, and hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Concert headliners have included Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Coldplay.

Good to Know

• Ages: Children 3 and older require a ticket for Nuggets, Avalanche, and Mammoth games; children under 3 may sit in a ticketed guest’s lap. For concerts and special events, guests 2 and older generally need a ticket. Verify age policies by event at 303.405.8548.
• Bar: Multiple full-service bars and concession stands on every level. Guests are limited to two alcoholic beverages per ID per purchase. All alcohol service follows Colorado TIPS guidelines.
• Parking: Multiple named lots surround the arena. Event parking ranges from $35–$95 depending on lot and event; credit card only in most lots. ADA parking is available in the Camry North lot (103 standard + 7 van-accessible spaces) and Tundra lot (8 standard + 4 van-accessible). EV charging is available in Camry South. The Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens RTD light rail station provides direct rail access on the E and W lines. Rideshare drop-off and pickup at 5th and Walnut Streets.
• ADA: Comprehensive accessibility including ADA seating throughout all levels, nursing suites, wheelchair escort services, sensory inclusion bags, and accessible restrooms. Full details at ballarena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility-guide/ or call Guest Relations at 303.405.8548.
• House Rules: No re-entry for any reason. Bags must be 4” × 6” × 1.5” or smaller (small clutches and fanny packs); medical and diaper bags up to 14” × 14” × 6” allowed with inspection. No weapons, outside alcohol, or full-face coverings. No smoking or vaping inside. Shirts and shoes required. Code of conduct violations result in ejection without refund.

Phone: 303.405.8548 — Website: ballarena.com