Nationwide Arena
Columbus, OH · Pro Hockey
Founding membership for Blue Jackets fans. Free, verified, permanent.
- Member cap
- 18,500
- Cost to join
- Free
- Verification
- Email + Phone
- Status
- Open
— verified members.
Venue encyclopedia
Independent, no paid placements
What attending a pro hockey game at the Columbus, OH venue is actually like: seating, arrival, weather, food, and the seats we'd point a friend toward (or away from).
- Opened
- 2000
- Capacity
- 18,500
- Roof
- Indoor / climate-controlled
- Orientation
- Indoor, climate-controlled arena (no roof exposure). Standard hockey bowl with the ice at center and three seating levels: lower bowl (100s), club and suites (200s), and upper bowl (300s). Center-hung scoreboard over the sheet. The signature feature is the cannon beyond one end of the ice that fires after every Blue Jackets home goal.
Neighborhood
In the Arena District at the northwest edge of downtown Columbus, the neighborhood that grew up around the building into one of the city's liveliest entertainment zones. Restaurants, bars, and the minor-league ballpark sit steps from the gates, and downtown Columbus is a short walk southeast. This is a walkable, downtown-district arena; the pre-game and post-game scene is right outside the doors, though there is no rail, so you drive or rideshare in.
What it feels like
A modern arena at the heart of a district built for game nights. The crowd fills the Arena District bars and restaurants first, then walks in, and the building has a loud, growing hockey identity. The signature moment is the cannon: it fires with a boom after every Blue Jackets goal, and the whole bowl reacts. The setting is walkable and social, the sightlines are clean from every level, and playoff nights bring the union-blue crowd and a real roar.
Seating tiers
Lower bowl (100s)
Rows 1-20Closest to the ice, wrapping the full sheet. Premium at center ice; the ends are cheaper and still close.
Club / suite level (200s)
Mid-level with wider padded seats, indoor club access, and shorter lines.
Upper bowl (300s)
Rows 1-20Elevated with clean sightlines to the whole sheet and the best value in the building. Center-ice 300s read the play best.
Sections we'd pick
- Lower-bowl center ice (100s along the sides) for the closest straight-on view of the whole sheet
- Lower-bowl seats near the cannon end for the closest reaction to the post-goal blast
- Upper-bowl center ice (300s along the sides) for the best value and a full read of the play
Sections we'd skip
- The corners of the lower bowl at ice level, where the near glass blocks the far side of the sheet
- The very top rows of the upper bowl if you want the tightest read on the puck at the far end
Arrival
- Primary route
- I-670, I-70, and I-71 all reach downtown Columbus with exits near the Arena District; surface streets through downtown feed the district garages and lots.
- Rail / transit
- No rail service; this is a drive-in and rideshare venue. Plan on parking in the Arena District or downtown, or taking a rideshare.
- Rideshare
- Designated drop-off and pickup zones around the Arena District. Post-game demand is heavy as the district empties; walking a block toward downtown for a pickup trims the surge.
- Parking
- 12,000 spots across 15 lots , median $20 . Prepay recommended.
- Walk to gates
- ~8 minutes (median)
- Notes
- Arena District garages and surface lots surround the building, with more capacity across downtown; pre-pay for the closest on marquee dates. Counts and prices vary, so confirm current rates when you buy.
Weather and timing
Roof
Indoor
Indoor and fully climate-controlled, comfortable year-round. The only exposure is the short walk from Arena District parking, and Columbus winters can be cold, so layer for the trek in.
Food inside
Ohio and Midwest touches on the concourses: bratwurst and local sausage, loaded tots and nachos, and a strong roster of Columbus and Ohio craft beer alongside the hockey-night staples. The brat and local-beer stands are the picks worth the walk.
Food and pre-game outside
The Arena District is steps from the gates with a dense row of bars and restaurants, making pre-game and post-game dinner effortless without moving the car. Downtown Columbus and the Short North add more a short walk away.
Accessibility
ADA seating with companion seats on every level and accessible routes from all gates. Accessible parking in the Arena District garages near the elevators; the district is flat and walkable. Sensory resources are available through guest services.
Worth knowing before you go
- The cannon fires after every Blue Jackets home goal; seats near that end get the closest reaction.
- Park in the Arena District so dinner and the game are one walkable stop; there is no rail here.
- Bag policy is limited; check the current policy on the team site before you go.
- Cashless throughout the venue.
What Blue Jackets fans get
- A permanent member number that reflects when you joined. The lower the number, the higher your standing — forever.
- Priority access to seat opportunities at Nationwide Arena. Seniority determines order. No luck involved.
- First look at every new perk, partner offer, and member event — founding members always hear before anyone else.
- Founding Member status. This tier closes when the roster fills at 18,500. It doesn't reopen.
Blue Jackets fans: your spot is waiting.
Free founding membership. Verified by email and phone. Your member number is permanent — the earlier you join, the higher your standing. One Pro Hockey membership per fan.
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