Nationwide Arena
Home ice for the Blue Jackets and the Arena District's big-stage box for concerts and events. Even on non-game nights the plaza energy around Nationwide Arena is part of how downtown Columbus does sports culture.
Nationwide Arena is the downtown home of the Columbus Blue Jackets and a major concert venue wrapped inside the Arena District's restaurants and plazas. Game night turns the neighborhood into a walking district of jerseys and pregame tables.
Go for NHL hockey when you can get tickets, or catch a tour stop that needs an arena roof. Even if you are not entering the building, the district around it is one of Columbus's clearest sports-night atmospheres.
How to plan a visit
Buy tickets from official sources. Arrive early for security lines and a drink on Nationwide Boulevard. Rideshare and COTA both beat circling for last-minute parking when the puck drops soon.
Practical tips
Bag policies are strict; travel light. Check nationwidearena.com for incoming shows and Jackets home dates. North Market is an easy pregame food stop.
FAQ
What teams play at Nationwide Arena?
The Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL play home games at Nationwide Arena, which also hosts major concerts and events.
Where is Nationwide Arena?
The arena is at 200 West Nationwide Boulevard in Columbus's Arena District.
How early should I arrive for a Blue Jackets game?
Plan to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes early for parking or rideshare, security, and finding your section without rushing.
Pair it with Huntington Park for a Clippers night when hockey is dark.
Know before you go
The building opens for events on a schedule set by each show or Blue Jackets game, not as a daily museum. Arena District garages and lots open on event timelines and sell out for marquee nights; pre-book when you can. Ticket prices swing from promotions to premium seats. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early for security and seating. Check our events calendar for what is playing next.
More Sports
Campus
Ohio Stadium
The Horseshoe on the Olentangy: Ohio State football Saturdays, marching band tradition, and a stadium experience that defines fall in Columbus. Even non-alumni feel the scale once the crowd finds its voice.
Arena District
Huntington Park
The Clippers' downtown ballpark, scaled for a relaxed night of minor-league baseball with skyline views and walkable pregame food. It is Columbus sports at a friendlier volume than an NFL or NHL sellout.
Arena District
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
Home of the Columbus Crew in the Arena District, formerly known as Lower.com Field. Mobile tickets, Nordecke energy, and ParkMobile lots that reward booking your parking before every kickoff night.
Campus
Schottenstein Center
Value City Arena on Ohio State's campus for Buckeye basketball, hockey, and major concerts. Cashless parking lots, mobile SafeTix codes, and campus traffic patterns that reward early Ackerman Road approaches.
North Side
Historic Crew Stadium
The original Crew soccer bowl on the Ohio Expo Center grounds, still used for matches, lacrosse, rugby, and concerts. A solid north-side sports day when downtown arenas are booked elsewhere.
