Columbus Blue Jackets road trip guide
Everything you need to catch the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus — arena guide, tickets, getting there and where to watch.
🎟️ Columbus Blue Jackets tickets
Compare box office and resale for upcoming Blue Jackets games. Prices vary by opponent and date — check a specific game on the Blue Jackets schedule.
✈️🚗 Getting to Nationwide Arena
Nearest major airport is Pittsburgh (PIT) — about 189 mi / 4h 30m from the arena.
🧭 Planning your trip — quick answers
What airport do you fly into for a Columbus Blue Jackets game?
Pittsburgh (PIT) (PIT) is the closest major airport — roughly 189 miles from Nationwide Arena, about 4h 30m by car depending on traffic.
How much is parking at Nationwide Arena?
Official game-day parking typically runs $10-30 USD. Ride COTA's CBUS — a genuinely free downtown circulator running every 10-15 minutes along High Street with a stop at Nationwide Blvd, a block from the arena — and park in…
How do you get to Nationwide Arena without a car?
Columbus has no rail transit. COTA's free downtown circulator, the C-Bus, runs a north-south route along High Street two blocks east of the arena - get off at Nationwide Boulevard to walk to the arena; it also connects to Short North and Ge…
How much is a beer at Nationwide Arena?
Normal walk-up prices are about $9.00 USD for a standard draft beer and $6.00 USD for a regular hot dog. The league-wide average is $10.36 USD a beer — see how Nationwide Arena ranks against all 109 arenas on our arena-prices page.
Prices and logistics are approximate and change — details in the arena-prices table and the arena guide below.
🏟️ Nationwide Arena fan guide
Best seats
Lower bowl (100s) along the ice; upper 200s cheap and fine. The Arena District around it is a big plus — sit lower and arrive early.
Parking
Arena District garages/lots right there; walkable and well-organized. COTA buses serve downtown. ($15–30)
Getting there
No rail — drive to the Arena District garages, or a short walk/bus from downtown Columbus.
Bar scene
The Arena District is purpose-built with bars/restaurants around the rink (and ballpark next door); the Short North just north is Columbus's best strip.
Pre-game bars
- R Bar Arena District — Classic pre-game bar steps away.
- Short North — Columbus's top bar/restaurant strip, short walk/ride.
Concession prices (USD, approx)
- Beer$11–14
- Hot dog$7
- Schmidt's brat$9
Insider tips
- Park in the Arena District
- Short North for after
📺 Where to watch the Blue Jackets
Local / regional TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
National (US): ESPN / ABC · TNT / TBS / truTV · ESPN+ / Hulu. Full TV guide →
🧳 Make a trip of it — Columbus
A young, fast-growing college city with a great food scene.
- North Market — Historic food hall.
- Columbus Museum of Art — Approachable and well-curated.
- The Scioto Mile — Riverfront parks downtown.
🧭 Combine it into a road trip
Also in Columbus: Ohio State Buckeyes · Columbus Crew