The short version
Football opens earliest and says so most clearly: the NFL norm is two hours before kickoff. Basketball and hockey split almost evenly between an hour and ninety minutes. Baseball mostly opens ninety minutes before first pitch, with a few parks at two hours. 11 venues publish only "varies by event" and 6 publish no gate time at all; both groups are listed by name below, because a venue that will not say is worth knowing about before you plan around it.
- NFL: 25 of the 31 stadiums that publish a time open 2 hours before kickoff. 6 open at 90 minutes.
- NBA: 11 of the 22 arenas that publish a time open 90 minutes before tip-off. 9 open at 1 hour, 2 open at 75 minutes.
- NHL: 12 of the 24 arenas that publish a time open 1 hour before puck drop. 1 open at 75 minutes, 10 open at 90 minutes, 1 open at 2 hours.
- MLB: 19 of the 30 ballparks that publish a time open 90 minutes before first pitch. 6 open at 1 hour, 1 open at 75 minutes, 1 open at 100 minutes, 3 open at 2 hours.
Every time here is the venue's own published one, read from the page each guide links, and the game-day guide for each venue carries the same number in its timeline. Where the two ever disagree, the policy is the one we correct the timeline to.
NFL stadiums
| Stadium | Team | Gates open |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia Eagles | Pepsi Plaza generally opens three hours before Eagles games, Clubs and Suites open two hours before, and inner stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium gates currently open 90 minutes before Falcons kickoff. |
| NRG Stadium | Houston Texans | NRG Stadium's main gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for Texans games. |
| Paycor Stadium | Cincinnati Bengals | General gates open 90 minutes before kickoff; the Fifth Third Southeast Gate offers qualifying cardholders entry 120 minutes before kickoff. |
| Raymond James Stadium | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Main stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for Buccaneers games, while club gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff. |
| State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals | Check the specific Cardinals game listing for gate times: the general team guide lists main gates at 90 minutes before kickoff, but published event timelines can differ. |
| AT&T Stadium | Dallas Cowboys | AT&T Stadium plazas, clubs, suites, and concourses open at least two hours before Cowboys kickoff. |
| Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh Steelers | All Acrisure Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff for Steelers games. |
| Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas Raiders | All stadium gates open two hours before kickoff on Raiders game days. |
| Bank of America Stadium | Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium gates normally open two hours before kickoff. |
| Caesars Superdome | New Orleans Saints | All Caesars Superdome gates open two hours before kickoff. |
| Empower Field at Mile High | Denver Broncos | General gates open two hours before kickoff for Broncos games; eligible club and suite entrances open three hours before kickoff. |
| EverBank Stadium | Jacksonville Jaguars | EverBank Stadium gates open two hours before Jaguars kickoff during the 2026 season. |
| Ford Field | Detroit Lions | Ford Field gates typically open two hours before a Lions kickoff. |
| GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City Chiefs | General Arrowhead gates open two hours before kickoff; premium gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff. |
| Gillette Stadium | New England Patriots | General Patriots gates open two hours before kickoff. |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium gates open two hours before Dolphins kickoff; parking gates open four hours before kickoff. |
| Highmark Stadium | Buffalo Bills | The current Bills game-day guide lists security gates opening three hours before kickoff and ticket entries opening two hours before kickoff; confirm the live schedule for the specific game. |
| Huntington Bank Field | Cleveland Browns | Huntington Bank Field gates open two hours before kickoff for Browns games. |
| Lambeau Field | Green Bay Packers | All Lambeau Field stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. |
| Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. |
| Lumen Field | Seattle Seahawks | General and charter-ticket gates open two hours before Seahawks kickoff. |
| M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore Ravens | All stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. |
| MetLife Stadium | New York Jets | MetLife Stadium gates normally open two hours before kickoff for Jets games. |
| MetLife Stadium | New York Giants | MetLife Stadium gates normally open two hours before kickoff for Giants games. |
| Nissan Stadium | Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff for Titans games. |
| Northwest Stadium | Washington Commanders | General stadium gates open two hours before kickoff; SeatGeek Legends Plaza and the Merrill Touchdown Club open three hours before kickoff. |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium publishes an NFL entry-gate window of two to three hours before kickoff. |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Rams | Main entry gates open two hours before kickoff for Rams games at SoFi Stadium. |
| Soldier Field | Chicago Bears | Soldier Field gates open two hours before kickoff for Bears games. |
| U.S. Bank Stadium | Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff for NFL games. |
| Levi's Stadium | San Francisco 49ers | Stadium opening times vary by event; check the event guide or ticket details for the applicable entry time. |
NBA arenas
| Arena | Team | Gates open |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Arena | Denver Nuggets | Doors generally open one hour before the game. |
| Capital One Arena | Washington Wizards | Doors generally open one hour before the event start time. |
| Fiserv Forum | Milwaukee Bucks | Arena doors typically open 60 minutes before tipoff for Bucks games. |
| Frost Bank Center | San Antonio Spurs | Doors open one hour before most events, but Spurs game times may vary; confirm on the event listing or call Fan Experience at 210-444-5140. |
| Kaseya Center | Miami Heat | Kaseya Center doors generally open one hour before the printed game time. |
| Scotiabank Arena | Toronto Raptors | General gates open one hour before tipoff for Raptors games. |
| Smoothie King Center | New Orleans Pelicans | General doors open one hour before Pelicans tipoff; qualifying premium season-ticket holders may enter 90 minutes before tipoff. |
| State Farm Arena | Atlanta Hawks | Hawks game gates open 60 minutes before tipoff; Hawks Members may enter 75 minutes before tipoff. |
| TD Garden | Boston Celtics | General doors normally open one hour before game time; member doors open two hours before game time. |
| Moda Center | Portland Trail Blazers | General doors open 75 minutes before tipoff for regular-season Trail Blazers games. |
| Rocket Arena | Cleveland Cavaliers | For Monday through Thursday Cavaliers games, general doors open 75 minutes before tipoff and Atrium doors open 90 minutes before. |
| American Airlines Center | Dallas Mavericks | Doors typically open 90 minutes before tipoff for Mavericks games. |
| Barclays Center | Brooklyn Nets | Barclays Center doors open 90 minutes before the scheduled start of Nets games. |
| Chase Center | Golden State Warriors | Chase Center doors are scheduled to open 90 minutes before each Warriors game. |
| Delta Center | Utah Jazz | Doors are scheduled to open 90 minutes before Jazz home games. |
| FedExForum | Memphis Grizzlies | Doors normally open 90 minutes before tipoff for Memphis Grizzlies games. |
| Golden 1 Center | Sacramento Kings | Golden 1 Center doors open 90 minutes before tipoff for Sacramento Kings games. |
| Intuit Dome | LA Clippers | Arena doors are scheduled to open 90 minutes before tipoff for Clippers games. |
| Kia Center | Orlando Magic | All Kia Center doors open 90 minutes before Magic tipoff unless otherwise specified. |
| Little Caesars Arena | Detroit Pistons | Doors typically open 90 minutes before Pistons games. |
| Paycom Center | Oklahoma City Thunder | Arena doors are scheduled to open 90 minutes before each Thunder home game. |
| United Center | Chicago Bulls | Doors for Bulls games normally open 90 minutes before the event start time. |
| Crypto.com Arena | Los Angeles Lakers | Door times vary by event and are listed on the individual event page. |
| Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indiana Pacers | Pacers door times vary by game; verify the specific event listing or call Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 317-917-2500 before traveling. |
| Madison Square Garden | New York Knicks | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| Mortgage Matchup Center | Phoenix Suns | Suns door times vary by game; check the specific event page or contact the arena at 602-379-2000 or feedback@phxses.com. |
| Spectrum Center | Charlotte Hornets | Spectrum Center door times vary by event; the arena publishes no standing opening time for Hornets games, so check the listing for the game you are attending. |
| Target Center | Minnesota Timberwolves | Door times vary by Timberwolves game; check the specific Target Center event page before attending. |
| Toyota Center | Houston Rockets | Rockets door times vary by game; check the time on the ticket or call Toyota Center at 713-758-7200 before traveling. |
| Xfinity Mobile Arena | Philadelphia 76ers | Door times vary by event and are published on the individual event page. |
NHL arenas
| Arena | Team | Gates open |
|---|---|---|
| Amerant Bank Arena | Florida Panthers | Doors open 60 minutes before regular-season Panthers home games. |
| Ball Arena | Colorado Avalanche | Doors generally open one hour before the game. |
| Benchmark International Arena | Tampa Bay Lightning | General doors normally open 60 minutes before puck drop for Lightning games. |
| Capital One Arena | Washington Capitals | Doors generally open one hour before the event start time. |
| Honda Center | Anaheim Ducks | Honda Center main doors typically open 60 to 90 minutes before the event start time. |
| Lenovo Center | Carolina Hurricanes | Doors normally open 60 minutes before weeknight Hurricanes games and 90 minutes before Saturday and Sunday games. |
| PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh Penguins | Doors generally open one hour before Penguins games. |
| Prudential Center | New Jersey Devils | Prudential Center doors generally open 60 to 90 minutes before an event. |
| Rogers Place | Edmonton Oilers | Doors open 60 minutes before regular-season Oilers games. |
| SAP Center | San Jose Sharks | General-public doors open 60 minutes before weekday Sharks games and 75 minutes before Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday games. |
| Scotiabank Arena | Toronto Maple Leafs | General gates open one hour before puck drop for Maple Leafs games. |
| TD Garden | Boston Bruins | General doors normally open one hour before game time; member doors open two hours before game time. |
| Grand Casino Arena | Minnesota Wild | General doors open 75 minutes before Minnesota Wild games. |
| American Airlines Center | Dallas Stars | Doors typically open 90 minutes before puck drop for Stars games. |
| Bell Centre | Montreal Canadiens | Bell Centre doors generally open 90 minutes before Canadiens games. |
| Bridgestone Arena | Nashville Predators | Doors open 90 minutes before Nashville Predators games. |
| Climate Pledge Arena | Seattle Kraken | All Climate Pledge Arena doors open 90 minutes before puck drop for Kraken games. |
| Delta Center | Utah Mammoth | Doors are scheduled to open 90 minutes before Mammoth home games. |
| Enterprise Center | St. Louis Blues | Doors normally open 90 minutes before Blues games. |
| KeyBank Center | Buffalo Sabres | Limited- and full-access doors typically open 90 minutes before regular-season Sabres games. |
| Little Caesars Arena | Detroit Red Wings | Doors typically open 90 minutes before Red Wings games. |
| Scotiabank Saddledome | Calgary Flames | Doors open 90 minutes before puck drop for Calgary Flames games. |
| United Center | Chicago Blackhawks | Doors for Blackhawks games normally open 90 minutes before the event start time. |
| Canadian Tire Centre | Ottawa Senators | Doors open two hours before Ottawa Senators games. |
| Canada Life Centre | Winnipeg Jets | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| Crypto.com Arena | Los Angeles Kings | Door times vary by event and are listed on the individual event page. |
| Madison Square Garden | New York Rangers | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| Nationwide Arena | Columbus Blue Jackets | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| Rogers Arena | Vancouver Canucks | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| T-Mobile Arena | Vegas Golden Knights | T-Mobile Arena door opening times vary by event, and the arena publishes no standing time for Golden Knights games; check the event listing for the game you are attending. |
| UBS Arena | New York Islanders | Not published on the venue’s own pages |
| Xfinity Mobile Arena | Philadelphia Flyers | Door times vary by event and are published on the individual event page. |
MLB ballparks
| Ballpark | Team | Gates open |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Stadium | Los Angeles Angels | Angel Stadium gates normally open 90 minutes before first pitch; for 1 p.m. starts, they open 60 minutes before first pitch. |
| Great American Ball Park | Cincinnati Reds | For most 2026 games, gates open 60 minutes before first pitch Monday through Thursday and 90 minutes before first pitch Friday through Sunday. |
| Kauffman Stadium | Kansas City Royals | All Kauffman Stadium gates open 90 minutes before Friday through Sunday games and one hour before Monday through Thursday games. |
| Oriole Park at Camden Yards | Baltimore Orioles | Gates open 60 minutes before Monday through Thursday games and 90 minutes before Friday through Sunday games. |
| Progressive Field | Cleveland Guardians | All gates open one hour before Sunday through Thursday games, with longer opening windows for Friday and Saturday games. |
| Target Field | Minnesota Twins | Target Field gates open one hour before Monday through Thursday evening games, 90 minutes before weekday afternoon games, and two hours before Friday through Sunday games. |
| Nationals Park | Washington Nationals | Nationals Park gates open 80 minutes before most home games and 75 minutes before games beginning at 6:45 p.m. |
| American Family Field | Milwaukee Brewers | Gates open 90 minutes before most games and two hours before Saturday home games and Opening Day. |
| Busch Stadium | St. Louis Cardinals | Gates open 90 minutes before games Monday through Thursday and two hours before games Friday through Sunday. |
| Chase Field | Arizona Diamondbacks | Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch Sunday through Friday and two hours before first pitch on Saturdays. |
| Citi Field | New York Mets | Citi Field gates and ticket windows normally open 90 minutes before first pitch. |
| Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia Phillies | The entire ballpark opens 90 minutes before first pitch for regular-season games. |
| Coors Field | Colorado Rockies | Gates A and E open two hours before first pitch, while Gates B, C, and D open 90 minutes before first pitch. |
| Fenway Park | Boston Red Sox | All Fenway Park gates open 90 minutes before the scheduled start of every game. |
| Globe Life Field | Texas Rangers | All Globe Life Field entries open 90 minutes before afternoon games and two hours before night games. |
| Oracle Park | San Francisco Giants | The four main gates open 90 minutes before Monday through Friday games and two hours before Saturday and Sunday games. |
| PNC Park | Pittsburgh Pirates | PNC Park gates generally open 90 minutes before first pitch. |
| Petco Park | San Diego Padres | All Petco Park entry gates open 90 minutes before first pitch. |
| Rate Field | Chicago White Sox | Rate Field gates normally open 90 minutes before first pitch, except for the home opener or an announced change. |
| Rogers Centre | Toronto Blue Jays | Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch on weekdays and two hours before first pitch on Saturdays and Sundays. |
| Sutter Health Park | Athletics | General gates open 90 minutes before game time, while Athletics season-ticket members may enter two hours before game time. |
| T-Mobile Park | Seattle Mariners | Center Field Gate, the T-Mobile Member Gate, and other gates into the T-Mobile 'Pen open two hours before first pitch; all other gates open 90 minutes early. |
| Tropicana Field | Tampa Bay Rays | Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch Monday through Friday and two hours before first pitch on Opening Day and Saturdays and Sundays. |
| Wrigley Field | Chicago Cubs | Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch for most games and two hours before Opening Day, Saturday games, and special occasions unless announced otherwise. |
| Yankee Stadium | New York Yankees | All Yankee Stadium gates open 90 minutes before the scheduled start of Yankees home games. |
| loanDepot park | Miami Marlins | General gates usually open 90 minutes before first pitch, while PNC Club and suite entrances open two hours early. |
| Comerica Park | Detroit Tigers | Comerica Park public gates normally open approximately one hour and 40 minutes before the scheduled game time unless otherwise advertised. |
| Daikin Park | Houston Astros | Daikin Park gates open two hours before game time unless the Astros announce otherwise. |
| Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles Dodgers | Stadium gates open approximately two hours before first pitch, while parking gates open approximately 2.5 hours before the game. |
| Truist Park | Atlanta Braves | Gates normally open two hours before first pitch. |
Why the number is worth having
Gate time is the difference between eating inside and eating at the stadium's prices in a queue, between catching warm-ups and missing the anthem. It also decides the parking plan: a lot that opens with the gates is not a tailgate lot. The game-day guide for each venue puts the gate time next to the lot times so the two can be read together.