Barclays Center Pregame Guide
Brooklyn Nets · Brooklyn, NY
Barclays Center faces Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and publishes no tailgating policy — it runs no lots of its own, and SpotHero is its official parking partner for the surrounding garages. Doors open 90 minutes before a Nets game. The bag rule is among the tightest in the NBA: backpacks are refused outright, and so is any bag larger than 10 by 6 by 2 inches. Three entrances sit on Atlantic Avenue — the Atlantic Entrance on the northeast corner, the Crown Entrance on the northwest corner past the Event Level VIP entrance, and the American Express Card Member entrance — with drop-off zones along Atlantic Avenue and one on Flatbush outside the Main Entrance.
Tips & Fan Reports
Three drop-off zones exist: two on Atlantic Avenue and one on Flatbush by the Main Entrance.
Doors open 90 minutes before a Nets game.
The arena runs no parking, so book a Brooklyn garage through SpotHero rather than circling.
10 by 6 by 2 inches is the ceiling and backpacks are refused outright — travel light or leave it behind.
Where to Go Before the Game
The Atlantic Entrance, northeast corner
On Atlantic Avenue at the northeast corner of the arena, with a designated drop-off and pickup zone on the street outside it.
Known for Atlantic Avenue · Northeast corner · Drop-off zone outside
The Crown Entrance, northwest corner
Also on Atlantic Avenue, at the northwest corner just past the Event Level VIP entrance — the other main way in from that side.
Known for Atlantic Avenue · Northwest corner
The Flatbush Avenue drop-off
A third designated drop-off and pickup zone along Flatbush outside the Main Entrance, separate from the two on Atlantic Avenue.
Known for On Flatbush · Outside the Main Entrance
Brooklyn garages via SpotHero
The arena runs no parking itself; SpotHero is its official partner for booking nearby garages and lots in advance.
Known for Official partner · Book ahead · No arena lots
Rules to Know
What Barclays Center allows, and what it does not.
- Backpacks, and any bag measuring larger than 10" x 6" x 2", are not permitted.
- For Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty games, doors open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
- The Atlantic Entrance is at the northeast corner of the arena on Atlantic Avenue. The Crown Entrance is at the northwest corner on Atlantic Avenue, just past the Event Level VIP Entrance. The American Express Card Member Entrance is also accessed from Atlantic Avenue.
- Two drop-off and pickup zones are designated along Atlantic Avenue outside the VIP Entrance and the Atlantic Entrance, and one along Flatbush outside the Main Entrance.
- SpotHero is an official partner of Barclays Center for booking parking in advance.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Hard-sided bags and bags larger than 10 x 6 x 2 inches are prohibited at Barclays Center.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited, with exceptions for medical requirements and special needs arranged through Guest Services before the game.
- A card or a phone wallet
Barclays Center has cash-free concession locations and accepts major credit cards and mobile wallets.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
All Barclays Center tickets must be accessed digitally; printed tickets and screenshots are not accepted for entry.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 28°F between the lot and the door at Barclays Center.
- A poncho for the walk in, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Barclays Center's prohibited list, and March averages 4.4 inches of rain.
Brooklyn Nets Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Brooklyn Nets gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Barclays Center official site: A-Z Guide, Entrances, Parking, and Public Transportation & Driving
- Venue policies
Current Barclays Center A-Z, disabled-services, prohibited-items, and parking pages plus official Brooklyn Nets game-day guidance reviewed for Nets policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals