Denver Nuggets

Play a round of bocce and get some food at Rhein Haus before the game then walk over to Ball Arena about an hour before tip-off. Plenty of time to get in, hit the restroom, grab a drink and get settled.

Propane only, under 20 lbs. Charcoal grills and log fires are both prohibited, so the usual stadium kit does not transfer.

This is one of the few arenas where a tailgate is permitted at all, but it is allowed rather than encouraged, and the lots are monitored throughout.

Park at any RTD lot and ride the train. It adds 20-30 minutes to your trip but you save a ton on parking and avoid the lot traffic after the game. I have met a lot of Nuggets fans on the train too.

Approaching from the south, use exit 210B for Auraria Parkway, then 7th, 9th or 11th Street.

Use Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens light rail station.

The 14X sections are near the most interesting food on the lower level. The rest of the 100s and 300s is mostly just hotdogs and pizza. Some tickets can enter through the Breckenridge Brewery entrance.

Green chile runs through the menu, but not as a burger: it is the Hatch green chili sausage at Colorado Social and the green chile chicken nachos and tacos at The Cantina, section 206.

Colorado brewing is well represented. Breckenridge has its own Libation Station at sections 128 and 317, Left Hand and Holidaily pour at Colorado Social, and Odell is at the Codigo Lounge.

There are two Theatre Boxes in the whole building; if you want one, ask early.

The Ford Champions Club is the only ticket here that includes parking.

Club Level access buys the Forget Me Not Lounge and Colorado Social as much as it buys the sightline.