Gainbridge Fieldhouse Pregame Guide
Indiana Pacers · Indianapolis, IN
Gainbridge Fieldhouse sits at 125 South Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis and publishes no tailgating policy — it has no lot to hold one in. Its bag rule is among the tightest anywhere: 6 by 9 by 1.5 inches, a small clutch, for every event. Backpacks are refused apart from single-compartment drawstring bags meeting the NBA size, hard-sided bags are out at any size, and purses or diaper bags that look like backpacks are handled case by case. Door times vary by event rather than following a standard rule, so they need checking per game. The closest covered parking is the Virginia Avenue Garage at 155 Delaware Street, entered off Maryland Street and joined to the building by a sky bridge on the third floor.
Tips & Fan Reports
Park in the Virginia Avenue Garage and cross on the third-floor sky bridge — it matters in an Indianapolis winter.
A single-compartment drawstring bag meeting the NBA size is the only backpack that gets in.
A clutch at 6 by 9 by 1.5 inches is the ceiling, and hard-sided bags are refused at any size.
Check the door time for your specific game; this venue does not publish a standard one.
Where to Go Before the Game
Virginia Avenue Parking Garage, 155 Delaware Street
On the northeast corner of the building and the closest covered parking, entered off Maryland Street and connected to the Fieldhouse by a covered sky bridge on the third floor — so you never step outside.
Known for Closest covered parking · Entrance off Maryland Street · Sky bridge on level 3
The Plaza doors, Pennsylvania and Delaware Streets
The street-level way in for anyone not coming through the garage bridge. The ADA drop-off zone is on Pennsylvania Street.
Known for Street entry · Pennsylvania & Delaware · ADA drop-off on Pennsylvania
Julia Carson Transit Center
Two blocks from the Fieldhouse, which makes the bus a genuine option rather than a fallback.
Known for 2 blocks away · Bus transit
Downtown Indianapolis parking
Garages and street parking throughout downtown within walking distance. Denison Parking handles parking and bus parking enquiries on (317) 916-1760.
Known for Walking distance · Street and garage · Denison Parking
Rules to Know
What Gainbridge Fieldhouse allows, and what it does not.
- The maximum bag size is 6" x 9" x 1.5", a small clutch-size purse, and this is the policy for all events.
- Backpacks are not allowed, except single-compartment drawstring bags meeting the NBA bag-size requirements, and media backpacks screened at the media entrance.
- Hard-sided bags, and any bag larger than 6" x 9" x 1.5", are not allowed.
- Purses and diaper bags that resemble backpacks but are sized and purposed differently are allowed case by case, subject to management approval.
- Door opening times vary by event and should be checked against the specific event.
- The Fieldhouse is at 125 South Pennsylvania Street. Guests may enter via the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage bridge, or the Plaza doors from Pennsylvania and Delaware Streets.
- The Virginia Avenue Parking Garage at 155 Delaware St, on the northeast corner, is the closest covered parking, entered off Maryland Street and connected by a covered sky bridge on the third floor.
- The ADA drop-off zone is on Pennsylvania Street, and the Julia Carson Transit Center is two blocks away.
- Denison Parking can be contacted on (317) 916-1760 for parking or bus parking near the Fieldhouse.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Backpacks, hard-sided bags, and bags larger than 6 x 10 x 2 inches are prohibited.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and drinks are prohibited, but baby formula and plastic baby bottles are permitted.
- A card or a phone wallet
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is cashless and accepts credit cards and contactless payments such as Apple Pay at every point of purchase.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Gainbridge Fieldhouse uses mobile tickets displayed on a phone; tickets are not emailed for printing, and screenshots are not accepted.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 19°F between the lot and the door at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- A rain layer for the walk in
April averages 4.5 inches of rain outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Pacers Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Indiana Pacers 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
Gainbridge Fieldhouse official site: A-Z Guide, What to Know Before You Go, and Directions & Parking
- Venue policies
Current Gainbridge Fieldhouse A-Z, accessibility, prohibited-items, parking, visitor, and dining guidance reviewed for Indiana Pacers policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals