Paycom Center Pregame Guide
Oklahoma City Thunder · Oklahoma City, OK
Paycom Center sits at 100 W Reno Avenue, on the southwest corner of EK Gaylord and Reno, a short walk from Bricktown — and ASM Global does not own or manage any of the parking around it, which is why no tailgating policy exists to publish. Doors open 90 minutes before each Thunder home game. The bag rule is the strictest of any venue on this site: nothing larger than 6 by 9 by 2 inches, clear bags included, with every bag searched. The guide names what that excludes — a full-size basketball, a binder, or adult shoes you are not wearing — while a jersey or individual basketball cards are fine.
Tips & Fan Reports
Do not bring a basketball to be signed — a full-size ball explicitly fails the policy.
The arena manages no parking at all, so downtown and Bricktown lots are the whole of the answer.
Rideshare drops at Second and Harvey on the west side, not at the arena doors.
6 by 9 by 2 inches is the tightest bag limit of any venue on this site, and a clear bag gets no exemption.
Where to Go Before the Game
Bricktown and downtown Oklahoma City
The arena is steps from the hotels, dining and entertainment of downtown and Bricktown, which is the pregame here — the arena runs no parking and holds no tailgate.
Known for Steps from the arena · Dining and entertainment · Bricktown
The Cox Center parking garage
Reached by continuing north on EK Gaylord past Reno Avenue and turning left. One of the named options among the downtown garages around the arena.
Known for North on EK Gaylord · Past Reno Ave · Covered
Rideshare pickup at Second and Harvey
The Uber and Lyft pickup and drop-off point, on the west side of the arena at Second and Harvey rather than at the doors.
Known for Uber and Lyft · West side · Second and Harvey
Downtown city lots and garages
Many lots and garages sit around the arena in downtown Oklahoma City, none of them arena-managed. City facilities can be checked on (405) 235-PARK or at parkingokc.com.
Known for City-operated · (405) 235-PARK · Not arena-managed
Rules to Know
What Paycom Center allows, and what it does not.
- All bags are searched on entry. Bags smaller than 6" x 9" x 2" are allowed, and this includes clear bags.
- Jerseys and individual basketball cards may be brought in. Full-size basketballs, binders and adult shoes not being worn do not fit the policy.
- Arena doors open 90 minutes prior to the start of each Thunder home game.
- The arena is at 100 W Reno Ave., on the southwest corner of EK Gaylord and Reno Avenue, just off I-40 in downtown Oklahoma City.
- Rideshare pickup and drop-off is at Second and Harvey, on the west side of the arena.
- The Cox Center parking garage is reached by continuing north on EK Gaylord past Reno and turning left.
- ASM Global and Paycom Center do not own or manage any parking around the arena. City parking facilities can be reached on (405) 235-PARK or at parkingokc.com.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Permitted bags must be smaller than 6 x 9 x 2 inches, including clear bags, and every bag is searched at entry.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited; guests who need food for medical reasons should arrange assistance with the arena before the event.
- A card or a phone wallet
Paycom Center is cashless and accepts cards throughout the arena.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Thunder tickets use mobile entry through a smartphone barcode in the Thunder app or online Account Manager; print-at-home PDF tickets have been discontinued.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 27°F between the lot and the door at Paycom Center.
- A rain layer for the walk in
April averages 3.6 inches of rain outside Paycom Center.
Oklahoma City Thunder Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Oklahoma City Thunder 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
Paycom Center official site: A-Z Guest Guide, Security Policies, Parking & Public Transportation, and Directions & Visitor Info
- Venue policies
Current Paycom Center and Oklahoma City Thunder accessibility, security, ticketing, parking, and concessions guidance reviewed for Thunder policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals