Step Inside: Nationwide Arena – Home of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Located in downtown Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena is the home arena for the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Additionally, the Columbus Fury of the Major Volleyball League play their home games at the arena, which also hosts major concerts, family shows and other events.

This handy guide is built to help fans navigate their time at Nationwide Arena — from knowing where to sit and where to park to what to bring to the venue and how to make the most of game day.

What events are coming up at Nationwide Arena?

Home of the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have called Nationwide Arena home ever since the 2000-01 NHL season, which served as the team’s inaugural season in the league.

One of the defining elements of attending a Blue Jackets home game is the presence of the team’s cannon inside the arena. Built as a full-scale replica of a 1857 Napoleon Field Gun, the cannon is fired to kick off the start of every home game at Nationwide Arena as the team takes the ice, every time the Blue Jackets score a goal, and to celebrate every win after each home game since it was first added to the venue in 2007.

Over the course of its history, Nationwide Arena has also served as the home arena for teams like the Columbus Landsharks of the National Lacrosse League (2001-2003), the Arena Football League’s Columbus Destroyers (2004-2008, 2019), the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets of the United States Hockey League (2006-2008) and ever since the 2024 season, the Columbus Fury of Major League Volleyball.

What It’s Like on Gameday at Nationwide Arena

As fans enter Nationwide Arena, anticipation immediately builds — from the moment they enter the concourse to the thrill of the first puck drop. As energy inside the arena crackles, the crowd goes wild during every rush and power play of their beloved Blue Jackets, and celebrates with every blast of the fan-favorite cannon when the team scores a goal and takes home a win.

Seating Guide: Where to Sit at Nationwide Arena

Curate your gameday experience at Nationwide Arena by selecting the perfect seats for you. The stadium offers a number of varied seating options:

Lower bowl center ice (Sections 101-106, 112-117)

• Best for balanced views of both attacking zones, line changes and overall pace of the match.

Lower bowl corners/end zones (Sections 107-111, 118-122)

• Best for feeling close to board battles, net-front chances and goal celebrations.

Upper center sections (Sections 201-205, 215-219)

• Strong value for full-ice sightlines and seeing plays develop.

Upper corners/end sections (Sections 206-214, 220-228)

• Budget-friendly options with a wider tactical view of the game.

Premium seating

• Includes Party Towers (accommodates 24-48 guests), suites (20-30 guests), Loge Boxes (six guests) and Terrace Tables (four guests).

Explore the seating chart for Nationwide Arena.

How much are Columbus Blue Jackets tickets?

Ticket prices for Columbus Blue Jackets games depend on a variety of factors, including date and time, city, matchup, seat location, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Columbus Blue Jackets game can cost anywhere between $30-$150.

Getting to Nationwide Arena

Nationwide Arena is located at 200 West Nationwide Boulevard in downtown Columbus’ bustling Arena District.

Traffic patterns around the arena vary by event, so make sure to check the event time and leave additional time for parking and security. Have mobile tickets ready before reaching the gate.

Parking at Nationwide Arena

More than 15,000 public parking spaces are available within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus — including parking garages and lots. Additionally, attendees can pre-pay in advance and on the day of the event using the ParkMobile app. (Prices vary by location.) Pick-up and drop-off is located on West Street.

 

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Rules, Entry & Bag Policy

Nationwide Arena has a strict no-bag policy. Bags are not permitted inside the venue except medical bags, diaper bags and/or clutches no larger than 8” x 5” x 1”. Permitted bags will be X-rayed through designated screening lines upon entry into the venue.

Tickets to Nationwide Arena events are mobile — screenshots and printed tickets won’t get you into the venue. Your phone is your ticket; official Ticketmaster tickets now feature a new design, which can be customized by the event to feature specific artist, performer or team branding. These tickets not only look different — they’re now safer than ever. We’ve added a new enhanced protected barcode on tickets for some events, too.

Nationwide Arena is also a fully cashless venue for ticketing, concessions and merchandise. Debit cards, credit cards and mobile pay are accepted throughout the arena, and reverse ATMs are also available inside the venue.

Prohibited items inside Nationwide Arena include most bags (see bag policy above); weapons of any kind; professional cameras with detachable or zoom lenses; GoPros; selfie sticks; tripods and other items that may be deemed unsafe or disruptive. For a complete list of prohibited items, visit Nationwide Arena’s website.

Nationwide Arena Concessions

Nationwide Arena concessions include local favorites like Jet’s Pizza, Schmidt’s and Skyline Chili, as well as Tim Hortons, Bento, BBQ, Beyond Bratwurst and Beyond Burger. Additional food vendors inside the arena include bratwurst, burrito bowls, chicken sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, fries, popcorn, pretzels, salads, desserts and other game day staples.

Gluten-friendly, vegan and vegetarian items are available throughout Nationwide arena for attendees with special dietary restrictions. However, due to the nature of shared kitchens, Nationwide Arena cannot guarantee gluten-free status in its available concessions.