If you know anything about Cleveland, then you know that Cleveland is a bit sports city. We have three professional teams, one of which is the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA basketball team, often referred to as just the Cavs.
The Cavaliers have been around since 1970, and they play at the Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland. Basketball season runs generally from October through April — and possibly into May or even June if we make the playoffs.
And with 41 home games throughout the season, going to a Cavs game is an excellent option in Cleveland, whether you’ve spent a lifetime cheering on the Cavs, are a casual basketball fan, or are visiting from out of town and looking for something to do.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about attending a Cavs game, including how to get there, food and drink options, seating information, and more.
Cleveland Cavaliers history at a glance
The Cleveland Cavaliers were formed in 1970 as part of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Although the team got off to a rough start losing their first 15 games, they had their first winning season in 1976, which is also when they won the Central Division title.
Like all Cleveland sports teams, the Cavs have had their ups and downs — downs in the 1980s, but ups in the 2000s when Akron-local LeBron James (widely considered to be one of the best basketball players of all time) was drafted by the Cavs in 2003 and led to the team making its first-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2007.
Despite finishing last in the conference in 2011, the Cavs then went on to have four back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in the following years, finally winning the NBA Championship for the first time in 2016.
The team has played at Rocket Arena in Downtown Cleveland ever since 1994.
Why go to a Cleveland Cavs game?
Why go to any sports game in Cleveland? The answer is that it’s simply a fun time thanks to the sports-loving fans here in Cleveland.
Plus, since basketball season begins in mid-fall and lasts into spring, going to a basketball game is a good indoor activity you can do regardless of the weather.
Basketball games are also on the shorter side of pro sports games; they play four 12-minute quarters, so even when you add in breaks, time outs, plus anything added in for broadcast purposes, you’re still only looking at a 2- to 2.5-hour time commitment to go to a game.
And, win or lose, it’s fun to cheer on the Cavs at a game at Rocket Arena.
Where to sit in Rocket Arena
The capacity of Rocket Arena is 19,432 for basketball games, so there are a lot of places to sit! There are floor seats and three upper tiers of seats, too, all with views of the court.
The *best* views will be subjective, but generally I always prefer sitting in the 100 sections just behind/above the floor seats.
Tickets for the highest tiers in the arena (200 level) are the cheapest, starting at around $25 each, but obviously you’re furthest away from the floor here. Rocket Arena does have large screens showing the action above the court, though, and these are visible from everywhere.
Meanwhile, tickets for floor seats, club seats, and more desirable locations can run $300+ for a regular season game.
Some games are more in demand than others, so prices can also fluctuate based on who the Cavs are playing and how exciting the game is expected to be.
If you really want to splurge, you can book a ticket package that gives you access to one of several clubs and lounges at Rocket Arena.
You can see a full seating chart here and browse ticket prices on this website.
Note: Rocket Arena refers to its entry areas as “portals.” So if you see your seating area at Portal 21 or a concession stand at Portal 74, these are simply wayfinding markers, and you’ll find them prominently displayed around the arena.
Food and drinks at Rocket Arena
There are quite a few options for food and drinks inside Rocket Arena.
With eight bars and lounges to choose from, you can grab a drink at Jack Daniel’s Bar, Casamigos Tequila Bar, the Great Lakes Experience, and more. (Find all the bars listed here.)
When it comes to food, you’ll find all of the sporting event standards you’d expect (hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, French fries, pizza, etc.) as well as some healthier options. There are more than a dozen dining locations around the arena, many of them representing local businesses, which we love.
Some favorite spots to check out include:
- Swensons Burgs & Fries (northeast Ohio classic; Portal 22 & 74)
- P St Market Café (Portal 18)
- CLE/MKT (scan and go items; Portal 21)
- The Walking Taco (Portal 28, 69, & 77)
- Sauce the City (Delicious sandwiches; Portal 68)
- Dos-Uno-Seis Nachos (Portal 14, 29 & 61)
- Flour Pizza Co. (Portal 22)
- Rocco’s Cheesesteak (Portal 3)
Can I bring my own food to a Cavs game?
No, outside food and drink is not permitted at Rocket Arena. The only exceptions to this are food you need for medical reasons, baby food, or appropriate snacks for kids (crackers, raisins, juice boxes, etc.).
So if you don’t want to spend money on food or drinks inside the arena, it’s a good idea to grab a bite to eat beforehand.
What can I bring to a Cleveland Cavs game?
Like with most major sporting events, there are other restrictions on what you can bring into Rocket Arena. Along with outside food and drinks, the following items are also NOT permitted at a Cleveland Cavs game:
- Backpacks and large bags/purses (bags/purses must be 14” x 14” x 6” or smaller and fit under seat without obstruction of aisles)
- Outside food or beverages
- Reusable food or drink containers including popcorn buckets and souvenir cups.
- Any illegal substances
- Bottles, cans, or coolers
- Audio/video recording devices beyond a phone (including Go Pros, Smart Glasses, etc.)
- Cameras with interchangeable/detachable lenses
- Selfie sticks, poles, tripods, monopods
- Anything that can be thrown (like beach balls, frisbees, etc.)
- Noise makers including whistles, cowbells, foghorns/airhorns, plastic horns, etc.
- Flags and balloons
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Facial masks that are not easily removable
- Garments/clothing with explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization directed toward any person
- Long chains on clothing, wallets, or otherwise
- Signs/Posters with explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization directed toward any person
- Weapons of any kind including firearms, mace, pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, and knives of all sizes
You can read more about the security policy for Rocket Arena online.
Note: You also don’t need to bring cash, as Rocket Arena is fully cashless at this point. Credit cards, debit cards, and Apple/Google Pay are all accepted everywhere around the arena.
Rocket Arena bag policy
You CAN bring a small bag or purse that is 14” x 14” x 6” or smaller as long as it fits under your seat without the obstruction of aisles — and it does NOT have to be clear. All bags are subject to search when you enter the arena.
You can also bring a larger diaper bag if you have babies or small children with you, but it will have to be inspected by security, too.
Small umbrellas are also permitted in the arena as long as they fit under the seat and are not larger than 16″.
Parking at Rocket Arena
If you need to park at Rocket Arena, there are two on-site parking garages that can accommodate up to 3,300 cars.
You can pre-book your parking spot online to make your arrival easy and hassle-free, though obviously the garages attached to the arena will be the most expensive.
There are also plenty of other garages and surface lots within a 5- to 10-minute walk of the arena that typically offer cheaper rates for parking. (We often park closer to the JACK Casino; there’s even an indoor walkway — the RTA Walkway — that connects Tower City Center and Rocket Arena.)
Are Cavs games good for kids?
Yes, kids are welcome at Cavs games. It’s never too early to start cheering on the Cavs! Going to a basketball game can be fun for the whole family, and you’ll see kids of all ages there.
It’s important to note that diaper bags are permitted at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse despite the restrictions on bag sizes. If you have babies or small children with you, you’re allowed to bring a larger diaper bag, but it will have to be inspected by security.
Pre-game and post-game logistics
Here are some important things to know before any Cavs game:
Before the game
If you’re driving, it’s a good idea to arrive downtown at least an hour early if you’ll be parking at a surface lot nearby and walking to the arena. If you’ve pre-booked a parking spot at one of the on-site parking garages, you don’t need to show up quite as early.
Doors open between 60 and 90 minutes before the game begins, giving you plenty of time to grab a drink or a bite to eat at one of the concession kiosks inside.
If you don’t want to drive, you can also take public transportation to a Cavs game. The RTA Red Line runs directly into Tower City, and from there you can take the covered RTA Walkway to Rocket Arena (the walkway starts in the Tower City Center food court and ends in the lobby of Rocket Arena).
After the game
Once the game is over, it can take a while to get out of the arena. If you’re driving, you might be stuck in traffic for a while exiting the parking garage/parking lot and in the streets around the arena.
Depending on the weather, the outcome of the game, and other factors, how long it takes can vary, but plan for 45 minutes to an hour.
If you’re taking public transportation, it shouldn’t be as congested when you leave.
My favorite spots to eat/drink
If you’re looking for a good spot to grab food or a drink before or after the game, some favorite spots that are walkable to Rocket Arena include:
- Mabel’s BBQ on E. 4th (food)
- Cordelia on E. 4th (upscale food)
- Butcher and the Brewer on E. 4th (beer and food)
- Society Lounge on E. 4th (cocktails)
- Jolene’s Honky Tonk on E. 4th (drinks and live music)
- Geraci’s Slice Shop on Prospect (pizza)
- Southern Tier Brewery on Prospect (beer)
- City Tap Cleveland on Prospect (drinks and pub food)
- Whistle Taproom on Huron (tons of beers to try)
Hotels near Rocket Arena
If you’re coming from out of town or want to spend the night in Downtown Cleveland after a game, there are plenty of hotels to choose from close to the Cavs arena.
Some of the best hotels near Rocket Arena are:
- Fidelity Hotel
- Roost Cleveland
- Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
- Kimpton Schofield Hotel
- Hilton Cleveland Downtown
- Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
Each of these hotels is within a couple of blocks of the area, so you can walk to and from the game.
Will you be going to any Cleveland Cavs games this year?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.