Paycor Stadium Parking

Paycor Stadium, long known to NFL fans as Paul Brown Stadium, sits right on the north bank of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. Between sold-out Bengals home games and massive summer concerts, getting around The Banks on event days takes some planning. The street grid, highway ramps, and riverfront garages back up fast, so picking the right garage, surface lot, or cross-river option can keep you from sitting in gridlock along Fort Washington Way.

Where Is the Best Place to Find Bengals Game Parking at Paycor Stadium?

The best spot comes down to what matters most to you: proximity to the gates, a lively tailgate scene, or a quick exit after the clock runs out. If you want covered parking right by the entrances, sections of the underground Central Riverfront Garage (CRG) give you the shortest walk. Tailgaters gravitate toward surface spots like Lot 1U, Lot B, Lot D, and Longworth Hall. Fans who have attended games here for years know that parking across the river in Covington or near a downtown Cincinnati streetcar stop is usually the easiest way to skip traffic.

How Much Does Parking Cost at Paycor Stadium?

Official parking passes right next to the stadium run between $40 and $65 per game for single-game or season packages. Drive-up rates at private lots and satellite garages across the Central Business District (CBD) run from $15 to $40, depending on the walk and the matchup. Over the river in Northern Kentucky, spots generally go for $10 to $25. On resale markets, passes for prime riverfront tailgate spaces can climb well over face value for big division games.

Official Lots vs. Garages: Paycor Stadium Parking Map Breakdown

Checking the official Paycor Stadium parking map beforehand is smart because surface lots and garages operate under entirely different rules, clearance limits, and entry points.

The parking setup around the stadium splits into two main options:

• Central Riverfront Garage (CRG): Running below The Banks, this underground garage complex is divided into CRG Premium, CRG West, CRG Mid, and CRG East. These decks give you weather-protected walkways and stairs or elevators straight up to the stadium plazas and Freedom Way. Because the facility is enclosed, it has low ceiling heights and strict fire rules.
• Official Surface Lots: Positioned north and west of the stadium, surface areas like Lot A, Lot B, Lot D, Lot E, Lot ERV, and Lot 1U are open-air. They easily fit standard tailgates along with taller trucks and SUVs that cannot clear parking garages. Further northwest, Hilltop and Hilltop North handle extra surface parking.

Can You Tailgate in the Central Riverfront Garage at Paycor Stadium?

No. Open-flame cooking, charcoal grills, and full tailgates are barred inside the covered Central Riverfront Garage. City fire codes prohibit propane tanks, grills, and open flames inside enclosed underground decks.

If you have a CRG pass, you can hang out around your car with food and drinks in your parking space, but you have to leave cooking gear at home. Fans who want to grill will need a pass for surface lots like Lot 1U, Lot B, Lot D, Hilltop, or Longworth Hall. In every surface lot, your setup has to stay inside your single stall without spilling out into driving lanes.

How Does Longworth Hall Parking for Bengals Games Work?

Longworth Hall hosts one of Cincinnati's most famous independent tailgates on game days. The historic brick building runs for a quarter-mile along West Pete Rose Way, just west of the stadium, and its massive asphalt lot fills up early with full cookouts, music, and crowds.

Spaces at Longworth Hall sell through season passes as well as first-come, first-served drive-up spots on game days. Because of its reputation, the lot often fills within an hour of opening. From there, it is an easy 8- to 12-minute flat walk east down Pete Rose Way to the Altafiber Northwest Gate and West Gate plazas.

What Time Do the Parking Lots Open Before Kickoff at Paycor Stadium?

The Central Riverfront Garage facilities (including CRG Premium, CRG West, CRG Mid, and CRG East) open six hours before kickoff on Bengals game days. Official stadium surface lots, including Lot 1U, Lot A, Lot B, Lot D, Lot E, Hilltop, Hilltop North, and Longworth Hall, open four hours before game time.

All official facilities shut down two hours after the game wraps up. For night games, stadium staff and local police require tailgates to wrap up by midnight so streets can clear out smoothly.

Do You Need to Buy a Paycor Stadium Parking Pass in Advance or Can You Pay Cash on Arrival?

You will want to buy a parking pass ahead of time. Nearly all riverfront surface lots and CRG decks next to the stadium require pre-purchased permits on game days, and staff do not sell drive-up spaces at the main gates.

Drive-up parking is mostly confined to commercial garages further north in the business district or across the river. To avoid getting turned around at police checkpoints, grab a pass early through team presales, booking platforms like Prked (rated #1 on Trustpilot in both the Parking Garage and Parking Lot categories), or verified ticket resale sites.

Is Covington Parking for a Bengals Game Better Than Parking in Downtown Cincinnati?

Many fans prefer parking in Covington because it lets them skip the post-game riverfront jam entirely. Northern Kentucky lots usually cost less, have shorter exit lines, and give you an easy walk across the bridges.

• From Covington (Roebling Suspension Bridge): Leave your car in a garage or surface lot along RiverCenter Boulevard, Scott Street, or Madison Avenue. Walk 12 to 15 minutes north across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which lands you right in Smale Riverfront Park next to Paycor Stadium.
• From Newport (Purple People / Taylor Southgate Bridge): Park near Newport on the Levee or 3rd Street. Head across the Taylor Southgate Bridge or the Purple People Bridge toward Heritage Bank Center, then walk west through The Banks to the stadium in about 18 to 22 minutes.
• TANK Southbank Shuttle: If you want to skip the walk across the bridge, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky runs the Southbank Shuttle for $1.00 to $2.00 each way. It makes steady loops between Covington, Newport, and drop-off points near 2nd and Race Street on game days.

Can You Take the Cincinnati Streetcar for Cheap Parking Near Paycor Stadium?

Yes. You can leave your vehicle in a garage in the Central Business District or Over-the-Rhine (OTR) and take the free Cincinnati Connector streetcar straight to the stadium.

The Connector covers a 3.6-mile loop through downtown with 18 stops. Cheaper parking spots include the Washington Park Garage in OTR, the Mercer Garage, or the Fountain Square Garage at 520 Vine St. Hop on heading south toward The Banks and get off at Station 1 (2nd & Main) or Station 2 (2nd & Belmont). From there, walk two flat blocks west along Freedom Way or 2nd Street to reach the stadium. Streetcars arrive every 12 to 15 minutes, making it a simple, budget-friendly setup.

Can You Rent Private Driveways and Residential Parking Near Paycor Stadium?

Booking private driveways directly from residents is a smart way to dodge the traffic that stalls out the Central Riverfront Garage and Lot B after games. Several neighborhoods sit within reasonable walking distance and offer completely separate routes out of town:

• Historic Licking Riverside & Roebling Point (Covington): Driveways and private spots along Greenup, Garrard, Shelby, and East 2nd or 3rd Street are a 10- to 15-minute walk across the Roebling Bridge pedestrian path. Leaving from this area keeps you completely clear of Ohio riverfront road closures. You can head straight south on 4th, 5th, or KY-9 (AA Highway) to hit I-71/I-75 South without waiting in line at the Brent Spence Bridge or Fort Washington Way.
• West End & Queensgate Corridors: Residential spaces northwest of the stadium along Ezzard Charles Drive, Gest Street, and Linn Street put you a 12- to 18-minute walk away via Central Avenue or West Pete Rose Way. This angle bypasses Mehring Way closures and feeds directly onto the I-75 North ramps at Ezzard Charles Drive.
• Over-the-Rhine & Prospect Hill: Home driveways north of Central Parkway along Race, Elm, or Main Street sit about a 15- to 20-minute walk away (or a quick ride on the free streetcar). Driving out from here takes you east toward I-71 North or north on Liberty Street, well away from stadium foot traffic.

Reserving a driveway or private spot through Prked is an easy way to lock this in early. Rated 5.0/5 on Trustpilot across 750+ reviews, these spaces typically cost less than the $40 to $65 charged for official passes, offer verified reviews from past renters, and handle payment securely online.

How Do I Avoid Traffic Getting onto I-71 or I-75 After an Event at Paycor Stadium?

Traffic backs up quickly along Mehring Way, West Pete Rose Way, 2nd Street, and 3rd Street due to closed intersections and crowds leaving The Banks.

A few adjustments can save you from sitting in a garage for an hour:

• Skip the Fort Washington Way ramps: Instead of trying to merge onto 2nd or 3rd Street right by the gates, park north of 5th Street. Driving north toward Central Parkway gets you to I-71 North or I-75 North on-ramps without fighting pedestrian crosswalks.
• Head south through Kentucky: If you are driving south on I-75, park in Covington. Walking back over the Roebling Bridge lets you jump directly onto I-71/I-75 South from 4th or 5th Street in Kentucky, avoiding the Brent Spence Bridge approach entirely.
• Wait out the rush: Grab a bite or a drink at the bars along Freedom Way for 45 to 60 minutes after the final whistle. By the time lots reach their two-hour closing mark, traffic around downtown thins out considerably.

Where Is Accessible Paycor Stadium ADA Parking and Drop-Off Located?

Accessible ADA parking spaces are available in every official lot and garage for drivers who have both a state-issued disabled placard or license plate and a pre-purchased parking pass for that specific lot. These spots are filled first-come, first-served within each area.

If you have mobility needs but do not have an on-site parking permit, the venue provides two pre-game drop-off locations:

• West Gate Drop-Off: A designated curb area along Central Avenue between West Pete Rose Way and Mehring Way, providing step-free access to the West Gate.
• East Gate Drop-Off: At Race Street and Freedom Way near E+O Kitchen, offering a direct route toward the Fifth Third Southeast Gate and Gate C.

Where Is the Designated Paycor Stadium Rideshare Drop Off and Pickup Area?

The official rideshare zone sits on 2nd Street between Elm Street and Walnut Street, on the north edge of The Banks.

Before kickoff, drivers can pull up via the highway off-ramps without much trouble. Right after games and concerts, however, 2nd Street clogs with cars, and app prices spike.

Local tip for leaving: Instead of calling a ride right by the riverfront, walk four or five blocks north into downtown up to 5th or 6th Street. Getting past the immediate crowd usually drops surge pricing and puts you on streets where drivers can pull up without road closures in their way.

How Much Does SpotHero or ParkWhiz Charge for Parking Near Paycor Stadium?

Reservation apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz list spots in private downtown garages and surface lots for Bengals games and stadium shows.

Rates generally run from $12 to $25 for garages 6 to 10 blocks out in the Central Business District, including the Mabley Place Garage at 410 Race Street, the Enquirer Building Garage at 312 Elm Street, or the Duke Energy Convention Center garages. Closer to The Banks or under 3rd Street, spots on these apps typically cost between $35 and $60+ on game days. Booking ahead gives you a guaranteed space before you head out, so you never have to circle downtown looking for an open gate.