Finding parking at major event venues like Dickies Arena can be a headache. With thousands of people all trying to arrive at the same time, parking can fill up quickly and traffic around the venue can become gridlocked. Proper planning and knowledge about the parking options around Dickies Arena are key to finding the best parking spot that suits your needs and budget.
Dickies Arena is a large, multi-purpose arena located in Fort Worth, Texas. The venue hosts major concerts, sporting events, family shows, and other large-scale happenings. With a capacity of around 14,000 people, parking is always in high demand when a big event is happening at Dickies Arena.
Knowing the right places to park and when to arrive is crucial to avoiding parking headaches at Dickies Arena. Below we will explore the main parking options available around the venue, including on-site parking, nearby garages and lots, and tips for finding free or cheap parking that avoids the biggest game day crowds.
On-Site Parking at Dickies Arena
Dickies Arena offers on-site parking in several lots around the venue. These lots are conveniently right next to Dickies Arena, making for an easy direct walk into events. However, on-site parking tends to fill up very fast due to its prime location.
There are just under 2,000 on-site parking spaces available in the main Dickies Arena lots. These include the North Lot, East Lot, and South Lot which surround the venue on three sides.
Parking prices in the on-site Dickies Arena lots are $20 per vehicle for most events. Some special or premium events may have slightly higher parking rates. Parking can be purchased in advance online or paid when entering the lot. These on-site lots typically open 2-3 hours before events start and fill up quickly closer to start times.
The main advantage of parking on-site is the convenience of being steps from the arena entrances. However, the limited number of spaces and high demand mean these lots often reach capacity and close well before events start. Arriving very early is key if you hope to get one of the coveted on-site parking spots.
North Lot
The North Lot provides direct pedestrian access to the north entrance of Dickies Arena. It is located just off Trail Drive on the north side of the venue, with 804 parking spaces available. This lot grants easy access into the arena bowl via the north entrance doors.
East Lot
Located on the east side of the venue off Lincicome Drive, the East Lot has 537 spaces. A pedestrian bridge connects the East Lot directly to the east entrance of Dickies Arena. This lot fills quickly due to its direct access into the venue.
South Lot
The South Lot is located off Trail Drive on the south side of Dickies Arena, offering 621 parking spaces. It provides pedestrian access to the south entrance doors of the venue. Being close to the main box office, this lot is hugely popular and often fills to capacity first.
Nearby Parking Garages
In addition to the limited on-site parking at Dickies Arena itself, there are several large parking garages located nearby that also fill up for major events. These garages are privately run and offer covered parking just a short walk from the arena.
The rates at these downtown parking garages are similar to the on-site rates, typically running $15-20 per vehicle. Some may jack up rates slightly more for very high profile events. These garages often require pre-paying for parking at kiosks rather than paying upon exit.
Sundance Garage
The Sundance Garage offers covered parking only two blocks east of Dickies Arena, making for an easy 5-10 minute walk to events. With over 1,100 spaces on 7 floors, the Sundance Garage rarely fills to capacity so can be a reliable option for finding parking nearby.
Champion’s Garage
Located one block south of Dickies Arena, the Champion’s Garage contains around 500 parking spaces over 5 floors. Its neighboring proximity makes it super convenient, though spots here go quickly right before arena events.
Allen Street Lot
For open-air parking right next to Dickies Arena, the Allen Street Lot is a top choice. Situated across Allen St. from the south side of the arena, this uncovered lot is another good option that isn’t quite as busy as the on-site lots.
Off-Site Parking Lots
Venturing slightly further from Dickies Arena opens up additional parking options in various surface lots within a 15-20 minute walk of the venue. While not as ideally close, these outlying lots are more likely to still have availability closer to event start times.
T&P Station Lot
The large lot at T&P Station offers 800+ parking spaces about 1/3 mile northwest of Dickies Arena, next to the Trinity Metro T&P Station. From here it’s around a 15 minute walk to the arena along E. Lancaster Ave.
Business Lots
Many businesses near Dickies Arena open up their corporate lots for public parking during events. Lots at the nearby Pier 1 Imports headquarters, Spectrum Building, and Fort Worth Water Department facilities are good options within a 10-15 minute walk. Parking rates are usually $10-20 per vehicle.
Lots on Commerce Street
Heading east down Commerce Street away from Dickies Arena, there are a number of small gravel and paved public lots that charge $5-20 for event parking. These are further away but provide cheaper overflow parking outside the immediate downtown vicinity.
On-Street Parking
You can sometimes find on-street parking on roads and side streets around Dickies Arena on a first come, first served basis. This includes streets like Commerce, Taylor, and Jones southeast of the venue.
However, city parking regulations are strictly enforced on event days, with traffic officers monitoring permit parking zones closely. Make sure to read posted signs carefully to avoid getting ticketed or towed. Time limits for on-street parking zones are actively monitored and enforced.
The best on-street spots fill up very early on event days. Arriving 4+ hours before an event will yield the best chance at scoring a free or cheap on-street spot within reasonable walking distance. Be prepared to circle the blocks continuously, as turnover is limited due to the long event durations.
Public Transportation
To avoid the parking crunch altogether, public transportation can be a convenient way to get to Dickies Arena events. The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) provides direct train service to the T&P Station just northwest of the arena. Connecting bus routes also drop off right in front of Dickies Arena.
Trinity Railway Express
The TRE provides commuter rail service to Fort Worth, with a stop at T&P Station just a short walk from Dickies Arena. Special event trains are scheduled for major concerts and sporting events at the arena. Parking is available at many outlying TRE stations, allowing you to ride directly into downtown Fort Worth. Fares are $5.50 each way.
Bus Routes
Trinity Metro bus routes 2, 7, and 57 stop right in front of the main entrances of Dickies Arena. Buses run regularly on weekdays and weekends, with extended hours on event nights. Standard fares are $1.75 per ride, with day passes available.
Ride Share Services
Using ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft is another parking workaround for events at Dickies Arena. Setup a pickup/drop-off right at the designated zones right outside the main entrances of the venue.
Surge pricing often hits hard around major event start and end times, so expect significantly inflated fares if ride sharing when crowds are highest. Splitting rides with other attendees can save some costs.
Where and When to Park for Sold Out Shows
For major sold out arena shows and sporting events, parking demands at and around Dickies Arena reach peak levels. Arriving very early is absolutely vital to secure a spot if driving yourself and parking on-site.
Gates typically open 1-2 hours prior to start times for big events. To get one of the on-site spots right next to the arena, plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours before the scheduled start. Finding a decent parking spot only gets harder the later you arrive.
Alternatively, book parking in advance at one of the nearby garages to take the stress out of first come, first served parking on the day of the event. Off-site lots a 10+ minute walk from the arena will be easier to find parking in than the prime spots right next to the venue.
Ride sharing or public transit can make sense if you want to skip dealing with parking altogether. Just be prepared for prime time surge pricing and long waits if ride sharing and leaving right as a sold out show ends.
Conclusion
Finding parking for major events at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth can definitely be challenging. Limited on-site parking and high demand downtown garages fill up quickly, so advanced planning and early arrival is key.
For premium convenience right next to the arena, aim to park in the North, East or South on-site lots by arriving 3-4 hours before event start times if possible. More outlying lots and garages within a short walking distance tend to have better availability closer to show times.
Taking public transit via the TRE or local buses can avoid parking headaches altogether. And services like Uber or Lyft will drop off right at the front doors, though expect price surging during peak event traffic.
Knowing your parking options around Dickies Arena in advance helps make attending major concerts, games, and shows a smooth, stress-free experience. Proper planning is the best way to save time finding parking, and avoid traffic delays getting to and leaving the venue.
