Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Nationwide Arena 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, OH 43215
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity: 18,103
Nationwide is the Place To Be in Columbus
The Nationwide Arena is the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The $175 million multi-purpose building seats 18,500 people and debuted for the 2000-2001 season. Its construction returned the NHL to Ohio for the first time in 22 years with the creation of the expansion franchise.
The arena is of a brick design and is the centerpiece of The Arena district that was redeveloped with funding from Nationwide Reality Investors, The Columbus Dispatch Printing Company, private investors, and the city of Columbus. It includes office, retail, and living space in downtown Columbus. The district later included the home of the Columbus Clippers Huntington Park and Columbus Crew SC Lower.com Field.
The building is named after the original minority owner, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, whose world headquarters are across the street. Nationwide purchased the naming rights to Nationwide Arena in 2011 for $28 million. The deal is the only NHL sponsorship without an expiration date.
Food & Beverage 4
The game has many options, including standard food, local favorites, and specialty items to satisfy your taste buds. Schmidt’s Sausage stand offers its iconic Bahama Mamas, Fat Daddie’s, bratwursts, garlic knockwursts, and frankfurters.
A few favorites from Cincinnati include Montgomery Inn which serves pulled pork mixed with its signature barbecue sauce, served with macaroni and cheese and homemade potato chips. The girl also serves burgers, cheese fries, and chicken tenders. Skyline Chili has a portable stand with coneys and nachos, and Whit’s Frozen Custard is an idea for your sweet tooth.
Bacon on a stick sells out quickly at The Arena, grab one when you can.
There are multiple Eastside Diner locations, offering cheesesteaks, and the building’s most iconic item is the giant slab of bacon on a stick. They sell out fast, so get them while you are there before the game. Jet’s Pizza and Bento Box at the Stix Cart in section 102 are a few more options. The box comes with chicken, beef, veggie meatballs, soba noodle salad, or rice and is served with a marinated egg, house-made pickles, and kohlrabi slaw.
The drink options include the Wild Turkey Hat Trick Bar, which features tables and chairs in a relaxed atmosphere with a full-service bar. Popular beer choices include Labatt Blue, Left Hand Milk South, Brew Dog Elvis Juice, Goose Island Haze Bear Hug, Rhinegeist Truth, and Columbus Brewing Company’s Bodhi IPA. Braxton’s Garage Beers come in a Light Lager (also in Lime) has been recently added.
Atmosphere 4
Blue Jacket games on most nights have a boisterous atmosphere in the NHL. The local bars and restaurants are crowded before the game, and fans are decked out in Blue Jackets gear. Once inside the arena, the main concourse is alive, with sights and sounds of great food and activities for everyone to enjoy.
The building is modern and spacious, offering great sightline views of the game from the seating bowl. There are a few open views of the ice from the main concourse where the cannon and pre-game show take place. The club-level section of the arena provides some of the best views of the ice from the concourse.
The Fan Zone is located at section 118, overlooking the OhioHealth Ice Haus, the team’s official practice facility. The tech-forward experience offers an eSports Lounge modeled after the club’s locker room. Fans can take shots on goal and block pucks virtually, while others can play NHL25 on Xbox gaming stations.
Check out the blast from the cannon after every Blue Jackets goal
Fans can take photos with a replica of an 1857 Napoleon cannon that is fired when the team takes the ice, scores a goal, or wins the game. The cannon pays homage to the ones used during the American Civil War and is as loud as a jet flyover at 1,000 feet.
Nationwide Arena has a "no bag" policy, which prohibits all bags larger than 8”x 5”x 1” except diapers and medical bags. All children over the age of 2 are expected to have a ticket. Sensory packs are available and can be picked up at guest services at any time throughout the night if needed.
The official team shop gets crowded with fans during intermission, but a few satellite locations offer more room to pick up a jersey, shirt, or cap. Numerous hockey jerseys are hanging from the walls of every high school program in Ohio.
Neighborhood 4
The Arena District DORA is activated three hours before the start of every event or game taking place at all events. The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area allows for alcoholic beverages to go from 12 different establishments in the area, including Boston Pizza, Nada, Betty’s Bar, Whistle & Keg, and the R Bar. On certain nights, Party on the Plaza takes place with music, vendors, and other activities along Battelle Plaza.
The dining options include Se Señor Peruvian Sandwiches, Creole 2 Geaux, Ted’s Montana Grill, and Agave & Rye, where fun decor, creative tacos, and a giant whiskey and tequila section take center place. Post-game options for a drink include Fanatics Sportsbook, Moran’s Bar & Grille, and the R Bar Arena. The R Bar is where the Blue Jackets fans go after the game, but don’t be surprised to talk with a few visiting fans over a couple of Labatt Blue cans.
The R Bar Arena is within walking distance of the arena and a favorite spot after the game.
The North Market is a dining hall near the district that houses numerous places to eat and shop. Visitors can choose from sinfully dedicated ice cream at Jen’s Splendid Ice Cream, succulent barbecue at Barrel & Boar, fried chicken at Hot Chicken Takeover, and perogies and stuffed cabbage at Hubert’s Polish Deli. The Barrel and Bottle is a full-service bar serving Ohio craft beer, cider, Belgian specialty beers, and wines from around the world.
Fans 4
Blue Jacket fans have supported their team for the past 25 seasons and made Central Ohio the home of NHL hockey. Most games are sold out at around 82 percent and will sell out when certain big visitors from Chicago, Detroit, or Pittsburgh. Fans will chant “LEO!” when the PA announcer introduces Leo Welsh to sing the National Anthem.
Access 4
The Nationwide Arena is easily accessible inside and outside of the main concourse. Two main concourses are empty to the seating bowl with staircases, escalators, and elevator access. The main concourse is vast, while the upper one is narrower. However, proper signage throughout the arena makes it easy to find your seat.
Arriving at the game is easy for a downtown venue. There are around 18,000 parking spots within distance of the Arena. Prepaid parking makes it simple to get into a garage or lot for the game, and traffic flows steadily when the game lets out.
Return on Investment 5
The ticket prices depend on the opponent but can be as low as $15 or as high as $50. Parking can range in price a few blocks away from $10 to $20 nearer the arena. There are options for free street parking when available. Depending on other NHL venues, a game at the Blue Jackets is one of the best values in the league. The price of food and beverage is slightly less than in other NHL arenas, while merchandise prices are on par with other teams.
Extras 4
The Blue Jackets earn extra points for the following: the 1857 replica Napoleon cannon, the interactive Fan Zone overlooking the practice rink, and the DORA beverages to-go before the game. These three extra points give
Lastly, the memorial for Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically killed with his brother in August of 2023 while riding his bike near his home in New Jersey by a drunk driver. His two years in Columbus were short, but his legacy will impact many others for a long time.
Final Thoughts
The Nationwide Arena is a fine place to watch an NHL game. The sightlines, food and drink, and neighborhood provide the opportunity for a wonderful night watching hockey with friends and family. The easy access by car, foot, and mass transit makes this a must for any sports traveler.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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