USDLast verified: September 14, 2026. We checked the Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, UK Athletics, LexPark, LexTran, ParkWhiz, SpotHero and Vivid Seats pages listed under Sources. Prices are what they published that day and can change by event.
Short answer. The arena's own lots are across High Street, first come, first served and card only. The arena says fees vary by event, and its convention center page puts special event parking at up to $27. For UK men's basketball, the lots open at noon and the accessible lot at Gate 1 costs $27.
Downtown garages and lots are the other option. For Big Blue Madness on October 2, ParkWhiz listed spaces from $4.83 at the Courthouse Garage to $25.10 at the Victorian Square Garage, before fees. City garages take cards only during events, and street meters are free on weekends.
Options at a glance
Costs are what each source published on September 14, 2026. Event-specific prices name the event.
| Option | Where | Cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arena lots | Across High Street, Gate 1 for UK games | Up to $27 for special events (Central Bank Center) | First come, first served, card only. No regular UK game price published. |
| Accessible lot, UK games | Gate 1, High Street | $27 per vehicle (UK Athletics) | Valid state-issued hang tag required. No cash. |
| City garages | Victorian Square, Transit Center, Helix, Courthouse | Event rates "as posted." Normal daily max $19, or $10 at Transit Center (LexPark) | Card only during events. |
| ParkWhiz | 0.2 to 0.5 miles away | $4.83 to $44.75 before fees, Big Blue Madness, Oct 2 (ParkWhiz) | The arena's prepaid partner, but no arena lots were listed. |
| SpotHero | 0.1 to 1.6 miles away | $8.25 to $30 before fees, Jonas Brothers, Oct 17 (SpotHero) | No UK games were listed. |
| Vivid Seats resale | Downtown garages and lots | $29 to $65 with fees, UK vs. Manhattan, Nov 3 (Vivid Seats) | The Courthouse Garage was $31 here and $4.83 on ParkWhiz for Oct 2. |
| Street meters | Downtown streets | $0.75 to $2.00 an hour, free on weekends (LexPark) | LexPark enforces weekdays until 7 p.m. The arena's page says 5 p.m. |
| LexTran bus or LexRide | Transit Center, 150 E. Vine St., or LexRide on W. Main St. | $1.00 a ride (LexTran) | Buses detour before UK games. LexRide runs Thursday to Saturday evenings through October 31. |
The arena's lots: rules and prices
The arena says more than 10,000 spaces sit within a 10-minute walk. Its lots are across the street, reached from High Street or Maxwell Street.
- Gates: UK's 2022 parking map labels Gate 1 as limited game-day sales on High Street, Gate 2 as UK permit parking and Gate 3 as staff permit parking. How permits are sold is not published.
- Price: the arena says event-day fees vary. The convention center page lists the High Street lot at a flat $12 plus tax, and special event parking at up to $27.
- Payment: credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No cash.
- Prepaid: some events sell prepaid spaces through ParkWhiz. The arena's A-Z guide also names Ticketmaster, so check both.
- Re-entry: none into the building during events. In-and-out rules for the lots, tailgating and RV parking are not published.
UK home games and arena events
UK's 2026-27 schedule lists every home tip time as TBA. Concert times are from ParkWhiz. UK's game-day page, still labeled 2025-26, says lots open at noon regardless of tip time. UK's 2022 parking map says three hours before. The arena's calendar did not list Big Blue Madness or the UCF exhibition.
| Date | Event | Start |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 2 | Big Blue Madness | TBA on UK's schedule, 7 p.m. on ParkWhiz |
| Fri, Oct 16 | UK vs. Little Rock (exhibition) | TBA |
| Sat, Oct 17 | Jonas Brothers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Oct 23 | UK vs. Texas Tech (exhibition) | TBA |
| Wed, Oct 28 | UK vs. UCF (exhibition) | TBA |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds | 8 p.m. |
| Tue, Nov 3 | UK vs. Manhattan | TBA |
| Fri, Nov 6 | UK vs. James Madison | TBA |
| Fri, Nov 13 | UK vs. Northern Arizona | TBA |
| Sun, Nov 15 | Gabriel Iglesias | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mon, Nov 16 | UK vs. Grambling State | TBA |
| Fri, Nov 27 | UK vs. Wichita State | TBA |
In December, Lil Wayne plays on the 4th at 8:30 p.m., and UK hosts Appalachian State (5th), Bryant (8th), Louisville (12th), Sacred Heart (22nd) and Gardner-Webb (28th). Home games in 2027 run from January 5 (Ole Miss) to March 2 (Texas A&M).
Downtown garages and the app snapshot
City garages. LexPark lists the Victorian Square Garage at 350 W. Short St., with 382 spaces and pedway access, as convenient for the arena. The Transit Center Garage has 777 spaces and the Courthouse Garage at 105 Barr St. has 518. Event rates are "as posted." LexPark's surface lot at 168 N. Upper St. charges $8 for three hours and is enforced 24/7.
ParkWhiz, October 2. The Courthouse Garage, a half mile out, was $4.83. The Helix Garage was $9.44 and the West Short Street Lot $10. The Victorian Square Garage, 0.2 miles away, was $25.10, or $44.75 for VIP. ParkWhiz adds a service fee, $2.68 on the VIP space.
SpotHero, October 17. The Lower South Hill Lot at 308 S. Broadway, a 3-minute walk, was $8.25. The Transit Center, Courthouse and Helix garages were $10. Victorian Square was $20, before fees.
Vivid Seats, November 3. Ten resale listings ran $29 to $65 with fees, including the Courthouse and Victorian Square garages at $31.
Rideshare and drop-off
- Drop-off and pick-up are on Main Street, at the curb cut in front of Central Bank Center, according to UK and the arena's A-Z guide.
- No vehicle may park there.
Getting there on LexTran
LexTran's Transit Center is at 150 E. Vine St. LexTran does not publish a walk time. SpotHero puts the garage at that address 0.4 miles, or 8 minutes, from the arena.
A single ride is $1.00 and a day pass is $3.00. Pay with change or $1 and $5 bills. Cards are not accepted on the bus.
Before UK home games, Routes 2, 6, 8, 12, 13, 22 and 24 detour near the arena, according to a LexTran notice dated November 7, 2022.
The LexRide circulator costs $1.00 each way. It runs Thursday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight, through October 31, on a loop along W. Main St. that lists the arena as a point of interest.
Accessible parking
- Accessible spaces are in the High Street lot across the street. A valid state-issued placard or license plate is required, first come, first served.
- At UK games, the Gate 1 accessible lot costs $27 per vehicle, no cash.
- LexPark garages have 9 to 16 accessible spaces each.
- Inside, two elevators run from the concourse level. The arena does not supply or rent wheelchairs.
- LexPark's fine for an accessible parking violation is $250.
Closures and date changes
We found no lot closure or construction notice on the arena, UK or LexPark pages. Lil Wayne moved to December 4, but SpotHero still listed October 22, so check the date on any pass.
What this guide doesn't recommend
- Counting on Gate 1 at a big game. It is limited game-day sales, first come, first served.
- Bringing only cash. The arena lots, and city garages during events, take cards only.
- Trusting the arena's meter hours. LexPark enforces until 7 p.m., not 5 p.m.
- Buying resale without comparing. Vivid's Courthouse Garage pass was $31. ParkWhiz listed that garage at $4.83 for October 2.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to park at Rupp Arena?
For the shortest walk, the arena's lots across High Street, if you arrive early. The Victorian Square Garage is 0.2 miles away. For a cheap reserved space, the Courthouse and Helix garages were under $10 before fees on ParkWhiz.
How early should I get to Rupp Arena?
For UK games, lots open at noon and doors open 90 minutes before tipoff. For concerts, door times vary by event and lot opening times are not published.
Where do I park for a Kentucky basketball game?
Without a UK permit, try the Gate 1 game-day lot, a city garage, or a space booked on ParkWhiz or Vivid Seats. SpotHero listed no UK games.
Where can I park for free?
Street meters are free all day on Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. On weekdays LexPark enforces them until 7 p.m. No free lot near the arena is published.
Can I pay with cash?
Not at the arena lots, and not in city garages during events.
Sources
All checked September 14, 2026.
- Central Bank Center, arena Parking and Ride Share page: space count, payment, fees, accessible spaces, meter hours.
- Central Bank Center, Directions and Parking: High Street lot rate, special event price.
- Central Bank Center, arena A-Z Guide: lot access, prepaid sellers, re-entry, drop-off.
- Central Bank Center, arena calendar: upcoming events.
- UK Athletics, gameday information, event parking map (2022) and 2026-27 schedule: lot times, gate labels, accessible lot price, rideshare, home dates.
- LexPark, Find Parking and Rates and Hours: garages, accessible spaces, rates, meter hours, fines.
- LexTran fares, UK game detours and LexRide schedule (PDF).
- ParkWhiz, Big Blue Madness, ParkWhiz events, SpotHero, Jonas Brothers and Vivid Seats, UK vs. Manhattan: live prices and event times.