I’ve not been to a game at Rupp in over 10 years. I’m bringing my 8 year old to the game Wednesday night. He loves basketball in general and has really started to become a huge UK fan through watching games at home. Need recommendations on time to get to the game, parking ideas, things to do pregame, etc. Thanks in advance.
Need some help on Rupp visit.
- Thread starter Docwilli73
- Start date
Doors to Rupp open 90 minutes before tipoff if you want to see players on court prior to game, not much else going on inside that early but an 8 year old's first trip might catch his interest.
Get to downtown early if you want to go eat somewhere as people arrive very early and this is last home game and Senior Night too. The LEX across from Rupp/Hyatt might be fun to eat and watch other games on big screens before going to Rupp.
Have a great time!
Get to downtown early if you want to go eat somewhere as people arrive very early and this is last home game and Senior Night too. The LEX across from Rupp/Hyatt might be fun to eat and watch other games on big screens before going to Rupp.
Have a great time!
Thanks ORCAT. Best place to park? Parking hard to find if you get there about 3 hours before game?
Parking isn’t bad 2-3 hours before the game. I would avoid a parking garage unless you are hanging around for awhile after the game. The lot behind Rupp isn’t bad.
Parking meters are/were free after 5:00 PM. Last time I went, last year, you could still find free parking on Short St. west of Broadway and several streets North.
I used to get there like 3 hours ahead of game park on upper or another side street. Went later to game with my daughter she is ALWAYS late. We got there just in time to get in to see the tip. Parking was 25$ I about died. I am a tightwad like to do things but as cheap as possible. She got the seats from her boss for free. 10 rows off the floor right along the baseline. I guess 25$ was still cheap for the whole deal. BUT 25$ FOR PARKING!! LOL
I hate when we used to run into traffic and got there just at tip or after. Gotta be in the seats with at least 1:50 on the clock. Hear the old tradition video before the starting lineups!
Stay after for the radio interview and Cal will sign your son's basketball.
Dont go too early or the kid will get bored. Just early enough to observe them warming up. But if you do go real early, go downlow and sit mid court in someones seat for a bit.
Bring a dimpled basketball for Cal to sign. If you throw it and bounce it off Cal’s head when he’s not looking he’ll give your kiddo $20.
Don't bring a dimpled basketball if you expect Calipari to sign it. He explicitly says not too and you will wait last. Plus your autograph will look like **** and fade away. Get one with a smooth surface as they make those specifically for autographs. I got mine back in 2011 with the signature still intact.
Was at the game yesterday. We got there about 2 hours early; parked in Rupp /Hyatt lot costing us $21.20. Since it was so nice out we just walked around the area taking in BBN.
Always try to find free parking on the street near Rupp. There’s a church down the street from Rupp that has parking. You have to pay but I think it’s cheaper than other lots and garages.
You want the LexPark Transit Center Parking Garage. $1/half hour; $10 max for a day in case you want to bum around Lexington all day and use it as your personal garage.
Which you can do, because now that they track everything electronically you are paying for any parking in your time window. You are free to leave the garage, then return to it and park in any space, as many times as you want.
The High Street entrance is four blocks directly East of the Rupp Arena/Civic Center main entrance. And as you probably know Lexington city blocks are pretty small. My sister and I parked there before the Journey concert, left, ate at Charlie Brown’s, came back, reparked, and went to the concert. All for $5. Two blocks West on High Street people were selling event parking spots for $20 and $25 a pop.
I’ve been parking there for 25 years and am amazed most people still don’t know to do this. And the advantage of no one knowing about it—in addition to it’s super easy to find a space—is that you can get out of there almost instantly after the game if you leave going East out of the Vine Street exit. Whereas most people have to fight all that Rupp traffic.
Do note that High Street is one-way, going West and Vine Street is one-way, going East.
Which you can do, because now that they track everything electronically you are paying for any parking in your time window. You are free to leave the garage, then return to it and park in any space, as many times as you want.
The High Street entrance is four blocks directly East of the Rupp Arena/Civic Center main entrance. And as you probably know Lexington city blocks are pretty small. My sister and I parked there before the Journey concert, left, ate at Charlie Brown’s, came back, reparked, and went to the concert. All for $5. Two blocks West on High Street people were selling event parking spots for $20 and $25 a pop.
I’ve been parking there for 25 years and am amazed most people still don’t know to do this. And the advantage of no one knowing about it—in addition to it’s super easy to find a space—is that you can get out of there almost instantly after the game if you leave going East out of the Vine Street exit. Whereas most people have to fight all that Rupp traffic.
Do note that High Street is one-way, going West and Vine Street is one-way, going East.
Haha. After the last few years the thought has crossed my mind. But UK basketball is like a drug and I hope he ends up having as many memories as I do watching the games.
Get there early enough to join the 50 strong picketing 
. You and your son would make 52.
. You and your son would make 52.