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Bender Arena

Bender Arena is the Division I basketball home of American in Washington. This FanProof guide focuses on the… Read more

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 10.8.26

Bags & entry
Official venue entry guidance (opens in a new tab)
Venue map (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)
Parking
Official parking & directions (opens in a new tab)Current university instructions list $10 event parking plus applicable fees for selected events, purchased through PayByPhone with event location code 211950. The published code hours are weekdays after 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Confirm your game’s applicable rate and code.
Arrive
Bender Arena is inside American University’s Sports Center on the main campus at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. The official directions approach through Glover Gate from Massachusetts Avenue, then through Lydecker Tunnel to the arena and Sports Center Garage. Use the current event instructions for closures.
Exact location
Bender Arena, Sports Center, American University campus, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016Open directions (opens in a new tab)
Getting there
Tenleytown-AU on Metro’s Red Line is the university’s published rail connection. The directions page locates the AU shuttle near 40th and Albemarle Streets NW by Whole Foods. Check current shuttle service before travel; the campus map identifies Bender Arena as building 12.
NearbyDining near Bender Arena (opens in a new tab)Drinks near Bender Arena (opens in a new tab)Stay near Bender Arena (opens in a new tab)
Bender Arena’s basketball court and occupied seating bowl in American’s November 2024 fan-experience coverage. The source credits Scott Fields; the capture date is not independently supplied.
Photo credits
Scott Fields / American University AthleticsPhoto source (opens in a new tab)
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Bender Arena’s basketball court and occupied seating bowl in American’s November 2024 fan-experience coverage. The source credits Scott Fields; the capture date is not independently supplied.

Showing image 1 of 3.

Home teams
American basketball
Upcoming Events

No verified events are available in this preview.

Check the full official calendar ↗
Venue details
Venue typeCollege Arena
Capacity3,168Bender Arena capacity in American’s 2025–26 visiting guide; actual event layouts can differ
Your visit checklist Save, copy or print

Get ready for Bender Arena

Bender Arena, Sports Center, American University campus, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

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Visit preparation checklist

Open your ticket and confirm the event date, door time, seat or standing area, and ticket delivery instructions.

Official event calendar (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Bender Arena’s bag dimensions or exceptions. Check the official entry policy before packing.

Official Bender Arena — actual basketball amenity and layout changes (opens in a new tab)

Destination: Bender Arena, Bender Arena, Sports Center, American University campus, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. Bender Arena is inside American University’s Sports Center on the main campus at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. The official directions approach through Glover Gate from Massachusetts Avenue, then through Lydecker Tunnel to the arena and Sports Center Garage. Use the current event instructions for closures. Tenleytown-AU on Metro’s Red Line is the university’s published rail connection. The directions page locates the AU shuttle near 40th and Albemarle Streets NW by Whole Foods. Check current shuttle service before travel; the campus map identifies Bender Arena as building 12. Current university instructions list $10 event parking plus applicable fees for selected events, purchased through PayByPhone with event location code 211950. The published code hours are weekdays after 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Confirm your game’s applicable rate and code.

Directions to this venue (opens in a new tab)Official parking / arrival information (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Bender Arena’s accessible seating or step-free entrance. Ask the venue about the exact seat, entrance and route before buying.

Official Bender Arena — accessible seats, will call and children (opens in a new tab)Venue map (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

Outside food and beverages are prohibited for Bender Arena events. The reviewed venue sources do not establish a current clear-bag dimension rule; check the actual event notice before packing, including any medical or infant-item accommodation.

Still to check

  • Accepted payment methods, including any difference between parking, box office and concessions.
Official Bender Arena — main-campus approach and rail connection (opens in a new tab)Official Bender Arena — accessible seats, will call and children (opens in a new tab)Official Bender Arena — actual indoor food restrictions (opens in a new tab)Official Bender Arena — actual basketball amenity and layout changes (opens in a new tab)Official American basketball schedule (opens in a new tab)

Tenleytown-AU on Metro’s Red Line is the university’s published rail connection. The directions page locates the AU shuttle near 40th and Albemarle Streets NW by Whole Foods. Check current shuttle service before travel; the campus map identifies Bender Arena as building 12. Confirm return service and last departures for your event’s finish time.

Plan your route home from this venue (opens in a new tab)

Checking an item records your preparation. It does not confirm a ticket, reserve a seat or guarantee admission. Saved plans do not sync between devices.

Find your section

Seating maps & views

Match the layout to your event before choosing seats. Stage position, floor seating, standing areas, and available sections can change.

Real photos from the seats

Browse Bender Arena photos by section and compare the sightlines, railings, and stage views. Check the event and photo date; zoom can make the stage look closer.

View seat photos on A View From My Seat (opens in a new tab)

Seating chart

Bender Arena — historical numbered basketball sections and rows

Bender Arena: Seating chart, Bender Arena — historical numbered basketball sections and rows. Use the source chart for section and row details.

Official 2017 diagram still linked by American’s seating page, showing Sections 101–122, rows and seat numbers. Courtside and baseline seating changed in 2024, so use this as a historical orientation reference and confirm your current event’s layout and seat allocation.

Open original chart (opens in a new tab)Source: American University (opens in a new tab)Source checked 2026-10-08

Plan your visit

Arrival and logisticsBefore you goTransit, parking, timing and entry details

Need to Know

Best for
Arrange accessible seating with the American ticket office at 202-885-2617 at least 24 hours in advance; the published policy describes limited first-come availability. Will call opens one hour before a game and stays open until halftime. Children four and older need a ticket; children three and under must sit on an adult’s lap. Confirm your event’s rule. Bender’s courtside and baseline seats changed in 2024, so confirm current allocations against your ticket rather than treating the linked 2017 chart as current. The Perch hospitality area permits entry only for ages 21 and older, with beverages available for purchase.
Watch out for
Outside food and beverages are prohibited for Bender Arena events. The reviewed venue sources do not establish a current clear-bag dimension rule; check the actual event notice before packing, including any medical or infant-item accommodation.
Good arrival window
Bender Arena is inside American University’s Sports Center on the main campus at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. The official directions approach through Glover Gate from Massachusetts Avenue, then through Lydecker Tunnel to the arena and Sports Center Garage. Use the current event instructions for closures.
Main transit note
Tenleytown-AU on Metro’s Red Line is the university’s published rail connection. The directions page locates the AU shuttle near 40th and Albemarle Streets NW by Whole Foods. Check current shuttle service before travel; the campus map identifies Bender Arena as building 12.
Sources5 officialReviewed 10.8.26Sources for Need to Know

Historical fan notes are not treated as verified public evidence.

Parking At A Glance

What to do
Current university instructions list $10 event parking plus applicable fees for selected events, purchased through PayByPhone with event location code 211950. The published code hours are weekdays after 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Confirm your game’s applicable rate and code.
Best option
The Sports Center Garage beside Bender Arena is available on a first-come basis under the applicable campus parking rules. Event payment covers general spaces rather than reserved spaces and does not guarantee a spot.
Avoid
The older Athletics ticket page’s free evening/weekend parking claim conflicts with current paid-event instructions. Follow the university’s current event notice and parking signs; an existing valid campus permit may cover the event date.
Sources2 officialReviewed 10.8.26Sources for Parking At A Glance

Historical fan notes are not treated as verified public evidence.

Seats and atmosphereChoose your experienceSightlines, supporter sections, crowd flow and event-day character

Inside the Venue At A Glance

01

Positive

College basketball game day

Bender Arena reflects American traditions and campus rhythms, but the smoothest visit starts with the school’s current game-day information rather than a generic arena address.

Sources1 officialReviewed 10.8.26Sources for Inside the Venue At A Glance

Historical fan notes are not treated as verified public evidence.

Fit and tradeoffsWhat to expectThe practical strengths and the details that could change your choice

Why It Works

  • ✓American traditions and campus atmosphere
Sources1 officialReviewed 10.8.26Sources for Why It Works

Historical fan notes are not treated as verified public evidence.

Editorial verdict

FanProof Takeaway

Reviewed 10.8.26

For Bender Arena: confirm the exact American parking or transit, entry, ticket, bag, seating, and accessibility guidance before arrival.

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