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Charlottesville, VA
Localtime

John Paul Jones Arena

Virginia's 14,593-seat basketball arena sits on North Grounds with reserved close-in lots, public garage and shuttle alternatives for… Read more

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 10.11.26

Bags & entry
Official bag & entry policy (opens in a new tab)
Seat maps (opens in a new tab)
Parking
Official parking & directions (opens in a new tab)For men's basketball, compare the official Emmet/Ivy Garage and The Park shuttle options with any reserved pass; for concerts, use the arena's event parking product and directions.
Arrive
At John Paul Jones Arena, check your event’s assigned entrance and ticket provider before travel. The venue recommends adding Ticketmaster tickets to a digital wallet; its AXS instructions require the AXS app. UVA athletic tickets use the athletics ticket office. Accessible approaches include Doors 4–7 from the West Lot, Doors 32–37 on the southeast side and Doors 44–45 from garage Level 2. The Main West Entrance box office opens only on show/game days, with hours varying by event.
Exact location
295 Massie Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903Open directions (opens in a new tab)
Getting there
UVA publishes event-specific shuttle options from selected public areas; confirm the current route rather than assuming every North Grounds lot has service.
NearbyDining near John Paul Jones Arena (opens in a new tab)Drinks near John Paul Jones Arena (opens in a new tab)Stay near John Paul Jones Arena (opens in a new tab)
Real fan takeAdditionally parking around the long strip of lawn at the front of the business school is non permit parking after 5.One fan's perspective. Verify variable details with official venue guidance.
The ticket-window entrance outside John Paul Jones Arena, documented on the arena’s official ticketing page. Box-office opening times depend on the event; the source does not provide a capture date.
Photo credits
Source: John Paul Jones ArenaPhoto source (opens in a new tab)
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The ticket-window entrance outside John Paul Jones Arena, documented on the arena’s official ticketing page. Box-office opening times depend on the event; the source does not provide a capture date.

Showing image 1 of 4.

Home teams
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball / Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball
Upcoming Events
Check the full official calendar ↗
Venue details
Venue typeArena
Capacity14,593published capacity
Your visit checklist Save, copy or print

Get ready for John Paul Jones Arena

295 Massie Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Recheck your exact event’s rules before leaving. Saving is optional and stays in this browser on this device. No account needed.

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)

John Paul Jones Arena is cashless and permits a clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a clutch no larger than 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection. Outside food, drinks and water bottles are prohibited, and the same ticket does not allow re-entry. Book accessible seating and event parking ahead; designated accessible parking fills first-come and a pass does not guarantee a particular space. Use the specific basketball, GA-floor, reserved-floor or theater map for your event.

John Paul Jones Arena current A–Z guide (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena ticket policy and seating configurations (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena current parking directions (opens in a new tab)Official john paul jones arena current operations and calendar (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena official venue information (opens in a new tab)

Destination: John Paul Jones Arena, 295 Massie Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903. At John Paul Jones Arena, check your event’s assigned entrance and ticket provider before travel. The venue recommends adding Ticketmaster tickets to a digital wallet; its AXS instructions require the AXS app. UVA athletic tickets use the athletics ticket office. Accessible approaches include Doors 4–7 from the West Lot, Doors 32–37 on the southeast side and Doors 44–45 from garage Level 2. The Main West Entrance box office opens only on show/game days, with hours varying by event. UVA publishes event-specific shuttle options from selected public areas; confirm the current route rather than assuming every North Grounds lot has service. For men's basketball, compare the official Emmet/Ivy Garage and The Park shuttle options with any reserved pass; for concerts, use the arena's event parking product and directions.

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

At John Paul Jones Arena, check your event’s assigned entrance and ticket provider before travel. The venue recommends adding Ticketmaster tickets to a digital wallet; its AXS instructions require the AXS app. UVA athletic tickets use the athletics ticket office. Accessible approaches include Doors 4–7 from the West Lot, Doors 32–37 on the southeast side and Doors 44–45 from garage Level 2. The Main West Entrance box office opens only on show/game days, with hours varying by event.

Still to check

  • Confirm your event’s accessible seating and complete step-free route with the venue; the guidance above may cover only part of your visit.
John Paul Jones Arena current A–Z guide (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena ticket policy and seating configurations (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena current parking directions (opens in a new tab)Official john paul jones arena current operations and calendar (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena official venue information (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

John Paul Jones Arena is cashless and permits a clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a clutch no larger than 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection. Outside food, drinks and water bottles are prohibited, and the same ticket does not allow re-entry. Book accessible seating and event parking ahead; designated accessible parking fills first-come and a pass does not guarantee a particular space. Use the specific basketball, GA-floor, reserved-floor or theater map for your event.

Still to check

  • Confirm payment methods not covered above for parking, box office and concessions; the guidance may address only part of your visit.
John Paul Jones Arena current A–Z guide (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena ticket policy and seating configurations (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena current parking directions (opens in a new tab)Official john paul jones arena current operations and calendar (opens in a new tab)John Paul Jones Arena official venue information (opens in a new tab)

UVA publishes event-specific shuttle options from selected public areas; confirm the current route rather than assuming every North Grounds lot has service. 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 John Paul Jones 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)
John Paul Jones Arena — UVA basketball sections
John Paul Jones Arena — end stage with general-admission floor
John Paul Jones Arena — end stage with reserved floor
John Paul Jones Arena — theater concert example

Plan your visit

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

Need to Know

Best for
Cavaliers basketball and major touring shows in Charlottesville's largest indoor venue
Watch out for
John Paul Jones Arena is cashless and permits a clear bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a clutch no larger than 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medical items require inspection. Outside food, drinks and water bottles are prohibited, and the same ticket does not allow re-entry. Book accessible seating and event parking ahead; designated accessible parking fills first-come and a pass does not guarantee a particular space. Use the specific basketball, GA-floor, reserved-floor or theater map for your event.
Good arrival window
At John Paul Jones Arena, check your event’s assigned entrance and ticket provider before travel. The venue recommends adding Ticketmaster tickets to a digital wallet; its AXS instructions require the AXS app. UVA athletic tickets use the athletics ticket office. Accessible approaches include Doors 4–7 from the West Lot, Doors 32–37 on the southeast side and Doors 44–45 from garage Level 2. The Main West Entrance box office opens only on show/game days, with hours varying by event.
Main transit note
UVA publishes event-specific shuttle options from selected public areas; confirm the current route rather than assuming every North Grounds lot has service.
Sources5 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Need to Know

Parking At A Glance

Parking difficulty

Parking options (opens in a new tab)

High

What to do
For men's basketball, compare the official Emmet/Ivy Garage and The Park shuttle options with any reserved pass; for concerts, use the arena's event parking product and directions.
Best option
The official lot, garage or shuttle plan explicitly listed for the ticketed event
Avoid
A reserved athletics lot without the required pass or a nearby retail property not designated for arena guests
Sources3 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Parking At A Glance
Seats and atmosphereChoose your experienceSightlines, supporter sections, crowd flow and event-day character

Inside the Venue At A Glance

01

Mixed

Arrival & transportation

The arena has several surrounding lots, but access status and entry roads differ, so the correct product matters more than selecting the closest pin.

02

Mixed

Seat & section strategy

Lower and upper basketball sections offer different proximity and elevation, while concert staging can remove or obstruct entire areas; use the exact event chart.

03

Positive

Event-day character

The classic exterior opens into a modern, large college-basketball room designed for both Cavaliers games and touring production.

Sources1 fan · 2 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Inside the Venue At A Glance

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

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

Why it works

  • ✓The classic exterior opens into a modern, large college-basketball room designed for both Cavaliers games and touring production.
  • ✓Lower and upper basketball sections offer different proximity and elevation, while concert staging can remove or obstruct entire areas; use the exact event chart.
  • ✓The arena has several surrounding lots, but access status and entry roads differ, so the correct product matters more than selecting the closest pin.
Sources1 fan · 1 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Why it works

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Know before you book

  • ×Basketball parking passes do not automatically apply to concerts, while many close lots are reserved for men's season parking
  • ×A reserved athletics lot without the required pass or a nearby retail property not designated for arena guests
  • ×UVA publishes event-specific shuttle options from selected public areas; confirm the current route rather than assuming every North Grounds lot has service.
Sources1 fan · 2 officialReviewed 10.11.26Sources for Know before you book

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Editorial verdict

FanProof Takeaway

Reviewed 10.11.26

Match the parking plan to basketball or concert operations, arrive before North Grounds traffic peaks and use the live seating chart for the exact setup.

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