Columbus knows this story. State Route 315 starts stacking up an hour before tip-off, the Ackerman Road exit backs into the express lanes, and North High Street turns into a slow crawl of pedestrians and headlights heading the same direction. Then the game ends — and 18,000 people start hunting for their rides at once.
Here's the part most groups don't figure out until they're already standing outside in the cold: the rideshare pickup after an event at Value City Arena isn't at the arena. It's at St. John Arena, down Lane Avenue — a separate building, a separate walk, and a crowd of people staring at the same app pointed in the same direction. That single detail, published in the venue's own A-Z guide, is what makes a charter bus or party bus rental to the Schottenstein Center such a clean call for groups of 15 or more.
Value City Arena is the seating bowl inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210) — a 19,049-seat facility on Ohio State University's campus that opened in 1998 and has been one of the largest arenas in the Big Ten since day one. It's home to Ohio State Buckeyes men's and women's basketball, men's ice hockey, and a year-round concert calendar that pulls stadium-level acts through Columbus all fall. A charter bus or party bus drops your group at the bus loop on the north side of the building along Borror Drive — the same side where ticketing and merchandise are located — and picks everyone up from the same spot when the night ends.
Below is everything a group planner needs: exact drop-off, how the three parking lot zones work, which vehicle matches which headcount, and what the SR-315 approach actually looks like on a sold-out night. For the broader picture of Columbus group sports travel, see the Columbus sporting event transportation page.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Value City Arena?
The Schottenstein Center seats 18,809 for basketball, 17,500 for hockey, and upward of 20,000 for concerts configured on the floor. All those people share the same SR-315 funnel in and out, and parking in the adjacent Scarlet Lots runs $10 to $25 per vehicle depending on the event — cashless only, no exceptions. That's the cost per car if you pre-purchase; availability in the closest lots isn't guaranteed for high-demand events.
Every car in your group adds another parking pass, another person trying to coordinate a rideshare, and another place for the group to fragment before the gates even open.
One Columbus charter bus or party bus rental handles all of it. Your group boards at one pickup address, rolls together to the Borror Drive bus loop, and walks straight to the entrance. After the game or concert, the bus stages nearby and collects everyone at the same drop-off point — no walk to St. John Arena, no surge pricing spike, no regrouping in a dispersing crowd at 10:30 PM.
For groups of 15 or more heading to any Schottenstein Center event, a single bus almost always comes out ahead on both cost per head and post-event logistics.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Value City Arena
Charter and party buses drop off on the north side of the Jerome Schottenstein Center along Borror Drive, using the dedicated bus loop there. Parking Services staff on site direct vehicles to the exact staging area for each event — it can shift slightly based on event configuration, so arrive a few minutes early and follow their direction when you pull in. The venue's own A-Z guest services guide confirms Borror Drive along the north side as the standard drop-off point for buses and personal vehicles alike, with Guest Services at Section 127 available for any special accommodations.
The detail that catches groups off guard is what happens after the event. Per the venue's own published A-Z guidance, post-event rideshare pickup is at St. John Arena, down Lane Avenue — not at the Schottenstein Center itself. For major concerts like the September 2025 Lorde show, the venue specifically instructed rideshare users to enter "Scarlet Lots 1-2" as their pickup destination, with post-show rideshare explicitly redirected to St. John Arena.
That's a walk through a dispersing crowd of thousands, in whatever weather Columbus has on that particular night. A bus staged at the Borror Drive loop cuts that problem out entirely — your group exits the arena and walks to the same spot where they were dropped off.
Post-event rideshare pickup at the Schottenstein Center is directed to St. John Arena, down Lane Avenue — a separate building, a separate walk, through a crowd heading the same way. A charter bus or party bus stages near the Borror Drive bus loop and picks your group up at the drop-off point with no detour required.
Parking at the Schottenstein Center: Scarlet Lots, Gray Lots, and the Buckeye Lots
The Schottenstein Center has over 10,000 parking spaces within walking distance — but they're not all equivalent, and the difference matters when your group is coordinating arrival. The closest parking sits in the Scarlet Lots (S1–S5) along Borror Drive and Jack Nicklaus Drive, about a 4-minute walk from the arena entrance. The next ring out is the Gray Lots (G1–G7) along Fred Taylor Drive and Borror Drive — roughly a 5-minute walk.
Further still are the Buckeye Lots (B1–B5), accessible off Ackerman Road, which are the most remote option and the ones served by complimentary shuttles for bigger crowds, when they're running.
Parking prices vary by event and run approximately $10 to $25 per vehicle. Every lot is cashless — credit, debit, or smartphone payment only, with no cash accepted at any entrance. Lots typically open two hours before event doors.
Pre-purchasing through CampusParc's event parking portal is the best move for sold-out or high-demand dates, since the adjacent Scarlet Lot spaces fill fastest. Event-specific parking maps are posted on the official Schottenstein Center directions page as each event approaches — worth checking the week before your trip.
Per the venue's own guidance, complimentary shuttles from the Buckeye Lots may run for bigger crowds, but they don't run for most events. If your group is parked in the Buckeye Lots and no shuttle is running that night, that's a longer walk each way — and a longer walk back through a crowd when the event ends. Check the specific event's transportation information on the venue's site before you count on a shuttle being available.
One charter bus for 40 people replaces 10 to 13 cars — and 10 to 13 parking passes at $10–$25 each. That's $100 to $325 in event parking alone, before factoring in the group coordination overhead, the walk from a remote lot, and the post-show detour to St. John Arena for rideshare. Split one bus rate across the group, and the math usually lands well below what every car-plus-rideshare combo would have cost.
Every Way to Get to Value City Arena: An Honest Comparison
This is a bus-comparison website — but a private bus isn't automatically the right answer for every group. Here's an honest look at all the main options for a Schottenstein Center event, scored on what actually matters for group planners.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off location | Post-event pickup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Borror Drive bus loop, north side | Same loop — no extra walk | 15–56 passengers |
| Minibus | Hourly rate, split by group | Yes | Borror Drive bus loop | Same loop | 15–35 passengers |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per car each way + post-show surge | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | Scarlet Lots 1–2 area (drop-off varies by event) | St. John Arena, down Lane Ave — separate walk | 1–4 per car |
| Drive and park | Gas + $10–$25 per vehicle, per event; cashless | No — groups scatter across lots | Depends on lot assignment | Walk back to car, then lot-exit queue | 1–2 cars |
| COTA bus / public transit | Fixed fare per rider | Only if everyone catches the same departure | Campus stop, then walk to arena | Shared transit wait post-event | Solo riders or very small groups |
For one or two people, a rideshare or COTA is often the simpler call — no reason to charter a bus for a couple heading to a basketball game. But the moment your party fills more than two or three cars, the coordination cost tips decisively toward one vehicle. Different arrival times, scattered parking lots, a post-show rideshare surge, and the walk to St. John Arena all add up faster than the parking charge.
That's the group the rest of this guide is written for.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for a Value City Arena Trip?
Columbuspartybus.net connects groups to a large network of bus companies serving Columbus, so the right vehicle for your headcount is available — not just the only one available. Here's how the full vehicle lineup maps to a Schottenstein Center run.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Storage | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Modest | Small VIP groups, suite holders, corporate runs | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows, individual reading lights |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Onboard, lighter | Fan groups, birthday celebrations, concert groups | LED lighting, premium sound, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead + some underfloor | Mid-size groups, corporate shuttles, wedding guests | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, school outings, company events | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage storage |
The decision comes down to two things: headcount and how much gear the group is hauling. For fan groups heading to an Ohio State basketball game or a major fall concert, a 40-passenger party bus keeps the energy building on the way over with a premium sound system and LED lighting. For larger groups — company outings, school trips, or fan sections that span more than two rows at the arena — a full-size charter bus gives you deep undercarriage bays for equipment and overnight bags, plus an onboard restroom that earns its keep on a long post-game ride back to a hotel.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; just note it when you request your quote.
Value City Arena Charter Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a Columbus charter bus or party bus rental to the Schottenstein Center depends on vehicle size, how many hours you need, the specific event date, and where in the Columbus metro the pickup is. To give you a planning sense: a minibus runs roughly $200–$275 per hour on weekdays; a mid-size party bus runs $250–$425 per hour depending on size and day; and a full-size charter bus typically runs $200–$350 per hour. These are planning ranges — the real number for your specific date and itinerary comes from the quote tool or a call to 614-591-0565 at any time.
Once you split that across the group, the per-person number usually lands well below what everyone would pay individually. A 35-person group booking a party bus for four hours might come to $1,200–$1,600 total — roughly $34–$46 per person — with a guaranteed drop at the Borror Drive loop and a waiting pickup when they walk out. Compare that to $10–$25 per car for parking, plus whatever rideshare costs post-game with surge pricing, and the bus is often both simpler and cheaper by the time you do the math.
See the Columbus party bus prices page for a full range breakdown, or call 614-591-0565 for an estimate built around your exact headcount and date — pricing in under 30 seconds, no account required.
A Game-Night Example
To give you an idea: a 38-person group books a 40-passenger party bus for an Ohio State Big Ten home game. Pickup at 5:30 PM from a hotel in the Short North, at the Borror Drive loop by 6:15 PM — an hour and forty-five minutes before tip-off. After the final buzzer, the bus is staged nearby and the group loads up at 9:45 PM.
A four-to-five-hour rental in that range might come to $1,300–$1,750 total — about $34–$46 per person — with SR-315 traffic, the parking search, and the post-game rideshare detour to St. John Arena all taken off the group's plate.
Getting Your Group to Value City Arena: SR-315, the Right Exit, and Timing
The Schottenstein Center sits on the west side of Ohio State's campus, accessed primarily via State Route 315. The approach that matters: exit at Ackerman Road (Exit 5) and turn left — not Lane Avenue. The Lane Avenue exit drops vehicles directly into the worst of the campus pedestrian-and-car mix on event nights, while Ackerman Road allows an approach via Fred Taylor Drive and Borror Drive with far less interference.
That's the approach the venue's own parking guidance recommends, per the Schottenstein Center directions page, and it's the same logic that makes SR-315 southbound traffic worse at the Lane Avenue interchange than at Ackerman on game nights.
On high-attendance nights — Ohio State basketball, hockey, and the largest fall concerts — expect delays in both directions on SR-315 near Olentangy River Road, Ackerman Road, and Lane Avenue. North High Street through the Short North and campus corridor also carries heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on event evenings. The earlier your group departs from the pickup point, the cleaner the approach.
One additional wrinkle: when an Ohio State football Saturday falls on the same weekend as a basketball or concert event at the Schott, I-670 and SR-315 carry the full Horseshoe load on top of the Schottenstein crowd — those combined weekends are the highest-demand dates on the Columbus calendar and require the most lead time in the schedule.
| From… | Approximate distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Short North / Downtown Columbus | ~5 miles | 10–15 minutes |
| Ohio State campus / High Street corridor | ~1–2 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| John Glenn Columbus Airport (CMH) | ~12 miles | 20–25 minutes |
| Easton Town Center / Northeast Columbus | ~12 miles | 20–25 minutes |
| Dublin / Northwest Columbus | ~14 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Westerville / north Columbus suburbs | ~16 miles | 25–35 minutes |
Those times stretch significantly on event nights. For a 7:00 PM tip-off or show time, aim to be at the Borror Drive loop by 5:45 PM or earlier — SR-315 southbound in the late afternoon already sees routine backup near the Dublin-Granville Road interchange, and event traffic adds to it starting roughly 90 minutes before doors.
From John Glenn Columbus Airport to Value City Arena by Charter Bus
Out-of-town groups flying into John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) for an Ohio State game or a major Schottenstein Center concert have about 12 miles from the terminal curb to Borror Drive. The route is straightforward — I-670 West connects to SR-315 North, then exit Ackerman Road — but on an event night, it runs into the same SR-315 backup as everything else heading toward campus. A single charter bus that collects the group at baggage claim and runs them directly to the Borror Drive loop is cleaner than splitting a flight's worth of people across multiple rideshares on arrival day, especially when post-flight timing is unpredictable.
For full details on CMH ground transportation logistics, see the John Glenn Airport transportation guide.
Leaving Value City Arena After the Event
Getting out is where the rideshare logistics become most visible. When the final buzzer sounds or the encore ends, 18,000-plus people head for the exits simultaneously, SR-315 fills back up, and rideshare apps populate different pickup coordinates depending on the event — often directing users to St. John Arena, down Lane Avenue, rather than the Schottenstein Center's north entrance. That walk through a dispersing crowd is manageable on a mild October night.
In February, after a Big Ten rivalry game that went to overtime, with a half-inch of ice on the sidewalk, it's a different story.
With a bus, the exit plan is set before anyone walks through the gate. Agree on a pickup window and a meeting spot at the Borror Drive loop before the group splits up at the entrance — when the show ends, everyone knows exactly where to go. The bus stages nearby during the event and moves to the pickup point at the arranged time.
SR-315 at 10 PM after a Schottenstein Center event is busy but workable when you exit cleanly from a nearby staging spot rather than waiting in a lot-exit queue with every other car on campus.
What's at Value City Arena in 2026-2027
The Schottenstein Center runs nearly year-round with Ohio State athletics and a full national touring concert calendar. On the sports side, the 2026-27 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball season opens with 10 Big Ten home games at Value City Arena — including matchups against Iowa, Penn State, Michigan, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington, and Wisconsin across the home slate. Women's basketball and men's ice hockey fill out the athletic calendar alongside them.
Ohio State basketball games that sell above 17,000 push the Ackerman Road approach into backed-up territory starting well before tip-off; plan the group departure accordingly.
The fall 2026 concert calendar at the Schott includes CAAMP (August 29), Kacey Musgraves (September 9), Thomas Rhett on the Soundtrack to Life Tour (September 11), Ella Langley (September 25), The Smashing Pumpkins on the Rats in a Cage Tour (September 30), Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire (October 2), Dan & Shay (October 8), and Rod Wave on the Don't Look Down Tour (October 22). Stadium-configuration concerts that open the floor push capacity past 20,000 — those nights produce the longest post-show SR-315 backup and the worst post-event surge pricing for rideshares in the Short North. Check the official Schottenstein Center events calendar for the full current listing and any newly added dates.
One booking note: the CAAMP show on August 29 is 11 days out as of this writing — if your group is going, available vehicles are filling now. For the September and October concerts, the right-size party bus or charter bus options go first on weekends, especially when a home football game falls on the same Saturday. Lock in the date as soon as your headcount is settled.
Types of Groups That Rent Buses to Value City Arena
Ohio State fan groups. Basketball and hockey fans who want to board together, keep the energy going on the ride over, and have the bus staged when the final buzzer sounds — rather than standing outside St. John Arena waiting for an ETA. These are the most common Schottenstein Center requests on the Columbus network.
Concert groups. Groups heading to Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett, The Smashing Pumpkins, or any of the arena's touring shows who don't want to split across multiple rideshares and then regroup at a different building at midnight. A Columbus concert bus rental keeps the whole group on one itinerary from the first pickup to the last drop-off.
Corporate and suite groups. Company outings, client entertainment, and department events where the transportation is handled before anyone walks through the door. See Columbus corporate event transportation for fleet options that fit executive runs and larger office groups alike.
Birthday and celebration groups. Milestone nights where the game or concert is the centerpiece of a bigger evening — the bus keeps the celebration rolling from the first pickup to the venue and back, without anyone coordinating a group chat full of conflicting ETAs. A Columbus birthday party bus rental makes the logistics the easiest part of the night.
Also planning a Blue Jackets game or a downtown Columbus concert? The Nationwide Arena transportation guide covers its own drop-off zones and parking situation.
Tips for Visiting Value City Arena
Pre-purchase parking if any part of your group is driving separately. The Scarlet Lots adjacent to the arena fill fastest, all lots are cashless, and there's no day-of cash option at any entrance. Advance purchase is available through the CampusParc event parking portal, and the event-specific parking map is posted on the venue directions page as the event date approaches.
Exit SR-315 at Ackerman Road, not Lane Avenue. From SR-315, take Exit 5 (Ackerman Road), turn left, and follow Fred Taylor Drive to Borror Drive. The Lane Avenue exit routes directly into the most congested section of campus on event nights.
Know the approach before you pull off the highway — the difference in arrival time can be 15 minutes on a busy evening.
Know whether the Buckeye Lot shuttle is running. If your group's overflow parking ends up in the Buckeye Lots off Ackerman Road, confirm before the event whether a shuttle is running for that specific night — the venue runs complimentary shuttles for bigger crowds but not for most events. If it's not running, the Buckeye Lots are a longer walk each way.
Plan the post-event meetup before the group splits up. Whether part of your group is leaving by bus and part by rideshare, designate a clear spot and a specific time before everyone walks through the gate — not after the lights come up. The Borror Drive bus loop for the bus group; St. John Arena (down Lane Avenue) for anyone using Uber or Lyft.
That clarity at the start saves 20 minutes of confusion at the end.
Save the venue contact. The Schottenstein Center is at 555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210; the main number is 614-688-3939 for guest services questions on the day of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Value City Arena?
Charter and party buses drop off on the north side of the Jerome Schottenstein Center along Borror Drive, at the dedicated bus loop there. Parking Services staff on site direct vehicles to the exact staging area for each event — it can shift slightly by event configuration, so plan to arrive a few minutes early and follow staff direction. The north side of Borror Drive is also where ticketing and merchandise are located after the venue's recent interior updates, so it's the right side of the building for your group to arrive at regardless.
Where is rideshare pickup after an event at the Schottenstein Center?
Per the venue's own published A-Z guidance, post-event rideshare pickup is directed to St. John Arena, down Lane Avenue — not at the Schottenstein Center. For major events, the venue has also instructed riders to enter "Scarlet Lots 1-2" as their drop-off and pickup destination in the rideshare app. Confirm the current pickup instructions for your specific event through the venue's event page before you go.
What parking lots are at the Schottenstein Center, and what do they cost?
The three main lot zones are the Scarlet Lots (S1–S5) along Borror Drive and Jack Nicklaus Drive (closest, ~4-minute walk), the Gray Lots (G1–G7) along Fred Taylor Drive and Borror Drive (~5-minute walk), and the Buckeye Lots (B1–B5) off Ackerman Road (furthest, served by complimentary shuttles for bigger crowds). Prices run $10–$25 per vehicle, vary by event, and are cashless — credit, debit, or smartphone only. Lots open two hours before event doors.
Pre-purchase through CampusParc is available and recommended for high-demand events.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Value City Arena?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, the event date, and pickup location. Planning ranges: a minibus runs roughly $200–$275 per hour; a mid-size party bus runs $250–$425 per hour; a full-size charter bus typically runs $200–$350 per hour. These are planning ranges — the real number for your itinerary comes from a quick quote.
Call 614-591-0565 or use the online tool for pricing in under 30 seconds, no account needed.
What's the best route to drive to the Schottenstein Center?
From SR-315, exit at Ackerman Road (Exit 5) and turn left — not Lane Avenue. From the south (I-71 or downtown), take I-71 North to SR-315 North and look for Ackerman Road. From the east (John Glenn Airport, I-670), take I-670 West to SR-315 North, then Ackerman Road.
From the northwest (Dublin, US-33), connect to SR-315 South and exit Ackerman Road. The official Schottenstein Center directions page has full approach routes from every compass point.
Does the Buckeye Lot shuttle run for every event?
No. Per the venue's own guidance, complimentary shuttles from the Buckeye Lots run for bigger crowds but not for most events, including most concerts, hockey events, and smaller-attendance games. Check the specific event's transportation information on the venue's website before parking in the Buckeye Lots and counting on a shuttle being available.
How far in advance should I book a bus for a Schottenstein Center event?
For standard Ohio State basketball games and most mid-calendar concerts, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For high-demand events — major touring acts, Ohio State rivalry games, and any date that falls on an OSU football Saturday — book as early as your date is confirmed. Those combined-event weekends push Columbus vehicle supply thin quickly, and the best-fit vehicles go first.
Call 614-591-0565 to check availability for your specific date.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for Value City Arena trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note the requirement when you request your quote. At the venue itself, accessible parking is available in the Scarlet Lots along Borror Drive (requires a state-issued disability placard with the permit holder in the vehicle), and a dedicated wheelchair-accessible shuttle runs starting two hours before events and for 30 minutes after, when the general shuttle service is operating.
The Guest Services Desk at Section 127 inside the arena can assist with additional accommodations on event day.
Book Your Party Bus or Charter Bus to Value City Arena
Whether it's a 38-person fan group heading to a Buckeyes Big Ten game, a group riding together for Kacey Musgraves or The Smashing Pumpkins, or a corporate suite night at the Schott — Columbuspartybus.net makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter options from a large network of bus companies serving Columbus. Fill out the quick online form and get pricing in under 30 seconds, or call 614-591-0565 any time, any day. Your group drops at the Borror Drive bus loop while everyone else is circling Ackerman Road for a $25 spot.
That's the whole difference — and it's one quick call to lock it in.
