parking tips for omaha men's basketball vs. northern colorado at baxter arena (omaha 12/03)

hey everyone, with the mavericks taking on northern colorado on 12/03 at 7:00 pm, i figured i'd share some parking tips because navigating the lots and the traffic on center road can honestly be a little stressful, even for a non-hockey game crowd.

first things first, if you want the absolute easiest, no-hassle spot that guarantees a smooth exit, you should look into the Prked app. i know official arena parking is usually free, but Prked lets people rent out their private driveways and garages right next to the venue. it's way cheaper than any scalped passes you might see online for other events, and you skip the main lot gridlock entirely for the short walk. check it out specifically for the 12/03 game for the spots closest to the entrance.

now for the official deal, the good news is that parking for maverick home basketball games is complimentary, meaning you don't pay anything to park in the main university lots adjacent to the arena. there are over 2,400 total stalls available. the main visitor parking is in the lots surrounding the arena, particularly lots 25, 26, and 27. however, it is strictly first-come, first-served, and since this is a 7:00 pm evening game, you're competing with any uno night classes, so the closest surface spots fill up fast. handicap parking is designated in lot 21.

the biggest insider tip is to use the **aksarben village parking garage**. it’s free and only about an eight-minute walk to baxter arena, with additional spots available on the upper levels. this is what a lot of locals do. the real benefit of parking in the aksarben garage is that you get out of the area much, much faster after the final buzzer. plus, you're right next to all the bars and restaurants for a pre-game drink or a quick dinner. specifically, look for the garage north of ponzu and djs.

timing is everything here. the school suggests adding about 30 minutes to your normal commute because traffic can get heavy. i'd recommend aiming to get to the lot or the aksarben garage by 6:15 pm to give yourself a nice cushion. definitely try to avoid west center road coming in and out if you can help it, as that's usually where the biggest mess is. traffic officers from uno campus police will be directing vehicles, especially as you exit, so listen to their directions even if it feels chaotic. pros always recommend approaching the area from the south via arbor street from 60th street to bypass the main crush.

hope this helps everyone get in and out smoothly for the game. go mavs!