Are you heading to your first WNBA game with your kids? You’re in for a treat! The games are so much for families and are amazing value for a professional sporting event.
I’m a mom of three and a big fan of women’s basketball, especially NCAA and WNBA. I’ve been to WNBA games with adults and kids, and going with kids is a blast!
While I haven’t been to every arena, I have seen multiple teams play (Seattle Storm, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun) in multiple venues (Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and Wintrust Arena in Chicago). I hope my experience helps you and your kids have a smooth, stress-free, fun, and memorable time at a WNBA game!
Let’s take a look at:
- Buying tickets for WNBA games (where to buy, seating choices)
- Getting to the game
- What it’s like at a WNBA game
- My tips for going to a WNBA game with kids
Interested in the WNBA? Be sure to check out
Why You Should Take Your Kids to a WNBA Game
Going to a WNBA Game with Kids
WNBA Basics for Families
Going to an Indiana Fever Game with Kids
Going to a Chicago Sky Game with Kids
Tips for Attending a Seattle Storm Game with Kids
How to Buy WNBA Tickets
Kids’ Guide to Getting Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Buying Tickets for WNBA Games
Where to Buy Them
Season Tickets or Single Game from the Team’s Site – This is my preferred way to buy tickets, but sometimes games are sold out (especially if your team is playing Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever). Head to your team’s official site and click to purchase tickets. If you’re interested in season tickets, look out for them at the end of the season. Current season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to renew, and once that’s complete, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase open seats. Note: Sometimes teams require you to put down a (sometimes refundable) deposit to ‘get in line’ for season tickets.
Ticketmaster – This is my second choice for buying tickets to WNBA games. I appreciate the seat maps and the clarity with fees (but know that sometimes those fees are steep!). The Ticketmaster app is easy to use, and you just scan your tickets at the entrance.
Stubhub – I’ve used Stubhub for WNBA tickets but it was very stressful because after purchasing I read that the tickets would be delivered by game time. Yes, you read that right – by game time. I also read on forums about many others who never received their tickets, so I was a big stress ball. Luckily, after some email back-and-forth, I was able to get my tickets delivered sooner. I was able to accept them into my Ticketmaster account and show the tickets on my phone using the Ticketmaster app at the arena entrance.
Vivid Seats – Similar to Stubhub
Friends and Family – Reach out to friends and family to see if they have season tickets or know someone who does!
Facebook – Some teams have fan sites that will trade or sell tickets. This is a riskier option because not everyone has good intentions (read: you may get scammed).
Good To Know: Secondary marketplaces like Ticketmaster and Stubhub often have high fees. You can sometimes filter for reseller tickets.
Good To Know: Hey, life with kids is unpredictable. Luckily, digital tickets can be sold and transferred easily. So, you may be able to get your money back if you can’t make it to the game.
Good To Know: Some teams have ‘family games’ or ‘kids camp’ games with big discounts for children.
Deciding Where to Sit
If you’re going with younger kids, the main thing you want is that your kids will be able to see the court. In most arenas, it’s not an issue, but it could be if you purchase floor tickets (where rows aren’t ascending).
You can use interactive arena maps to get an idea of what the seats look like. Some team sites have arena maps, there are dedicated sites (like A View From My Seat) and some secondary marketplaces have the option as well (like Ticketmaster).
Regarding which part of the arena to choose – I like to sit across from the team benches so we can see players’ reactions.
Don’t stress too much about your seats because seeing the game is so much more than where you’re sitting (pre-game events, seeing the players play live, half-time entertainment, etc).
Getting to the Game
When to Arrive
I recommend arriving early to watch warm-ups and possibly see the players up close. Each arena has different times they open the doors.
Helpful Tip: If you’ll be near the arena before game night, ask someone on site what time the doors open. It’s not always what’s posted, or they’ll let you enter to get in line earlier.
Transport
If possible, use public transport so you won’t need to deal with traffic and parking. We’ve only ever arrived by public transport (on foot, with the tram, subway, or monorail).
If you must drive, know where you’ll park (and reserve parking if it’s available).
Carrying Your Stuff
If you’re heading to the game with kids, you’re likely not traveling light. Depending on the ages of your kids, you may be bringing:
- Your Phone – With your digital tickets
- Your Wallet
- Water – Many arenas don’t allow you to enter with water bottles, even if empty. Still, you probably want to have water for the way there.
- Snacks
- Miscellaneous – chapstick, baby wipes (multi-purpose and seem to come in handy no matter how old your kids are)
Most arenas have a bag size policy (often tiny, as in wallet-size) and clear bag policy. From experience, I know it’s not realistic to expect your kids to travel to the arena with a gallon-size zip lock bag.
My Solution: Have a clear bag for everyone in your group but bring a plastic grocery bag that can be squished up and shoved in your pocket. You can use this bag to hold everything for your group on the way to the arena (phone, wallet, snacks, chapstick, bottles of water. Before entering, give everyone their clear bags and stuff the plastic grocery bag in your pocket. Don’t throw it away, because you’ll want it after the game to hold everyone’s stuff on the way home.
At the Game
You made it! Before heading to your seats, you may want to check out the team store, try to get autographs, watch the warmups from closer to the court, use the toilets, or get snacks or drinks.
I highly recommend watching warmups and trying to get closer to the court to see the warmups, especially if your seats are further away from the court. This is a great moment to see the players up close – so cool!
Try to be in your seats before tip-off so you can see the teams introduced (there’s usually music, and some sort of special effects like lights or sparkles).
Good To Know: Is someone in your group having a birthday or celebrating a special occasion? You can contact the team’s office to ask about putting a message up on the big screen.
A few things your kids may want to know about WNBA games:
- Games have 4 quarters of 10 minutes each
- There’s a 24-second shot clock
- A player fouls out after getting a 6th foul
- A coach can challenge a ref’s call and get a second one if the first is successful
Check out WNBA Basics for Families
There will be breaks in play during team timeouts and television timeouts. These are good moments to get up and use the toilets or grab a snack because you won’t be blocking the view of other fans while the game is going.
Halftime is between the 2nd and 3rd quarters and usually lasts around 15 minutes. There will be some sort of entertainment which is family friendly, so worth sticking around for unless you need to hit up the bathrooms.
When you leave, double-check that you haven’t left anything under your seats!
Tips for Attending a WNBA Game with Kids
Strollers – Many arenas have stroller storage so you can use your stroller to get to/from the game and store it while you’re in your seats.
Autographs – Compared to other sporting events, you’re more likely to get an autograph at a WNBA game. Each arena is different, so it’s important to research before you go to the game (for example, is it best to try during warmups or after the game?). You can read our Kids’ Guide to Getting Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Bathrooms – Go before the game, during the game as needed (easiest during time-outs as half-time lines can be looooong and halftime entertainment is fun for kids), and after the game before you leave the arena (who knows when the next opportunity will be?!).
Water – Each arena has its rules, so be sure to check before game day. For example, Climate Pledge Arena allows empty, non-glass water bottles that hold 32oz or less. But Gainbridge Fieldhouse prohibits any sort of water bottle. You can purchase water inside arenas or use the water fountains.
Snacks – With the high prices of concessions inside the arenas, I prefer to put something in our bellies before we enter.
External charger for phone – If you’ve got your tickets on your phone, you don’t want the battery to die! This could get tricky if you’re out exploring during the day before the game. You’ll also want your phone for photos!
Payment Methods – Many arenas are cashless, so make sure you’ve got a credit card with your or that your phone or smartwatch are set up for cashless payment.
Comfy Shoes – You’ll probably do some walking getting to and from the arena, so make sure you and your kids are comfortable.
I hope you have an incredible time at the game with your kids!
