Little Caesars Arena visitor guide: everything you need to know

Fans of the NHL team, the Detroit Red Wings, or the NBA’s Pistons, are likely already somewhat familiar with Little Caesars Arena. Located on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit near another large stadium, Ford Field, this multi-purpose venue does more than just host the Red Wings’ and Pistons’ home games. 

The stadium was constructed in 2017 at a cost of over $800 million, so it’s safe to say that its facilities are state-of-the-art because that’s about double what was originally budgeted. The eight-story structure regularly hosts mega-star concerts of musicians like The Eagles, Aerosmith, and Doja Cat. Plus, you can see comedians and just about anything else here when the Red Wings or Pistons aren’t playing.

Most stadiums have strict bag policies, and Little Caesars Arena is no different. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the rules and regulations here, and make sure you think about a plan for your bags before you head to a game or concert. Bounce has tons of Detroit luggage storage options available downtown near the stadium. We’ll take care of the bags so that you don’t have to worry about getting through the arena’s security.

Little Caesars Arena bag policy

The Little Caesars Arena bag policy is very clear in that any bag over 4”x6”x1.5” is not allowed. The only exception to this blanket statement is any bag required due to medical necessity, including diaper bags. These exception bags do still need to be less than 14”x14”x6”, though, and will require x-ray screening. This screening can be done at either the Comerica Entry NE or the Meijer Entry NW, so make sure you go to the right area.

There is no clear bag policy at the stadium, which is mostly because the overall size of bags permitted is so small. With such a limiting bag policy, it’s surprising that there are no Little Caesars Arena lockers. So, your best choice is to visit a nearby Bounce location and store everything you can’t bring in ahead of time.

Little Caesars Arena food policy

Similar to their bag policy, Little Caesars Arena’s food policy is also strict. It does not allow any outside drinks or food into the stadium at all. Luckily, there are some tasty options here for when you need a snack. 

The Little Caesars Arena food options are mostly what you’d expect from a typical stadium. There are four restaurants that serve American classics and concessions that offer chicken and hot dogs, among other stadium staples. As you might expect, Little Caesars pizza is widely available here, too. Breadsticks anyone?

Little Caesars Arena transportation

After you buy tickets to your event, the next issue you need to address is how to get to Little Caesars Arena. If you plan to drive here, the arena is basically at the junction of I-75 and Interstate 375. There are 10 different parking lots available. They only take credit cards, and there are no in-and-out privileges, so plan accordingly. To save time and guarantee a spot, you can book parking online in advance, and any of the stadium’s lots are no more than a ten-minute walk away.

As for Little Caesars Arena public transportation, its prime location, between downtown and Brush Park, means you don’t need to drive if you’re already in the city. The QLine, which runs a 6.5-mile loop, has 12 stops along Woodward Avenue. Additionally, the Detroit People Mover is available from multiple downtown stations, and for Little Caesars Arena, get off at Grand Circus North and walk a few blocks north.

For possibly the best combination between driving yourself and using public transportation, there is an option for rideshares. Both Uber and Lyft operate in the city, and the drop-off point is west of Woodward Avenue on West Fisher Service Drive.

Little Caesars Arena camera policy

Unlike how they feel about bags and outside food, the Little Caesars Arena camera policy is a little more lenient. It states that cameras that have detachable lenses under 80mm are permitted for sporting events. Concerts are a little different - the artists often dictate camera policies, and sometimes they can be banned entirely. For anything other than a hockey or basketball game, check the details of your event for more precise information.

Little Caesars Arena rules

Don’t bring your cash to the stadium; it will have to stay in your wallet. As per the Little Caesars Arena policies, the entire venue is cashless.

There is no re-entry if you leave the stadium, and when you arrive, be prepared to pass through a metal detector.

If you plan to bring an umbrella with you, make sure it doesn’t have a pointed tip, as those are not permitted.

Don’t get to the stadium too early - the doors for concerts typically open one hour prior to the show, and for Pistons and Red Wings games, the doors open 90 minutes prior to tip-off or puck drop. 

The stadium has street-level seats and accessible entrances for anyone who needs it. They also participate in a program that’s sensory-inclusive. You can check out a sensory bag for the event that contains useful items like noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, and fidget tools. Additionally, there are quieter sensory areas for any guest that needs a break from the show.

Conclusion

Many of the Little Caesars Arena policies are fairly strict, which is why it’s good to inform yourself before you go. You can rely on Bounce to take care of any bags over 4”x6”x1.5” that you can’t take in, and you don’t have to worry about picking them up right after your event. Instead, we can hold on to everything until you need it again.

Eat before you go if you don’t want to pay stadium prices for food, and make sure that your camera isn’t too big. Other than that, you’re bound to have a great time at Little Caesars Arena. Think you can resist the pizza?