McCarthey Athletic Center (801 N. Cincinnati St, Spokane, WA 99258) has logged more than 300 consecutive sellouts since it opened in November 2004. Not most games — every game. The 6,000 seats at The Kennel are spoken for before your group has had a single conversation about logistics.
If you have tickets to a Gonzaga Bulldogs men's or women's basketball game, you've already cleared the hardest hurdle. Now the question is how you get everyone there without spending the night circling a compact, residential university campus hunting for a parking spot that almost certainly does not exist.
That's the logistical reality McCarthey groups run into — not a suburban stadium with acres of pre-purchased surface lots, but a living university neighborhood where 6,000 fans suddenly need to park on streets built for residents and students. A Spokane Valley charter bus rental changes that equation entirely. One vehicle gathers your group at a single pickup point, rolls west on I-90 to Exit 282, and drops everyone at the designated bus lane off N. Cincinnati Street, steps from the arena entrance — while every car-driving fan in the same building is somewhere on E. Sharp or Desmet trying to squeeze into the last open spot.
Below is everything your group needs to know to make that happen: where the bus drops, where it stages, how the I-90 run works, and what shapes the price. Spokanevalleypartybuscompany.com makes comparing bus options simple. The sellout streak is the Bulldogs' job. The transportation is yours to solve, and it only takes a minute.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at McCarthey Athletic Center
McCarthey Athletic Center sits on the north side of Gonzaga University's campus along N. Cincinnati Street, and the campus layout is exactly what makes group transportation planning matter. This is not a stadium with a dedicated bus loop and rows of charter parking. It is a tight university environment — residence halls, academic buildings, and pedestrian crossings — where an oversized vehicle without a plan quickly becomes a problem.
Per Gonzaga's visiting team documentation, buses approach the McCarthey Athletic Center from the main campus parking area and take the first left into the designated bus lane off N. Cincinnati Street, then proceed directly to the loading dock doors at 801 N. Cincinnati. That bus lane is the verified access route for oversize vehicles on this campus — not a parking structure level, not a residential curb on Hamilton, not a spot someone described from memory. The bus lane gets your group off the vehicle and at the arena entrance without navigating a neighborhood on foot.
Post-game, the bus stages nearby and returns for the agreed pickup window, so no one is hunting for an Uber at 10 PM in an unfamiliar part of Spokane.
For a 40- to 56-passenger charter bus, that designated bus lane is the only practical option on a compact campus. A 45-foot coach has no business on a residential side street at 7 PM on a sold-out night. The bus lane exists for a reason — and for a party bus or minibus, the same Cincinnati Street approach puts the group at the right door instead of a back corner of the BARC garage three blocks away.
Review the current men's and women's basketball game day guidance at the official Gonzaga Athletics site before your visit to confirm any access updates for your specific event date.
The bus drops your group at the loading dock doors at 801 N. Cincinnati — the verified bus lane approach for oversize vehicles at McCarthey Athletic Center. Compare that to circling a residential university neighborhood with six cars looking for a spot that may not exist, then regrouping for a post-game rideshare at 10 PM. One bus solves both ends of the trip.
Rent a Bus to McCarthey Athletic Center from Spokane Valley
The drive from Spokane Valley to Gonzaga's campus looks simple on a map — about 10 to 13 miles west on I-90, then a quick run north through the University District. Under normal conditions, you're looking at roughly 15 minutes. On a Tuesday night with a nationally ranked opponent and 6,000 fans converging on a neighborhood that was built for maybe a tenth of that number, the last mile and a half is where the clock starts running against you.
From central Spokane Valley, the route follows I-90 West to Exit 282 (Trent Ave/Hamilton St). From the exit, head north on N. Hamilton Street — a left on E. Desmet Avenue reaches the BARC parking garage, continuing north and turning left on E. Sharp Avenue brings you to the main campus approach toward Cincinnati. The intersection of Hamilton and Boone backs up on high-demand game nights as fans funnel off the same exit into the same corridor.
The 15-minute baseline can stretch well past 30 once the game is under an hour away and everyone is doing the same thing at once.
A Spokane Valley party bus or charter bus rental handles this run as one unit. Your group gathers at one pickup — a hotel in the Sullivan or Sprague corridor, a restaurant parking lot, wherever makes sense — and the vehicle makes the I-90 run without anyone falling behind in traffic, getting lost on Hamilton at night, or arriving 20 minutes after everyone else because they took a wrong turn coming off Exit 282. The drop at the Cincinnati Street bus lane is coordinated in advance.
There is nothing to figure out on the fly.
Approximate distances from common Spokane Valley starting points to McCarthey Athletic Center:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive (off-peak) | Game-night reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Spokane Valley (Sullivan Rd area) | ~13 miles | 15–20 min | 25–40 min with game traffic |
| East Spokane Valley (Liberty Lake) | ~18 miles | 20–25 min | 35–50 min with game traffic |
| Spokane International Airport (GEG) | ~9 miles | 15 min | 20–30 min with game traffic |
| Downtown Spokane | ~3 miles | 7–10 min | 15–25 min with game traffic |
Campus Parking Reality at McCarthey on Game Night
The closest dedicated visitor parking to McCarthey Athletic Center is the BARC (Boone Avenue Retail Center) parking garage at N. Hamilton St. and E. Desmet Ave. Visitor-designated spots are on the first and third floors of that structure — free of charge, but limited in number and first-come on a game night when the surrounding blocks are all working against you. The BARC garage is a few minutes' walk west to the arena; on a January night in Spokane, that walk is not necessarily a problem, but arriving to find the visitor floors already full is.
Street parking exists on E. Sharp Avenue, E. Desmet Avenue, E. Boone Avenue, and Lidgerwood Street around the campus perimeter. Those are residential blocks surrounding an active university, and they absorb regular-day traffic without much issue. On a sold-out Saturday against Saint Mary's or a late-season WCC finale with NCAA implications, they absorb six thousand additional visitors all looking for the same open spot.
One fan parking successfully and walking three blocks is not a parking problem. Eight cars from the same group, all arriving within 10 minutes of each other, is exactly the scramble a bus removes.
One more note for Spokane Valley groups relying on public transit for part of the group: Spokane Transit Authority City Line stops at Cincinnati @ Desmet are closed during basketball games at McCarthey, with the nearest available City Line stop shifting to Hamilton @ Desmet. Anyone planning to meet the group at the arena via STA needs to budget a longer walk on game nights. A charter bus keeps the whole group together from one pickup point — no split transit logistics, no coordinating who gets off at which stop.
Every Way to Get Your Group to McCarthey Athletic Center
This is a bus-comparison website, and the honest answer is that a private bus is not the right call for every scenario. Here is a clear-eyed look at the options for a Spokane Valley group heading to The Kennel:
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus rental | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — bus lane at 801 N. Cincinnati, steps from the doors | 15–56 |
| Minibus rental | Flat hourly rate, split by group | Yes | Same Cincinnati Street bus lane approach | 10–35 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, staggered arrivals | Curbside, varies by car — no guaranteed drop point | 1–4 per car |
| STA City Line | Per-person fare | Only if everyone boards the same car | Hamilton @ Desmet (on game nights) — several blocks from arena | Any, but no group coordination |
| Everyone drives and parks | Gas per car + uncertain parking | No — multiple cars, multiple arrivals | Wherever a spot opens up | 1–2 cars |
For one or two people coming from Spokane Valley, driving and taking your chances on street parking or the BARC garage is often the practical choice. For groups of four or fewer, a rideshare each way is workable, even with the post-game surge. The moment you are past two cars' worth of people, the coordination cost — different arrival times, different parking outcomes, the post-game regrouping problem — tips clearly toward one vehicle.
That's the group this guide is written for.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for McCarthey Athletic Center?
McCarthey trips come in all shapes. A corporate outing of 18 from the Sullivan Road office park. A wedding party in town for the weekend that wants to catch a Bulldogs game on Saturday night.
A fan group of 40 making the pilgrimage from Liberty Lake for a rivalry game in February. The vehicle that fits your trip depends on headcount and the kind of ride you want coming in from the Valley.
| Vehicle | Typical capacity | Best for this trip | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Small executive groups, corporate outings, family groups | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows, easy campus maneuverability |
| 15–25 passenger party bus | 15–25 | Fan groups wanting an energetic ride in from the Valley | LED lighting, premium sound with Bluetooth, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size groups, company events, wedding parties | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, corporate shuttles, multi-group coordination | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For most Spokane Valley groups heading to a McCarthey game, the minibus is the clean middle-ground pick — right-sized for groups of 15 to 35, maneuverable enough for the campus approach on N. Cincinnati, and comfortable for the 15-to-20-minute I-90 run each way. Groups of 36 and up are charter bus territory, where a full-size coach gives you undercarriage storage and onboard restrooms so the pre-tipoff gathering doesn't require a pit stop off Exit 282. See the full vehicle lineup for specs and pictures, or call 509-903-4010 any time for a quick size recommendation based on your headcount.
McCarthey Athletic Center Party Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a McCarthey charter bus or party bus rental from Spokane Valley is shaped by four variables: vehicle size, total hours (pickup through post-game drop-off), the specific game date, and your starting point in the Valley. To give you a planning range based on the network of bus companies serving the Spokane area:
A 15–35 passenger minibus runs roughly $200–$250/hour on weekdays and $200–$275/hour on weekends. A 40–56 passenger charter bus runs $200–$350/hour regardless of day. A 25-passenger party bus typically runs $250–$350/hour on weekdays and $275–$375/hour on weekends.
These are planning ranges — the real number for your specific trip moves with the date, the vehicle, and your exact itinerary.
For a typical McCarthey game-night run from Spokane Valley — pickup at 5:45 PM, drop at the Cincinnati Street bus lane by 6:30 PM for a 7 PM tipoff, post-game pickup around 9:45 PM, back in Spokane Valley by 10:30 PM — the total rental window is roughly 4 to 5 hours. A group of 25 splitting a 5-hour minibus rental at $225/hour comes to $1,125 total, or about $45 per person. Compare that to four to five cars, each searching for a parking spot on a residential campus block — each paying the cost of finding nothing and walking from two streets over — and the per-head math on the bus is usually the better outcome, not just the more convenient one.
A 56-seat charter bus replaces roughly 14 cars. That's 14 separate parking searches on a campus where visitor spots in the BARC garage run out on a sold-out game night, 14 post-game rideshare pickups on a dark side street, and at least one group arriving late because they couldn't find Exit 282 in the dark. One bus.
One pickup. One drop at the loading dock. That's the math.
For current pricing on your specific date and group size, call 509-903-4010 any time or fill out the online form — a quote typically comes back in under a minute. See the Spokane Valley party bus prices page for a broader look at rate ranges across vehicle types.
Demand, Tickets, and Booking Timeline for The Kennel
Gonzaga men's basketball has sold out every home game at McCarthey Athletic Center since the building opened in November 2004 — a streak of more than 300 consecutive sellouts. The program has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 27 or more consecutive seasons, reached the national championship game twice (2017 against North Carolina and 2021 against Baylor), and spent multiple seasons ranked in the national top five. Season tickets operate on a waitlist, and single-game tickets available to the public surface from unused allocations — sporadically, and fast.
If you have tickets, someone in your group moved quickly or knows the right people.
For the 2026–27 season, Gonzaga begins its first year as a Pac-12 Conference member after 26 seasons in the West Coast Conference. Conference opponents at The Kennel will include programs that have rarely or never played in Spokane, and the national interest in the transition adds a new layer of demand on top of what was already one of the tightest ticket situations in college basketball. That season also brings a significant game-night change: Gonzaga introduced alcohol sales at McCarthey Athletic Center for the first time, with beer, wine, and select ready-to-drink beverages available at designated concourse concession locations during games.
The bus is the one piece of game-night planning you can lock in the moment your tickets are confirmed. Book early. High-demand game dates — late-season Pac-12 matchups with tournament implications, nationally televised weeknight games, rivalry nights — fill the available vehicle inventory across the Spokane metro faster than most groups expect.
The charter bus is easy to arrange. Don't let it become the thing you are scrambling for the week of the game. Call 509-903-4010 once the tickets are in hand.
Game Night Tips for McCarthey Athletic Center
Arrive early. Doors at McCarthey Athletic Center typically open approximately 60 to 90 minutes before tipoff. The arena is compact — 6,000 seats in a tight, loud building — and the good concourse standing spots near food service fill as soon as the building opens.
For groups coming in from Spokane Valley, a 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM pickup for a 7 PM tipoff is the right window, not a 6:30 PM departure.
Clear-bag policy. McCarthey Athletic Center follows a clear-bag policy. Each fan may bring one clear plastic bag no larger than 12″×12″×6″ — or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag — plus a small non-transparent clutch no larger than 4.5″×6.5″.
Backpacks and non-transparent bags do not get through the door. Make sure every person in your group knows this before the bus departs from Spokane Valley — a bag check line outside a sold-out arena is not the way to start the night.
2026–27 alcohol sales policy. Starting with the 2026-27 season, beer, wine, and select ready-to-drink beverages are available at designated concourse concession locations during games. Each patron is limited to two beverages per transaction and must show a valid government-issued ID.
Sales stop at a set point during each game. The student section remains alcohol-free. Outside alcohol brought into the building remains prohibited.
Set a clear post-game meeting point before tipoff. McCarthey is small enough that 6,000 fans exit through a limited number of doors in a concentrated area — and the University District's street grid is easy to get turned around in at night if you are not a regular visitor. Decide on a specific pickup point before the game starts so the bus knows exactly where to stage, and every member of your group knows exactly where to walk when the final buzzer sounds.
No standing outside wondering if the bus is on Cincinnati or on Hamilton.
Accessible entry. McCarthey Athletic Center accommodates ADA-accessible needs. Contact Gonzaga Athletics directly through gozags.com before your game date for any specific accommodation arrangements.
Mention accessibility needs in your bus quote request as well, since ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network serving the Spokane Valley area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus drop off at McCarthey Athletic Center?
Per Gonzaga's visiting team documentation, buses approach via the main campus parking area and take the first left into the dedicated bus lane off N. Cincinnati Street, then proceed to the loading dock doors at 801 N. Cincinnati. This puts your group at the arena entrance directly, rather than at a remote garage level or residential curb. The bus lane is the verified access route for oversize vehicles on this compact campus — not a route to invent on the fly the night of the game.
How far is Spokane Valley from McCarthey Athletic Center?
Central Spokane Valley (Sullivan Road corridor) is approximately 13 miles from McCarthey Athletic Center via I-90 West to Exit 282 (Trent Ave/Hamilton St), then north on N. Hamilton Street to the Gonzaga campus. Off-peak, that's about 15 to 20 minutes. On a sold-out game night with 6,000 fans converging on Exit 282 and the Hamilton/Boone intersection, budget 25 to 40 minutes.
Is parking available at McCarthey on game nights?
Limited. The main visitor parking option is the BARC (Boone Avenue Retail Center) garage at N. Hamilton St. and E. Desmet Ave., with visitor-designated spots on the first and third floors. Those spots fill early on sold-out nights.
Street parking on Sharp, Desmet, Boone, and Lidgerwood is available but not guaranteed — these are residential and campus blocks, not stadium surface lots. Plan for the BARC to be full and street spots to be contested by the time a 7 PM tip-off draws the full crowd.
Where does the bus stage during the game?
After the drop at the Cincinnati Street bus lane, the bus positions in a nearby staging area and returns for the agreed pickup window. Set your post-game pickup time before the group splits up inside the arena — a firm departure window means the bus is right where you expect it when the buzzer sounds, rather than a post-game round of phone calls figuring out where everyone is.
How much does a party bus or charter bus rental to McCarthey cost from Spokane Valley?
Planning ranges for a game-night rental: a 15–35 passenger minibus runs roughly $200–$275/hour; a 40–56 passenger charter bus runs $200–$350/hour; a 25-passenger party bus runs approximately $250–$375/hour. A 4-to-5 hour round-trip rental, split across a group of 25 to 30, typically comes out to $35–$65 per person depending on vehicle size and date. For an actual quote on your game, call 509-903-4010 or use the online form — pricing for your specific date is available in under a minute.
Are Gonzaga basketball tickets easy to get?
No — the honest answer is no. Season tickets are waitlisted. Single-game tickets surface from unused allocations on a rolling basis and sell fast.
If your group has tickets, the transportation is the easy part by comparison. Lock in the bus when the tickets are confirmed rather than waiting until the week of the game, when vehicle availability in the Spokane metro on high-demand dates gets tight.
What is the bag policy at McCarthey Athletic Center?
McCarthey follows a clear-bag policy. Each fan may bring one clear plastic bag no larger than 12″×12″×6″ or a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag, plus a small non-transparent clutch no larger than 4.5″×6.5″. Non-transparent bags, backpacks, and oversized bags are not permitted.
Brief your whole group before departure from Spokane Valley so no one is sorting through bags outside the entrance on a cold game night.
Does the STA City Line serve McCarthey Athletic Center on game days?
The City Line does run through the University District, but Cincinnati @ Desmet stations close during basketball games. The nearest open City Line station shifts to Hamilton @ Desmet on game nights, which adds a several-block walk to the arena. Anyone in your group relying on STA should know this in advance.
A charter bus or party bus rental from Spokane Valley keeps the whole group together door-to-door without split transit logistics.
How early should I book a bus to McCarthey Athletic Center?
As soon as your tickets are confirmed. High-demand game dates — conference rivalry nights, nationally televised games, late-season matchups with NCAA tournament implications — fill the available Spokane-area vehicle supply faster than most groups expect. For the 2026-27 Pac-12 transition season, demand is expected to be especially strong for marquee home conference matchups at The Kennel.
Early booking means better vehicle options, better rates, and no scramble the week of the game.
Book Your Charter Bus or Party Bus Rental to McCarthey Athletic Center
The Kennel's 300-plus consecutive sellouts and 6,000 packed seats make for one of the best atmospheres in college basketball — and the transportation problem it creates is a straightforward one if you handle it early. Spokanevalleypartybuscompany.com makes it simple to compare party bus and charter bus options from Spokane Valley in under a minute: one form or one call, a range of vehicles from Sprinter vans to 56-passenger coaches, and a drop at the Cincinnati Street bus lane while everyone else is still looking for parking on E. Sharp Avenue.
Call 509-903-4010 any time to get pricing for your game night, or fill out the online form for instant estimates. For other Spokane-area sporting events, the Numerica Veterans Arena guide covers downtown Spokane drop-off and parking for concerts and other events, and the Spokane Valley sporting event transportation page covers group travel across the metro.
