Scotiabank Arena Parking — TorontoConcert & Game Day Guide
Scotiabank Arena is a 19,800-seat arena in South Core / Harbourfront, located at 40 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5J 2X2. On NHL game nights, major concerts, and sold-out stadium events, parking pressure around the venue can be intense. This guide covers every realistic lot, the transit lines that skip traffic entirely, event-night arrival strategy, and accessible parking options — so you spend your night enjoying the show, not circling the block.
Where to Park Near Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena occupies one of the densest parking environments in Canada — the South Core district at the foot of downtown Toronto. The most convenient option is the Scotiabank Arena underground garage, accessed from Bremner Boulevard, which holds about 1,800 vehicles and connects directly to the arena via elevator. Event-night pricing here runs $35–$50 CAD on Leafs and Raptors nights, and similar for major concerts. The Green P lots on Front Street West and Rees Street (just west of SkyDome / Rogers Centre) are a 5–8 minute walk and typically price at $25–$40. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre parkade (255 Front St W) is a reliable large-capacity alternative at $25–$35 event rates. The Union Station GO parking structure (on Front Street east of Bay) is another option, though it saturates quickly on NHL playoff nights. The entire PATH underground walkway connects most of the South Core garages to the arena without going outside — invaluable in February. Pre-book on SpotHero or Green P's app to guarantee a spot and lock in lower rates.
Transit & Rideshare Options
Union Station is Scotiabank Arena's transit gateway — it sits directly connected to the arena via the PATH underground pedestrian network, and Union offers TTC subway (Lines 1 and 2), GO Transit trains on seven corridors, the UP Express to Pearson Airport, and a VIA Rail hub. From the subway, Maple Leaf Square and the arena are reachable in under five minutes from the platform. From Mississauga or Brampton, GO Transit Lakeshore and Kitchener lines run enhanced service on event nights. The 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcars also serve the Entertainment District for guests coming from the west end. Uber and Lyft have designated pickup zones on Bremner Boulevard and Lower Simcoe Street — factor in a 20-minute surge window after a game; walking to Union Station and catching transit home is usually faster than waiting for a rideshare on a busy night.
Event-Night Parking Tips
For Leafs games and major concerts at Scotiabank Arena, doors open 90 minutes before showtime — arrive at Union Station by that window to avoid concourse congestion. The Gardiner Expressway on-ramp at Rees Street backs up significantly after 7 PM on event nights; leave the downtown core earlier or plan to wait. Post-event, the PATH underground network disperses the crowd toward Union Station more efficiently than street-level exits. The subway platform at Union fills quickly after final whistle — waiting 20–30 minutes on the arena concourse before heading down is often faster. Accessible drop-off on Lower Simcoe Street, directly below the arena; reserved accessible parking in the garage must be arranged through the venue box office.
Neighborhood Parking Context
The South Core neighborhood around Scotiabank Arena is almost entirely commercial — Bay Street towers, hotels, and the waterfront precinct. There is effectively no free street parking within walking distance. The Harbourfront residential streets to the southwest have 1–2 hour permit zones that run until 9 PM in most blocks, after which unregulated street parking becomes available in small pockets south of the Gardiner. The Entertainment District (King and John streets area) has metered parking until 9 PM. For the most predictable outcome, use the Green P app to reserve one of the many Front Street garages at least the afternoon of the event.