Every June, downtown Spokane stops being a downtown and becomes the world's largest basketball court. Forty-five city blocks close to vehicle traffic. 450 hoops go up on Sprague Avenue, Riverside Drive, Howard Street, and every cross-street between them.
Somewhere between 225,000 and 250,000 spectators — plus the 25,000 players competing on those courts — converge on the same footprint over one weekend. What that means practically: the Parkade, the closest structured parking to Center Court, fills before noon Saturday. I-90 slows to a crawl approaching the downtown exits.
The streets your GPS wants to route you along are, in fact, game courts. If your group drove in separately across two or three or five cars, each one is now hunting for a separate spot in a city that briefly has almost none to offer. A Spokane party bus rental sidesteps the whole thing — one pickup from wherever your group is starting, a drop-off at the south perimeter of the courts while the approach roads still allow commercial vehicles through, and the bus staged nearby for whenever your group is done.
That walk through the courts is the easy part. Getting there is where the bus earns it.
This guide covers the full Hoopfest transportation picture: where a charter bus positions when 45 blocks are closed, what parking actually looks like during the weekend, how to reach the courts from Spokane International Airport, and which vehicle size fits everything from a single team travel party to a 50-person fan block. For the broader Spokane sports calendar, the Spokane sporting event transportation page covers it — but Hoopfest is its own logistical puzzle, and every section below is built specifically for it.
Why Rent a Spokane Party Bus or Charter Bus to Hoopfest?
Hoopfest is unlike any other event on the Spokane calendar because it does not leave parking at the margins — it removes it from the picture entirely. The Guinness-certified world's largest 3-on-3 tournament occupies every major downtown artery from Sprague north to the Spokane River, closing 45 city blocks to vehicle traffic from Friday evening straight through Sunday night. The Parkade on W Main Avenue between Howard and Stevens — the only structured parking literally next to Center Court — offers daily passes at $30 and fills quickly.
The River Park Square garage and three Davenport Hotel garages are also available but sit well inside the pedestrian zone, which means a walk through sea-level crowd traffic just to reach your car. Rideshare has the same problem: surge pricing up I-90 and Division Street during peak Saturday arrival windows, and a drop that still puts your group a full perimeter walk from any action.
One Spokane charter bus or party bus rental replaces the entire coordination problem. Your group boards at one hotel, one neighborhood, one restaurant — rides together — and the bus positions at the 2nd Avenue perimeter of the court zone before that corridor fills. Everyone walks in as a unit.
Nobody drives. Nobody hunts for a spot. For out-of-town teams arriving at GEG on Friday, a direct transfer from the airport to the hotel to Saturday's courts means zero personal vehicles needed the entire trip.
The math on a bus is even simpler than it sounds: one vehicle versus five separate parking headaches, one arrival versus staggered texts that end in "where are you?" inside 45 blocks of closed streets.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Spokane Hoopfest
The street closure pattern is what shapes every drop-off decision at Hoopfest. Closures begin Friday evening at 6 p.m. and remain in effect through Sunday at 10 p.m., per the City of Spokane's annual Hoopfest traffic plan. The streets that close include Sprague Avenue from Howard to Monroe, Riverside Avenue from Bernard to Monroe, Main Avenue from Lincoln to Browne, Spokane Falls Boulevard from Washington to Lincoln, Howard Street from Main to Spokane Falls Boulevard, Stevens Street from the Washington Street Bridge to Riverside, and a cluster of cross-streets and connectors — Post Street, Broadway Avenue, Mallon Avenue, and Summit Parkway — spanning the same zone.
Once those closures are in place, through-vehicle movement across the downtown core is gone. Any vehicle dropping passengers needs to approach from the south or east perimeter and release the group at the boundary of the closed zone before continuing.
The 2nd Avenue corridor is the natural drop-off line for private buses — one block south of Sprague, outside the closure zone, and within easy walking distance of the courts from the moment you cross the boundary. Spokane Transit Authority's own Hoopfest shuttle service confirms this pattern: the STA Jefferson Hoopfest Shuttle and City Line both use Stevens & 2nd, Post & 2nd, and Monroe & 2nd as their Hoopfest-weekend drop-off and boarding points, per the STA Hoopfest service page. A private charter bus or party bus rental uses the same approach — entering from the east on 2nd Avenue or dropping on one of the open cross-streets at the perimeter — rather than attempting to reach the closure zone interior.
Because the specific approach routing can shift slightly by event year depending on which city access points remain open, Partybusspokane.net recommends checking the official Hoopfest travel page before your visit to confirm the current access plan for your drop-off weekend.
Walking Distance from the 2nd Avenue Drop-Off to Center Court
From the 2nd Avenue perimeter, Center Court — adjacent to the Parkade between Howard and Stevens on W Main Avenue — is roughly a 5-minute walk north. Your group moves up Howard, Stevens, Post, or Monroe depending on where the bus positions, and the courts begin the moment you cross Sprague. That walk through the closure zone is the experience: you pass half a dozen live games before you ever reach Main Avenue.
Spectating at Hoopfest is completely free for the public — no gate, no ticket, no wristband required — so once your group clears the perimeter, the entire weekend is open.
Post-Hoopfest Pickup
Arranging the pickup window in advance is the single most important detail for Hoopfest specifically — more so than at a stadium event, because the closed zone does not clear immediately at final whistle. Closures stay in effect through Sunday at 10 p.m., so the bus cannot drive into the courts to collect your group. Set a specific meeting point on the 2nd Avenue perimeter — Stevens & 2nd or Monroe & 2nd work well because they're easy landmarks your group can navigate to even inside a crowd of 250,000 — and agree on the pickup time before anyone splits up into the court zone.
With that detail locked in from the start, the end of the day is clean: walk to the agreed corner, bus is there, everyone's in.
The STA Plaza — Spokane's normal downtown transit hub — closes for Hoopfest weekend. In recent years, alternative downtown boarding has been located at 2nd Avenue and Howard Street. If any member of your group uses regular STA service during the tournament, that's the stop, not the normal Plaza.
Check the STA Hoopfest service page for the current weekend schedule before your visit.
Hoopfest Parking: What Actually Happens to Downtown Spokane on Tournament Weekend
Parking at Hoopfest is not just limited — the weekend fundamentally reframes what parking near downtown Spokane means. Here's what each option actually looks like once the closures are in place.
The Parkade (W Main Avenue between Howard and Stevens): This is the single closest structured parking to Center Court — which is exactly why it goes first. Daily passes have run $30 per day; a weekend pass covering both Saturday and Sunday runs $50, with advance booking available through ParkWhiz. The Parkade also notes a drop-off option for groups who don't need all-day parking — a charter bus can pull up, release the group, and continue without a parking commitment.
If any individual in your group wants to park their car at Center Court for the weekend, this is the only realistic option, and advance purchase is the only reliable way to secure a spot.
River Park Square garage and Davenport Hotel garages: Three Davenport parking structures and the River Park Square garage are all open during Hoopfest and are reasonable options for those who drive in early. All sit within or immediately adjacent to the pedestrian zone — expect them to fill by mid-Saturday morning and plan for a walk through active court traffic to reach your destination once parked.
Jefferson Lot — free parking with shuttle: The best driving alternative for groups coming from south and west Spokane is the Jefferson Lot, a large park-and-ride located under I-90 near Jefferson Street and 3rd Avenue. Park free and catch the STA Jefferson Hoopfest Shuttle at no cost, running every 15 minutes. The shuttle drops at Stevens & 2nd, Post & 2nd, and Monroe & 2nd — the same south-perimeter corridor where private buses release passengers.
This is the smartest option for one or two cars, but for a group of 20 that wants to move together all day, it means herding everyone onto the same shuttle departure rather than one clean arrival on a private bus.
WSU Spokane and Spokane Community College — free parking with City Line: WSU Spokane opens its campus lots for free parking all Hoopfest weekend, per WSU Spokane's Hoopfest page. The STA City Line runs to Hoopfest at no cost from WSU Spokane and SCC (Spokane Community College), dropping at Stevens & 2nd with return boarding at Howard & 3rd. These work well if you're already near a campus and want to skip the downtown garage pricing entirely.
Street parking: Paid through 7 p.m. Saturday; free all day Sunday. The metered spots on 1st and 2nd Avenues south of the closure boundary do become available early on Saturday morning — first-come, first-served, and the earliest arrivals take them.
Hoopfest Transportation Options Compared
Hoopfest draws people from across the Pacific Northwest — some driving from Spokane Valley on I-90, some flying into GEG, some walking out of a downtown hotel. Here's an honest look at how each option works for a group, scored on what actually matters for a full tournament weekend.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Parking headache? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | None — bus drops at the south perimeter on your schedule | Groups of 15–56; out-of-town teams; fan blocks; multi-day team packages |
| STA Jefferson Shuttle / City Line | Free shuttle + free lot parking | Only if everyone catches the same departure | You still drive to the lot first; group arrival is not guaranteed | Individuals or 1–2 cars who don't need to move as a unit |
| The Parkade (self-park) | $30/day or $50/weekend per parking spot | No — separate cars, separate timing | High — fills by mid-morning; must book in advance | Couples or small groups who book early and want closest possible parking |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per car each way plus surge pricing at peak hours | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | No parking, but surge pricing spikes on I-90 during Saturday arrival windows | 1–3 people comfortable splitting up and monitoring prices |
| Drive and park in outer garages | Variable garage rate per car per day | No — separate cars, separate timing | High — fill quickly; walk through court traffic to your destination | 1–2 cars arriving early enough to secure a spot |
For a couple or a pair of friends, the STA Jefferson Shuttle from the free park-and-ride is often the cleanest and cheapest call — free shuttle, free lot, done. But the moment your group grows past two or three cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of separate arrivals — different shuttle timing, different lot assignments, the scramble to regroup at Stevens & 2nd — tips clearly toward one private bus. That's the group this guide is built for.
What Size Bus Does Your Hoopfest Group Need?
The right Hoopfest bus comes down to three things: how many people you're moving, whether the group has gear (chairs, team bags, canopies for the perimeter zones), and how many days the vehicle needs to be on call. Partybusspokane.net connects you to a wide range of vehicles through a large network of bus companies serving Spokane — here's how the full vehicle lineup maps to common Hoopfest trip types.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Cargo space | Best Hoopfest use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter Van / 14-Passenger Sprinter Limo | Up to 14 | Modest | A single team (3 players + coaches + family) arriving at GEG Friday; small VIP or corporate hospitality groups |
| 15–25 Passenger Party Bus | ~15–25 | Onboard storage, lighter loads | Medium fan groups; a team plus its full travel party; celebration groups using Hoopfest weekend as the backdrop |
| 15–35 Passenger Minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead bins plus underfloor | Organized fan groups, youth team travel, hotel-to-courts circuits for groups using downtown lodging |
| 40–50 Passenger Party Bus | ~40–50 | Onboard storage | Large fan blocks, corporate group outings, reunion groups arriving as one group |
| 40–56 Passenger Charter Bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Largest groups; teams traveling with significant gear; multi-day packages from Friday check-in through Sunday departure |
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note it when you request your quote and the right vehicle can be arranged. For youth and high school teams, a minibus is typically the practical fit: overhead bins handle bags and team gear, the climate control handles Spokane's late-June temperatures, and the maneuverability is a better match for the downtown street grid on Hoopfest weekend than a full-size coach navigating perimeter access roads.
Spokane Hoopfest Party Bus Rental Prices
The cost of a Hoopfest bus rental moves with vehicle size, total hours, and whether the trip is a single-pickup run from one hotel or a multi-stop circuit collecting players from different locations around Spokane. To give you a planning range: a minibus runs roughly $200–$275 per hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus falls in the $275–$375 per hour range; and a full-size charter bus generally comes in at $200–$350 per hour. These are planning numbers — the real quote for your specific date, headcount, and pickup location comes from the form or the phone, and Hoopfest weekend pricing reflects the peak demand of the single busiest weekend in the Spokane transportation calendar.
The per-person math changes the picture fast. A 40-passenger party bus at $325/hour for an 8-hour Saturday run — pickup at a South Hill hotel through a Sunday afternoon airport departure — comes out to roughly $65 per person across 40 people. That undercuts the Parkade's $30 daily rate, which only covers the car's parking spot and not the people in it, and it covers transportation all day instead of a single stationary slot.
See the full rate breakdown on the Spokane party bus prices page, or call 509-753-3810 any time for a quote that reflects your exact group and itinerary.
When to Book Your Hoopfest Party Bus in Spokane
Hoopfest falls on the last full weekend of June every year — and it is the single busiest weekend for Spokane group transportation, full stop. The combination of 25,000 players and 250,000 spectators in a city with a fully closed downtown means the vehicles with the right size for large fan groups and multi-day team packages get claimed months out, not weeks. Book by March for a June Hoopfest weekend.
Waiting until April or May narrows your selection significantly. Waiting until June means choosing from whatever's left. Hoopfest registration opens annually in early spring — that's the same window to nail down the bus.
If your team is in, the bus should be in at the same time.
Road Closures, Routes, and Getting to Hoopfest
The most important driving fact about Hoopfest weekend: do not plan to drive into downtown Spokane after Friday at 6 p.m. The closure zone is comprehensive, and the highway approaches back up accordingly. The Washington State Patrol confirms enhanced enforcement and increased delays on I-90, SR-2, SR-195, and SR-395 (Division Street) for the full Hoopfest weekend and recommends allowing significantly extra time for any travel through the downtown corridor.
The I-90 interchange at the downtown Spokane exits — particularly the Division Street off-ramp — sees the highest congestion of the year during Saturday morning arrival windows, when teams and spectators converge simultaneously from Spokane Valley, North Spokane, and across the Inland Northwest.
For a private bus approaching from the east, I-90 westbound to Exit 281 (Division Street / SR-395) and then south toward the 2nd Avenue corridor is a standard routing. From the north, Division Street southbound is the main arterial. Either way, the bus releases your group at the south perimeter — 2nd Avenue — and then repositions for your agreed pickup time rather than sitting in the closure zone.
That staging flexibility is what makes a private bus more useful than any static parking option during Hoopfest: the vehicle stays available for the post-event run while your group spends the day on the courts.
The specific closed streets to understand before you go: Sprague Avenue from Howard to Monroe is the southern boundary of the court zone and is completely closed. Riverside Avenue from Bernard to Monroe, Main Avenue from Lincoln to Browne, Spokane Falls Boulevard from Washington to Lincoln, and most cross-streets between them — including Post Street from Main to Sprague, Howard Street from Main to Spokane Falls Boulevard, and Stevens Street from the Washington Street Bridge to Riverside — are all in the closure. The Hoopfest travel page and the City of Spokane's traffic advisories carry the current-year map; route specifics can shift slightly between editions of the tournament.
Getting to Hoopfest from Spokane International Airport
Spokane International Airport (GEG) sits about 5 miles west of downtown — a 15-minute drive in normal traffic, closer to 30–40 minutes on Hoopfest Friday afternoon when incoming teams and spectators hit the I-90 corridor simultaneously. For groups flying in for the tournament, a direct transfer from GEG to the hotel and then to the Saturday courts is one of the most straightforward Hoopfest uses for a private bus: one pickup at the terminal, no rental car to park on a weekend when downtown parking is all but gone, and the entire group moves together from arrival through the first game. Full logistics details are on the Spokane International Airport group shuttle guide.
One timing detail for out-of-town teams: Hoopfest check-in takes place at Pavilion Plaza in Riverfront Park — in recent editions, Thursday afternoon (3–7 p.m.) and Friday (11 a.m.–7 p.m.), per the official Hoopfest FAQs. A bus from GEG to Riverfront Park on Thursday evening covers the check-in run cleanly and positions the team downtown before Friday's 6 p.m. street closures make vehicle access to the core complicated. Downtown hotels fill out months early for Hoopfest weekend — lodging and the bus should both be locked in at the same time as team registration.
What to Know Before You Go to Hoopfest
Spectating is entirely free. There's no gate, no ticket, no wristband required for the public. Two hundred and fifty thousand spectators walk through a 45-block outdoor basketball tournament at no cost.
Your group's expense as fans is zero beyond food and getting there.
The tournament runs the last full weekend of June, every year. In 2026, that was Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 — the pattern has held since Hoopfest was established in 1990. Street closures begin the Friday before at 6 p.m. and last through Sunday at 10 p.m.
If your group is planning a Friday evening arrival for a hotel check-in or the Thursday/Friday team check-in window, build in extra time after 6 p.m. because downtown vehicle access tightens significantly from that point.
This is a legitimately record-setting event. Guinness World Records certified Spokane Hoopfest as the largest streetball tournament in the world, based on 2009 participation of 26,656 players on 6,725 teams. The event peaked at 7,040 teams and 27,876 players in 2011.
Current annual participation runs over 6,000 teams and 25,000 players on 450 courts. That's not event-marketing language — it's the actual scale of what closes 45 downtown blocks every June.
Divisions cover every age group and ability. Youth (1st–8th grade), Family, Adult, High School (Varsity and Freshman), Elite, Senior, Special Olympics, Wheelchair, and Unified divisions all compete simultaneously across different courts. Many groups attending Hoopfest have players in multiple divisions at once — a bus that stages nearby all day and picks up on a flexible schedule is more useful here than any static transportation arrangement.
Comfortable shoes matter more than you expect. Forty-five blocks of courts covers a lot of Spokane asphalt and concrete. Spokane in late June typically reaches the mid-80s with strong sun — the courts are entirely outdoors with minimal shade between Sprague and the river.
Wear shoes you'd walk several miles in.
Downtown hotels book out months early. Hoopfest weekend clears out every major downtown hotel within a mile of the closure zone. Book lodging at the same time you register your team — not afterward.
The same window that fills tournament spots fills hotel rooms, and both have the same urgency.
The economic footprint is real. Hoopfest generates an estimated $47 million in annual economic impact for Spokane — which is why the city fully closes its downtown core for the weekend. There is no routing traffic around the tournament; the tournament is the traffic plan.
Spokane's "Hooptown USA" nickname was earned on this specific weekend, every year since 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoopfest Transportation
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off during Hoopfest?
The Hoopfest court zone closes 45 city blocks to vehicle traffic from Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday at 10 p.m., so buses approach from the south and east perimeter and release passengers at the boundary of the closure zone. The 2nd Avenue corridor — one block south of Sprague — is the practical drop-off line, consistent with where STA's own Hoopfest shuttles board and discharge at Stevens & 2nd, Post & 2nd, and Monroe & 2nd. From any of those points, Center Court on Main Avenue is about a 5-minute walk north through active game courts.
Check the Hoopfest travel page before your visit — specific approach routing can shift slightly between event years.
How much does a party bus to Hoopfest cost in Spokane?
Weekend party bus pricing in Spokane runs roughly $200–$500 per hour depending on vehicle size. A minibus for a team travel party runs around $200–$275/hour; a 25-passenger party bus for a mid-size fan group runs closer to $275–$375/hour; a 40-passenger bus for a large group falls in the $325–$500/hour range on a peak weekend. Divide any of those totals by your headcount and the per-person number typically competes with or beats Parkade parking plus two round-trips of rideshare surge pricing for a group of 20 or more.
See planning ranges on the Spokane party bus prices page or call 509-753-3810 any time.
When do Hoopfest street closures start?
Street closures begin Friday at 6 p.m. and remain in place through Sunday at 10 p.m. Downtown Spokane operates normally through Friday afternoon. If your group is arriving by bus on Friday and needs to reach a hotel in the core before closures go into effect, plan your drop-off to wrap up before 6 p.m.
Is there parking at Hoopfest?
Structured parking exists but fills quickly. The Parkade (W Main Avenue between Howard and Stevens, adjacent to Center Court) has offered daily passes at $30 and weekend passes at $50 — the closest parking option by far, with advance booking through ParkWhiz. River Park Square and the Davenport Hotel garages are also open.
Free parking is available at the Jefferson Lot (under I-90 near Jefferson and 3rd) with an STA shuttle to the courts, and at WSU Spokane and Spokane Community College with City Line access. A private charter bus or party bus eliminates the parking search entirely and brings the whole group to the perimeter at once.
What is the STA Hoopfest shuttle schedule?
In recent years, the STA Jefferson Hoopfest Shuttle and City Line have run every 15 minutes at no cost — Saturday from approximately 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from approximately 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Jefferson Shuttle boards at the Jefferson Lot (under I-90 at Jefferson and 3rd) and drops at Stevens & 2nd, Post & 2nd, and Monroe & 2nd. City Line drops at Stevens & 2nd with return boarding at Howard & 3rd.
Confirm the current schedule on the STA Hoopfest service page before the event — details can shift slightly year to year.
How far in advance should I book a Hoopfest party bus in Spokane?
By March. The last full weekend of June is the busiest weekend in the Spokane bus rental calendar, and the vehicles with the capacity for large fan groups or multi-day team packages get reserved months out. Waiting until April or May reduces your options substantially; waiting until June means working with whatever's available.
When you register your team or confirm your group travel plan for Hoopfest, lock in the bus at the same time — same urgency, same window.
Can a bus pick up a team at Spokane International Airport for Hoopfest?
Yes — a GEG-to-downtown run for an out-of-town Hoopfest team or fan group is one of the most common requests this weekend. One bus collects the group at the terminal and brings everyone directly to the hotel or the courts perimeter, without a rental car to park on a weekend when downtown Spokane has almost no parking available. See the full airport logistics guide at the Spokane International Airport shuttle page.
Can the bus stay with us during the tournament?
The vehicle is booked as a block of hours — it can drop the group at the 2nd Avenue perimeter, stage nearby, and be ready for a specific pickup at an agreed time and location. For a team playing across both days, the bus can cover a Saturday hotel-to-courts-to-hotel circuit and a Sunday repeat, all as part of one booking arrangement. Set the pickup point and time before the group disperses into the courts, and the bus is positioned there when your day ends.
What are the main streets that close during Hoopfest?
The major closures include Sprague Avenue from Howard to Monroe, Riverside Avenue from Bernard to Monroe, Main Avenue from Lincoln to Browne, Spokane Falls Boulevard from Washington to Lincoln, Howard Street from Main to Spokane Falls Boulevard, Stevens Street from the Washington Street Bridge to Riverside, Post Street from Main to Sprague, Broadway Avenue from Monroe to Post, Mallon Avenue in two separate segments, and Summit Parkway from Monroe to Lincoln — 45 city blocks in total. All vehicle traffic including private buses approaches from the south perimeter along 2nd Avenue. For the current year's specific closure map, check the Hoopfest travel page before your visit.
What are the main highways affected by Hoopfest traffic?
The Washington State Patrol identifies I-90, SR-2, SR-195, and SR-395 (Division Street) as the corridors experiencing longer-than-usual delays during Hoopfest weekend. The I-90 downtown exits and the Division Street approach see the heaviest backup during Saturday morning arrival windows. If you're coordinating your own travel to meet the bus, plan to be at the pickup location before the Saturday peak builds — or let the bus handle the approach entirely while you're already at the courts.
Book Your Spokane Hoopfest Party Bus or Charter Bus
The right bus for your Hoopfest weekend is available through Partybusspokane.net — compare vehicles, sizes, and pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Spokane through one quick form or one call. Whether you need a Sprinter van for a team arriving Friday at GEG, a 30-passenger party bus for a fan group heading in Saturday morning, or a full charter bus for a 50-person group going both days, Partybusspokane.net makes it easy to find what fits and get pricing in under 30 seconds. No account required, no obligation — just the information you need to lock in transportation before the Hoopfest-weekend supply window closes.
Hoopfest books out months before the last weekend of June. Call 509-753-3810 or use the online quote tool to check availability for your date — and have your Hoopfest weekend covered before downtown Spokane fills in around you.
