Big E Coliseum: Event-Day Planning in West Springfield

The Big E Coliseum is on the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds at 1305 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield. The Big E’s public parking lot is at Gate 9, 875 Memorial Avenue; Gate 1 is at 1761 Memorial Avenue.

For a stay nearby, the Coliseum is about a 13-minute drive from Riverdale Inn. If you’re also planning an event in Springfield, see this MassMutual Center event guide.

Check the Eastern States Exposition’s event calendar for the event you plan to attend, then confirm its specific entry and timing details before setting out. The supplied details do not include a schedule of Coliseum events or a regular opening pattern for the venue.

The Big E’s annual Fair begins on the second Friday after Labor Day and lasts 17 days. Fair-period arrangements differ from those for non-Fair events, so identify which applies to your visit before making parking plans.

Ticket and entry arrangements depend on the event, so use the event’s official information for the applicable instructions. For Arena concerts, buy tickets online through TheBigE.com, The Big E Box Office or CashorTrade, the official face-value concert-ticket exchange; tickets purchased through those sources are guaranteed authentic.

For an Arena concert, admission to The Big E is included with the concert ticket, which is scanned again at the Arena entrance. The Arena is a no-re-entry venue. Doors generally open at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated, and arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime is recommended.

Gate 9A is the accessible parking area within the Gate 9 lot, with spaces available first come, first served. Complimentary shuttles operate within Gate 9A to take guests from their vehicles to the entrance gate.

In the Arena, a wheelchair platform at floor level has companion seats; in selected floor sections, seats marked with an ADA logo can be removed for wheelchair access. ADA-designated Arena seats are sold online first come, first served, and none are released on the day of the show.

Driving is one option. For airport-arrival planning, see the guide to Bradley Airport transportation to West Springfield.

If you’re driving from Boston or points east, take the Massachusetts Turnpike west to Exit 45, then Route 5 south and Route 147 west. Continue approximately three-quarters of a mile to Gate 9.

For non-Fair events, year-round event parking costs $5, cash only. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic enters through Gates 1 and 9; pedestrian access is not available at Gates 4 and 5 during non-Fair time. Drop-offs and rideshares should proceed to Gate 9.

During the Fair, public parking at Gate 9 costs $10 for cars and $5 for motorcycles per vehicle. Parking gates accept cash only, and there are no ATMs near Gate 9.

During the Fair, bicycles can park free at 915 Memorial Avenue. Electric bikes and scooters are not allowed on the fairgrounds, but can be chained at the Gate 9 bike racks for free.

On-street parking on Memorial Avenue and adjacent streets, as well as parking in commercial lots during year-round events, is strongly discouraged because it affects neighboring residents and businesses.

Before you go: Parking and event details can vary by event. Check the Eastern States Exposition’s official site before you go.