If you vape, you’re well aware of the fact that the policies surrounding vaping in public establishments haven’t exactly gotten friendlier over the years. Vaping is treated the same as smoking almost everywhere, and public vaping and smoking are banned almost everywhere – not a good combination. If you’re a basketball fan, you should know that many NBA venues prohibit vaping anywhere on stadium grounds. In some cases, you’re not allowed to bring your vape into the facility at all.
There is, however, a bit of good news: Some NBA stadiums are surprisingly vape-friendly and actually have designated areas set aside where you’re allowed to vape or smoke.
The next time you go to see a game, should you bring your vapes with you or just leave them in the car? These are the best NBA stadiums for vapers.
American Airlines Center (Dallas Mavericks)
View the American Airlines Center Vaping/Smoking Policy
Although there aren’t any areas where you can vape inside the stadium itself, American Airlines Center does have two areas where you can take a quick vape break during the game. Here’s where you can find them.
- Patrón Tequilería: The Patrón Tequilería has an outdoor patio where you’re allowed to vape. It’s located at the Southeast Plaza Level.
- ULTRA Club: The ULTRA club also has an outdoor patio where vaping is allowed, and you’ll find it at the Northeast Plaza level.
Note that after vaping in either of these areas, you’ll need to go through the security screening process again in order to reenter the main stadium.
Capital One Arena (Washington Wizards)
View the Capital One Arena Vaping/Smoking Policy
Capital One Arena has a fairly liberal vaping and smoking policy that allows you to leave the stadium during basketball games and reenter after you’re finished. The only area where you can do this is at the F Street entrance. That’s at the southern end of the stadium, where the box office and team store are.
Note that Capital One Arena only allows exit and reentry during basketball games. You can’t leave the stadium to vape or smoke during concerts and will be required to purchase a new ticket if you do this.
Delta Center (Utah Jazz)
View the Delta Center Vaping/Smoking Policy
Delta Center has a designated smoking area where you’re allowed to vape during games. You’ll find it outside Door 9 on the main level of the stadium. Door 9 is located near the Nike Store at the southeast side of the venue, which is also known as the AmEx Entrance. You can simply exit through the door during events and return when your vaping session is over.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers)
View the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Vaping/Smoking Policy
Gainbridge Fieldhouse has at least one outdoor smoking terrace where you’re allowed to vape. To use the terrace, you’ll exit the stadium outside the southwest stairwells on the Key Bank level. The exit is located near the ticket point. This area is monitored by security personnel.
Kia Center (Orlando Magic)
View the Kia Center Vaping/Smoking Policy
Kia Center has one designated smoking and vaping area that’s available during games, which is an outdoor terrace located at the Magic Grill. During non-basketball events, the ULTRA Lounge also has a terrace where vaping and smoking are allowed. However, vaping and smoking at the ULTRA Lounge terrace are not allowed during Magic games.
Toyota Center (Houston Rockets)
View the Toyota Center Vaping/Smoking Policy
Toyota Center has an outdoor smoking area where you’re allowed to vape during games. The doors to the smoking area are located near Section 117, which is on the Jackson Street side of the stadium.
Vaping at NBA Games: Things to Know
If you’re planning to vape at a basketball game, there are a few things that you need to know first. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that you’ll have a great experience.
Ask for Help if You Need It
If you’re having trouble finding the smoking area at the stadium, ask an usher or other stadium employee for help. They’ll know where the area is, and that’ll help you get there and back while missing as little of the action as possible.
Some NBA Stadiums May Have “Secret” Smoking Areas
Some stadiums may have designated smoking areas that they don’t actively advertise; it never hurts to ask. Always check the stadium’s list of prohibited items before you go, though, because there are some NBA stadiums that actively prohibit all vapes. If vapes aren’t allowed at the stadium, your device may be confiscated when you go through the security checkpoint.
Don’t Vape Where It’s Not Allowed
Don’t ever attempt to vape in places where you’re not supposed to. If you attempt to “stealth vape” in the seating area, everyone will know what you’re trying to do. In addition, many bathrooms now have vape detectors installed.
In many cases, vaping at an NBA stadium in a place where you’re not allowed to vape or smoke will result in immediate ejection from the facility with no prior warning. The stadium may even ban you from attending future events.
If you’re attending a game at a stadium where vaping isn’t allowed, bring an alternative form of nicotine to keep your cravings under control because the risk just isn’t worth it.
Turn Your Vape Off When You’re Not Using It
If you have a vape with a manual fire button or an on/off switch, turn the device off before putting it in your pocket. This helps to ensure that you won’t have to worry about the device activating accidentally.
Wait Until the Game Begins
In many cases, an NBA stadium’s smoking area will be positioned somewhere near one of the entry gates. Stadiums don’t want these areas to be congested with vapers and smokers when people are still trying to enter. If you’re attending a game at a stadium that has this type of arrangement, you might want to wait until after the tipoff to go and find the smoking area.
