Picture a Fargo Force game in January, wind chill somewhere south of zero, and your group of 20 splitting into six different cars because nobody wants to be the one who has to drive home on 32nd Avenue South with everyone else's headlights in their mirror. That's the scenario a bus to Scheels Arena is built to erase. One vehicle, one pickup, one group that walks in together and rides home together — instead of a parking lot full of cold engines and someone volunteering to stay sober.
The good news is that Scheels Arena isn't a sprawling stadium complex with a maze of color-coded lots. It's a single building at 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104, with free on-site parking that wraps the building itself, so a charter bus or party bus can pull in, drop your group near the main entrance, and stage close by until you're ready to leave. Below is what actually happens on the ground — the parking rules straight from the arena's own site, what the current 32nd Avenue South construction means for your route, which vehicle fits your group, and what a night out running through Scheels Arena tends to cost.
Fill out the quick quote form or call 701-929-6660 any time to compare vehicles for your date.
Why Rent a Bus to Scheels Arena?
Most of the groups headed to Scheels Arena aren't casual walk-ups — they're youth hockey teams with parents caravanning behind the team van, corporate suite holders bringing clients to a Fargo Force game, or families driving in from Bismarck or Grand Forks for a weekend hockey tournament. Every one of those trips gets harder the moment it splits into multiple vehicles. Someone takes a wrong turn off I-29, someone's car won't start in the cold after the third period, and the group that arrived together spends 20 minutes in the lot afterward trying to find each other.
Renting a bus keeps that from happening. Everyone boards at one pickup point, the bus handles the drive in on I-29 and 32nd Avenue South, and your whole group is dropped at the arena together instead of scattered across a parking lot. For a concert or a bachelor party heading to a show, the built-in sound system and lighting on a party bus turns the ride itself into part of the night.
Either way, one flat rate covers the group instead of everyone paying for their own gas, their own parking spot, and their own stress about the drive home on icy streets.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Scheels Arena
Scheels Arena sits between 45th Street South and Veteran's Boulevard in southwest Fargo, part of the Sanford Health Athletic Complex alongside the Family Wellness Center and the Sanford POWER Athletic Center, per background on the arena. That matters for a first-time visit because there's more than one building on the property — a bus pulling up needs to be pointed at the arena entrance itself, not the wellness center next door.
Unlike an NFL stadium with a dozen gates and a color-coded lot system, Scheels Arena runs on one main lot that surrounds the building, and there's no separate charter-bus gate or credentialed lane published anywhere on the arena's site. That's actually the point in your favor: a bus drops your group near the main entrance the same way it would drop a family in a minivan, just without the minivan needing its own parking spot afterward.
Free Parking at Scheels Arena, and Why a Bus Skips the Cold Walk Anyway
Here's a detail that's actually good news: free parking is offered for all Fargo Force games and most concerts and events, effective September 1, 2024, per the arena's own parking page. Lots typically open two hours before each event, which gives your group time to arrive and settle in without circling. The one exception is worth flagging — the arena notes that for certain specialty events where a parking fee may be required, that information gets advertised in advance, so it isn't the standing rule.
VIP and suite parking is a separate matter. Those spaces are enforced, and you need the pass that goes with them — general free parking doesn't cover a reserved suite spot. For accessible parking, the arena directs questions to Guest Services on its accessibility page rather than publishing a fixed lot location, so if anyone in your group needs it, a quick call the venue directly at 701.356.7656 before your date is worth the two minutes.
Parking is free, but a bus still solves the problem parking doesn't. Free doesn't mean organized — a lot full of first-timers hunting for each other's cars after a sold-out Fargo Force game in single-digit temperatures is its own headache. One bus means one group walking to one door, and nobody's engine sitting dead in the cold two hours later.
Scheels Arena Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices
There's no single sticker price for a Scheels Arena bus rental, because the quote is shaped by a few clear factors: vehicle size, total hours booked, the date (a Fargo Force weeknight game prices differently than a state tournament weekend), and how far the pickup is from the arena. Since parking itself is free, most of what you're paying for is the vehicle and the hours — not a parking add-on.
To give you an idea: a 28-person office group catching a Fargo Force game might book an 18- to 25-passenger minibus for a 4-hour window — pickup downtown at 6:00 PM, drop at Scheels Arena by 6:30 for a 7:05 puck drop, and a pickup back at the arena around 9:30 after the final horn. A rental like that might run somewhere in the $700–$900 range for the block, which comes out to roughly $25–$32 a person — less than what six people would each spend on gas and a night of not drinking. Actual pricing always varies by date and vehicle, but you can compare real numbers for your trip on the Fargo bus rental prices page or by calling 701-929-6660.
What Size Bus Fits Your Scheels Arena Trip?
Scheels Arena groups run the full range, from a dozen suite guests to a 40-person youth hockey team with equipment bags. The full vehicle lineup covers all of it:
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for a Scheels Arena trip |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Suite groups, small corporate outings, a compact group heading to a concert |
| 18-passenger minibus | ~18 | Youth hockey teams with a smaller parent group, office outings |
| 25-passenger minibus | ~25 | Larger corporate or church groups catching a Fargo Force game |
| 35-passenger minibus | ~35 | Full hockey rosters plus coaches and gear for the state tournament |
| Party bus | ~15–40 | Concert nights and celebrations where the ride is part of the event |
| Charter bus | Up to 56 | Traveling teams and large group blocks heading in from out of town |
The right pick usually comes down to how much gear travels with you. A youth team headed to Scheels Arena for the state tournament is hauling hockey bags and sticks along with the roster, so the underneath storage on a full-size charter bus earns its keep. A downtown office group going straight to a game and back is a cleaner fit for a minibus or Sprinter van.
Driving to Scheels Arena: I-29, 32nd Avenue South, and This Year's Detour
Scheels Arena sits close to Interstate 29, and the standard approach is to take I-29 to the 32nd Avenue South exit and head west toward 45th Street, then north to the arena. That's a short, direct run for anyone already on I-29 — but 32nd Avenue South itself is under active construction east of the arena, and it's worth knowing about before you plan a pickup from a downtown Fargo hotel.
The city's 32nd Avenue South Reconstruction Project is in its final segment, running from 15th Street South to the Red River through November 2026, according to a City of Fargo news release. As of this writing, the intersection of University Drive South and 32nd Avenue South is closed to all traffic for roughly a month starting August 10, 2026, with University Drive traffic detoured to 15th Street South and westbound 32nd Avenue South traffic sent around via 30th Avenue South. That closure sits well east of Scheels Arena itself, so it doesn't touch the final approach near 45th Street — but if your group is starting from a downtown hotel or anywhere near NDSU and taking 32nd Avenue straight west, plan on the detour rather than a straight shot.
None of that is a reason to worry about your date — it's a reason to build in extra minutes if your pickup is downtown, and it's exactly the kind of route change a bus rental absorbs for you instead of leaving you to discover a closed intersection with a car full of hockey gear.
Hector International Airport to Scheels Arena for Visiting Teams and Fly-In Groups
Visiting USHL teams, families flying in for the state hockey tournament, and out-of-town wedding or corporate groups often land at Hector International Airport (FAR), about 2801 32nd Ave N in north Fargo — on the opposite side of the city from the arena. The airport's own ground transportation page lists car rental counters as the main option at the terminal, with no dedicated shuttle to south Fargo venues, which is exactly the gap a private bus fills for a group that doesn't want to split into rental cars.
A single pickup at baggage claim, one bus down I-29, and your team or wedding party is at the arena or your hotel without anyone renting a car they'll only drive twice. See the Fargo airport transportation page for arranging a flight-tracked pickup at Hector International.
Scheels Arena Transportation Options, Compared Honestly
This is a bus-comparison site, but it wouldn't be honest to pretend a bus is the right call for every trip to Scheels Arena. Here's how the real options stack up.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private bus rental | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | 10–56 |
| Everyone drives & parks free | Just gas — parking is free | No — separate cars, separate ETAs | 1–3 cars |
| Rideshare | Per car each way, both directions | No — multiple cars | 1–4 per car |
| MATBUS transit | Low fare, but doesn't reach the arena | N/A | Not a practical option here |
For two or three people driving straight from home, the free lot at Scheels Arena makes driving yourself perfectly reasonable — there's no parking fee working against you the way there is at bigger venues. Worth knowing: the Fargo-Moorhead transit system, MATBUS, doesn't run a route that reaches the arena's stretch of 31st Avenue South, so transit isn't a real fallback for a group without a car. Once your group grows past a couple of vehicles — a hockey team's worth of parents, a full suite, a wedding party — the coordination cost of separate cars starts outweighing the fact that parking is free, and one bus becomes the simpler call.
Leaving Scheels Arena After the Game or Show
Getting out is where a single-lot venue can still bite you. When a sold-out Fargo Force game or a full house for a touring concert lets out at once, everyone funnels toward the same stretch of 31st and 32nd Avenue South, and a lot built for a mid-size arena backs up fast on a two-lane suburban street. Add a Fargo winter night with ice on the pavement, and a slow exit gets slower.
A bus sidesteps most of that. It stages nearby during the game or show, your group has an agreed pickup spot and time before you ever split up, and the bus is right there when you walk out — instead of every car in the lot trying to nose out onto 31st Avenue South at the same moment.
Fargo Force Charter Bus Rentals for the 2026-27 USHL Season
Scheels Arena has been the Fargo Force's home ice since the building opened in 2008, and the team's 2026-27 USHL season opens September 25, 2026 against the Waterloo Black Hawks, according to the team's own 2026-27 schedule. With roughly 30 home dates running from late September through the spring, it's the single most consistent reason groups book a bus to this address.
Groups of 10 or more qualify for discounted group tickets and a dedicated group sales contact through the Scheels Arena group tickets page — which pairs naturally with a bus rental, since a group large enough to get the discount is exactly the group that benefits most from one pickup instead of a dozen separate cars in the cold. See the Fargo sporting event transportation page for booking a season's worth of Fargo Force trips.
North Dakota State Hockey Tournament Bus Rentals at Scheels Arena
Every February, Scheels Arena hosts the North Dakota state hockey championships for both boys' and girls' teams — the 2026 tournament ran Thursday, February 26 through Saturday, February 28, with quarterfinals on Thursday, semifinals and consolation games Friday, and the third-, fifth-, and first-place games on Saturday, per InForum's tournament coverage. Expect the same Thursday-through-Saturday format when the next bracket is set.
This is one of the clearest charter bus cases on the whole calendar. Teams are traveling from Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks, and Williston — several hours across North Dakota in the dead of winter — with a full roster, coaches, and equipment bags. A Fargo charter bus rental or Fargo school bus rental with underneath storage keeps a team together for the drive instead of a caravan of parent cars strung out on I-94 or Highway 200 in a snowstorm.
Scheels Arena Concerts and Events Worth a Party Bus in 2026
Scheels Arena's concert calendar runs well beyond hockey season. Per the arena's own events page, the current lineup includes Theory of a Deadman & Sevendust on August 11, the Uptown Card Show on August 21–22, Needtobreathe with Drew Holcomb and Ellie Holcomb on August 25, Brad Paisley on September 2, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on September 5, and a Throne MMA event on October 24. Check the events page directly for anything added to the calendar after this guide was written.
For a concert night out, a Fargo party bus rental turns the drive itself into the start of the evening — built-in sound and lighting on the way in, and nobody splitting off to find their own car in the free lot once the last encore ends. It's the same logic as the hockey games, just with a different soundtrack.
What Surprises First-Timers at Scheels Arena
A few rules trip up people visiting Scheels Arena for the first time, straight from the arena's own visitor guide:
- The box office is cashless. As of September 1, 2024, it operates on a cashless system — bring a card, not a wad of bills, if you're buying at the door.
- No re-admittance. Once you're admitted into Scheels Arena, there's no leaving and coming back in during the event — something to remind your group about before anyone wanders out to a car for a forgotten item.
- Bags get checked. Every attendee's person and belongings are subject to a search before entry, and the arena reserves the right to have you rearrange or remove items from a bag.
- Backpacks and coolers are out. Prohibited items include coolers, non-clear water bottles, glass containers, cameras with detachable lenses, backpacks, and oversized bags, among others.
Scheels Arena Visit Tips for Group Planners
A short checklist before your date: lots typically open two hours before puck drop or curtain, so build your pickup time backward from there rather than the event start time. Dress your group for a Fargo winter — the walk from the lot to the door is short, but a wind chill well below zero makes even a short walk memorable if you're underdressed. If anyone needs accessible parking or a wheelchair, call the arena at 701.356.7656 ahead of time rather than sorting it out at the door.
And if your group is 10 or more, the group ticket desk at 701.356.4350 is worth calling before you finalize your bus reservation, since ticket blocks and bus pickup times work best when they're arranged together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scheels Arena Bus Rentals
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Scheels Arena?
Scheels Arena runs on a single free lot around the building rather than a multi-gate system, so a bus drops your group near the main entrance at 5225 31st Ave S, the same way it would drop any other vehicle. There's no separate published charter-bus gate, since the venue is small enough not to need one.
Is parking free at Scheels Arena?
Yes, for Fargo Force games and most concerts and events, effective September 1, 2024, per the arena's parking page. Certain specialty events may carry a parking fee, but that gets advertised in advance rather than sprung on visitors at the lot.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Scheels Arena?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, the date, and your pickup distance from the arena. A 4-hour minibus rental for a 28-person Fargo Force game group might run roughly $700–$900, or about $25–$32 a person — but call 701-929-6660 or use the online form for a number specific to your date.
What size bus fits my group for a Fargo Force game?
A Sprinter van covers up to about 14 people, an 18- to 25-passenger minibus fits most youth team or office groups, and a full 40- to 56-passenger charter bus handles a traveling hockey roster or a large corporate outing. See the vehicle-size table earlier in this guide to compare.
Is there a MATBUS route to Scheels Arena?
No. The Fargo-Moorhead transit system's routes near south Fargo don't extend to the arena's stretch of 31st Avenue South, so a personal vehicle, rideshare, or private bus are the realistic options for reaching it.
What's the bag policy at Scheels Arena?
Every guest's person and belongings are subject to a search before entry. Coolers, non-clear water bottles, glass containers, backpacks, and oversized bags are prohibited, and the arena can ask you to rearrange or remove items from an allowed bag.
Can I leave Scheels Arena and come back in during the event?
No. The arena's visitor guide states plainly that once you're admitted, there's no re-admittance if you choose to leave — worth mentioning to your group before anyone heads out to a car mid-event.
How early should we arrive at Scheels Arena?
Lots typically open two hours before an event starts. For a Fargo Force game or a popular concert, arriving close to that two-hour window gives your group time to park (or unload from a bus) and get inside without rushing.
Does the 32nd Avenue South construction affect trips to Scheels Arena?
The active closure — University Drive South at 32nd Avenue South, roughly August 10 through early September 2026 — sits east of the arena and doesn't block the final approach near 45th Street. It does affect anyone driving west on 32nd Avenue South from downtown Fargo or NDSU, who should expect the posted detour via 15th Street South or 30th Avenue South.
How far in advance should we book for the state hockey tournament?
As early as your team's bracket spot is confirmed. Late February is peak season for both the tournament and Fargo Force playoff dates, so vehicles for out-of-town teams get booked up well before the tournament weekend itself.
Book Your Scheels Arena Bus Rental Today
Whether it's a Fargo Force game, a state hockey tournament weekend, or a concert night at Scheels Arena, Fargominibuscompany.com makes it easy to compare charter buses, party buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans serving Fargo and the surrounding area. Also headed to a game at the FargoDome or the Red River Valley Fair? Those guides cover their own drop-offs.
Fill out the online form or call 701-929-6660 any time for a free quote on your Scheels Arena trip.
