Want to enjoy a game of elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere? Look no further than the Grand Rapids Gold, an NBA G League team that plays their home games in downtown GR’s Van Andel Arena.

Whether or not you’re a big b-ball fan, you’ll find that Gold games make for exciting all-ages entertainment, perfect for family outings, date nights, bro bondings and group gatherings. Read on to discover everything you need to know to plan your Grand Rapids Gold adventure – and get ready for some thrilling basketball action!

What’s Coming Up – Season Schedule

The Grand Rapids Gold play at least 50 games during the season, battling 30 other teams in the NBA G League from early November through late March. The 2024-2025 season features 34 home games in Van Andel Arena.

The Gold season begins with a Tip-Off Tournament, which separates teams into four regions where they play 14 games. Teams compete to advance to the Championship at the NBA G League Winter Showcase. (The Gold made it to the Winter Showcase Semifinals in 2024.) The regular season begins in late December.

All season long, the Gold offer an exciting array of promotions, including theme nights like Space Jam Night, Flint Tropics Night, Stars Wars Night and Fan Appreciation Night, and giveaways like towels, hats, bobbleheads, wallets and more. Alongside the themes and giveaways, the Gold offer Buy One-Get One Free tickets on Tuesdays, $2 beer and hot dogs every Thursday and Friday, and four-pack Sundays, where you can get four tickets and a $20 food voucher for just $50.

You can view the 2024-2025 promotional schedule here.

Grand Rapids Gold Basketball Team

As the developmental league of the NBA, the G League gives players and staff the tools to reach their full potential.

Photo by Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Gold

Team Roster

The G League serves as the developmental league of the NBA, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. The Grand Rapids Gold are affiliated with the Denver Nuggets NBA franchise, and several Gold players and staffers have gone on to play for Denver and other NBA teams.

Former NBA player Andre Miller is in his third season as Gold head coach. During his 17-year NBA career, Miller had two stints with the Denver Nuggets and ranks fourth in franchise history with 2,978 assists. Miller coaches a team of 13 players, including Jahmir Young, an AP All-Big Ten First Team Selection at Maryland who was named to the NBA G League All-Winter Showcase Team in 2024, and Jalen Pickett, a Penn State University standout who was named NBA G League Player of the Week during the 2024-2025 season.

Cheer on the Gold - Buy Tickets

Purchase tickets online or at Van Andel Arena to cheer the team on in person. The Gold offer a number of ticket options, including single-game tickets, family 4-packs, flex tickets and season tickets, with prices starting at just $14.

If you can’t make it to Van Andel Arena and/or you want to watch Gold road games, select matches air on ESPN+, Tubi, and NBAGLeague.com. Consult the Gold schedule for where to watch or stream each game.

Grand Rapids Gold basketball playing at the Van Andel Arena

With over 10,000 seats and a lively atmosphere, Van Andel Arena is the perfect venue for a Grand Rapids Gold game.

Photo by Sam Iannamico

More About Van Andel Arena

The home arena of the Grand Rapids Gold, open since 1996, offers a vibrant atmosphere, more than 10,000 seats, and plenty of food and beverage vendors. 

If you prefer not to wait in line for snacks, you can order through DoorDash on your phone. Just open the Door Dash app and click on Van Andel Arena, then browse the arena’s concession stand offerings and select what you want. You’ll get a text when your order is ready for pick up.

Just looking for drinks? Check out The Fastest Beer In Town on the Van Andel Arena DoorDash where you can buy Bud Light, WhiteClaw or water.

Attractions, Hotels & Restaurants Nearby 

Turn your Grand Rapids Gold game into a memorable weekend getaway! There are 300+ restaurants, shops and attractions within a 10-minute walk of Van Andel Arena, so there’s plenty to see and do before and after the game.

Choose from 13 downtown hotels, including three – the Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids and Courtyard by Marriott – that are connected to Van Andel Arena by skywalk. An overnight stay means you won’t have to worry about parking and traffic, and you can enjoy leisurely after-game drinks and meals at a downtown bar, brewery or restaurant.

During your stay, you can also visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 30+ live-music venues and other attractions – all just steps from your hotel and the arena.

Start planning your trip to Grand Rapids today to cheer on the Gold and so much more!