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 2025-2026 season features 24 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 2025.) The regular season begins in late December.
Following the Tip-Off Tournament, team records reset before the 36-game regular season, which begins at the Winter Showcase. The top eight teams in both the East and West Conference – the Gold are in the East – qualify for the NBA G League Finals in April 2026.
All season long, the Gold offer an exciting array of promotions, including theme nights like Paw Patrol Day, Princess Night, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Day and Fan Appreciation Night, and giveaways like LED thundersticks, mini hoops, socks and more. Alongside the themes and giveaways, the Gold offer Buy One-Get One Free tickets on Tuesdays, $2 beer and $2 hot dogs every Thursday and Friday, and four-pack Sundays, where you can get four tickets and a $20 food voucher for just $56.
You can view the 2025-2026 promotional schedule here.
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.
This is the first season as Gold head coach for former Denver Nuggets player and assistant coach Ryan Bowen. Bowen enjoyed a 10-year NBA playing career, appearing in 507 games (86 starts) for Denver, Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City. Bowen coaches a team of 13 players, including Tamar Bates, a guard who ranked first nationally and broke a University of Missouri record by shooting 94.6 percent from the free-throw line in his senior year; Moses Brown, a 7’2” center who has played for numerous NBA teams; and Javante McCoy; and Terrence Hargrove Jr., a forward who previously played for the highest-level basketball league in Denmark.
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 under $16. Groups of 10 or more people enjoy a 20% group discount.
If you can’t make it to Van Andel Arena and/or you want to watch Gold road games, select matches air on ESPN+, NBAGLeague.com and other outlets Consult the Gold schedule for where to watch or stream each game.
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.
Concession stands and portables offer a great variety of options that will please any sports fan. Cashless transactions are required for all purchases. Credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and PayPal are accepted.
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!
