Anyone who has driven into downtown Memphis on a Friday night Grizzlies game knows the specific kind of chaos that unfolds in the blocks around Beale Street. Surface lots fill an hour before tip-off. The Gossett Motors Parking Garage attached to the arena runs out of single-game spots because most of them are already spoken for by season-ticket holders.
Rideshare demand on Fourth Street spikes the moment the buzzer sounds, and a group of 30 suddenly realizes they need four or five separate cars to get back to the hotel. FedExForum is planted at 191 Beale Street — right in the middle of one of the most active entertainment corridors in the South — and the arena is spectacular for exactly that reason. The logistics of getting a group in and out of it, though, reward a little planning.
This guide covers exactly how a Memphis charter bus or party bus rental handles that planning for you: where the bus drops off, how parking around the arena actually works, what drives the price, and which events on FedExForum's calendar fill fastest. Whether your group is heading to a Grizzlies home game, a Memphis Tigers showdown, or a sold-out concert — the specifics below will help you arrive together and leave without standing in a surge-priced rideshare queue on Fourth Street. For a broader look at getting groups to sporting events across the city, the Memphis sporting event transportation page covers the full picture.
Why Your Group Should Rent a Bus to FedExForum
The arena itself holds 16,667 for basketball and 18,119 for concerts — every one of those people is competing for the same downtown parking on a sold-out night. The Gossett Motors Parking Garage, FedExForum's five-level attached structure with 1,500 spaces, is largely pre-allocated to season-ticket holders on Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers game nights. Single-game passes are available in advance through the venue's parking portal, but they sell out for marquee matchups.
Surface lots in the surrounding blocks — along Beale Street south of the arena, near B.B. King Boulevard, and toward Riverside Drive — run anywhere from $10 to $35 depending on the operator and how close they are to the entrance. The cheapest lots, down toward Riverside Drive, will put your group on a 10–15 minute walk back after the game in the dark.
Post-game rideshare is the second problem nobody fully accounts for. Demand on Fourth Street spikes after a home Grizzlies win or a concert let-out, and surge pricing on a Friday night can be significant for a group that needs multiple cars. For a party of 25 or 30, the combination of individual parking passes, gas from the suburbs, and post-game Uber fares often adds up to more per head than a shared bus.
A Memphis charter bus rental or party bus rental solves both problems at once — drop-off on Fourth Street, a prearranged pickup window, and one flat cost split across the group. Nobody draws straws for who has to stay sober, and everyone gets home on the same vehicle.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at FedExForum
Per the official FedExForum parking and directions page, guest, taxi, limo, and express shuttle bus drop-off is at the east end of the arena on Fourth Street between Beale Street and Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue. That is the official commercial drop zone — not a side-street workaround, not a block away — placing your group at the arena's main approach, steps from the entrance gates. Vehicles dropping off or picking up may not remain unattended; the zone is actively enforced for ticketing and towing, so a coordinated pickup window set before your group heads inside is the right move.
The same Fourth Street zone handles rideshare pickups and drop-offs — which means on a busy game night, private vehicles, Ubers, and Lyfts are all converging on that block simultaneously. A charter bus or minibus arriving with a confirmed drop time and a prearranged post-game pickup plan has a considerably cleaner approach than 10 separate rideshare requests firing off at the same moment after the final buzzer. Your group walks out together, the bus is already there, and you're moving while the parking garage exit queue is still backing up onto Beale Street.
Charter Bus Parking at FedExForum: What to Arrange Before Game Day
The Gossett Motors Parking Garage has two entrances on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue between B.B. King Boulevard and Fourth Street, but those 1,500 spaces are structured for passenger cars, not commercial coaches — and the garage is primarily sold on a season basis for basketball games rather than available for single-event oversized vehicles. Charter bus and minibus rentals for FedExForum events are booked as a block of hours; the vehicle drops the group at the Fourth Street zone, then stages in nearby downtown commercial areas along Beale Street and B.B. King Boulevard while the group is inside, and returns to Fourth Street at the agreed-upon pickup window.
For any event-specific bus logistics questions — particularly for large multi-bus groups or corporate events — it's worth a quick call to FedExForum's main line at 901-205-1535 before your event date to confirm how the venue is handling commercial vehicle access for your specific event. Grizzlies game nights, concert nights, and Tigers home games can each have slightly different crowd-management setups around Fourth Street. The official parking and directions page is always the right starting point — we recommend checking it before your visit to confirm current event-day logistics.
The official FedExForum drop-off is on Fourth Street between Beale Street and Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue — the east end of the arena, published on the venue's own parking page. Vehicles cannot remain unattended at this zone. Set your post-game pickup window before your group goes inside, so the bus is back at that curb when you walk out — not circling the block after the game ends.
FedExForum Transportation: Every Option Compared
This is a bus-comparison website, and the honest answer is that a private bus is not the right call for every trip to FedExForum. Here is a clear-eyed look at how the main options stack up — scored on what actually matters when you're moving a group across downtown Memphis on a game night.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Door-to-door | Post-game | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus rental | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — Fourth Street drop at the arena east entrance | Bus staged and waiting; no surge fare | 15–56 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | Good — also Fourth Street, same zone, but surge applies | High demand, long wait, peak pricing after events | 1–4 per car |
| MATA trolley / bus | $1/ride or $2 day pass | Only if everyone boards the same car | Moderate — nearest stop is Beale & Linden, 2–3 blocks | Runs until ~10:30 PM; service thins after events | Small groups; limited capacity |
| Self-parking | $10–$35 per car, plus gas | No — cars arrive separately | Varies — attached garage fills early; surface lots require a walk | Exit queue after sell-outs; designated driver required | 1–2 cars; not practical for large groups |
For one or two people already staying downtown, a MATA trolley pass or a single rideshare works fine. The math changes the moment your group fills more than two or three cars — at that point, coordinating separate arrivals, separate parking passes, and separate post-game pickups on a surge night costs more in total than splitting one bus. That's the group the rest of this guide is written for.
What Size Bus Does Your FedExForum Group Need?
Partybusinmemphis.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Memphis, covering vehicle sizes from Sprinter vans up to full 56-seat coaches. The right pick depends on two things: your headcount and what the night looks like. Here's how the full vehicle lineup maps to a FedExForum run.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small groups, suite-level tickets, corporate runs | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus — 25-passenger or 28-passenger | ~25–28 | Midsize birthday groups, Grizzlies fan sections, concert crowds | Built-in bar area, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| Party bus — 40-passenger or 50-passenger | ~40–50 | Large fan groups, corporate outings, milestone celebrations | Bar, LED lighting, premium sound system, wraparound perimeter seating, flat-panel TVs |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Corporate shuttles, hotel-to-arena runs, midsized fan groups | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Out-of-town groups, large employee outings, multi-pickup runs | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For a Grizzlies game night where the whole office is going or a birthday group is taking over a suite level section, a 40- or 50-passenger party bus turns the ride itself into part of the event — LED lighting, sound system, and everyone together from pickup to Fourth Street. For groups coming in from out of town — Little Rock, Jackson, MS, or across the Mississippi state line — a full-size charter bus with onboard restrooms and undercarriage bays handles the longer haul cleanly and keeps the group together for the whole run. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; just note your needs when you request your quote.
FedExForum Party Bus Rental and Charter Bus Rental Prices in Memphis
Memphis party bus rental prices move with vehicle size, total hours reserved, the specific date, and how far the pickup is from downtown. Partybusinmemphis.com shows pricing in under 30 seconds — fill out one quick form and compare rates from multiple bus companies serving Memphis, without calling a dozen offices. Here's a planning range to give you an idea of what to expect based on the network's rates:
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly | Weekend hourly | Per-day range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | $200–$275 | $225–$375 | $1,400–$2,750 |
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | $200–$325 | $225–$350 | $1,550–$3,150 |
| 25-passenger party bus | $250–$350 | $275–$375 | $1,850–$2,900 |
| 40-passenger party bus | $300–$350 | $325–$500 | $2,300–$3,500 |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | $200–$250 | $200–$275 | $1,100–$2,150 |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | $200–$350 | $200–$350 | $1,350–$2,850 |
The actual rate for your trip depends on your specific date, pickup location, and how many hours the bus is reserved — including any pre-game time and the post-event wait. Call 901-203-3399 or use the online form for a quote on your exact itinerary in under a minute. For a more detailed breakdown of what shapes Memphis bus pricing, the Memphis party bus prices page covers the full picture.
Once the cost gets split across 30 or 40 people, the per-head number often competes favorably with what each person would spend separately on parking, gas, and post-game rideshare.
A Sample FedExForum Game Night
To give you an idea: a 35-person Grizzlies fan group books a 40-passenger party bus for a Friday home game against the Lakers. Pickup at 5:30 PM from East Memphis, dropped at the Fourth Street entrance by 6:45 PM — well ahead of the 7:00 PM tip-off. Pickup window set for 10:00 PM after the game.
A 5-hour weekend rental at that vehicle size might come to roughly $1,900 total — about $54 per person — with downtown parking, post-game surge pricing, and the designated-driver question all handled in that one number.
Driving to FedExForum: Memphis Routes and Game-Day Traffic
FedExForum's downtown-core location is exactly what makes the arena exciting — and exactly what makes the drive in complicated on game nights. Coming from I-40 westbound from East Memphis or Cordova, the downtown Memphis exit feeds you into the surface-street grid within blocks of the arena. Coming from I-55 northbound from Mississippi and the south side, the downtown exits connect to Third Street and the Beale Street corridor.
From Midtown, I-240 or Poplar Avenue runs straight into downtown in about 10 minutes off-peak. From Arkansas across the river, I-40 eastbound drops you onto the bridge and into downtown — the critical thing first-timers need to know is not to miss the downtown exit heading westbound on I-40, or you're crossing the Mississippi River into West Memphis with a 15–20 minute detour ahead of you.
On game nights and concert evenings, those off-peak times add 20–45 minutes. Beale Street draws its own foot traffic and vehicle volume independently of FedExForum — a sold-out Grizzlies game on a Friday night compounds with an already-busy live-music corridor, filling surface lots by 6:00 PM for a 7:00 PM tip-off. Union Avenue, Second Street, and Third Street all see stop-and-go congestion in the 90 minutes before a major event.
Parking lot driveways back up into the travel lanes, and the combination of arena arrivals and Beale Street patrons makes the whole district slow simultaneously. A bus handles that stretch for the group, not the individual.
| From… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis International Airport (MEM) | ~10 miles | 15–20 min |
| Midtown Memphis | ~4 miles | 10–15 min |
| East Memphis / Germantown | ~14–16 miles | 20–30 min |
| Cordova | ~22 miles | 25–35 min |
| Southaven, MS (across state line) | ~18 miles | 25–35 min |
| Little Rock, AR | ~140 miles | ~2 hours |
| Jackson, MS | ~200 miles | ~3 hours |
Memphis Airport to FedExForum by Charter Bus or Party Bus
Memphis International Airport (MEM) sits about 10 miles southeast of FedExForum — roughly 15–20 minutes without event traffic, longer during peak game-night congestion on I-55 northbound into downtown. For groups flying in for a marquee Grizzlies matchup, a concert, or a Tigers home game, a charter bus from MEM to FedExForum is the cleanest way to handle the arrival. One bus picks up the whole group curbside at the terminal, runs them straight to Fourth Street, and the group walks directly to the entrance.
No one is splitting across four Lyfts with luggage, no one is waiting on an app while the rest of the group is already inside.
Have your group coordinator contact the bus once luggage is collected and the full group is assembled curbside — timing at a busy terminal matters, particularly for groups with staggered arrival flights. Coordinate the pickup location with the bus company when you book so there's no confusion on which curb or terminal exit the bus is staging at. For a full breakdown of getting groups in and out of Memphis International, the Memphis International Airport transportation guide covers the arrival logistics step by step.
Events That Fill FedExForum — and When to Book Your Bus Early
Memphis Grizzlies home games (October–April). The Grizzlies host 41 home games at FedExForum across the NBA regular season, tipping off in late October and running through early April. High-demand nights against the Lakers, Celtics, Golden State, or Boston are the dates that generate the most parking scrambles and the sharpest post-game rideshare surges — those are the matchups worth booking transportation for well in advance.
Check the official FedExForum events calendar for the current home slate.
Memphis Tigers men's basketball (November–March). The Tigers play their home American Conference schedule at FedExForum under head coach Penny Hardaway. Conference home games run from December through early March.
Occasionally, a Tigers afternoon game and a Grizzlies evening game fall on the same day — when they do, downtown parking is effectively gone by mid-afternoon. A bus solves both events cleanly and keeps the group from competing with tens of thousands of fans for the same surface lots.
Stadium-scale concerts. FedExForum's 18,119-seat concert configuration hosts major touring acts throughout the year. Upcoming concerts include the Cash Money and No Limit Records Tour (October 24, 2026) and Bryson Tiller's The Neo Trapsoul Tour (October 6, 2026), among others.
Concert nights generate the same parking crunch and post-show rideshare surge as sell-out games. Groups heading to major shows get the same benefit from a pre-arranged bus — drop-off on Fourth Street, pickup after the encore, no post-show wait in the parking garage exit queue. The Memphis concert party bus rental page covers the full picture for music-event groups.
Holiday weekends and special events. The St. Jude Memphis Marathon in December draws large crowds into downtown and has historically overlapped with FedExForum events on the same weekend. Any December game or event near marathon weekend is a date to confirm transportation well ahead of time.
The FedExForum building also hosts community events and non-basketball events year-round on the events calendar — the same downtown parking dynamics apply regardless of event type.
For Grizzlies games against marquee opponents (Lakers, Celtics, Warriors), any stadium-level concert, and December or holiday weekends: book your Memphis party bus or charter bus rental at least four to six weeks in advance. Memphis bus availability for downtown FedExForum events moves quickly when the arena is at or near capacity. Earlier booking means better vehicle selection and better rates.
Know Before You Go to FedExForum
A few policies from the arena's official arena policies page that every group should brief before arrival:
Clear bag policy is enforced at every entry. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 6×8×2 inches, or a one-quart clear zip-lock bag. Wallets up to 5×3.5 inches are permitted.
All-over-print bags, bags with metal or chain straps, standard backpacks, and regular purses are turned away at the gate. Diaper bags are permitted with a child present; medically necessary items enter through the Grand Lobby after inspection. Brief your entire group on this before they leave home — a turned-away bag sends someone back to a parked car, and for a bus group there is no parked car nearby.
FedExForum is cashless. All concession stands and merchandise operate on contactless payments — credit, debit, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. No cash transactions happen inside the building.
Mobile tickets only; screenshots are not accepted. Tickets must display on an unlocked device at full brightness when reaching the gate scanner. Pull the app up before your group hits the entry line — a locked screen or low-brightness display slows things down for everyone behind you.
No re-entry. Once your group leaves FedExForum, re-admission is not permitted for that event. Plan accordingly if anyone needs to step outside.
Doors open 90 minutes before Grizzlies games, roughly one hour before concerts and other events. FedExForum recommends early arrival to reduce entry wait times — for a group of 25 or more, add 10–15 minutes to your arrival estimate to account for staggered ticket scans at the entry gates.
Guest Relations desks are at Sections 102 (Plaza Level) and 202 (Terrace Level) if anyone in your group gets separated or needs assistance. The arena is at 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103 — save this before your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does a charter bus drop off at FedExForum?
Per the official FedExForum parking and directions page, guest, limo, taxi, and shuttle drop-off is at the east end of the arena on Fourth Street between Beale Street and Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue. Vehicles may not remain unattended at this zone — it is a drop-and-go curb, not a staging area. Set your post-game pickup window before going inside so the bus returns to that curb when your group exits.
Can a charter bus park at FedExForum during the event?
The Gossett Motors Parking Garage (1,500 spaces, five levels, entrances on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Avenue between B.B. King Boulevard and Fourth Street) is structured for passenger cars and primarily allocated to season-ticket holders — it does not function as charter bus staging. Bus rentals for FedExForum events are booked as a block of hours; the vehicle drops the group at Fourth Street, holds in nearby downtown commercial areas during the event, and returns at the agreed-upon pickup window. For specific event-day logistics questions, check the official parking and directions page before your visit.
How much does parking cost near FedExForum?
The Gossett Motors Parking Garage typically runs $25–$35 for Grizzlies and Tigers game nights, with single-game passes sold in advance through the venue parking portal — they sell out for marquee matchups. Surface lots near Beale Street range from $10–$20 depending on operator and proximity, with earlier fill-up times on busy nights. Riverside Drive lots run $5–$10 but require a 10–15 minute walk back after the game.
All of those rates are per car. A charter bus or party bus rental to FedExForum eliminates parking cost entirely for the whole group. Check the official FedExForum parking page before your visit for current event-day options.
How much does a party bus or charter bus rental to FedExForum cost in Memphis?
Memphis party bus rental rates vary by vehicle size, total hours, date, and pickup location. Weekend hourly rates run roughly $200–$275 for a minibus, $275–$500 for a 40-50 passenger party bus, and $200–$350 for a full charter bus — with per-day ranges that vary accordingly. Split across 30–40 people, the per-head cost often beats individual parking, gas, and post-game rideshare combined.
Call 901-203-3399 or use the online tool for pricing on your specific date in under 30 seconds — no account required, no obligation.
What is the bag policy at FedExForum?
FedExForum enforces a clear bag policy. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 6×8×2 inches, or a one-quart clear zip-lock bag, plus a wallet no larger than 5×3.5 inches. All-over-print bags, bags with metal or chain straps, backpacks, and standard purses are not permitted.
Medically necessary bags are an exception, entering through the Grand Lobby after inspection. Full policy details are on the official FedExForum arena policies page.
What is the best driving route to FedExForum from East Memphis or the suburbs?
From East Memphis and Germantown, I-240 westbound to the downtown Memphis exit connects to the Beale Street grid in about 20–25 minutes off-peak. From Cordova, I-40 westbound to the downtown exit is the standard approach. From Southaven, MS and the Mississippi suburbs, I-55 northbound into downtown Memphis is the route.
Coming from the west on I-40 — the direction the Arkansas fan base approaches from — pay close attention to the downtown exit: missing it puts you across the Mississippi River into West Memphis with a significant turnaround. On game nights, add 20–45 minutes to any off-peak estimate and arrive early, because surface lots around Beale Street fill fast.
How far is Memphis International Airport from FedExForum?
About 10 miles, roughly 15–20 minutes without traffic via I-55 northbound into downtown. On a game or concert night with downtown congestion, add another 15–20 minutes. A charter bus from MEM picks up the group curbside and drops them directly at the Fourth Street entrance — one vehicle, no multiple rideshares, no app-juggling with luggage on arrival day.
See the Memphis International Airport transportation guide for full arrival-day logistics.
Is there public transportation to FedExForum?
Yes. Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) operates bus routes serving downtown Memphis near FedExForum, and three trolley lines — the Main Street Line, Riverside Line, and Madison Avenue Line — run within a few blocks of the arena. The nearest trolley stops are at Beale Street and Linden Avenue, roughly two to three blocks from the arena.
Single trolley rides are $1; day passes are $2. These options work well for individuals and couples already staying downtown. For a group of 20 or more coming from the suburbs or from out of town, a private bus rental keeps everyone together on one vehicle and handles the pickup and drop-off logistics without relying on transit schedules that run limited service late at night.
When should I book a bus for a Grizzlies game or concert at FedExForum?
For regular-season Grizzlies games against mid-table opponents or smaller concerts, two to four weeks of lead time is usually workable. For marquee NBA matchups (Lakers, Celtics, Warriors), any stadium-scale concert night, Memphis Tigers games around conference play, December holiday weekends, and events coinciding with the St. Jude Memphis Marathon — book four to six weeks out minimum. The right-size vehicle gets reserved first, and waiting means fewer options and higher rates.
Call 901-203-3399 as soon as your headcount is confirmed.
Can the bus take us from FedExForum to Beale Street after the game?
Absolutely — and this is one of the most common two-stop requests for FedExForum nights. The arena is literally steps from the Beale Street corridor, so the post-game drop on Beale is built into the same booking as the ride to the arena. Plan the second stop when you arrange the itinerary and it's handled in one reservation.
For everything along Beale Street's entertainment corridor — which venues the bus drops at, where it stages — the Beale Street transportation guide covers those details.
Book Your FedExForum Bus Rental in Memphis Today
A Grizzlies home game, a Memphis Tigers showdown, an 18,000-person concert — FedExForum puts your group at the center of downtown Memphis at its most electric. The transportation part should not be the thing your group is still figuring out at 6:45 PM in a full parking lot. Partybusinmemphis.com makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans from a large network of bus companies serving Memphis — and get pricing in under 30 seconds, any time, no account required. Call 901-203-3399 or use the online quote tool to check availability for your date and lock in the right vehicle before the good ones are gone.
