Saturday, March 18 marks the first Cincinnati Rollergirls game at our new venue, Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse at Xavier University. Here are nine things you need to know before you go!

1. We’re an all-volunteer organization working hard to bring you the best game day experience possible.
Except for Xavier University staff who are handling concessions, security and some cleanup, everyone you’ll see working on game day is a volunteer. We’re handling the setup, the ticket sales and even some of the cleanup ourselves. We were fortunate to play at the Cincinnati Gardens for 10 years and to have their help with most of these tasks, but at Schmidt, we’re responsible for most of the game day operations. We’ve been working very hard for months to ensure that the game day experience runs as smoothly as possible and is enjoyable for our fans, but please be patient with us as we put on our first event at our new venue. We welcome your constructive feedback, and we’ll work hard to make each game this season even better than the last!
2. We recommend buying tickets in advance for the best price (although they’ll also be available at the door).
Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets at the following prices:
• Adults: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
• Children 7-12: $5 in advance, $7 at the door
• Children 6 and under: Free
• College students and staff: $7 at the door only with valid ID
• Group tickets: $10/adult for groups in advance only; tickets for children joining the group must be purchased separately
CLICK HERE to buy single game tickets for Saturday, March 18. Advance online ticket sales end at 11 a.m. on March 18. Choose the print-at-home option for the quickest entry through the gate.
A 4-game season ticket package is $40 adults and $15 children 7-12 (children 6 and younger are free). Season tickets include reserved seating, a merch discount and a signed CRG poster. CLICK HERE to buy season tickets. If you print your season ticket at home, you’ll exchange it for a badge at the season ticket holder table on game day.
3. You can see one, two or three roller derby games with just one ticket!
All three Cincinnati roller derby teams are playing on March 18 — juniors, women and men! Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for the juniors game and will remain open through the rest of the night.
• 4 p.m. Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls Varsity vs. Black-N-Blue Gems (Dayton/NKY)
• 6 p.m. Cincinnati Rollergirls Black Sheep vs. Fort Wayne Derby Girls Bomb Squad (Fort Wayne, IN)
• 8 p.m. Cincinnati Battering Rams vs. Capital City Hooligans (Springfield, IL)
4. Most seating is general admission — first come, first serve.
Except for season tickets, all seating is general admission in bleachers and is first come, first serve. (Season ticket holders enjoy seating in reserved rows behind the team benches.) General admission seating includes a limited amount of seating in chairs on the floor and on the floor itself for fans 18 and older only (fans under 18 who use wheelchairs are the only exception to this rule). If you want a good seat, arrive early! The main entrance to Schmidt is located at 3900 Winding Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229.
Fans who use wheelchairs should enter Schmidt through through a loading door at the northeast side of the fieldhouse, next to the Armory. We’ll have volunteers at this entrance who can help people in wheelchairs down the ramp if needed and escort them to an accessible seating area on the floor. Fans with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs may enter through the main doors off of Winding Way and sit in the top middle section on either side of the fieldhouse if they are unable to walk down stairs.
5. Explore your transportation and parking options in advance.
Although Schmidt doesn’t have a large attached parking lot like the Cincinnati Gardens did, there’s still plenty of parking nearby. Visitor parking is shown with a blue P sign on this map. The spots surrounding the soccer field will also be available, and you may also park for free at Cintas Center and walk to Schmidt (an estimated 10-15-minute walk) if you are able. For our fans with disabilities, six accessible parking spots will be available at the Armory, next door to Schmidt. NOTE: Tailgating is not permitted in Xavier parking lots.
Free street parking may also be available, but we ask that you be respectful of our neighbors and not block driveways, park on lawns or tailgate in residential neighborhoods.
If you’d rather not drive and park yourself, you can use a ride-sharing service such as Uber and Lyft or take the bus. The two Metro bus routes that best serve the Xavier campus are Route 4 and Route 51. Routes 43, 45 and 47 are also nearby. For a map of bus stops near Xavier University, click here.
6. Bring money for drinks and snacks.
Yes, there will be beer! Urban Artifact is returning as our official after-party sponsor this year, and Xavier Concessions will be selling 12-ounce cans of Urban Artifact Finn for just $5 at our March 18 home opener. Concessions will also be selling $5 16-ounce cans of domestics.
Also on March 18, Xavier Concessions will offer a “beat the clock” special on draft beer, with $2 drafts from 5-5:30 p.m. and $4 drafts for the rest of the night while supplies last.
The main concession window will be located on the main entrance side off of Winding Way and will take credit cards and cash. Vendors will also be roaming the facility (accepting cash only).
Bottled water, soda and snacks will also be for sale. Plus, some of the Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls will be selling Girl Scout cookies on March 18 while supplies last! NOTE: There is no ATM at Schmidt.
7. Also bring money for official CRG merchandise.
Stop by the merch booth near the main entrance for T-shirts, hats, seat cushions, drink coozies, buttons, stickers, cowbells, stickers, buttons and more! Prices range from $1 to $24, and we accept cash and credit cards. The Cincinnati Junior Rollergirls and the Cincinnati Battering Rams will also have merch for sale.
8. You’re invited to the after-party.
Urban Artifact craft brewery in Northside will be returning as our official after-party sponsor! Join us there after the final game of the night to meet your favorite skaters. The address is 1660 Blue Rock St., Cincinnati, OH 45223.
9. But don’t party too hard — tryouts are Sunday morning!
CRG is holding open tryouts at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, March 19 at the Skatin’ Place! Visit our recruiting page for more information and to register. If you can’t make this tryout, don’t worry — we’ll be holding more tryouts later this year.
We’ll see you on March 18!
Photo credit: Jeff Sevier