Ohio Expo Center
The Ohio Expo Center is the Ohio State Fair's home in Columbus, a 20 building campus with more than a million square feet of event space under roof. Parking is $10 for a one-time entry and the lots hold more than 12,000 vehicles, with an RV park on site. Take I-71 to 17th Avenue/Exit 111 and follow the signs.
Before you go
- Capacity
- Seating for 20,000; 10,000-seat arena; parking for 12,000 vehicles
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoor buildings across a 20 building campus
- Official site
- ohioexpocenter.com
- Next festival here
- Gift of Light Expo, Columbus, Nov 7 to 8, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- Parking is $10 per entry, but special events can charge a different rate.
- Tent camping and open fires are not allowed in the campground.
- Campground water is turned off from November 1 through April 1.
- Camping permits are sold at Gate 3 on 17th Avenue, and sites are first come, first served.
- Pets are welcome in the camping areas but not in all buildings.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Parking $10, 12,000+ vehicles · I-71 Exit 111 at 17th Avenue · RV park camping, no tents.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You are bringing an RV and want to camp on the grounds.
- You want a large campus with plenty of parking.
Think twice if
- You plan to pitch a tent.
- You are travelling with pets and expect them to be welcome in every building.
Getting there and parking
From I-71 North or South, take 17th Avenue/Exit 111. From I-70, join I-71 North first. Signs and parking attendants direct you to the right parking area. From within Columbus, take North Fourth Avenue from the south or Summit Street from the north to 17th or 11th Avenues.
Parking is $10 for a one-time entry, and the price may vary for special events. There is room for more than 12,000 vehicles, and all parking is run by SP+.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at the Ohio Expo Center. The venue's own pages are the place to check: ohioexpocenter.com.
Camping
The RV park is first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted or required. There are 250 sites with water, sewer and electric hookups in Korbel East and Korbel North, and 110 sites with water and electric only in Korbel West. Buy a camping permit at the main entrance, Gate 3, on the south side of 17th Avenue.
Tent camping is not permitted and open fires are not allowed. Dogs and cats must be on a leash and with their owner whenever they are outside. The water is turned off every year from November 1 through April 1. For special event camping rates, call SP+ at 614-294-9336 or 614-294-9338.
Food, water and what you can bring
Schmidt's runs food and beverage on the grounds and holds the liquor license, selling canned beer, wine by the glass and select liquor and mixed drinks.
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A little history
In 1886 the grounds became the permanent home of the Ohio State Fair, on more than 100 acres beside a major railroad intersection in Columbus. The 37th Ohio State Fair opened here on August 30, 1886.