diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/api/arcade/invitations/pending/route.ts b/apps/web/src/app/api/arcade/invitations/pending/route.ts
index b513b64c..f8b402dc 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/api/arcade/invitations/pending/route.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/api/arcade/invitations/pending/route.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
+import { and, eq, isNull } from 'drizzle-orm'
 import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server'
 import { db, schema } from '@/db'
-import { eq } from 'drizzle-orm'
 import { getViewerId } from '@/lib/viewer'
 
 /**
  * GET /api/arcade/invitations/pending
  * Get all pending invitations for the current user with room details
+ * Excludes invitations for rooms where the user is currently banned
  */
 export async function GET(req: NextRequest) {
   try {
@@ -33,8 +34,18 @@ export async function GET(req: NextRequest) {
       .where(eq(schema.roomInvitations.userId, viewerId))
       .orderBy(schema.roomInvitations.createdAt)
 
-    // Filter to only pending invitations
-    const pendingInvitations = invitations.filter((inv) => inv.status === 'pending')
+    // Get all active bans for this user
+    const activeBans = await db
+      .select({ roomId: schema.roomBans.roomId })
+      .from(schema.roomBans)
+      .where(and(eq(schema.roomBans.userId, viewerId), isNull(schema.roomBans.unbannedAt)))
+
+    const bannedRoomIds = new Set(activeBans.map((ban) => ban.roomId))
+
+    // Filter to only pending invitations, excluding banned rooms
+    const pendingInvitations = invitations.filter(
+      (inv) => inv.status === 'pending' && !bannedRoomIds.has(inv.roomId)
+    )
 
     return NextResponse.json({ invitations: pendingInvitations }, { status: 200 })
   } catch (error: any) {
diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/arcade/page.tsx b/apps/web/src/app/arcade/page.tsx
index 4f5768d8..f8c42df8 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/arcade/page.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/arcade/page.tsx
@@ -5,13 +5,10 @@ import { PageWithNav } from '@/components/PageWithNav'
 import { css } from '../../../styled-system/css'
 import { EnhancedChampionArena } from '../../components/EnhancedChampionArena'
 import { FullscreenProvider, useFullscreen } from '../../contexts/FullscreenContext'
-import { PendingInvitations } from '@/components/nav/PendingInvitations'
-import { useRoomData } from '@/hooks/useRoomData'
 
 function ArcadeContent() {
   const { setFullscreenElement } = useFullscreen()
   const arcadeRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
-  const { refetch: refetchRoomData } = useRoomData()
 
   useEffect(() => {
     // Register this component's main div as the fullscreen element
@@ -50,17 +47,6 @@ function ArcadeContent() {
         })}
       />
 
-      {/* Pending Invitations */}
-      <div
-        className={css({
-          px: { base: '4', md: '6' },
-          position: 'relative',
-          zIndex: 1,
-        })}
-      >
-        <PendingInvitations onInvitationChange={() => refetchRoomData()} />
-      </div>
-
       {/* Main Champion Arena - takes remaining space */}
       <div
         className={css({
diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/nav/GameContextNav.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/nav/GameContextNav.tsx
index 3df4f7ae..9f518451 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/components/nav/GameContextNav.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/nav/GameContextNav.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
+import { useRoomData } from '@/hooks/useRoomData'
+import { useViewerId } from '@/hooks/useViewerId'
 import { ActivePlayersList } from './ActivePlayersList'
 import { AddPlayerButton } from './AddPlayerButton'
 import { FullscreenPlayerSelection } from './FullscreenPlayerSelection'
 import { GameModeIndicator } from './GameModeIndicator'
 import { GameTitleMenu } from './GameTitleMenu'
 import { NetworkPlayerIndicator } from './NetworkPlayerIndicator'
+import { PendingInvitations } from './PendingInvitations'
 import { RoomInfo } from './RoomInfo'
-import { useViewerId } from '@/hooks/useViewerId'
-import { useRoomData } from '@/hooks/useRoomData'
 
 type GameMode = 'none' | 'single' | 'battle' | 'tournament'
 
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ export function GameContextNav({
 }: GameContextNavProps) {
   // Get current user info for moderation
   const { data: currentUserId } = useViewerId()
-  const { roomData } = useRoomData()
+  const { roomData, refetch: refetchRoomData } = useRoomData()
 
   // Check if current user is the host
   const currentMember = roomData?.members.find((m) => m.userId === currentUserId)
@@ -169,171 +170,178 @@ export function GameContextNav({
   const showPlayers = activePlayers.length > 0 || (shouldEmphasize && inactivePlayers.length > 0)
 
   return (
-    <div
-      style={{
-        display: 'flex',
-        gap: '20px',
-        alignItems: 'center',
-        width: 'auto',
-      }}
-    >
-      {/* Game Title Section - Always mounted, hidden when in room */}
+    <>
+      {/* Pending Invitations Banner - Shows above nav when user has invitations */}
+      <PendingInvitations
+        currentRoomId={roomInfo?.roomId}
+        onInvitationChange={() => refetchRoomData()}
+      />
+
       <div
         style={{
-          display: roomInfo ? 'none' : 'flex',
+          display: 'flex',
+          gap: '20px',
           alignItems: 'center',
-          gap: '12px',
-          flex: 1,
+          width: 'auto',
         }}
       >
-        <GameTitleMenu
-          navTitle={navTitle}
-          navEmoji={navEmoji}
-          onSetup={onSetup}
-          onNewGame={onNewGame}
-          onQuit={onExitSession}
-        />
-        <div style={{ marginLeft: 'auto' }}>
-          <GameModeIndicator
-            gameMode={gameMode}
+        {/* Game Title Section - Always mounted, hidden when in room */}
+        <div
+          style={{
+            display: roomInfo ? 'none' : 'flex',
+            alignItems: 'center',
+            gap: '12px',
+            flex: 1,
+          }}
+        >
+          <GameTitleMenu
+            navTitle={navTitle}
+            navEmoji={navEmoji}
+            onSetup={onSetup}
+            onNewGame={onNewGame}
+            onQuit={onExitSession}
+          />
+          <div style={{ marginLeft: 'auto' }}>
+            <GameModeIndicator
+              gameMode={gameMode}
+              shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
+              showFullscreenSelection={false}
+            />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Room Info Section - Always mounted, hidden when not in room */}
+        <div
+          style={{
+            display: roomInfo ? 'flex' : 'none',
+            alignItems: 'flex-end',
+            gap: '12px',
+            padding: '6px 12px 12px 12px',
+            background:
+              'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05))',
+            borderRadius: '12px',
+            border: '2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15)',
+            boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
+            transition: 'all 0.3s ease',
+          }}
+        >
+          <RoomInfo
+            roomId={roomInfo?.roomId}
+            roomName={roomInfo?.roomName}
+            gameName={roomInfo?.gameName ?? ''}
+            playerCount={roomInfo?.playerCount ?? 0}
+            joinCode={roomInfo?.joinCode}
             shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
-            showFullscreenSelection={false}
+            gameMode={gameMode}
+            modeColor={
+              gameMode === 'battle'
+                ? '#8b5cf6'
+                : gameMode === 'single'
+                  ? '#3b82f6'
+                  : gameMode === 'tournament'
+                    ? '#f59e0b'
+                    : '#6b7280'
+            }
+            modeEmoji={
+              gameMode === 'battle'
+                ? '⚔️'
+                : gameMode === 'single'
+                  ? '🎯'
+                  : gameMode === 'tournament'
+                    ? '🏆'
+                    : '👥'
+            }
+            modeLabel={
+              gameMode === 'battle'
+                ? 'Battle'
+                : gameMode === 'single'
+                  ? 'Solo'
+                  : gameMode === 'tournament'
+                    ? 'Tournament'
+                    : 'Select Players'
+            }
+            navTitle={navTitle}
+            navEmoji={navEmoji}
+            onSetup={onSetup}
+            onNewGame={onNewGame}
+            onQuit={onExitSession}
+          />
+
+          {/* Network Players - inside same pane as room info */}
+          {networkPlayers.length > 0 && (
+            <>
+              <div
+                style={{
+                  width: '1px',
+                  height: '48px',
+                  background: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2)',
+                  margin: '0 4px',
+                }}
+              />
+              {networkPlayers.map((player) => (
+                <NetworkPlayerIndicator
+                  key={player.id}
+                  player={player}
+                  shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
+                  currentPlayerId={currentPlayerId}
+                  playerScores={playerScores}
+                  playerStreaks={playerStreaks}
+                  roomId={roomInfo?.roomId}
+                  currentUserId={currentUserId}
+                  isCurrentUserHost={isCurrentUserHost}
+                />
+              ))}
+            </>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Player Section - Always mounted, hidden when no players */}
+        <div
+          style={{
+            display: showPlayers ? 'flex' : 'none',
+            alignItems: 'flex-end',
+            gap: shouldEmphasize ? '12px' : '8px',
+            padding: shouldEmphasize ? '12px 20px 16px 20px' : '6px 12px 12px 12px',
+            background: shouldEmphasize
+              ? 'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10))'
+              : 'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05))',
+            borderRadius: shouldEmphasize ? '16px' : '12px',
+            border: shouldEmphasize
+              ? '3px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3)'
+              : '2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15)',
+            boxShadow: shouldEmphasize
+              ? '0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.3)'
+              : '0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
+            transition: 'all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)',
+            transform: shouldEmphasize ? 'scale(1.05)' : 'scale(1)',
+          }}
+        >
+          <ActivePlayersList
+            activePlayers={activePlayers}
+            shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
+            onRemovePlayer={onRemovePlayer}
+            onConfigurePlayer={onConfigurePlayer}
+            currentPlayerId={currentPlayerId}
+            playerScores={playerScores}
+            playerStreaks={playerStreaks}
+          />
+
+          <AddPlayerButton
+            inactivePlayers={inactivePlayers}
+            shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
+            onAddPlayer={onAddPlayer}
+            showPopover={showPopover}
+            setShowPopover={setShowPopover}
+            activeTab={activeTab}
+            setActiveTab={setActiveTab}
+            isInRoom={!!roomInfo}
+            gameName={gameName || 'matching'}
           />
         </div>
-      </div>
 
-      {/* Room Info Section - Always mounted, hidden when not in room */}
-      <div
-        style={{
-          display: roomInfo ? 'flex' : 'none',
-          alignItems: 'flex-end',
-          gap: '12px',
-          padding: '6px 12px 12px 12px',
-          background:
-            'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05))',
-          borderRadius: '12px',
-          border: '2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15)',
-          boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
-          transition: 'all 0.3s ease',
-        }}
-      >
-        <RoomInfo
-          roomId={roomInfo?.roomId}
-          roomName={roomInfo?.roomName}
-          gameName={roomInfo?.gameName ?? ''}
-          playerCount={roomInfo?.playerCount ?? 0}
-          joinCode={roomInfo?.joinCode}
-          shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
-          gameMode={gameMode}
-          modeColor={
-            gameMode === 'battle'
-              ? '#8b5cf6'
-              : gameMode === 'single'
-                ? '#3b82f6'
-                : gameMode === 'tournament'
-                  ? '#f59e0b'
-                  : '#6b7280'
-          }
-          modeEmoji={
-            gameMode === 'battle'
-              ? '⚔️'
-              : gameMode === 'single'
-                ? '🎯'
-                : gameMode === 'tournament'
-                  ? '🏆'
-                  : '👥'
-          }
-          modeLabel={
-            gameMode === 'battle'
-              ? 'Battle'
-              : gameMode === 'single'
-                ? 'Solo'
-                : gameMode === 'tournament'
-                  ? 'Tournament'
-                  : 'Select Players'
-          }
-          navTitle={navTitle}
-          navEmoji={navEmoji}
-          onSetup={onSetup}
-          onNewGame={onNewGame}
-          onQuit={onExitSession}
-        />
-
-        {/* Network Players - inside same pane as room info */}
-        {networkPlayers.length > 0 && (
-          <>
-            <div
-              style={{
-                width: '1px',
-                height: '48px',
-                background: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2)',
-                margin: '0 4px',
-              }}
-            />
-            {networkPlayers.map((player) => (
-              <NetworkPlayerIndicator
-                key={player.id}
-                player={player}
-                shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
-                currentPlayerId={currentPlayerId}
-                playerScores={playerScores}
-                playerStreaks={playerStreaks}
-                roomId={roomInfo?.roomId}
-                currentUserId={currentUserId}
-                isCurrentUserHost={isCurrentUserHost}
-              />
-            ))}
-          </>
-        )}
-      </div>
-
-      {/* Player Section - Always mounted, hidden when no players */}
-      <div
-        style={{
-          display: showPlayers ? 'flex' : 'none',
-          alignItems: 'flex-end',
-          gap: shouldEmphasize ? '12px' : '8px',
-          padding: shouldEmphasize ? '12px 20px 16px 20px' : '6px 12px 12px 12px',
-          background: shouldEmphasize
-            ? 'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10))'
-            : 'linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05))',
-          borderRadius: shouldEmphasize ? '16px' : '12px',
-          border: shouldEmphasize
-            ? '3px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3)'
-            : '2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15)',
-          boxShadow: shouldEmphasize
-            ? '0 8px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.3)'
-            : '0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
-          transition: 'all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)',
-          transform: shouldEmphasize ? 'scale(1.05)' : 'scale(1)',
-        }}
-      >
-        <ActivePlayersList
-          activePlayers={activePlayers}
-          shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
-          onRemovePlayer={onRemovePlayer}
-          onConfigurePlayer={onConfigurePlayer}
-          currentPlayerId={currentPlayerId}
-          playerScores={playerScores}
-          playerStreaks={playerStreaks}
-        />
-
-        <AddPlayerButton
-          inactivePlayers={inactivePlayers}
-          shouldEmphasize={shouldEmphasize}
-          onAddPlayer={onAddPlayer}
-          showPopover={showPopover}
-          setShowPopover={setShowPopover}
-          activeTab={activeTab}
-          setActiveTab={setActiveTab}
-          isInRoom={!!roomInfo}
-          gameName={gameName || 'matching'}
-        />
-      </div>
-
-      <style
-        dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
-          __html: `
+        <style
+          dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
+            __html: `
         @keyframes fadeIn {
           from {
             opacity: 0;
@@ -355,8 +363,9 @@ export function GameContextNav({
           }
         }
       `,
-        }}
-      />
-    </div>
+          }}
+        />
+      </div>
+    </>
   )
 }
diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/nav/PendingInvitations.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/nav/PendingInvitations.tsx
index 120c9a67..65606124 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/components/nav/PendingInvitations.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/nav/PendingInvitations.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'
 import { useRouter } from 'next/navigation'
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'
 import { useJoinRoom } from '@/hooks/useRoomData'
 
 interface PendingInvitation {
@@ -20,12 +20,17 @@ export interface PendingInvitationsProps {
    * Called when invitations change (for refreshing)
    */
   onInvitationChange?: () => void
+  /**
+   * Optional: Room ID to exclude (if user is already in this room)
+   */
+  currentRoomId?: string
 }
 
 /**
  * Displays a list of pending room invitations for the current user
+ * Excludes invitations for the room the user is currently in
  */
-export function PendingInvitations({ onInvitationChange }: PendingInvitationsProps) {
+export function PendingInvitations({ onInvitationChange, currentRoomId }: PendingInvitationsProps) {
   const router = useRouter()
   const [invitations, setInvitations] = useState<PendingInvitation[]>([])
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true)
@@ -126,7 +131,12 @@ export function PendingInvitations({ onInvitationChange }: PendingInvitationsPro
     )
   }
 
-  if (invitations.length === 0) {
+  // Filter out invitations for the current room
+  const filteredInvitations = currentRoomId
+    ? invitations.filter((inv) => inv.roomId !== currentRoomId)
+    : invitations
+
+  if (filteredInvitations.length === 0) {
     return null // Don't show anything if no invitations
   }
 
@@ -157,12 +167,12 @@ export function PendingInvitations({ onInvitationChange }: PendingInvitationsPro
             margin: 0,
           }}
         >
-          Room Invitations ({invitations.length})
+          Room Invitations ({filteredInvitations.length})
         </h3>
       </div>
 
       <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: '12px' }}>
-        {invitations.map((invitation) => {
+        {filteredInvitations.map((invitation) => {
           const isAutoUnban = invitation.invitationType === 'auto-unban'
           const timeSince = Math.floor(
             (Date.now() - new Date(invitation.createdAt).getTime()) / 1000 / 60