Is tailgating allowed at Notre Dame?
2021 Tailgating Guidelines
You can purchase one in advance through the Murnane Family Ticket Office. Lots are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. on game day. Zipper parking begins at 9 a.m. in the Joyce and Stadium Lots. If you're traveling with multiple cars, make sure to arrive at the same time.
Parking and tailgating
Tailgating in university lots will return this season. For the first two home games of the year, campus lots will open at 8 a.m. ET.
Tailgate parties occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games, festivals, and concerts. People attending such a party are said to be 'tailgating'.
A: Yes, there are numerous concession stands in the stadium and around campus for the purchase of food and beverages. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted or sold in the stadium.
Tailgating Regulations
For the first 2 games, lots will open at 8:00 am ET on game day and require a University issued parking pass.
After the pre-game rituals are completed, the players will walk from the Gug, past the Jordan Hall of Science, and over to the Hesburgh Library, which is where the official walk to the stadium will start. For a 3:30 PM game time, this will happen at about 1:15 PM.
Mask Policy
Regardless of vaccination status, all guests are required to wear a mask indoors or when riding campus shuttles. Notre Dame will continue to monitor campus, local, state and national conditions to best protect students, staff and attendees.
The new policy is known as “zipper” parking and is designed to improve safety for people parking, walking or tailgating in lots near the stadium. Zipper parking is in use at other universities that host major athletic events, Notre Dame Security Police Chief Keri Kei Shibata said.
Tailgate to Your Heart's Content
Whether it's at noon or under the lights, tailgating before a game is one of the top things to do during a Notre Dame football weekend. The campus lots open bright and early at 7 a.m. on Saturday, and fill up very quickly.
With stadium concessions already at premium prices, tailgaters need to get their fill before entering the stadium. Following that, with most, if not all stadiums no where close to purchasing extra food or drink (some college stadiums will have gas stations nearby), when you run out, your out of luck.
How long do people tailgate before a game?
In order to get the full enjoyment out of tailgating, you need to make sure you leave yourself enough time before the game. You'll probably need to show up about 3 to 4 hours before the game to set up. That should give you plenty of time to cook the food, play some games and just hang out with your group.
Tailgating can occur when a vehicle attempts to prevent another vehicle on the right or left from cutting in front of them. The tailgating (or preventing) vehicle will drive as close as possible to another leading vehicle to prevent the side vehicle from cutting in.

Unless authorized by the Office of Student Affairs or Notre Dame Police Department, firearms or other weapons of any kind, fires, fireworks, explosives, explosive devices, and highly flammable materials are prohibited on University property.
Future ticket privileges may be revoked. Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted to be brought into Notre Dame Stadium or on central campus. Alcohol is only permitted in designated tailgating and premium seating areas.
Despite the age-old association between football and beer, Notre Dame Stadium has refused to sell alcohol at their concessions, even while looking to increase margins in a post-pandemic landscape of collegiate athletics.
Tailgating Spots — Tailgating takes place at several places throughout Notre Dame's campus, but the tailgate scene is centered on the parking lots just south of Notre Dame Stadium and the Joyce Center.
Game day accessible parking is available in the drive-up Bulla lot, located on Bulla Road, off of North Twyckenham Drive. Shuttles will provide accessible transportation to and from Gate 4 of the Joyce Center for patrons parking in this lot from 8 am until 1 hour after the game.
1hr - Free (must obtain permit and display on dash) 2hrs - $1. 3hrs - $2. 4hrs - $3.
- The policy allows for only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ X 6″ X 12″ in size. ...
- Small clutch bags with or without a handle or strap or wallets that do not exceed 4.5″ X 6.5,” or approximately the size of a hand, are allowable and do not need to be clear plastic.
Notre Dame and its fanbase should simply set aside green as the gameday color and create a beautiful green wave every Saturday. “The Shirt” should be green every year, as should any fan gear distributed on gameday (towels, ponchos, etc.).
How early do you show up for a football game?
People typically arrive between four and six hours ahead of kickoff, depending on the time of kickoff. Parking lots open at 6 a.m. for 12 and 1 p.m. kickoffs and 8 a.m. for all other kickoff times.
Notre Dame faces Toledo this Saturday, Sept. 11, for the first home game of the season. Fans and visitors to campus are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated prior to attending a game.
All students are required to be fully vaccinated or receive an exemption for the 2022-23 academic year.
All guests will be required to wear masks while attending Fighting Irish winter sport events. We ask that guests help keep the community safe by being fully vaccinated prior to coming to campus.
Burke Golf Course (Passenger Cars) | $50.00 |
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White Field North (Cars/Vans/Accessible) | $30.00 |
Accessible (Bulla/White Field) | $30.00 |
RV Drive-Up (Credit Union Lot) –Passes sold on Drive-Up Basis Only, No Advance Sales | |
Bus Parking (IP Lot) On Sale Monday, August 15th |
The new policy is known as “zipper” parking and is designed to improve safety for people parking, walking or tailgating in lots near the stadium. Zipper parking is in use at other universities that host major athletic events, Notre Dame Security Police Chief Keri Kei Shibata said.
Please contact the Murnane Family Ticket Office for ticket information on Notre Dame Football tickets by calling 574-631-7356 or email at tickets@nd.edu. Please note: All guests, regardless of age, require a ticket for home football games for comfort, safety, and security reasons.
Notre Dame Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, the home field of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It is located on the university's campus, just north of South Bend.