How to Plan a Game Day at the Stadium
A step-by-step plan for a stress-free day at the stadium, from tickets and transportation to bag rules, weather, food, seating and getting home afterward.
The best game days at a stadium feel effortless: you arrive in plenty of time, find your seat, settle in with a snack, and watch kickoff from exactly where you meant to be. The worst ones involve a long walk from a distant parking lot, a bag turned away at the gate, a missing ticket on a dead phone and a first quarter spent in a concession line.
The difference is almost always planning. None of it is complicated, but much of it is easy to forget until it is too late. This guide walks through a game day in the order that it unfolds, starting a week or two ahead and ending when you reach home. It applies to professional games, college games and high school games alike, with notes on where they differ. Stadium rules change often and vary from one venue to the next, so treat this as a framework and confirm specifics on the venue's own website before you go.
Two weeks out: the decisions that shape everything else
Choose the game and the seats
Start with the schedule. The schedule page lists game dates and times, and the stadiums section is a place to start when you look up a venue. Then decide what kind of day you want.
- A family day might favor an early kickoff, seats near restrooms and an aisle, and a venue with kid-friendly space.
- A first game might call for seats low enough to see the action and high enough to see the plays develop.
- A group outing needs seats together, which often means buying early.
- A budget day may point toward a college or high school game, where tickets tend to cost less. A high school game can be an excellent first stadium experience, and our high school directory can help you find a local program.
Think about the sun. In an afternoon game in warm weather, seats on one side of a stadium may face the sun for hours, while the other side sits in shade. In cold weather the reverse may be attractive. Venues often describe the shade pattern on their websites, and a seating chart combined with the kickoff time gives you a good guess.
Buy tickets safely
Buy from the team, school or the venue's official ticket partner whenever possible. Counterfeit and duplicate tickets are a real risk on resale sites and from strangers. Our guide to buying football tickets safely goes through what to check. Two general rules help: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is, and never pay a stranger by a method that cannot be reversed.
Most venues now use mobile tickets, delivered to a phone app or digital wallet. Some require you to transfer tickets to each person in the group. Make sure everyone has the app downloaded and is logged in before game day.
Read the venue's rules
Every stadium publishes policies on its website, usually under headings like "Fan Info," "Guest Guide" or "Stadium Policies." Look for:
- Bag policy. Many venues allow only clear bags or small clutch purses. The NFL has used a clear-bag policy at its stadiums for years, and the permitted sizes are specific, so check the exact dimensions the venue gives. College and high school stadiums set their own rules, and some allow standard bags.
- Prohibited items. Common examples include outside beverages, large umbrellas, professional cameras with long lenses, noisemakers, banners and weapons.
- Re-entry. Many stadiums do not allow you to leave and come back.
- Cashless payments. Some venues accept only cards or mobile payments at concessions.
- Mobile entry. Check whether the venue requires digital tickets.
Do this early. It is far easier to adjust your plans at home than at a gate.
One week out: logistics
Get there: transportation options
Think about how you will arrive and leave. Roads near stadiums can be congested for hours, and the last mile can take longer than the first fifty.
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Driving and parking | Flexible, can carry gear, good for tailgating | Parking can be expensive or far away; traffic after the game |
| Public transit | Avoids parking, often direct | Crowded; schedules may be limited late at night |
| Rideshare or taxi | Door to door | Surge pricing; pickup zones may be hard to reach after the game |
| Shuttle from a remote lot | Cheaper parking | Wait times; fixed pickup points |
| Walking or biking | Cheap, no traffic | Only works if you are close; check for bike storage |
If you drive, decide on parking before you leave home. Many venues sell parking passes in advance, and some lots fill early. Learn where the lot is relative to your gate, and note the exit routes. If you plan to tailgate, see our guide to tailgating 101, since many venues have rules on when lots open and what you may do there.
If you use rideshare, choose a pickup point away from the congestion and consider walking a few blocks. Plan for a delay after the game. If you rely on public transit, look up the last train or bus, and check whether there are special game-day services.
Plan around the weather
Check the forecast several days ahead and again the day before. Football is played in rain, snow, wind and heat, and an unprepared fan can be miserable.
- Hot weather: sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, a refillable water option if permitted, and shade breaks. Take heat seriously, especially for children and older adults.
- Cold weather: layers, gloves, hats, warm socks and something to sit on. Metal and concrete seats pull heat from your body.
- Rain: a poncho, since large umbrellas are often prohibited and block other fans' views. Waterproof footwear helps.
- Lightning: stadiums generally follow policies to stop play and clear the stands when lightning is nearby. Follow staff instructions.
Check whether your seats are covered. Some stadiums have roofs over part of the seating, some are fully enclosed and some are open to the elements.
Plan for your group
If you are going with children, older relatives or anyone with special needs, plan ahead.
- Children: ask about age rules, which differ by venue, and whether young children need their own tickets. Bring ear protection if the noise may bother them, snacks if permitted and a plan for a meeting point if someone gets lost.
- Mobility needs: most stadiums have accessible seating, entrances and parking, and often shuttle services. Contact the venue's guest services in advance. Our guide to accessibility at football games covers what to ask.
- Sensory needs: crowds and noise can be overwhelming. Some venues offer quiet spaces or sensory kits, and it is worth asking.
- Medical needs: note where first-aid stations are, and bring any medication you need in its original container.
The day before: a packing list
Pack the night before. Lay everything on a table and check it against the venue's rules.
Essentials
- Tickets, either on a charged phone or printed, with the app logged in
- Photo ID, if needed for entry or for age-restricted purchases
- Phone, fully charged, plus a small portable charger if allowed
- Credit or debit card, and small cash for parking or vendors that accept it
- A bag that meets the policy
Comfort
- Layers for the weather
- Sunscreen and a hat, or a poncho and rain gear
- Seat cushion if permitted, since stadium benches are hard
- Hand warmers or a small blanket in cold weather, if allowed
- Earplugs or ear protection for kids or sensitive ears
- Tissues and hand sanitizer
Optional
- Binoculars, if allowed, for large stadiums
- A small radio to hear the broadcast of the game, if the venue allows it
- Team gear, to show your colors
Leave behind anything that is prohibited. A security line is the wrong place to realize you packed the wrong bag.
Game day: a timeline
The following timeline is a guide, and your schedule will depend on the venue and kickoff time.
Four to three hours before kickoff
If you are tailgating, this is when lots usually open and the gathering begins. Eat well and drink water. Eat a real meal beforehand even if you plan to snack at the stadium, because concession lines can be long.
Two hours before
Start heading to the stadium. Drive or ride with extra time for traffic. Park, note where you parked (take a photo of the lot number or a landmark) and walk to the gate. Remember that security lines peak about an hour before kickoff.
Ninety minutes to an hour before
Go through security. Have your bag ready for inspection, your phone out with the ticket displayed and pockets empty. Many stadiums use metal detectors or wands. Follow staff instructions, which exist for everyone's safety.
An hour before
Find your seat, then walk the concourse. Locate restrooms, concessions, first aid and the exits closest to your seats. Learn the section numbers so you can find your way back.
Pregame
At professional and college games, pregame includes warm-ups, a band performance and ceremonies. Arrive early enough to see them if you enjoy them. At a high school game, pregame may include the band, cheerleaders and a team entrance, which is often a highlight.
During the game
- Plan your breaks. The best times to visit the restroom or concessions are right after a score or at the end of a quarter, not during a drive. The break between halves is the busiest time.
- Stay hydrated. Water is better than relying only on soda or alcohol.
- Be aware of the weather. Adjust layers as needed.
- Keep track of your group. Agree on a meeting point.
- Be a good neighbor. Our guide to stadium etiquette covers standing, noise and common courtesy.
- Alcohol. If you drink, drink in moderation, never drive impaired and use a designated driver or ride service. Venues serve alcohol only to adults of legal age, and often limit purchases.
Late in the game
Decide whether you will leave early to beat traffic or stay to the end. If the game is close, you will probably stay. If you plan to leave early, choose a moment and let your group know. Be careful on stairs, since crowds and sleepy children make falls more likely.
After the game: getting out
Leaving a stadium is the hardest part of many visits. Thousands of people leave at once, and roads and transit become crowded.
- Wait if you can. Spending 30 minutes in your seat, on the concourse or in the parking lot, can save more than that in traffic. Many fans use the time for a postgame meal or a stop at a nearby restaurant.
- Know your route. Learn the exits from the lot, since stadium staff often direct traffic in one direction.
- Have a meeting point for rideshare. Pickup zones can be crowded. Walking a few blocks makes a difference.
- Use the restroom first. The lines after the game are long.
- Take care with children. Hold hands in crowds.
- Check your belongings. Phone, wallet, keys, jacket, seat cushion.
If you tailgate afterward, be sure to follow venue rules on cleanup and on when the lot closes.
Food and drink
Stadium concessions are convenient and often expensive. Plan how you will eat.
- Eat beforehand. A solid meal at home or at a tailgate reduces how much you buy.
- Check the policy. Some stadiums allow small amounts of outside food in clear bags, while others allow none. Many allow an empty water bottle or a sealed small bottle. Check.
- Look at menu and prices online. Many venues post menus.
- Check dietary options. Allergies and dietary restrictions can be hard to manage. Ask staff about ingredients, and bring safe snacks if allowed.
- Order smart. If the concession offers mobile ordering, use it.
If something goes wrong
Even a well-planned day can hit a snag, and knowing where to turn saves time.
- Lost or failed ticket. Go to the venue's ticket office or guest services desk, not to a stranger outside. Staff can often look up an account or reissue a digital ticket if you can prove the purchase.
- Lost child or group member. Tell the nearest usher or security officer at once. Venues have procedures for this, and it is why a pre-agreed meeting point matters.
- Feeling ill or hurt. Stadiums have first-aid stations, and staff can call medical help. Tell any usher, and do not wait for halftime.
- Seat problems. If someone is in your seat or the view is blocked, ask an usher to check the ticket rather than arguing.
- Lost items. Report them to guest services before you leave, and note your section so staff can search.
Common mistakes
- Arriving at kickoff. Security lines and seating take longer than you think.
- Ignoring the bag policy. This is the most common reason fans are turned away at gates.
- Relying on a phone with a low battery. Charge it, and carry a battery pack if allowed.
- Wearing the wrong clothes. Weather in a stadium differs from weather at home.
- No exit plan. The worst traffic is right after the game.
- Buying from unofficial sellers. The result may be a counterfeit ticket.
- Forgetting sunscreen or a warm layer. Hours outside add up.
The short version
- Plan two weeks out: pick the game, seats and tickets, and read the venue's rules, especially the bag policy.
- Decide on transportation and parking early, and think about how you will leave.
- Check the forecast and dress or pack for the weather.
- Pack the night before, charge your phone and bring tickets, ID and a compliant bag.
- Arrive early, learn where the restrooms, concessions and exits are, and time your breaks.
- After the game, wait out some of the crowd or have a clear route.
- Always confirm venue details on the official website, since rules differ and change.