What is the best lot for tailgating?

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gophers141

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We are looking to switch tailgate lots for next year.

I'd love to hear which lots everyone tailgates in and why they think it is the best one?

Are there any lots that are open as early as you want instead of the 7am rule? Lots with room to spread out where parking lot attendants don't police where your stuff is setup?
 

gophers141 said:
We are looking to switch tailgate lots for next year.

I'd love to hear which lots everyone tailgates in and why they think it is the best one?

Are there any lots that are open as early as you want instead of the 7am rule? Lots with room to spread out where parking lot attendants don't police where your stuff is setup?
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The lot opening times for all of the on campus lots are set by University policy. If you are looking to start earlier, you'll have to go off campus.
 


Fairgrounds is only location that meets your requirement of "room to spread out where parking lot attendants don't police where your stuff is setup"
 




W
gophers141 said:
We are looking to switch tailgate lots for next year.

I'd love to hear which lots everyone tailgates in and why they think it is the best one?

Are there any lots that are open as early as you want instead of the 7am rule? Lots with room to spread out where parking lot attendants don't police where your stuff is setup?
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What lot are you currently in?
 


37 and it isn’t really close. It will open early whenever they are setup as far as much room as you want perhaps whoever mentioned the fairgrounds. Just buy another pass if you need more space or find a corner. One even tailgates outside the fence on the grass and trims the weeds.

Hear after closing Lot 33 they are eyeing up 37. Unless if that is for a new basketball arena will drop season tickets next day. Rather give up the baseball field.
 
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WHB Brewer said:
Fairgrounds is only location that meets your requirement of "room to spread out where parking lot attendants don't police where your stuff is setup"
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Not totally true. We are in Lot 86 on the West Bank by the law school. We take up way more spaces than we technically have in our group. The lot is probably still less than half full for an average game. Other perks are a beautiful walk through campus before and after the game (light rail is available when weather is an issue). And it's easy in and out. You are couple of minutes away from 94 or 35W. Plus, it's cheap. $10 per game with no "donation" required.
 
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I know the "U" tailgate lots require donation thresholds but in terms of the on campus lots that are within walking distance - is there room or is there a waiting list? Can any season ticket holder willing to pay the donation amounts expect to get into one of the tailgate lots in their first year?

I have a unique tailgate situation that occasionally over the years has rumors of coming to an end. That thankfully currently isn't the case but I have wondered what it would entail to switch to one of the U lots.
 

PMWinSTP said:
W

What lot are you currently in?
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We have been in Ski U Mah for the last 5 years or so. The lot is great, we love the atmosphere and location.

We are just burnt out from over zealous parking lot attendants and most recently we had fans vent their frustrations at us for saving spots and setting up some of our stuff early. I've been in other lots like 37 over the years where people save spots and setup before cars are allowed in every time.

We are just annoyed we are paying a premium relative to other tailgating lots and we consistently have to deal with some minor annoying things. From all the comments it feels like Fairgrounds or even East River Flats is more of the speed and vibe we're looking for.
 

gophers141 said:
We have been in Ski U Mah for the last 5 years or so. The lot is great, we love the atmosphere and location.

We are just burnt out from over zealous parking lot attendants and most recently we had fans vent their frustrations at us for saving spots and setting up some of our stuff early. I've been in other lots like 37 over the years where people save spots and setup before cars are allowed in every time.

We are just annoyed we are paying a premium relative to other tailgating lots and we consistently have to deal with some minor annoying things. From all the comments it feels like Fairgrounds or even East River Flats is more of the speed and vibe we're looking for.
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We've been in Ski-u-Mah from the beginning. And not 'saving' spots in it is one of the reasons we like it. The lot polices itself. If someone gets in line at 5AM and you get there at 6:55AM- why should you be able to go in and 'save' a spot. If you drive to the spot- it's yours.
 



gophers141 said:
We have been in Ski U Mah for the last 5 years or so. The lot is great, we love the atmosphere and location.

We are just burnt out from over zealous parking lot attendants and most recently we had fans vent their frustrations at us for saving spots and setting up some of our stuff early. I've been in other lots like 37 over the years where people save spots and setup before cars are allowed in every time.

We are just annoyed we are paying a premium relative to other tailgating lots and we consistently have to deal with some minor annoying things. From all the comments it feels like Fairgrounds or even East River Flats is more of the speed and vibe we're looking for.
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I go to a tailgate in the gold lot and have never seen parking lot attendants talking to tailgaters...there also are a fair amount of open spots week to week.
 


gophers141 said:
We have been in Ski U Mah for the last 5 years or so. The lot is great, we love the atmosphere and location.

We are just burnt out from over zealous parking lot attendants and most recently we had fans vent their frustrations at us for saving spots and setting up some of our stuff early. I've been in other lots like 37 over the years where people save spots and setup before cars are allowed in every time.

We are just annoyed we are paying a premium relative to other tailgating lots and we consistently have to deal with some minor annoying things. From all the comments it feels like Fairgrounds or even East River Flats is more of the speed and vibe we're looking for.
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I don't know you and my comments are not directed to your conduct specifically or to in any way justify fan vs. fan confrontation. Based on my years of observations in that lot, I think the reason that the lot enforcement squad has been more aggressive in the last few years is that there have been some groups that have been pretty egregious in setting up in multiple spaces and not moving their stuff without lot attendants intervening, even when the spaces are mostly filled and there are passholders still coming in. In the last few years, they have occasionally been checking to try to verify that groups are entitled to as many spaces as they are using. It can be annoying, but I am sure it is also frustrating to have paid for a space in the lot and not be able to find a spot because some group is set up in three space when they only pay for one.
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
I don't know you and my comments are not directed to your conduct specifically or to in any way justify fan vs. fan confrontation. Based on my years of observations in that lot, I think the reason that the lot enforcement squad has been more aggressive in the last few years is that there have been some groups that have been pretty egregious in setting up in multiple spaces and not moving their stuff without lot attendants intervening, even when the spaces are mostly filled and there are passholders still coming in. In the last few years, they have occasionally been checking to try to verify that groups are entitled to as many spaces as they are using. It can be annoying, but I am sure it is also frustrating to have paid for a space in the lot and not be able to find a spot because some group is set up in three space when they only pay for one.
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In short, GTFO of the spot that I paid so much for. I love the Ski-U-Mah lot, but It's really annoying to arrive several hours before the game and still need to badger people to move.
 


I've been in the victory lot for 10+ years and I don't recall a game where someone care about how much space we (or anyone else for that matter) occupied
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
I don't know you and my comments are not directed to your conduct specifically or to in any way justify fan vs. fan confrontation. Based on my years of observations in that lot, I think the reason that the lot enforcement squad has been more aggressive in the last few years is that there have been some groups that have been pretty egregious in setting up in multiple spaces and not moving their stuff without lot attendants intervening, even when the spaces are mostly filled and there are passholders still coming in. In the last few years, they have occasionally been checking to try to verify that groups are entitled to as many spaces as they are using. It can be annoying, but I am sure it is also frustrating to have paid for a space in the lot and not be able to find a spot because some group is set up in three space when they only pay for one.
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No offense taken.
For the record, we've never taken up spots that aren't ours.
 

gophers141 said:
We have been in Ski U Mah for the last 5 years or so. The lot is great, we love the atmosphere and location.

We are just burnt out from over zealous parking lot attendants and most recently we had fans vent their frustrations at us for saving spots and setting up some of our stuff early. I've been in other lots like 37 over the years where people save spots and setup before cars are allowed in every time.

We are just annoyed we are paying a premium relative to other tailgating lots and we consistently have to deal with some minor annoying things. From all the comments it feels like Fairgrounds or even East River Flats is more of the speed and vibe we're looking for.
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Ski U Mah has always been operated on a first-in, by-vehicle basis. That’s why there’s always a line before the gates open, people arrive early to ensure they get the spot they want.

It’s considered highly disrespectful to those who wait in line if others show up right before the lot opens and try to set up or save spots ahead of time (kind of a big "f you" to all the people you can see waiting). The attendants are enforcing that long-standing standard to keep things fair for everyone.

Each lot definitely has its own culture and vibe
 

We go to great lengths to get the same spot each game and there is always trouble/failure at least once a season. Assigned spots would be fantastic but logistics of a tailgate lot are a nightmare. Love the energy of Lot 37, if it goes away, my ambitious tailgating fervor might as well.
 

2nd Degree Gopher said:
I don't know you and my comments are not directed to your conduct specifically or to in any way justify fan vs. fan confrontation. Based on my years of observations in that lot, I think the reason that the lot enforcement squad has been more aggressive in the last few years is that there have been some groups that have been pretty egregious in setting up in multiple spaces and not moving their stuff without lot attendants intervening, even when the spaces are mostly filled and there are passholders still coming in. In the last few years, they have occasionally been checking to try to verify that groups are entitled to as many spaces as they are using. It can be annoying, but I am sure it is also frustrating to have paid for a space in the lot and not be able to find a spot because some group is set up in three space when they only pay for one.
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Agreed.

I loved being in Lot 37, and most folks were great. The energy was fun. But there were folks who seemed to pay for like 1 spot and spread out, take multiple spots / make it hard for anyone else who wanted to tailgate or just park their car who didn't get their super early.

Most inexplicably were the folks tailgating right by the entrance. Like guys .... you're in the most busy part of the lot, what are you pissy about, cars are going to go driving through here.

Granted most folks seemed fine, great energy, but I also ended up not being able to park on several occasions and you could see open spots in inaccessible parts of the lot ... I ended up moving lots.
 




A_Slab_of_Bacon said:
Agreed.

I loved being in Lot 37, and most folks were great. The energy was fun. But there were folks who seemed to pay for like 1 spot and spread out, take multiple spots / make it hard for anyone else who wanted to tailgate or just park their car who didn't get their super early.

Most inexplicably were the folks tailgating right by the entrance. Like guys .... you're in the most busy part of the lot, what are you pissy about, cars are going to go driving through here.

Granted most folks seemed fine, great energy, but I also ended up not being able to park on several occasions and you could see open spots in inaccessible parts of the lot ... I ended up moving lots.
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Similar experience when in 37…the folks tailgating by the entrance was annoying. Rather than raise a stink we moved to 58. Small lot but very respectful and fun people. Also, easy out after the game.
 



GridironGus said:
Reading this, I am glad to be in a lot with pre-assigned spaces and rules that are enforced.
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Same, I moved to one that they do a good job with that. As much as I loved the busyness of lot 37, didn't like the handful of less thoughtful fans.
 

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