The Minnesota Gophers travel to Spartan Stadium on Saturday to take on Michigan State in the regular season finale. Gopher fans who are making the post-Thanksgiving trip, make sure you have your tickets lined up before the game and Ticket King can make sure you have the best seat in the house.
Here is a guide to game day in Spartan Stadium:
Gophers fans are encouraged to have tickets in hand upon arrival in East Lansing, and Ticket King is equipped to help you out.
Tailgating on campus
“7/9/1” Tailgating Times
When kickoff is set for noon or 1 p.m. tailgate lots will open at 7 a.m.
If kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. tailgate lots will open at 9 a.m.
For Saturday evening games, lots will open at 1 p.m.
An exception to this rule is Friday evening games, when lots will open at 3:30 p.m.
All fans are encouraged not to come before these times as traffic lineups will not be permitted.
Tailgating Sites
Tailgating is permitted in all public parking areas on campus. There are many parking and transportation options that can make your game day more enjoyable, including shuttle buses.
Because soil compaction endangers the long-term health of campus trees, vehicles cannot be parked on grass surfaces north of the Red Cedar River and are restricted to designated grass areas south of the Red Cedar River.
Munn Field is an alcohol-free parking area close to the stadium that is ideal for family tailgating. In the event of heavy rain, Munn Field will be closed and fans will be asked to park in Lot 89 (Commuter Lot) located off of Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane. Shuttle service from the lot will facilitate parking and transportation for those fans displaced from Munn. Parking in Lot 89 is free. A round-trip shuttle costs $4 per game.
Tailgating Rules
MSU welcomes thousands of football fans to East Lansing and Spartan Stadium every football game day. MSU understands that tailgating is an important component of game day activities and wants to insure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. If your plans include tailgating in one of the designated parking areas on the MSU campus, please adhere to the following rules:
- Lots open at 7 a.m. for noon or 1 p.m. games, 9 a.m. for 3:30 p.m. games,1 p.m. for Saturday evening games and 3:30 p.m. for Friday evening games. (Early arriving fans will be turned away and not allowed to lineup in the roadway).
- No couches or upholstered furniture.
- No kegs or other common source containers.
- No drinking game structures and/or paraphernalia.
- No trailers of any type including pig roasters.
- Oversized trucks must park in RV parking.
- Trash shall be disposed of in available receptacles.
- No tents larger than 10′ x 10′.
The MSU Police Department and assisting agencies perform regular patrols of designated parking areas to respond to emergencies and enforce state statutes and university ordinances.
Open container ordinance
All fans are reminded of the “open container” ordinance adopted by the MSU Board of Trustees.The ordinance bans open containers of alcohol on campus and in all public areas of campus buildings.
However, on home football game days, enforcement of the ordinance will be suspended on campus for those of legal drinking age, during the hours parking lots are open for tailgating. Munn Field remains alcohol-free, as do the pedestrian areas immediately adjacent to Spartan Stadium as well as all public areas of campus buildings. Please be aware that open containers are not permitted in the city of East Lansing, even during football game days.
Stadium policies
Spartan Stadium gates open 1.5 hours prior to kickoff. Suites, Spartan Club, and Student entrance open 2 hours prior to kickoff. For the easiest route to your seats, enter the stadium through the gate(s) indicated on your ticket. For security reasons, once you exit the stadium you may not re-enter. In order to ensure adequate seating, everyone must have a ticket for admission into Spartan Stadium. Please arrive early!
Fans are encouraged to bring only necessary items to football games at Spartan Stadium. For the safety and enjoyment of all fans, we request that you assist us by leaving prohibited items at home or in your vehicle. We are unable to provide storage for any of these items.
Permitted items
- Seat cushions without backs or zippered sections that can be used as a bag
- Binoculars (but leave the case at home)
- Pagers and cell phones
- Small cameras and radios (but leave cases at home)
- Blankets and rain apparel (no umbrellas)
- One factory sealed 20-oz. bottled water per person
Prohibited items
- Purses or bags of any size
- Weapons
- Containers of any kind, including aerosol cans and spray cans
- Umbrellas, flags and flagpoles
- Alcoholic beverages and food of any kind
- Coolers, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans, flasks. and open bottled water
- Camcorders and tripods
- Strollers
- Non-approved chair backs
- Projectiles
- Other potentially dangerous objects