Notre Dame

Saturday in South Bend is a campus lot day around Notre Dame Stadium, one space per pass. Walk in, or ride the Blue and Gold shuttle to the library, and check that week’s lot before the tent goes up.

Must see / do

Around campus

• Notre Dame Stadium is the bowl. Tailgating is allowed in the gameday fan lots before and after the game, not during it, unless the university approved that spot.
• The Blue Lot and the Gold Lot, off Douglas Road, shuttle to Hesburgh Library. Bulla accessible parking shuttles to Joyce Center Gate 4.
• The Transpo Game Day Express is a free public bus on home Saturdays between downtown South Bend and McKenna Hall. Rideshare points are on the Getting Around page, so don’t guess a curb.

Before the game

• Fan lots generally open at 8:00 a.m. ET no matter the kick. The Gold Lot opens at 10:00 a.m. for a 3:30 p.m. game and at 1:00 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. game.
• Zipper parking starts at 9:00 a.m. Attendants park you in arrival order, so don’t hold a space for a friend. Joyce Center Gate 9 restrooms open at 10:00 a.m. and close when the game starts.
• Notre Dame publishes Waze steps for each lot on the Getting Around page. Use those instead of a generic pin on the stadium.

On the lot

• One pass, one spot, and the tailgate doesn’t get a second space. Tents are 10×10 or smaller, with no stakes, and nothing past the hash marks into the driving lane.
• Propane grills are allowed if the tank is under 20 lb. Charcoal, fire pits, open flames, propane heaters, and deep-frying are not.
• Burke North, Burke South, and Burke Dorr close 2 hours after the game. Other lots close 3 hours after. There is no overnight parking, and tows start at 6:00 a.m.

Overview

• One pass covers one space.
• The vehicle and the setup both stay in that space.
• Don’t save a space.
• Tents are 10×10 or smaller.
• No stakes in the tents.
• Nothing goes past the hash marks into the drive lane.
• A propane grill is allowed if the tank is under 20 lb.
• Charcoal, fire pits, open flames, propane heaters, deep-frying, and turkey fryers are not allowed.
• Standalone, overly loud, or amplified speakers are prohibited.
• No live bands or DJs.
• Kegs, excessive alcohol, drinking games, and large parties are prohibited.
• Golf carts are prohibited unless Notre Dame Police authorized them.
• Drones need university and FAA approval.
• Weapons are prohibited.
• Tailgating in campus lots and on green space is prohibited during the game unless the university approved that spot.
• Vehicles in standard lots can’t be larger than 7.5 feet wide and 20 feet long.
• Box trucks, trailers, and tow-ins go to the RV or bus lots.
• If sustained winds hit 31 mph, or gusts pass 45 mph, pop-ups and temporary gear come down.
• Designated spots get a clear recycling bag and a black trash bag.
• Leave both bags behind the vehicle before kickoff.
• Fan lots generally open at 8:00 a.m. ET, whatever the kick is.
• The Gold Lot opens at 10:00 a.m. for a 3:30 p.m. game and at 1:00 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. game.
• Zipper parking starts at 9:00 a.m., and attendants park you in arrival order.
• Burke North, Burke South, and Burke Dorr close 2 hours after the game.
• Other lots close 3 hours after the game.
• No overnight parking.
• Tows start at 6:00 a.m.

The written rules and what an officer calls that Saturday aren’t always the same. Confirm yours the week of the game on the athletics tailgating and getting-around pages.

Map

Official policy

Notre Dame Athletics — Tailgating →

Getting Around — lots, shuttles, rideshare

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