Tailgating for Ohio State football games? What to know about gamedays at Ohio Stadium

With six weeks remaining in the 2023 college football season, Ohio State is still unbeaten. As the Big Ten begins, Buckeye fans can anticipate a boisterous atmosphere at Ohio Stadium as they strive to make it back to the College Football Playoffs.

Ohio State, currently 5-0, has three home games remaining in the regular season against Penn State, Michigan State, and Minnesota. With 102,780 seats, the Buckeyes not only draw among the biggest crowds in the nation, but they also provide supporters with a variety of tailgating and pre-game events to choose from on gamedays.

The following is information regarding tailgating at Ohio State football games:

On game days, garages and parking lots open at five a.m. Parking is permitted by season, but access is restricted to Buckeyes Club members only.

There are a number of day-of parking lots around Ohio Stadium; the cost varies according to your proximity to the arena. While proximity lots cost $30, non-proximity lots are sold for $25. The parking areas for Ohio State football games are shown on this map.

Tailgating must stay inside the 8.5′ by 15′ area that a lot provides and cannot obstruct parking spots, crosswalks, walkways, or traffic flow. While liquid gas grills are allowed on campus, charcoal grilling is only authorized in specific areas. Drinking alcohol is also restricted.

In accordance with state and local legislation, Ohio State declares that “no person shall have in the person’s possession an opened container of beer or intoxicating liquor in any public place.”

If spectators still want to party but don’t want to tailgate, they can go to the renowned Varsity Club Restaurant & Bar, which is located north of Ohio Stadium. The bar has been a Columbus mainstay for more than 50 years, and before games it throws a big tailgate party where people can hang out and drink. But only those who are 21 years of age or older are eligible. It’s a terrific spot to hang out following the game as well.

Skull sessions

From dotting the “i” to the spectacular halftime shows, the Ohio State University Marching Band − or The Best Damn Band in the Land − is one of the most recognizable bands in the country, and Buckeye fans have a chance for a more intimate experience in skull sessions.

Four hours before game time, St. John Arena − home of the basketball programs − opens and is free to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. About two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, the band marches into the stadium and serves its last rehearsal before the game as a pep rally.