Alabama State Tailgating at ASU Stadium: Lots, Times & Rules

Can't miss

The Turkey Day Classic On Thanksgiving, Alabama State plays Tuskegee in one of the oldest HBCU classics, going back to 1924. If it's that game, it's the one to see.

Quick answers

What time do the Alabama State tailgate areas open?

General tailgate spaces open at 6 a.m. on game day. RVs set up starting the Thursday before, and tents go up Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For Turkey Day, those move to Tuesday and Wednesday. All vehicles and property have to be off campus by midnight on game day.

Can you grill at Alabama State tailgates?

Yes, in designated areas only, and never under building entrances, covered walks, awnings, patios or tents. Every tailgate needs at least one 5 lb all-purpose fire extinguisher. Use a drip pan, and put out charcoal completely. Open fires, fire pits and bonfires are banned.

Can you drink at Alabama State tailgates?

Alcohol has to follow Alabama law and university policy, and ASU bans open containers and any public display of alcohol containers. Drinks go in plastic or aluminum only, with no glass and no kegs. No alcohol, cups, coolers or cans come into ASU Stadium.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate at Alabama State?

You need a tailgating permit. Submit the application to the ASU Ticket Office and pay in full by 4 p.m. two days before game day. Permits are handed out on game day and must be displayed. Vehicles entering the tailgate areas need a reserved parking pass.

How do you buy parking at Alabama State?

Tailgate permits come with one reserved 20 x 20 space and one parking pass, single game or season, through the ASU Ticket Office (334-229-4551). Other campus parking uses game-day decals by zone, and cars parked outside designated areas can be towed right away.

The game-day timeline

Thursday beforeRV setup begins (Tuesday before Turkey Day)
Friday, 9 AM to 8 PMTent setup (Wednesday before Turkey Day)
Game day, 6 AMGeneral tailgate spaces open
2 hrs beforeGates open, and Carter Hill Rd. turns one-way west
After halftimeCarter Hill Rd. reverses to one-way east
MidnightAll vehicles and property off campus

Where to park

Tailgating at ASU runs on permits: a reserved space, a parking pass and a game-day decal for the right gate.

Tailgate tents: Zones E and F south of the stadium, and Zone I, by Carter Hill Road, entered at Gate 5.
RVs: Zones G and H. RVs, buses, trailers and box trucks stay out of everything else.
Season and suite: Zones B and C by the stadium (Gate 1), K (Gate 5) and L (Gate 4).
Accessible: Zones A-1, A-2, A-3 and O, first come, first served with a placard or plate.
Gates: Campus entry is at Gates 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 only, each tied to the zone letter on your decal.
Entry: Tailgate parking is entered from Carter Hill Road at Harris Way, with a valid parking pass.

ASU Stadium game-day parking, simplified

See the official ASU Stadium parking map

Cars parked outside designated ASU parking areas can be towed right away. Call ASU Police at 334-229-4400 if yours is.
Neighborhood parking is limited. Respect the residents.
No decal? ASU has run a free game-day shuttle to the stadium from Paterson Field, with drop-off at Harris Way and N. University Drive.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against alasu.edu.

ASU's 2026 rules are detailed. These are the ones that change what you bring.

Tents: Up to 20 x 20 feet, in black, gold, gray or white. Anchor with sandbags or weights. No stakes in pavement.
Grills: Designated areas only, never under tents, awnings or entrances. Drip pan, and drown your charcoal.
Fire safety: At least one 5 lb all-purpose fire extinguisher per tailgate. No open fires, fire pits or bonfires.
Alcohol: Alabama law and university policy apply. No open containers or public display, no glass, no kegs.
Your space: Stay inside your space. One representative stays onsite, or everything is packed away during the game.
Generators: Noise-reducing device required. No university power or cable hookups.
Not allowed: Inflatables, fireworks, public address systems, selling anything, golf carts and scooters unless ASU approves.
When it ends: All vehicles and property off campus by midnight. Quiet hours midnight to 6 a.m.
Bags at the gate: Clear tote or a 1-gallon clear bag. No purses, backpacks, coolers or lawn chairs.

Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

ASU 2026 Tailgating Guide ASU Know Before You Go: game day at ASU Stadium ASU Stadium policy guide ASU Operations and Events Management

Official pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.

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Where the party is

Alabama State's tailgate is built ahead of time: RVs roll in Thursday, tents go up Friday and the zones south of ASU Stadium are full of black and gold by game-day morning. It's a reserved-space scene, so your spot is waiting when you arrive.

The tent zones

Zones E and F

The reserved tailgate tent area south of the stadium near Abernathy Hall, entered at Gate 5.

The RV rows

Zones G and H

RV tailgating near Girard Street and along Carter Hill Road, set up from the Thursday before.

The food row

Vendor Valley

Food trucks and local vendors across from ASU Stadium, the only place on game day where food is sold.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Food can't be sold in the tailgate areas, so bring what you plan to cook, or walk to Vendor Valley across from the stadium.

Getting out

Carter Hill Road flips direction at halftime to get everyone out. Your options, best first:

Go east on Carter Hill Road. It runs one-way east after halftime, from Decatur Street to College Street.
Stay at your setup. Your space is yours until midnight, so let the first wave clear.
Ride the shuttle back. ASU has run free game-day shuttles back to Paterson Field.
Skip this
Leave at the final whistle. With every other car on Carter Hill Road.

First time here?

Apply for a tailgating permit and pay by 4 p.m. two days before the game.
Tents go up Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cans and plastic only. No glass, no kegs, no open containers.
Bring a 5 lb fire extinguisher for your tailgate.
Gates open 2 hours before kickoff.
Clear bag only, and no lawn chairs inside.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

Walk the tent zones south of the stadium in your colors, bring something to share and wait for a wave before you join a setup. The Labor Day Classic, Homecoming and the Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee are all at ASU Stadium in 2026.

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