San José State Tailgating at CEFCU Stadium: Lots & Rules

Quick answers

What time do the SJSU lots open?

Parking opens 5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating, music and drinking all have to stop at kickoff, when fans head into the stadium or to the bus back to campus.

Can you grill at SJSU tailgates?

Yes, propane only. Charcoal grills aren't allowed in any lot around the stadium, and every grill has to be put out before you leave the lot.

Can you drink at SJSU tailgates?

Only inside the designated tailgate area, and only until kickoff. Glass bottles, kegs, mass-consumption devices and drinking games are banned, and anyone drinking in the lots after kickoff can be cited.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate at SJSU?

SJSU doesn't post a ticket rule for the lots. Tailgating is allowed in Lots 2 and 3 with a parking pass or a day-of stall, and you need a ticket to get into CEFCU Stadium.

How do you buy parking at SJSU?

Lot 2 is season parking bought ahead. Lot 3 is day-of only, paid by card at the entrance, first come, first served, and you can buy extra stalls for tables and grills. The South Campus garage on 10th Street sells passes ahead or on game day.

The game-day timeline

5 hrs beforeParking opens. Tailgating starts in Lots 2 and 3
3 hrs beforeFree shuttles start from Duncan Hall on main campus, and from the overflow garage
KickoffTailgating, music and drinking stop
4 hrs after kickoffLast Duncan Hall shuttles

Where to park

Tailgating is only allowed in Lots 2 and 3, on Seventh Street across from the stadium.

Lot 2: Season parking, bought ahead. The Blue Zone pass includes a second space for tailgating.
Lot 3: Day-of only, first come, first served, paid by card at the entrance. Buy extra stalls for tables and grills.
Lot 1: Reserved donor parking.
Garage: The 10th Street (South Campus) garage, 1278 S. 10th St. Passes ahead or on game day.
Overflow: The South Garage on main campus, 377 S. 7th St., with shuttles from 3 hours before kickoff.

CEFCU Stadium game-day parking and tailgate lots at San Jose State, simplified

See the official CEFCU Stadium parking map

Set up in front of or behind your car. Tailgates can't take over drive lanes, fire lanes or the next parking space.
Groups of 20 or more can book a hospitality space inside the Spartan Block Party, which includes Lot 2 parking.
No car? VTA Route 73 stops on Senter Road at Alma Avenue, a 10 minute walk east. Routes 66, 68 and 568 stop on Monterey Road at Alma, a 10 minute walk west, and Route 25 runs on Keyes Street, 15 minutes north.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against sjsuspartans.com and sjsu.edu.

SJSU's tailgating policy is short. Read it once and you're set.

Where: Only approved lots around the stadium, Lots 2 and 3.
Grills: Propane only. Put it out before you leave the lot.
Not allowed: Glass bottles, kegs, mass-consumption devices, drinking games and charcoal BBQs.
Alcohol: Only inside the designated tailgate area.
Your space: In front of or behind your car. Not in drive lanes or fire lanes.
Sound: Follow the noise ordinance. DJs without proper certification are asked to leave.
When it ends: Kickoff. Tailgating, music and drinking all stop. Drinking in the lots after kickoff gets cited.
Bags at the gate: Clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches or a 1-gallon bag, plus a 4.5 x 6.5 inch clutch. Sealed water is OK.
Re-entry: None. The stadium and box office are cashless.

Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

SJSU football fan zone, parking and tailgating SJSU football gameday guide CEFCU Stadium prohibited items and FAQ SJSU game day transportation

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

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Where the party is

CEFCU Stadium sits on South Campus, away from the main campus, and the tailgate is two lots on Seventh Street right across from the stands. It runs on propane and cans, and it all stops at kickoff.

The day-of lot

Lot 3

The single-game lot on Seventh Street. Tailgating and propane grills are allowed, and you can buy as many stalls as your setup needs.

The season lot

Lot 2

Season parking next to Lot 3, with tailgating allowed. Blue Zone passes come with an extra space for the setup.

The fan zone

Spartan Block Party

The fan zone on the east side of the stadium by 10th Street, home to group hospitality spaces.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Propane is the only grill fuel SJSU allows, and outside food can't go into the stadium unless it fits in your clear bag.

Getting out

South Campus sits between Seventh and 10th Streets, and everyone leaves at once. Your options, best first:

Take the campus shuttle. Free shuttles to Duncan Hall on main campus run until 4 hours after kickoff.
Walk to VTA. Monterey Road and Senter Road stops are each about 10 minutes away along Alma Avenue.
Wait out the garage line. The 10th Street garage empties onto 10th Street with everyone else.
Skip this
Race the whole lot to Alma. Every car in Lots 2 and 3 heads for the same streets.

First time here?

Lots open 5 hours before kickoff.
Tailgate in Lots 2 or 3 only.
Propane grills only. No charcoal, glass or kegs.
Everything stops at kickoff, drinks included.
Lot 3 is day-of only and card only.
Clear bag only, and no re-entry.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

Lot 3 sells day-of stalls to anyone, so visiting fans can set up right next to the home crowd. Bring something to share and say hello before you step into a setup.

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