WKU Hilltoppers · College · Conference USA

Tailgating at Houchens-Smith Stadium

The brick and concrete exterior of Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, with red banners and a light tower
Photo: Nkyleft, CC0, cropped

A family reunion with a student section mixed in is the best description of WKU's South Lawn at the 2025 opener. Student government grilled burgers, three-year-olds worked the cupcake table, a 67-year-old was at his 20th tailgate on that grass, and one senior was about to take a swing at a demolition car. At homecoming a fan was out there playing with his dogs. When the Topper Walk starts, follow it in, and watch for Big Red, the furry red blob kids line up for all day.

The lot answer

WKU tailgates in the campus lots marked on the official map, on the grass of the South Lawn, first come, and in the reserved spots around the stadium and Diddle Arena through the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation. Public RVs park in the Creason Lot overflow after 6 p.m. Friday, first come, and Topper Town pulls everyone toward the stadium in the last 3 hours.

Get the Pregame for the Hilltoppers. Your lot, your game and what to cook, every week. Free.Get the Pregame for the Hilltoppers

lots and tailgating open
8 a.m.
shuttle lots A, B and C
Free
out, Ave of Champions closes
4 hrs
gates open before kickoff
90 min
Get the Pregame for the HilltoppersEmail me Or get the one-page game-day sheet
Rules checked Oct 15, 2026
Sources

Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against wkusports.com and wku.edu.

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Can't miss

  1. Big Red WKU's mascot is a big, furry red blob with arms, and kids line up for him all day. You won't see anything else like it.

Quick answers

What time do the WKU lots open?

WKU parking lots open at 8 a.m. for all home games, and tailgating areas are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free public parking near the stadium begins 4 hours before kickoff.

Can you grill at WKU tailgates?

WKU's 2026 gameday guide doesn't post a grill rule. Keep driving lanes open, and check with the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation if you're unsure.

Can you drink at WKU tailgates?

WKU's 2026 gameday guide doesn't post a tailgate alcohol rule. It does say drunkenness won't be tolerated and that WKU regulations and state and local laws apply.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate at WKU?

No ticket rule is posted. Free tailgating lots are marked on the official map, South Lawn grass spots are first come, first served, and reserved spots go through the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation.

How do you buy parking at WKU?

Reserved spots near the stadium go through the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation, and WKU moved to digital parking passes for 2026. Free parking with shuttle service is in Lots A, B and C, and free public parking near the stadium starts 4 hours before kickoff.

The game-day timeline

  1. Friday 6 p.m.Reserved RVs enter the South Lawn and Service Supply lots, and public RV parking opens in Creason Lot
  2. 8 a.m.Parking lots, tailgating areas and disability parking in Creason Lot open
  3. 4 hrs beforeAvenue of Champions closes and free public parking near the stadium begins
  4. 3 hrs beforeTopper Town opens on the upper South Lawn
  5. 2.5 hrs beforeTopper Transit shuttles start
  6. 2 hrs 20 min beforeTopper Walk begins at Parking Structure 1
  7. 90 min beforeGates open
  8. 6 p.m.Tailgating areas close

Where to park

The lots around the stadium are reserved. Everyone else parks free and rides, or walks from a free lot.

Reserved
Lots around the stadium and Diddle Arena, through the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation. Passes are digital for 2026.
Free shuttle lots
Lot A (Creason Lot), Lot B (Russellville Road West Lot) and the C Lots (Kentucky Street and Alumni Square Garage).
Free public
Near the stadium, starting 4 hours before kickoff, per the official map.
Alternate
Parking Structure 3.
RV
Reserved RV in the South Lawn and Service Supply lots from 6 p.m. Friday (call HAF). Public RV in the Creason Lot overflow, first come, after 6 p.m. Friday.
Accessible
Disability parking in Creason Lot from 8 a.m., with a disability shuttle.
Houchens-Smith Stadium game-day parking and tailgating at WKU, simplified
Houchens-Smith Stadium game-day parking and tailgating at WKU, simplified
 See the official Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium parking map

Event lots near Diddle Arena and Parking Structure 1 get reserved from early on game day, and support lots from the day before. Don't leave a car there overnight.
Driving lanes must stay open at all times.
No car? Topper Transit runs free shuttles on campus from 2.5 hours before kickoff, pauses at kickoff and picks back up at halftime until about 1 hour after the game. Every bus can carry ADA riders.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against wkusports.com and wku.edu.

WKU posts hours and places, not a long rule list. Here's what's official for 2026.

When
Tailgating areas are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where
Free tailgating in campus lots marked on the official map, grass on the South Lawn, and reserved spots through HAF. No vehicles in picnic or student areas.
Grills
Not posted in WKU's 2026 gameday guide.
Alcohol
Not posted for tailgates. Drunkenness isn't tolerated, and WKU rules and state law apply.
Your space
Driving lanes stay open at all times. Be respectful of the tailgates around you.
Weather
WKU can close grass tailgating areas for bad weather.
Bags at the gate
Clear bags only. Medical and family bags at Gate 1 or Gate 6. Bag and stroller check between Gates 4 and 5.
Gates open
90 minutes before kickoff. Students enter at Gate 4 with a WKU ID.
Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

2026 WKU Football Gameday Information2026 WKU Football Parking and Tailgating Map

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

Pack for Bowling Green

What we'd bring.

More for this lot

Bowling Green Septembers are warm and humid, and November afternoons turn cold. Bring layers.

Shipping and returns

Get the Pregame for the Hilltoppers. Your lot, your game and what to cook, every week. Free.Get the Pregame for the Hilltoppers

Where the party is

WKU spreads its tailgate across campus: free lots all over campus, grass spots on the South Lawn and reserved setups around the stadium. Topper Town and the Topper Walk pull everyone toward the stadium in the last 3 hours.

The grass

South Lawn

First-come grass tailgating south of the stadium, with a student section. WKU can close grass areas in bad weather, and the upper lawn is held for partner setups.

The fan zone

Topper Town

Opens 3 hours before kickoff on the upper South Lawn.

The moment

Topper Walk

Starts 2 hours 20 minutes before kickoff at Parking Structure 1 and runs along the Avenue of Champions toward the stadium.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

WKU doesn't post a grill rule, so ask before you light one, or bring it cooked and keep it warm. The WKU recycling team hands out free bags for trash and recyclables.

Getting out

Everyone leaves campus at once. Your options, best first:

  1. Ride Topper Transit back to your lot. Shuttles restart at halftime and run until about 1 hour after the game.
  2. Use the marked pickup spots. The official map marks rideshare pickup and drop-off points. Don't block traffic.
  3. Walk to a free lot. The C Lots on Kentucky Street and at Alumni Square sit east of the stadium, away from the reserved lots.

  4. Skip this

    Drive out with the whole stadium. The Avenue of Champions isn't going anywhere fast.

First time here?

  • Lots and tailgating areas open at 8 a.m.
  • Free lots with shuttles: A, B and C.
  • South Lawn grass spots are first come, first served.
  • The Avenue of Champions closes 4 hours before kickoff.
  • Topper Walk starts 2 hours 20 minutes out at Parking Structure 1.
  • Clear bags only. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.

Visiting? How to join a tailgate

Visiting fans can use the free lots and the South Lawn like anyone else, and Topper Town is the easy first stop. Walk in your colors with something to share and say hello before you step into a setup.

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