Can't miss
- The March-on The entire Brigade of Midshipmen marches onto the field in formation before the game, and the stadium stands.
Quick answers
What time do the Navy lots open?
At 9:30 a.m. for afternoon kickoffs and at 7 a.m. for the early game, for cars with a pass for that lot. The lots close 90 minutes after "The Blue & Gold" is played after the game.
Can you grill at Navy tailgates?
Yes. Navy's 2026 guide says small gas grills are permitted. Tailgating is allowed on stadium property only.
Can you drink at Navy tailgates?
Yes. Alcohol is allowed in the parking lots and tailgating areas, but no outside alcohol goes into the stadium, and underage drinking won't be tolerated.
Do you need a ticket to tailgate at Navy?
Navy doesn't post a ticket rule for the lots, but you need a pass to park in them. Stadium lot passes are sold by the season to season ticket holders who are Blue-N-Gold members.
How do you buy parking at Navy?
Stadium lot passes are season-only through the Navy Ticket Office at 1-800-US4-NAVY, and none are sold on game day. Without one, park free at the Harry S Truman Park and Ride and take the shuttle, or pay cash at Germantown Elementary.
The game-day timeline
- 7 AM / 9:30 AMStadium lots open: 7 a.m. for the early game, 9:30 a.m. for afternoon games
- 5 hrs beforeFree shuttles start from the Truman Park and Ride, about every 20 minutes
- 2 hrs 30 min beforeThe game-day ticket office opens on the north side
- 2 hrs beforeGates open
- 30 min beforeThe Midshipmen March-on. Taylor Ave closes from Rowe Blvd to Gate 5
- After the game"The Blue & Gold" is played. The lots close 90 minutes later
- About 2 hrs afterLast satellite shuttles back to the Park and Ride
Where to park
The lots around the stadium are sold by the season only. Everyone else uses the Park and Ride, Germantown Elementary or a downtown garage.
- Stadium lots
- The Blue and Gold lots wrap the stadium. Season passes only, for season ticket holders who are Blue-N-Gold members. Nothing sold on game day.
- Admiral's Row
- Named, reserved spaces next to the stadium for donors at the Admiral's Row levels of Blue-N-Gold.
- Park and Ride
- The Harry S Truman Park and Ride, off Riva Rd. Free shuttles from 5 hours before kickoff to about 2 hours after the game.
- Germantown
- Germantown Elementary, 200 Windell Rd, a few blocks away. Cash only, and an extra space to tailgate costs extra.
- RV
- RV parking is at Germantown Elementary, sold by the season through the Navy Ticket Office.
- Garages
- Downtown: Bladen Street, Gotts Court, Park Place and Whitmore garages.
- Accessible
- Enter from Farragut Rd at the north end, with a parking pass plus a state placard or plate. Accessible shuttles run from the Park and Ride.
Want to tailgate together? Arrive at the same gate at the same time. Attendants park you side by side if there's room. Saving spaces isn't allowed.
From US 50, take exit 24 for Rowe Blvd. Gates 1 and 2 are off Farragut Rd, Gates 5 and 6 off Taylor Ave.
No pass? The Truman Park and Ride shuttle drops off and picks up at the north end of the stadium, about every 20 minutes. The stadium is outside the Naval Academy's Yard, and visitors can't drive onto the Yard.
The rules
Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against navysports.com.
Navy's rules are short. The space rules are the ones people miss.
- Grills
- Small gas grills are permitted.
- Alcohol
- Allowed in the parking lots and tailgating areas. No outside alcohol into the stadium.
- Tents
- Anything bigger than a 10 x 10 pop-up goes only on the stadium perimeter or in the NavyFest area. Call 1-800-US4-NAVY for a location.
- Your space
- No taking extra spaces to tailgate, and no reserving spaces in the stadium lots.
- Signs
- No commercial or brand signage, banners, tents or flags in the lots without Navy Athletics approval.
- Where
- Tailgating is allowed on stadium property only.
- When it ends
- Lots close 90 minutes after "The Blue & Gold" is played.
- Bags at the gate
- Clear, up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches, or a 1-gallon clear bag, plus a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Gates open
- 2 hours before kickoff. Re-entry only at halftime, and only if your ticket was scanned on the way out.
Before you go
2026 Navy Football Fan & Parking Guide (PDF)Navy football game-day guideVisiting the Yard (Naval Academy access)Official pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.
Pack for Annapolis
What we'd bring.
-
Ultralight Tall-Back Camp Chair
$45
Ships free
-
27 qt Hard Cooler, 24 Cans
$199
Ships free
A hard cooler that fits the trunk and the tight space behind the car.
More for this lot
-
Monument G22 Tabletop Gas Grill, 2 Burners$199 · Ships free
Where the party is
Navy's tailgate lives on stadium property: the season lots on both sides of the stadium, the perimeter, and NavyFest on the south side. The day closes with the alma mater, and the lots stay open 90 minutes after it.
The fan zone
NavyFest
The official fan area on the south side of the stadium, along Taylor Ave. Tents bigger than a 10 x 10 pop-up are allowed here and on the perimeter, with locations from the ticket office.
The reserved row
Admiral's Row
Named spaces right next to the stadium, held for donors at the Admiral's Row levels of Blue-N-Gold.
The march
Taylor Ave
The Brigade of Midshipmen marches on 30 minutes before kickoff, and Taylor Ave closes from Rowe Blvd to Gate 5 for it.
Getting out
Most of the crowd leaves on Rowe Blvd at once. Your options, best first:
- Stay for the alma mater, then pack up. The lots stay open 90 minutes after "The Blue & Gold". Let the first wave go.
- Ride the shuttle back. Shuttles to the Truman Park and Ride run until about 2 hours after the game, from the north end.
- Walk to a downtown garage. Bladen Street, Gotts Court, Park Place and Whitmore garages are in town, away from the stadium lots.
Skip this
Leave at the final whistle. You'll miss the alma mater and still sit on Rowe Blvd.
First time here?
- Bring cash for Germantown Elementary. It doesn't take cards.
- To visit the Academy too, walk in at Gate 1 with a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport.
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