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Tailgating at Ohio Stadium

Tailgater Supply ยท Game-day sheet

Rules last verified Oct 28, 2026 against ohiostatebuckeyes.com, osu.campusparc.com and Sports Illustrated (Aug. 23, 2018). Rules change; check the official pages the week of the game.

5 AMlots open on game day
Propanecharcoal is banned on campus
8.5x15feet for car and tailgate
Cashlesscard or phone at every lot

Where to park

Premiere
Day-of-game lots just west of the Olentangy along Woody Hayes Dr, near Ag Admin and Animal Science. The top tier.
Proximity
Garages, including Arps and Neil Ave. Grills, generators and outlets are not allowed in garages.
Non-proximity
West Campus lots past Kenny Rd (free shuttle), the Ackerman Rd lots and south campus garages.
Season permits
Lots near the stadium, for Buckeye Club members. Spaces are held until 90 minutes before kickoff.
RV
Gray and Buckeye Lots by the Schottenstein Center. Permit only, mostly sold by the season. About 40 x 60 feet per RV.
Accessible
Lots north of St. John Arena and the Lane Ave Garage, in from Lane Ave. Placard, registration and the placard holder in the car.
Party bus
Permit-only parking on John Herrick Dr, bought ahead. Buses up to about 27 feet. No tailgating there.

Official parking map: osu.campusparc.com/media/cfbo50yl/py27campus-map-26-27-public-football.pdf

Getting out

  1. Take the shuttle back. The West Campus shuttle runs until 1 hour after the game, from the transit hub on John Herrick Dr back to Mount Hall.
  2. Walk to a rideshare zone. Borror Dr by the Schottenstein Center, or 19th and Neil. Drivers can't get any closer to the stadium.
  3. Read the outbound map first. Ohio State posts a 2026 outbound traffic map with closures and turn-only intersections. Expect to go where it sends you.

Skip this: Race out of the lot. You have until 10 a.m. Sunday to get out. The first wave can have the roads.

The rules

Grills
Propane only, with a fire extinguisher, on a level surface and a shield, 10 feet from structures. Charcoal, wood grills and fire pits are banned. No grills in garages.
Alcohol
Ohio and Columbus open container law applies in public places, and officers enforce it. No alcohol into the stadium.
Tents
10 x 10 pop-ups with weights are recommended; stakes need approval. In lots from 5 a.m. game day. In campus grass from 5 p.m. Thursday, down by noon Sunday.
Your space
Car and tailgate fit in 8.5 x 15 feet. No saving spaces, and nothing in empty spaces, crosswalks or drive lanes.
Not allowed
Drones, golf carts and gators, dumping coals or grease, university power outlets, and selling without approval.
When it ends
Vehicles out of the lots by 10 a.m. Sunday. Tents in grass areas down by noon Sunday.
Bags at the gate
No bags. A wallet, wristlet or clutch up to 5 x 8 x 1 inches. One 14 x 14 x 4 bag for medical, dietary or childcare needs, through set entrances.

Official pages

The full guide: tailgatersupply.com/blogs/stadium-guides/tailgating-at-ohio-stadium-columbus