Can't miss
- The World's Largest Drum Purdue's band rolls out a bass drum taller than a person, and it leads the band into the stadium.
- The Boilermaker Special A locomotive-style mascot on wheels drives onto the field. Nothing else in the Big Ten has one.
Quick answers
What time do the Purdue lots open?
8 hours before kickoff, but never earlier than 8 a.m. Friday games run later: no lot opens before noon, and some open at 3 or 5 p.m. RV lots open at 6 p.m. the day before. Lots close 2 hours after the game or at midnight, whichever is first.
Can you grill at Purdue tailgates?
Yes, with propane only and a tank of 20 lbs or less. Charcoal grills and deep fryers aren't allowed anywhere on university property, and no grilling in the parking garages.
Can you drink at Purdue tailgates?
Purdue's tailgating policies don't set a lot alcohol rule, but kegs aren't allowed anywhere on campus and every drink has to be in a can or plastic, never glass. Drinking under 21 is illegal, alcohol isn't allowed on the game-day shuttles, and none comes into Ross-Ade.
Do you need a ticket to tailgate at Purdue?
Purdue's lot rules don't require one, but the parking pass has to stay with the car, 1 space per vehicle. Everyone needs a ticket to get into Ross-Ade, and there's no re-entry.
How do you buy parking at Purdue?
Buy a digital pass in advance on purduesports.com, which Purdue prefers. Game-day sales are first come in lots including AA, BB, CC, FF, GG, PUSH, the Grass Triangle, IM Fields, the Driving Range and two garages. Reserved lots near the stadium go to John Purdue Club members.
The game-day timeline
- Day before, 6 PMRV lots open. No staging before then.
- 8 hrs beforeParking lots open, never before 8 a.m.
- 3 hrs beforeBoilermaker Crossing opens, and free shuttles start
- 2 hrs 15 min beforeTeam Walk on Tiller Drive, north plaza
- 1 hr 30 min beforeBand concert on Slayter Hill, and all gates open
- 2 hrs afterLots close, or at midnight if that's earlier
- Day after, 10 AMAll RVs out of the lots
Where to park
The lots around Ross-Ade are John Purdue Club season lots. Everyone else buys a digital pass ahead of time or takes a game-day spot.
- JPC lots
- Reserved lots around the stadium, sold by the season to John Purdue Club members.
- Game day
- First come in AA, BB, CC, FF, GG, PUSH, the Grass Triangle, IM Fields, the Driving Range, NWAC and the Northwestern and University garages.
- RV
- RV2 (season or day of) and RV4 (day of), by credit card, with your attached car included. RV1 and RV3 are for JPC members.
- Oversize
- Anything that won't fit a 9 x 20 foot space gets moved to RV2 or RV4.
- Bus
- Third Street between McCormick Road and McCutcheon Drive, in advance or by card on game day.
- Accessible
- O Lot and the Armory Lot, first come, with a placard or plate and the owner in the car. Courtesy carts run from H and O lots.
Download your digital pass before you drive in. One pass, one space, and it stays with the car.
Saving spaces isn't allowed. If your crew wants to park together, arrive together.
No pass? Park in an outer game-day lot and ride the free shuttle, from 3 hours before kickoff until 1 hour after the game. North route buses stop on Beering Drive, south route buses on Tiller Drive at Gate G.
The rules
Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against purduesports.com.
Purdue's rules are specific about fire and sound. These are the ones that change what you pack.
- Grills
- Propane only, tank 20 lbs or less. No charcoal grills or deep fryers on university property, and no grilling in garages.
- Fire
- Only in a commercial portable fireplace with a screen, 25 feet from structures and anything that burns. No wood or charcoal fires in the golf course lots.
- Your space
- Directly behind your car. No second space, no blocking lot traffic, no saving spaces.
- Tents
- Anchor them to the manufacturer's specs. In sustained winds of 16 mph or more, tents not rated for it come down.
- Sound
- No amplified or freestanding speakers, no DJs and no live bands.
- Not allowed
- Glass, kegs, fireworks, drones, golf carts and scooters.
- When it ends
- Lots close 2 hours after the game or at midnight, whichever comes first.
- Bags at the gate
- Clear, up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a 1-gallon clear bag, plus a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Gates open
- 90 minutes before kickoff. No re-entry, and Ross-Ade is cashless.
Before you go
Purdue parking and tailgating policiesPurdue football game day information2026 Ross-Ade updates and reminders2026 interactive football parking mapOfficial pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.
Pack for West Lafayette
What we'd bring.
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Ultralight Tall-Back Camp Chair
$45
Ships free
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Dubler HEAT Chafer and Cooler
$198.89
Ships free
Late-season cold keeps the drinks cold on its own. Heat packs keep covered food hot up to 5 hours (per the maker).
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Dubler Heat Packs, 2 Pack
$43.88
Ships free
More for this lot
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Monument G22 Tabletop Gas Grill, 2 Burners$199 · Ships free
Indiana Novembers get cold and windy. Bring layers, and tent weights for gusty days.
Where the party is
Purdue gives you one of the longest days in the Big Ten: lots open 8 hours out and stay open until 2 hours after the game. The rules keep it simple: propane, cans and a footprint right behind your car.
The family stop
Boilermaker Crossing
Purdue's pregame zone on Weist Plaza, between Holloway Gymnasium and Mackey Arena, opens 3 hours before kickoff.
The moment
The Team Walk
The team arrives on Tiller Drive on the stadium's north plaza 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
The band
Slayter Hill
The All-American Marching Band plays its concert on Slayter Hill 90 minutes before kickoff, with the cheerleaders and Purdue Pete.
What to eat
Propane is the only grill fuel Purdue allows, and fryers are out, so plan a menu that cooks on a gas grill.
Getting out
Purdue routes every lot out on a set postgame pattern. Your options, best first:
- Stay put. Lots stay open 2 hours after the game, or until midnight. Let Cherry Lane and Stadium Avenue clear.
- Take the shuttle back. Free shuttles run until 1 hour after the game.
- Follow your lot's pattern. Purdue posts an exit route for every lot. Check yours before you leave the house.
Skip this
Leave at the final whistle. Along with every other car on Northwestern Avenue.
First time here?
- Lots open 8 hours before kickoff, never before 8 a.m. Friday games open later.
- Propane grill only, 20 lb tank max. No charcoal, no fryer.
- Cans or plastic. No glass, no kegs.
- Your tailgate goes directly behind your car. No saving spaces.
- Team Walk on Tiller Drive 2 hours 15 minutes before kickoff.
- Clear bag only, plus 1 sealed water bottle of 20 oz or less.
Visiting? How to join a tailgate
Boilermaker Crossing is the easy first stop 3 hours before kickoff. Then walk the lots in your colors, bring something to share and say hello before you step into a setup.
Free · one page · works offline
Your Ross-Ade Stadium game-day sheet, by email
One page for the lot: where to park, when it opens, what you can bring.
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