Rutgers Tailgating at SHI Stadium: Lots, Times & Rules

Can't miss

Where college football started "The Birthplace of College Football" is lettered on the stadium: Rutgers and Princeton played the first game in New Brunswick in 1869.
The Boardwalk More than 20 New Jersey food vendors and free rides on Scarlet Knight Way, like the Shore came inland for the day.

Quick answers

What time do the Rutgers lots open?

5 hours before kickoff. They close at dusk after day games and 2 hours after night games. If your group wants to park together, enter at the same time with matching passes.

Can you grill at Rutgers tailgates?

Yes, on approved grills. Other open flames, campfires and bonfires aren't allowed, and no open flame under the solar panels. Dump charcoal only in the yellow barrels around the lots.

Can you drink at Rutgers tailgates?

Rutgers says university rules and state law on alcohol are strictly enforced, and campus police ask fans to drink responsibly and not drive after. Kegs and beer balls are banned in the lots and nearby areas.

Do you need a ticket to tailgate at Rutgers?

Yes, in practice. The stadium lots are reserved for people going to the game, and anyone not attending is asked to leave at kickoff. The Rutgers Boardwalk on Scarlet Knight Way is free for everyone until kickoff.

How do you buy parking at Rutgers?

Busch Campus season parking goes to season ticket holders through a selection process. Everyone else can park at the Jersey Mike's Arena lots on game day and ride the free shuttle. Passes are digital, and lots are card only.

Where to park

The lots close to SHI Stadium are season parking. On game day, most visitors start at Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston Campus.

Season lots: Scarlet, Green, White, Yellow, Brown and Blue near the stadium, plus Purple, Black, Silver, Light Blue and Tan further out. Season ticket holders only.
Game day: Jersey Mike's Arena lots, card only, with a free shuttle to SHI Stadium. Johnson Park is no longer an option.
Shuttle: Outer-lot shuttle from Brett and Bartholomew Roads, between the Purple and Black lots, to Athletes Glen. Starts 3 hours before kickoff.
RV / bus: Game-day RV and bus parking only at Jersey Mike's Arena, first come, first served. Overnight RV parking is available there too.
Accessible: Season ADA spaces in the Scarlet, White and Blue lots. ADA shuttles run from Jersey Mike's Arena, Loop Road and Lot 53 to Athletes Glen.
Rideshare: Light Blue Lot, Taylor Road, for drop-off and pick-up.

SHI Stadium game-day parking, simplified

See the official SHI Stadium parking map

Every space fills front to back, first come. Spaces are for cars only: no trailers, and box trucks go to Silver or Jersey Mike's Arena.
Add your digital parking pass to your phone wallet before you leave home.
No car? Rideshare to the Light Blue Lot on Taylor Road. Postgame, each lot has its own exit route for 2026, posted on Rutgers' traffic page.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against scarletknights.com.

Rutgers keeps tailgates small and close to the car. These rules shape the setup.

Grills: Approved grills only. No other open flames, no campfires or bonfires, and no flame under the solar panels.
Charcoal: Into the yellow barrels around the lots, nowhere else.
Your space: A small area behind or in front of your car. Never block traffic aisles or other spaces.
Tents: 10 x 10 feet or smaller, in the lots and nearby areas.
Alcohol: University rules and state law strictly enforced. No kegs or beer balls.
Who's allowed: The stadium lots are for people going to the game. Everyone else leaves at kickoff.
When it ends: Lots close at dusk after day games and 2 hours after night games.
Not allowed: Trailers, and box trucks outside the Silver and Jersey Mike's Arena lots.
Payment: SHI Stadium and its parking lots are cashless. Boardwalk food trucks set their own rules.

Compare the rules in all 173 guides →

Before you go

SHI Stadium: 2026 Know Before You Go Rutgers parking and tailgating policies 2026 traffic patterns and parking The Rutgers Boardwalk 2026 ingress and parking map

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

Pack for Piscataway

What we'd bring.

Ultralight Tall-Back Camp Chair
$45

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27 qt Hard Cooler, 24 Cans
$199

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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

Fall in Piscataway swings from warm Septembers to raw November nights. Pack a layer either way.

Shipping and returns

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Where the party is

Rutgers keeps each tailgate to a small patch around the car, but it builds the party next door: the Rutgers Boardwalk on Scarlet Knight Way opens 4 hours out with free rides, games and New Jersey food trucks.

The open door

The Rutgers Boardwalk

Free on Scarlet Knight Way from 4 hours before kickoff until kickoff: rides, mini golf, games, live music and more than 20 local food vendors.

The moment

The parade and Scarlet Walk

The Marching Scarlet Knights, the Spirit Team and Sir Henry lead a pregame parade and pep rally on the Boardwalk, then fans line up to greet the team as it walks into SHI Stadium.

The easy park

Jersey Mike's Arena

The game-day lot on Livingston Campus, with RV and overnight RV parking and a free shuttle to the stadium.

Know a setup worth showing off? Nominate your tailgate.

What to eat

Cook thisChicken parm subs

Getting out

Rutgers redrew its postgame routes for 2026, lot by lot. Your options, best first:

Follow your lot's route. Each lot has a posted exit to Route 18 or I-287. Green Lot cars must turn right onto River Road.
Ride the shuttle back. The outer-lot shuttle runs for 1 hour after the game.
Rideshare from the Light Blue Lot. Taylor Road is the designated pick-up.
Skip this
Rush out after a day game. Lots stay open until dusk. Pack up slowly and let River Road drain.