It depends on the stadium. Some NFL stadiums require a game ticket for everyone in the lots, even if you only came to tailgate. Others only check your parking pass, and several teams run free pregame zones that anyone can walk into. Below is what our stadium guides say, stadium by stadium, so you can check yours before you go.
Where you need a game ticket to tailgate
At these stadiums, the team's own rules tie the lots to a ticket for that day's game.
- SoFi Stadium (Rams and Chargers): everyone on campus needs a game ticket, and every car in the Pink Zone needs a Pink Zone pass. With a game ticket, you can walk in and join a tailgate that's already set up.
- Reliant Stadium (Texans): everyone over 2 needs a game ticket or a Tailgate Ticket, even if they're only tailgating.
- Levi's Stadium (49ers): a game ticket or credential, plus a parking pass, to park in a stadium lot.
- Highmark Stadium (Bills): a parking pass only works with a valid ticket or credential for that event.
- State Farm Stadium (Cardinals): tailgating in Sportsman's Park is for game-day ticket holders.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons): backyard tailgating is for that day's ticket holders.
- Ford Field (Lions): the tailgate lots take a tailgate ticket and that game's wristband, and the ticket holder stays for the whole tailgate.
- Lincoln Financial Field (Temple): you need a ticket to the game to get into the lots.
- Yager Stadium (Miami RedHawks): you need a game ticket to use the lots.
- Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis): you need your ticket to get through the Halo security perimeter, with no re-entry.
- SHI Stadium (Rutgers): Rutgers says the lots are for ticket holders, and everyone else leaves at kickoff.
- Alumni Stadium (Boston College): in Upper Brighton, everyone needs a game ticket, and you can buy one on site.
Free pregame zones, no ticket needed
Hours and access can change from game to game, so check your stadium's guide for the current lot and zone hours before you go.
No ticket? These team-run zones are open to everyone, so they're the easy way to soak up a game day.
- Allegiant Stadium (Raiders): the Modelo Tailgate Zone in Lot N is free, and you don't need a game ticket. (Everyone in a vehicle parked on site needs an event ticket, though.)
- Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts): Touchdown Town at the North Gate is free, no ticket needed.
- Memorial Stadium (Nebraska): the Cornhusker Kickoff is free and needs no game ticket.
- Williams Stadium (Liberty): Flames Fan Fest is free and needs no game ticket.
- Doyt Perry Stadium (Bowling Green): Falcon Fan Fest is free and open to everyone.
- Martin Stadium (Washington State): Kickoff at the CUB is open to everyone 3 hours before kickoff, no ticket needed. (Cougville takes a game ticket.)
- Kinnick Stadium (Iowa): the band's free concert at the Indoor Track, 75 minutes before kickoff, needs no ticket.
Where the team-run pregame needs a ticket
- Lumen Field (Seahawks): there's no tailgating on stadium property. Ticketmaster Tailgate in the Event Center opens 3 hours before kickoff, game ticket required.
- AT&T Stadium (Cowboys): the Miller LiteHouse is the stadium's own pregame spot, game ticket required.
- Caesars Superdome (Saints): Champions Square opens 3 hours before kickoff for ticket holders.
- Autzen Stadium (Oregon): the Moshofsky Center is open to anyone with a game ticket, 3 hours out, with no parking pass needed.
The catch: a ticket isn't always a parking pass
At some stadiums it works the other way: the ticket gets you in, but not into a lot. At Lambeau Field, your game ticket isn't a parking pass. At Ryan Field, the stadium lots are for season ticket holders only. Check your stadium's guide for both before you drive.
Can you tailgate without a ticket?
Sometimes. At stadiums like SoFi, Reliant and Levi's, everyone in the lots needs a game ticket. At others, the lots only check your parking pass, and free fan zones like the Raiders' Modelo Tailgate Zone or Nebraska's Cornhusker Kickoff are open to anyone. Check your stadium's guide.
What happens if you tailgate without a ticket at a ticket-only stadium?
You can be turned away at the lot entrance, and at stadiums with a security perimeter, like Memphis, you can't get back in once you leave. At Rutgers, people without tickets have to leave the lots at kickoff.
Where can you go on game day without a ticket?
Team-run fan zones are your best bet: the Raiders' Modelo Tailgate Zone, the Colts' Touchdown Town, Nebraska's Cornhusker Kickoff, Liberty's Flames Fan Fest, Bowling Green's Falcon Fan Fest and Washington State's Kickoff at the CUB are all free with no ticket.
Check every stadium's rules
Ticket rules are one line in our tailgating rules at 166 stadiums, and every stadium guide spells out who's allowed in its lots. Parking far out and walking in? The Cordova Backcountry backpack cooler carries 24 cans on your back, per Cordova.