While some enjoy walking through campus and listening to the band play at Bond Hall, other Notre Dame fans enjoy a different tradition on game day – tailgating. Surrounded by throngs of football fans, tailgating has taken on a life of its own on game day. In the process, it’s become synonymous with the college football game day experience. For some, tailgating has become as integral to their day as the game itself. It can also be just as much fun.

Plan ahead and check out the different parking areas available around campus. Whether you have a parking pass or not, be sure to follow the signage to your destination lot. Parking attendants are plentiful on game day and are able to help, if necessary. If you’re traveling with multiple cars, make sure everyone arrives at the same time, as holding adjacent spots for others is not allowed. Obviously, be sure to use only one parking spot per car. You’ll also want to make note of where you’re parking in relation to the stadium – tailgating has to cease when the game begins, and you don’t want to miss kickoff!

Tailgating at Notre Dame can be divided into three general areas: (1) Parking Pass Lots, (2) Pay Lots/White Lot, and (3) Other Lots.

(1) Parking Pass Lots

The Parking Pass Lots are located on Notre Dame's campus, and all are near Notre Dame Stadium. The main parking pass lots are the Stadium Lot, the Library Lot, and the Joyce Lot, although there are numerous smaller lots with a very limited number of passes. The names of the lots indicate their general location. The Stadium Lot is next to Notre Dame Stadium, the Joyce Lot is next to the Joyce Center (where Notre Dame plays basketball), and the Library Lot is next to the Hesburgh Library. All of these lots are an easy walk to Notre Dame Stadium.

Although there are thousands of parking spots in these lots, you will need a pre-purchased parking pass to get into any of them. These passes are sold in a lottery prior to the season, and unless you have participated in this lottery, the only chance to purchase one of these passes is through some sort of broker (be it a traditional ticket broker, eBay, Stubhub, or another method). Expect to pay at least $50 for a parking pass, with prices easily surpassing $250 for the marquee games.

There are an extremely limited number of RV passes for the parking pass lots, but these are given to large donors to the university, and rarely, if ever, become publicly available.

(2)Pay Lots/White Lot

If you arrive on campus without a parking pass, you'll be directed to park in the Pay Lots - known on campus as the White Lot. It's nothing but a giant field, but there is plenty of space for everyone who wants to tailgate, including individuals who have RVs.

The White Lot is approximately a mile from Notre Dame Stadium; other than its length, it is an easy walk. There are shuttle buses available as well.

(3) Other Lots

There are numerous other lots available on gameday at various locations near campus, but which are not run by the University of Notre Dame. These lots range from mere parking spots, to large areas with dedicated port-a-potties and food vendors.

Grilling and tailgating go hand-in-hand. While grilling isn’t mandatory on game day, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a freshly grilled bratwurst or burger before kickoff. If you do plan to grill, remember that charcoal grills are not allowed on University property. Propane grills are fine, and are much easier to use in a parking lot anyway. Also, remember to have the appropriate size grill for your party. If you’re planning for only handful of friends, a small grill is just fine. However, if you’re throwing a larger pregame party, you’ll need a bigger grill – or else you’ll have a long line of hungry friends come game time. Just keep the gas cylinders under 20 lbs.

There are a few standards for tailgate food – burgers, brats, and hotdogs top the list. But variety is important if you’re hosting a larger party. Healthy options are a good idea, and believe it or not, not everyone loves burgers and brats! Also, if you are grilling, be sure to have something available to the masses while you’re cooking. Chips, pretzels, even a veggie tray will work. Plus, it’s always better to be prepared in the event of a grill malfunction. In terms of drinks, it’s important to ensure that you have something for everyone, so remember to pack non-alcoholic drinks in addition to the beer and wine. Also, it’s worth remembering that kegs are not permitted in University parking lots.

There always seems to be a few little things that people often fail to think about until it’s too late. Paper plates and napkins are easy to forget when you’re busy preparing ribs and burgers. Chairs are also easy to forget when packing coolers, propane tanks and your bag-toss set. Tailgate canopies are also great extras – especially in the event of imperfect weather – although walled tents are prohibited. These little extras can make a big difference at your tailgate, so pack accordingly.

Historic Notre Dame Stadium, “The House that Rockne Built,” hosted its first game in 1930. The original structure – with its characteristic leather-colored brick – still stands, now surrounded by the expanded stadium, which was completed in time to host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to kick-off the 1997 home schedule. The stadium seats 80,795 and has hosted over 200 consecutive sold-out games and over 300 Irish victories, all time.

Notre Dame Stadium’s gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Twenty minutes before kickoff, the Notre Dame Band enters the stadium through the tunnel for their traditional pre-game performance.

Each gate of the stadium is dedicated to honoring significant accomplishments in Notre Dame’s unparalleled football history.

• Gate A hosts a wall of gold helmets representing Notre Dame’s consensus All-Americans.
• Gate B honors Notre Dame’s seven Heisman Trophy Winners with replica Heisman statues and portraits.
• Gate E, on the student section corner, commemorates Notre Dame’s 11 national championship teams with over-sized replicas of the national championship rings.

All the way around the inner ring of Notre Dame Stadium, on the upper level of the old stadium, hang banners representing every one of Notre Dame’s All-Americans.