With the first home football game this Saturday, Michigan State University tailgaters are encouraged again this year to remember the numbers seven, nine and one – the times MSU’s tailgate parking lots open for business.
For example, if a game is slated to begin at noon or 1 p.m., lots will open at 7 a.m. If a game has a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, the lots will open at 9 a.m. And for evening games, such as Saturday’s game against Oregon, which has an 8 p.m. kickoff, the lots will open at 1 p.m. An exception to this rule is Friday evening games, when lots will open at 3:30 p.m.
Lots will remain open three hours after each game.
Spartan fans are reminded of the “open container” ordinance, which bans open containers of alcohol on campus and in all public areas of campus buildings.
However, on home football game days, enforcement of the ordinance will be suspended on the main campus for those of legal drinking age, during the hours parking lots are open for tailgating. Munn Field remains alcohol-free, as do pedestrian areas immediately adjacent to Spartan Stadium.
As a reminder, MSU maintains a no-bag policy for Spartan Stadium, which applies to football games. Under the policy, all bags such as purses, diaper bags, camera and binocular cases and other similar bags are prohibited inside the 76,000-seat stadium.
New this year, MSU students who use wheelchair-accessible seating will now be able to cheer on the football team with fellow student fans after viewing platforms were installed this summer in the student section.
In addition, effective this fall, selfie sticks will not be allowed in Spartan Stadium. Smoking is prohibited inside Spartan Stadium, and the ban includes e-cigarettes.
Tailgaters can visit MSU’s Game Day website for information about tailgating, parking and stadium policies.
ESPN College GameDay
Special note for Saturday’s game: On Saturday, ESPN’s College GameDay will be on campus for the MSU vs. Oregon game. The remote set will be located on Munn Field and gates will open at 7 a.m.
Fans wishing to attend may pay $20 to park in the Trowbridge Road ramp (Ramp 5 opens at 7 a.m.), located directly south of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building. Those fans should note that tailgating can’t begin prior to 1 p.m. when all other campus lots open for game-related parking.
Set-up for Saturday’s program will start Thursday morning, as ESPN personnel will begin to prepare the stage and demonstration field areas.