EAST LANSING, Mich. — As Michigan State University football fans begin making their tailgating plans for this year’s season, they are urged to keep the numbers “7-9-1” in mind.
They are also urged to leave for Spartan Stadium early and bring with them some patience, as some on-campus construction could slow things down.
Throughout the season, if kickoff is set for noon or 1 p.m., tailgate lots will open at 7 a.m. This year’s first two home games – Sept. 6 against Eastern Michigan and Sept. 13 versus Florida Atlantic – are both noon starts.
If kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. – as it is for the Sept. 20 game against Notre Dame – campus tailgate lots will open at 9 a.m.
And if there is an evening game scheduled, lots will open at 1 p.m. Start times have not yet been set for the final three home games of the season.
Lots will remain open three hours after each game.
Construction on Farm Lane, one of MSU’s main thoroughfares, will slow football-day traffic down a bit this year. Farm Lane is closed from Mount Hope Road north to Wilson Road while construction continues on underpasses being built beneath two sets of railroad tracks.
Spartan fans are reminded of the “open container” ordinance, adopted in 2005 by the MSU Board of Trustees. The ordinance 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.
Spartan fans also are reminded that tickets are still available for the season opener against Eastern Michigan. They are available online at www.msuspartans.com or at the ticket office in Jenison Field House.
For more information on stadium guidelines, game day traditions, parking and driving directions, visit www.homefootball.msu.edu.
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