Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

The stadium is at 157 Gale Lemerand Drive on the north side of the University of Florida campus, immediately south of West University Avenue. Interstate 75 is the regional approach; Archer Road, Newberry Road and University Avenue feed Gainesville. Route to parking rather than the stadium because Gale Lemerand Drive, Stadium Road and nearby University Avenue close under the football traffic plan.

Driving & Parking

• Driving
  I-75 Exit 384 connects to Archer Road from the south, while Exit 387 feeds Newberry Road from the west. Both back up heavily. Use the official Waze links for the assigned lot and follow police directions even when they conflict with normal navigation.
• Parking
  Most close campus spaces are booster-reserved. The small inventory of unreserved lots is first-come, first-served and fills early. Lot 113 has been offered to visiting fans for $30 through the Passport app; confirm price and availability for the specific game.
• Parking
  Standard reserved lots open at 8 a.m. and have no re-entry. Parking on grass, sidewalks, fire lanes or unmarked areas risks towing. A pass does not permit saving a second parking or tailgating space.
• Parking
  Gale Lemerand Drive north of Museum Road requires a pass beginning five hours before kickoff. Three hours before kickoff, the stadium segment of Gale Lemerand, Stadium Road and West University Avenue closes to ordinary traffic; current closure boundaries should guide the final approach.
• Parking
  Public accessible parking is in Lot 109 south of Archer Road at Gale Lemerand Drive. A free lift-equipped shuttle begins three hours before kickoff, drops near Graham Hall and resumes for departure in the fourth quarter. A valid state placard or plate is required.

Public Transit

• Regional Transit System gameday service is the best option without a pass. Football shuttles have served remote sites including The Oaks Mall, Celebration Pointe, downtown, the Hilton UF Conference Center, Haile Plantation and Tioga Town Center.
• Service typically begins three hours before kickoff, with return buses starting during the fourth quarter. Pricing and pickup sites can change, so consult RTS for the specific game instead of relying on an old route list.
• Postgame buses load near Stadium Road and Gale Lemerand Drive. Photograph or save the route name, as multiple queues gather in the same area and the normal drop-off may look different after dark.
• Lot 109’s accessible shuttle is separate from ordinary remote service. Golf-cart assistance from the stadium area and Gator Lift service may be available to patrons with limited mobility, subject to demand.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Rideshare is slow near The Swamp because the stadium security perimeter blocks direct access. Arrange arrival on the downtown or Midtown side of University Avenue, or at a landmark outside the closure, and walk the final stretch.
• After the game, walk several blocks east toward downtown or south beyond Museum Road before ordering. Avoid placing a pin inside the controlled segment of Gale Lemerand Drive.
• Confirm the driver and plate in the app. Heat, crowds and late-day storms make an agreed storefront or hotel safer than waiting at an unmarked corner.
• The RTS shuttle is generally more predictable than rideshare at the immediate postgame peak. If using a car, eat first and request later after road controls begin to relax.

Arrive four hours early for a first visit. Tailgates spread through campus, Gatorland Fan Fest and Gator Walk Village provide public options, and the team arrives approximately two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff. General gates open 90 minutes before the game; premium entrances commonly open two hours prior.

Tailgating

• Campus tailgating begins at 6 a.m. on gameday, while reserved UAA parking lots generally open at 8 a.m. Setup is prohibited in cordoned-off areas, roadways and sidewalks, and spaces cannot be saved.
• Gator Walk Village occupies the north lawn between University Avenue and the stadium. Reserved turnkey tents put guests directly beside the team-arrival route and remove the need to transport equipment.
• Gatorland Fan Fest is held on the lawn outside Gate 2 of the O’Connell Center. It generally opens about three hours before kickoff with live music, the Gators Sports Network pregame show, sponsor activities and giveaways.
• Keep tents within the permitted footprint—commonly 10 by 10 feet per pass—and never block another stall or road. Open flames, generators and amplified sound are governed by campus and lot-specific rules.
• September games are exceptionally hot. Build shade into the setup, alternate water with alcohol and monitor lightning alerts. Tailgating beneath a tree is not safe during a thunderstorm.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• The Swamp Restaurant
  The rebuilt Gainesville institution near University Avenue preserves the name and game-day identity of the former campus landmark. Its lawn, patios and bar atmosphere are more important than speed; expect a wait.
• Midtown Filling Station
  A sports bar close to campus with televisions, drinks and pub fare. Its location makes it convenient before the game and extremely crowded on major weekends.
• The Social at Midtown
  A large University Avenue bar and restaurant with rooftop space and views toward campus. It is student-oriented and useful for watching early games; lines and cover policies vary.
• The Top
  Downtown on North Main Street, The Top is known for burgers, creative American fare, vegan options and a late-night scene. It is a better postgame or Friday stop than a quick stadium meal.
• Satchel’s Pizza
  This eclectic northeast Gainesville destination combines pizza, salad, art and unusual seating. It is far from campus and often busy, so drive there on Friday or Sunday.
• Hogan’s Great Sandwiches
  A longstanding local sub shop north of campus that serves large, no-frills sandwiches. It works well as a takeout meal before entering the tailgate zone.

• Gator Walk
  About two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, players enter from the north side through Gator Walk Village. Line the barricades early, then move promptly toward the correct gate.
• The Gator Chomp
  Extend both arms and clap them together like an alligator’s jaws while the band plays the familiar two-note theme. Keep the motion level rather than overhead and expect it after big defensive plays and scores.
• Mr. Two Bits
  George Edmondson began leading “Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar” in 1949. Honorary celebrity and alumni leaders now perform it before games while the crowd stands and hollers for the Gators.
• “Orange! Blue!”
  Opposite sides of the stadium trade the school colors in a simple call-and-response. The cheer is especially effective in the enclosed bowl and easy for a newcomer to join.
• “We Are the Boys”
  At the end of the third quarter, fans lock arms and sway while singing the alma-mater-style standard. The whole stadium moves together; follow the people beside you.
• “I Won’t Back Down”
  Immediately after “We Are the Boys,” the crowd sings Tom Petty’s hometown anthem and raises phone lights for night games. The tradition was adopted after the Gainesville-born musician died in 2017.
• Albert and Alberta
  Florida’s costumed alligator mascots appear at games and fan events. No live gator participates in the stadium show.
• Team entrance
  The videoboards warn that “Only Gators Get Out Alive” before Florida runs onto Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Be seated before the anthem to experience the full sequence.

• Heisman Trophy statues
  Bronze figures of Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow stand on the west side, honoring Florida’s three Heisman-winning quarterbacks. Morning provides the easiest photos.
• Steve Spurrier-Florida Field
  The playing surface gained Spurrier’s name in 2016, recognizing the Gainesville native who won the 1966 Heisman and coached the 1996 national champions.
• World War I memorial
  Florida Field was dedicated in 1934 to Floridians who died in World War I. The memorial meaning survives within the longer modern venue name.
• The sunken field
  Rudolph Weaver’s original design used a shallow natural depression. Repeated expansions enclosed it with steep stands, putting spectators unusually close and trapping sound.
• Orange-and-blue walls
  Brightly painted retaining walls, end zones and seating blocks make the school colors part of the architecture rather than just crowd attire.
• Ring of Honor
  Large names and numbers around the stadium recognize the most significant figures in Florida football history. It is a concise visual guide to the program’s championship eras.
• Gatorade connection
  University of Florida researchers developed the sports drink in 1965 to help football players replace fluids and carbohydrates in the heat.

History & Notable Moments

• Florida Field opened in 1930 as a 21,769-seat concrete horseshoe. A sellout attended the November 8 dedication game against Alabama; the original project cost approximately $118,000.
• Expansions in 1950, 1960, 1966, 1982 and 1991 enclosed the bowl and lifted attendance above 80,000. The stadium received benefactor Ben Hill Griffin Jr.’s name in 1989.
• Natural grass returned in 1990 at incoming coach Steve Spurrier’s request. After the 1991 north-end expansion, Spurrier coined “The Swamp” because a gator’s home should be hot, humid and dangerous to visitors.
• Florida clinched its first official SEC championship here by beating Kentucky 35–26 in 1991. The 1990s turned the building into the stage for Spurrier’s “Fun ’n’ Gun” era.
• The 1997 Florida–Florida State game, a 32–29 Gators victory over the No. 2 Seminoles, is often called the greatest game played in The Swamp.
• Jarvis Moss blocked South Carolina’s potential winning field goal in 2006, preserving a 17–16 victory during Florida’s national-championship season.
• A privately funded $50 million project completed in 2003 added clubs, suites and upgraded hospitality and press areas. The current official capacity is 88,548; the attendance record is 90,916 against Florida State in 2015.
• Celebration Bermudagrass has covered the field since 2012. A major multiphase renovation is scheduled after the 2026 season and is not reflected in the current seating or capacity.

The Swamp has steep grandstands and relatively tight legroom. Lower rows feel close to the sidelines but can have obstructed perspective behind the benches; middle and upper rows provide the clearest full-field view. Shade is scarce. West-side seats receive relief sooner, while much of the east side bakes in afternoon sun. Upper corners can involve long ramps and narrow concourses.

• Sidelines
  Seats between the 20-yard lines offer the best balanced view. Very high west-side rows add perspective and earlier shade but require a substantial climb.
• End zones
  North-end seating places fans near Gator Walk and the team entrance. South-end views look directly upfield and are close to much of the student energy.
• Student seating
  Florida students occupy large portions of the lower east and south areas. Expect standing, concentrated chanting and heavy concourse traffic; verify current student boundaries on the season map.
• Visitor seating
  Visiting allotments are commonly placed in upper corners and selected lower sections. The exact sections vary, so consult the ticket rather than an old diagram.
• Premium areas
  Suites, club seating, Bull Gator Deck and hospitality lounges offer combinations of chairbacks, shade, climate control, private restrooms and food. Benefits vary by product and may change during the future renovation.
• Accessibility
  Wheelchair and companion positions are available on multiple levels, with accessible gates and assistance. Arrange exchanges through the ticket office in advance and allow time for elevators.

Concessions accept cashless payment, and mobile ordering or high-speed checkout may be available through the Florida Gators app. “Grab N Go Gators” markets inside Gate 18 and on the north concourse speed up bottled drinks and packaged snacks. Selection is broader on main concourses than in the highest seating areas.

• Gator-specific fare
  Specialty stands may serve alligator bites, Cuban sandwiches, barbecue or rotating Florida-inspired items. Availability changes, so consult the current stadium map before crossing the bowl for one item.
• Core choices
  Hot dogs, burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy and bottled drinks are distributed throughout the venue.
• Gators Food Patio
  The west-side patio and added north-end stands provide extra choices and help relieve congestion in the main bowl.
• Alcohol
  Beer and approved alcoholic beverages are sold at designated stationary points under SEC controls. Identification, transaction limits and a late-game cutoff apply.
• Water
  Fans may bring one empty commercially branded clear plastic bottle no larger than 20 ounces and use the filling stations inside. Outside drinks and full bottles are otherwise prohibited.
• Dietary needs
  Ask stand staff about ingredients and cross-contact. For a severe allergy, contact guest services before gameday rather than assuming a concession item is allergen-free.

• Approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches and clear one-gallon resealable storage bags. Clear backpacks, drawstring bags and fanny packs are allowed only when they meet the size limit.
• A small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches may be carried with or without a handle or strap. A logo on a clear bag may not exceed 4.5 by 3.4 inches on one side.
• Medically necessary items are permitted after inspection. Contact guest services before arrival for medical or childcare equipment that cannot fit in an approved bag.
• Personal seatbacks are prohibited. A simple cushion no wider than 16 inches, without a back, pockets or metal frame, is allowed. Umbrellas, outside food and drink, tobacco products, flags, large detachable-lens cameras and artificial noisemakers are prohibited.
• Bags are searched in marked bag lines, while guests without bags can use faster lanes. There is no routine item check at stadium gates, so return prohibited belongings to the vehicle before joining the entry queue.