Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

The stadium is at 1607 Avenue of Champions, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, beside E.A. Diddle Arena. Interstate 65 is the regional route, with U.S. 231 and U.S. 31W carrying traffic into Bowling Green. Campus streets become event corridors well before kickoff.

Driving & Parking

• Free public parking
  WKU's football map identifies several free areas that open four hours before kickoff. Lots A, B and C on the outer campus include complimentary shuttle service.
• Reserved parking
  Stadium-adjacent and athletics lots require the matching Hilltopper Athletic Foundation permit. Support lots begin converting the day before a game, and ordinary campus permits do not override event control.
• Accessible parking
  Creason Lot provides disability parking and a complimentary accessible shuttle beginning two hours before kickoff. Display the required placard and arrive before the peak.
• Parking Structure 3
  PS3 is the principal alternate when closer structures or athletics lots convert to event use. Public RV overflow also occupies part of Creason near PS3.
• RV parking
  Reserved RV inventory in South Lawn and Service Supply lots opens at 6 p.m. Friday. Public RV spaces in Creason overflow are first-come after that time; driving lanes must remain open.
• Street closure
  Avenue of Champions closes four hours before kickoff. Follow event signs rather than a navigation app's final turn, and expect a controlled postgame release.

Public Transit

• Topper Transit football shuttles
  Complimentary service begins two and a half hours before kickoff on two game routes. The current map marks Lots A, B and C as free park-and-ride choices.
• Service window
  Buses suspend after kickoff, resume at halftime and continue until roughly one hour after the game. Do not leave personal items on board.
• Accessible service
  All Topper Transit football buses are equipped for ADA use, with a dedicated disability connection from Creason Lot.
• Ordinary campus routes
  WKU's weekday network is separate from the football plan. Follow the event shuttle signs rather than assuming a class-day stop is active.
• City transit
  Bowling Green public routes are not a substitute for WKU's game shuttle without checking the date, stop and final departure, particularly for night kickoffs.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• The football map marks pickup and drop-off points but instructs vehicles not to block traffic. Use the current symbol location and obey staff when Avenue of Champions is closed.
• A campus-edge landmark is usually easier than the stadium curb. South Campus, Creason Street or an open outer lot can reduce conflicts with shuttles and pass traffic.
• After the game, wait until pedestrian flow thins or walk toward an open street before requesting. A driver cannot reach you through a police closure simply because the app displays a route.
• Downtown Bowling Green is close enough for a short ride, but surge demand can be significant. Confirm the plate and keep a lighted meeting point in mind.

South Lawn, directly across from the stadium, is the visual center of a WKU football day. Topper Town opens on the upper lawn three hours before kickoff, while the team arrives at Parking Structure 1 and begins Topper Walk two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff. Gates open 90 minutes before the game; Harbaugh Club guests may enter two hours before.

Tailgating

• South Lawn
  General grass areas are first-come, first-served. The upper lawn is reserved for athletics-partner setups, so read the boundary signs before planting a tent.
• Topper Town
  The official fan zone opens three hours before kickoff with sponsor activities and a family-friendly route into the game-day atmosphere.
• Parking-lot tailgating
  The map identifies free tailgating lots as well as reserved areas. Keep grills, games and furniture out of adjacent spaces and emergency lanes.
• Student tailgating
  A vehicle-free student area is shown near the stadium complex. Students should use the university's current registration and conduct rules.
• Weather closure
  WKU may close grass areas after rain or when conditions threaten the lawn. Have a parking-lot or restaurant alternative.
• Timing caution
  The general guide has listed an 8 a.m.–6 p.m. tailgate window, but actual kickoff times vary. The matchup page and posted lot-control times take precedence.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• White Squirrel Brewery
  The Broadway brewpub near campus pours local beer and serves pub food, making it a practical gathering point before walking or riding uphill.
• Gerard's 1907 Tavern
  This College Street downtown restaurant offers burgers, steaks, cocktails and a more polished tavern setting within a short ride of campus.
• The Bistro
  Also on College Street, it is a good choice for a quieter pregame meal in downtown Bowling Green; reserve ahead on a busy weekend.
• 440 Main
  The Fountain Square restaurant combines New Orleans-influenced food, steaks and a full bar and works especially well for a Friday-night arrival.
• Double Dogs
  The Scottsville Road sports-bar format supplies televisions, wings and burgers for groups that prefer to watch early games before heading to campus.
• Smokey Pig Bar-B-Q
  This local western-Kentucky barbecue institution is farther from the stadium, so use it as an early lunch rather than a last-minute stop.

• Topper Walk
  Two hours and 20 minutes before kickoff, the team arrives at Parking Structure 1 and walks down Avenue of Champions to Feix Field behind the band and spirit groups.
• Red Towel
  The rally towel associated with coach E.A. Diddle became WKU's enduring athletics symbol. Bring or buy one and wave it when the crowd rises.
• Big Red
  WKU's famously amorphous red mascot works Topper Town, the sidelines and the stands and is one of college sports' most recognizable characters.
• Hilltopper Marching Band
  The band leads Topper Walk, performs before kickoff and supplies “Stand Up and Cheer” throughout the game.
• The Hill
  Campus geography is part of the identity. Walking from downtown or a lower lot gives visitors the literal climb behind the Hilltopper name.
• Red-and-white themes
  White Outs, Black Outs and other promotions can change the recommended apparel. Check the season promotion schedule.

• Jimmy Feix Field
  The playing surface honors WKU's first football All-American and winningest head coach, a former quarterback who later led the program for 16 seasons.
• Red Towel midfield mark
  The 2024 field makes the university symbol the visual centerpiece, complemented by Big Red graphics and black end zones.
• North berm
  The grass slope breaks up the conventional bowl and gives the student section an informal, social character.
• Harbaugh Club
  The approximately 832-seat west-side club bears the family name of former WKU coach Jack Harbaugh and provides premium indoor and outdoor viewing.
• New press box
  Opened in 2024 above the Harbaugh Club, the 15,300-square-foot structure houses broadcast, media, game-operations and suite spaces.
• Diddle Arena neighbor
  WKU's basketball home stands immediately beside the football stadium, creating one concentrated athletics precinct.

History & Notable Moments

• First season (1968)
  WKU played its first game in the new stadium on September 21 and formally dedicated it before more than 20,000 fans on October 26.
• Feix Field naming (1991)
  The university honored Jimmy Feix, connecting the venue to its most important player-coach figure.
• FBS transformation (2008)
  A roughly $50 million project added 5,000 west-side seats, the Harbaugh Club and extensive team, academic and fan facilities.
• First CUSA home game (2014)
  The Hilltoppers defeated UAB 41–38 in overtime.
• Attendance record (2021)
  A crowd of 25,171 packed The Houch for Indiana's visit, exceeding the listed seating capacity.
• Modernized stadium (2024)
  WKU opened its new press box and installed the current FieldTurf Vertex CORE surface.

The west side is the premium and home-oriented stand; the east contains both lower and upper seating. The north berm and several numbered sections form the student inventory. Central sideline seats deliver the cleanest view, while the compact footprint keeps end sections close to the action.

• West sideline
  Reserved seats near midfield sit beneath the premium structure and provide the strongest conventional sightline.
• East main level
  Lower sections face the club and press box. Choose a row high enough to see over sideline personnel while remaining close to the field.
• East upper deck
  The 300 level gives a useful tactical view and more elevation, with additional climbing and wind exposure.
• Student sections
  The berm plus Sections 125–128, 133–135 and 334 are first-come for students, who enter through Gate 4 with a WKU ID.
• Harbaugh Club and suites
  Club access begins two hours before kickoff and requires the corresponding credential; it is not a shortcut for ordinary reserved seats.
• Accessible circulation
  Elevator access is available to everyone, though game operations may briefly receive priority. Coordinate accessible tickets and Creason parking before game day.

The current stadium map shows 12 food-and-drink points distributed across the west main level, east main level and east upper deck, with beer available at selected locations. Consult the posted map before climbing between levels.

• West main level
  Multiple counters serve the home side beneath the premium structure; the central positions become busiest near halftime.
• East main level
  Stands behind the lower bowl serve both reserved patrons and the student-heavy north end.
• East upper deck
  Dedicated service prevents a full descent, but choices may be narrower than on the main concourse.
• Beer locations
  Alcohol is available only at marked stands to guests of legal age. Carry identification and observe sales cutoffs announced on site.
• Harbaugh Club
  Premium hospitality is separate from public concessions and requires club access.
• Payment planning
  WKU does not publish a stable item-by-item online menu with the map. Bring a card or mobile wallet and check the current game guide for any cashless notice or specialty vendor.

• Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or one clear one-gallon resealable freezer bag.
• One small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches may enter with or without a strap. All containers are subject to inspection.
• Backpacks, camera cases, diaper bags, drawstring bags, duffels, fanny packs, mesh bags, oversized totes and ordinary purses are prohibited.
• Guests carrying medical or family necessities should use Gate 1 or Gate 6 for inspection. Contact WKU in advance when equipment is unusually large.
• Foldable stadium seats are permitted, but seats with pockets will be searched. Leave coolers, outside food and other unnecessary items in the vehicle.
• Download mobile tickets before approaching the gate. General public gates are 1, 3, 5 and 6; students use Gate 4, and gates ordinarily open 90 minutes before kickoff.