Huntington Bank Stadium

Interstates 94 and 35W frame the university district, but campus ramps and streets become congested well before kickoff. Travel to the parking facility or transit station rather than using the stadium address as a driving destination.

Driving & Parking

• Driving
  From I-94, the Huron Boulevard and University Avenue approaches reach Stadium Village; from I-35W, Washington Avenue reaches the East Bank. Game operations, construction and pedestrian controls can alter turns, so follow the current parking map.
• Parking
  Day-of, cashless parking is first come, first served. Recent football rates are $30 at Oak Street Ramp, Church Street Garage and Washington Avenue Ramp, and $15 at East River Road Garage. Tailgating is prohibited in all four.
• Parking
  State Fairgrounds Lot S108 in St. Paul costs $15 for a car or $60 for an RV and permits tailgating. A free shuttle begins three hours before kickoff, runs throughout the game and continues for about an hour afterward.
• Parking
  Stadium-adjacent surface lots are largely season inventory. Do not plan around Ski-U-Mah, Victory or nearby donor areas without a valid mobile pass.
• Parking
  Accessible spaces exist in gameday facilities with both a purchased parking pass and government placard. The University Avenue Ramp is the recommended single-game starting point, followed by 4th Street and Oak Street ramps as inventory allows.
• Parking
  The accessible drop-off is off University Avenue at the stadium's southwest corner near Gate E. Courtesy shuttles also serve several nearby ramps and lots beginning when gates open.

Public Transit

• The METRO Green Line's Stadium Village station is steps from the south side of the venue. Trains connect downtown Minneapolis, downtown St. Paul and the University of Minnesota without a transfer.
• Blue Line riders from the airport or southern Minneapolis can transfer to the Green Line at U.S. Bank Stadium Station. Free park-and-ride spaces are available at Fort Snelling and 30th Avenue, subject to posted rules.
• The METRO E Line and local Routes 2 and 3 stop at or near the stadium. Other rail and rapid-bus lines connect to the Green Line, making transit practical from much of the Twin Cities.
• Buy an all-day pass in the Metro Transit app before boarding and check live service notices. Major events can lengthen queues, but extra capacity and frequent downtown service still beat stadium traffic.
• The free St. Paul football shuttle from Lot S108 is distinct from Metro Transit. Remember the stadium pickup point and return promptly after the game because service ends when the crowd clears.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Choose a legal drop-off outside the immediate stadium block, such as a Stadium Village edge, Dinkytown or Prospect Park. A pin at the main entrance can place the driver behind closures.
• For an accessible passenger, use the official University Avenue drop-off near Gate E and then send the driver onward. Do not wait there while the group gathers belongings.
• Postgame, take the Green Line one or two stops before requesting a car or walk toward Dinkytown, Surly Brewing or Prospect Park. This avoids the densest pedestrian and shuttle movements.

Minnesota's official timeline starts nearly three hours before kickoff and moves from the team arrival into alumni and spirit events. Arrive four hours early to combine those programs with a meal or tailgate.

Tailgating

• Weekend tailgate lots open six hours before kickoff but never earlier than 7 a.m.; weekday lots open six hours before but no earlier than 2 p.m. They close four hours after the game or at midnight, whichever comes first.
• Gas grills are permitted with propane cylinders no larger than 20 pounds. Charcoal, wood and other open fires are prohibited, as are glass, kegs, common-source alcohol containers and drinking-game equipment.
• Keep tents, awnings, generators and furniture behind the white fire line without blocking another stall or drive aisle. Stakes are prohibited, and every occupied parking space requires a pass.
• Groups that want adjacent vehicle spaces must arrive together. Saving spaces is not allowed, and attendants may fill nonreserved lots in a specific order.
• Adults of legal age may consume alcohol in approved tailgate areas under university and city rules. Couches, commercial promotions, unauthorized sales and disruptive amplified sound are prohibited.
• Gopher Garden
  The current 2026 schedule places this free outdoor gathering on Oak Street beside 3M Arena at Mariucci, with music, drinks, giveaways and activities before kickoff. Exact opening time varies by game.
• Ski-U-Mania
  The McNamara Alumni Center hosts an official pregame party beginning about two hours before kickoff. Admission terms and food-and-beverage packages can vary, so check the game page before relying on entry.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Stub & Herbs
  A Stadium Village institution operating since 1939, with burgers, pub food and a deep rotating tap list. It is one of the closest historic bars to the stadium and becomes extremely busy.
• Sally's Saloon
  A classic college bar near the stadium serving casual food, draft beer and cocktails, with a street-facing patio. It is convenient for a quick stop but draws a young, high-energy crowd.
• Surly Brewing
  The large Prospect Park brewery has a beer hall, food, upstairs pizza and a spacious garden with fire features. It is reachable on foot or by Green Line and handles groups better than many campus bars.
• Market at Malcolm Yards
  A food hall near Surly with varied vendors, shared seating, cocktails and a self-pour beer-and-wine wall. It works especially well when a group cannot agree on one cuisine.
• Al's Breakfast
  This 14-seat Dinkytown counter is a celebrated choice for pancakes, eggs and omelets. Visit very early; it is an experience, not a fast option for a large gameday party.
• Blarney Pub & Grill
  A Dinkytown college bar with pub food and drinks. It is farther from the stadium than Sally's but pairs well with a campus walk and the student-neighborhood atmosphere.

• Ski-U-March
  About two hours and 45 minutes before kickoff, fans welcome the team near Gate C. The arrival replaced older Victory Walk language in the current official schedule; follow the game-specific timing.
• Gopher Spirit Rally
  One hour before kickoff, the band, cheerleaders and Goldy gather on the 3M Arena at Mariucci patio. It is an easy bridge between pregame activities and entering the stadium.
• Pride of Minnesota
  The marching band performs on the field about 20 minutes before kickoff. Its rotating block M and familiar Minnesota Rouser supply the traditional core of the pregame.
• “Ski-U-Mah”
  Pronounced “sky-you-mah,” the victory cry dates to 1884. Its origin story includes an imitation of a Native expression; current visitors should also recognize the university's effort to place Tribal Nations visibly within the stadium landscape.
• Minnesota Rouser
  The band plays “Minnesota, Hats Off to Thee” after scores, with the crowd spelling and calling for Minnesota. Follow the band and student section through the claps and response.
• Goldy Gopher
  Goldy patrols the sidelines and often performs pushups after Minnesota scores. The mascot's comic physicality makes the southeast student corner especially animated.
• “Row the Boat”
  Coach P.J. Fleck's phrase became part of Minnesota's modern football identity and appears on signs, apparel and oars. It represents energy, sacrifice and direction rather than an older university tradition.
• Rivalry trophies
  The Little Brown Jug with Michigan, Paul Bunyan's Axe with Wisconsin, Floyd of Rosedale with Iowa and the Governor's Victory Bell with Penn State connect the current stadium to older Big Ten history.

• Tribal Nations Plaza
  The west entrance recognizes Minnesota's 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations through illuminated sky markers and interpretive elements. Visit before entering rather than rushing past it.
• County markers
  Stadium portals carry the names of Minnesota counties, making the building explicitly statewide. Gate directions may use a county name as well as a letter, so read the mobile ticket carefully.
• Open west end
  The horseshoe frames the Minneapolis skyline and lets late-day light enter behind the main videoboard. Upper east seats offer the strongest overall city view.
• T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame
  The adjacent hall displays Gopher athletes, teams and trophies. Public hours do not always align with football operations, so treat access as an additional visit rather than guaranteed gameday circulation.
• LEED certification
  The stadium became the first collegiate or professional football venue in the United States to earn LEED certification, reflecting recycled materials, transit access and environmental planning.
• Heated field
  Roughly 38 miles of glycol-filled pipe beneath the FieldTurf help the surface function through Minnesota cold and were especially important when the Vikings used the stadium.

History & Notable Moments

• Minnesota left campus for the Metrodome after 1981 and spent 27 seasons indoors before the new stadium restored an on-campus, open-air home.
• The $288.5 million Populous-designed venue opened September 12, 2009, when Minnesota defeated Air Force 20-13. It was originally named TCF Bank Stadium.
• U2 played the stadium's first concert on July 23, 2011, bringing the 360° Tour's enormous production into the horseshoe.
• The Minnesota Vikings used the stadium for the 2014 and 2015 NFL seasons while U.S. Bank Stadium was built. The coldest and most famous game was Seattle's 10-9 playoff win in January 2016.
• A record 54,147 watched No. 2 TCU defeat Minnesota on September 3, 2015, using temporary seating added for the Vikings era.
• The Minnesota Wild defeated Chicago 6-1 in an NHL Stadium Series game on February 21, 2016.
• Minnesota United played its first two Major League Soccer seasons here in 2017 and 2018.
• No. 13 Minnesota defeated No. 5 Penn State 31-26 on November 9, 2019, improving to 9-0 in the stadium's defining Gopher football game.
• The building became Huntington Bank Stadium in 2021 after Huntington acquired TCF and assumed the naming agreement.

The stadium offers a mix of aluminum benches and roughly 25,000 permanent chairbacks. Its two sideline decks are not excessively high, and the open west end reduces the closed-in feel found at older Big Ten bowls. Wind, rain, sun and snow reach most seats; only premium interiors provide reliable shelter.

• South sideline
  Minnesota's bench is on the south side. Lower rows are close to personnel, while the upper deck supplies clearer play development and skyline angles.
• North sideline
  These seats face the home bench and place visitors near the Mariucci pregame activity. Afternoon sun and weather exposure vary significantly by date and kickoff.
• East end and southeast corner
  The student section occupies the southeast corner and brings sustained standing, Goldy and band energy. Families seeking a quieter experience should choose a sideline.
• West end
  Seats and plaza areas around the open end look toward the city and main videoboard structure. End-zone perspective is strongest in the lower bowl, while upper corners show the entire horseshoe.
• Premium seating
  Club Cambria, indoor and outdoor club seats, loge boxes and suites offer chairbacks, lounge access or hospitality based on the ticket. Confirm benefits on resale purchases.
• Accessibility
  Accessible locations, elevators and guest assistance are distributed at major gates. Courtesy shuttles and the Gate E drop-off help bridge surrounding ramps, but contact the ticket office early for a seat exchange.

All concessions are cashless. The West Plaza offers “Gopher Hour” pricing after gates open for selected early games, and Walk Thru Bru locations emphasize quick beverage service. Exact stands can move, so use the current concourse map.

• Minnesota standards
  Hot dogs, bratwurst, burgers, fries, pizza, nachos, popcorn and roasted nuts form the dependable core. Specialty menus are not available at every stand.
• Regional choices
  Recent maps have included local popcorn and brownies, bratwurst, gourmet hot dogs and poutine-style dishes alongside national partners. Check the game map for current vendors.
• International and vegetarian food
  Recent offerings include potstickers, fried rice, burrito bowls, tacos and Beyond bratwurst. Vegetarian and gluten-friendly guides identify exact sections.
• Dietary caution
  Gluten-friendly buns and several naturally gluten-free snacks are available, but the university warns that food may contact common allergens. Ask a supervisor rather than relying only on menu symbols.
• Alcohol
  Beer, wine and canned beverages are sold inside to guests with accepted identification. Gopher Hour may include lower-priced options, but purchase limits and cutoff time follow current venue policy.
• Hydration
  Fans may bring one empty clear plastic bottle. Water fountains are inside, and cold-weather guests should still hydrate because layered clothing and long transit walks can be deceptively taxing.

• One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one clear one-gallon resealable bag or one small bag no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches is permitted.
• Backpacks, cinch bags, large purses, luggage, computer bags, briefcases and noncompliant totes are prohibited. Medical bags are allowed after a gate supervisor inspects and tags them.
• A complimentary bag check in the University Avenue lobby of Williams Arena opens two and a half hours before kickoff and remains open until roughly one hour after the game.
• Empty clear plastic bottles are allowed, but other cans, bottles, thermoses, coolers and outside food are prohibited. Soft cushions under two inches thick may enter; metal-framed chairbacks may not.
• Internally battery-powered heated clothing, blankets and cushions may be permitted after inspection. Externally powered heated blankets, umbrellas, tablets, large cameras and noisemakers are prohibited.
• Guests pass metal-detection screening. General gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and there is no re-entry after exit.