LaVell Edwards Stadium

The stadium is at 1700 North Canyon Road in Provo, immediately north of BYU’s main campus and east of University Avenue. University Parkway borders the south side, Canyon Road the west and residential neighborhoods the north and east. Salt Lake City International Airport is about 50 miles away; Provo Airport is much closer but has fewer routes. The Wasatch Front’s north–south geography channels most regional traffic onto Interstate 15, so build in time for both freeway congestion and the final climb toward campus.

Driving & Parking

• From Salt Lake City and the north
  Take I-15 south to Exit 269 for University Parkway, then travel east toward the mountains. The stadium appears after the road descends into Provo; choose the correct lane before Canyon Road.
• From southern Utah County
  Take I-15 north to Exit 263 for University Avenue/US-189, continue north through Provo and turn east on University Parkway.
• Reserved stadium lots
  Lots immediately around LaVell Edwards Stadium are assigned to specific passes and remain controlled through the game. Use the number printed on the pass and approach from its designated corridor.
• Public parking
  BYU designates selected campus lots for general game-day use, with availability and pricing published on the football parking map. Free inventory can require a long uphill walk and fills early for rivalry games.
• Neighborhood caution
  Streets east and north of the stadium are residential and heavily regulated. Do not block driveways or assume an unsigned-looking curb is legal; towing and citations are common concerns on event days.
• Postgame traffic
  University Parkway and University Avenue absorb most outbound cars. If possible, eat nearby or wait 30–45 minutes rather than joining the first wave.
• Accessible parking
  ADA spaces require a valid placard or plate and may be tied to specific lots. Contact the BYU Ticket Office early to coordinate parking with west- or east-side accessible seating.

Public Transit

• UVX bus rapid transit
  The fare-free Utah Valley Express stops at BYU Stadium on University Parkway, a short walk from the south stands. It connects downtown Provo, BYU, Utah Valley University and Orem.
• FrontRunner connection
  UTA’s commuter rail links Salt Lake City and other Wasatch Front communities to Provo Central Station. Transfer there to UVX for the stadium; check late-night rail schedules before choosing this option for an evening kickoff.
• Downtown Provo
  UVX makes it practical to eat around Center Street and ride north rather than moving a car. Buses carry thousands of fans on game days, so expect crowding after the game.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Pregame drop-off
  Use the BYU Stadium UVX station area or a point west of Canyon Road outside the restricted parking footprint, then walk. Do not direct a driver into a numbered permit lot.
• Postgame pickup
  Walk west toward University Avenue or south onto campus before requesting a car. Canyon Road and University Parkway are poor meeting points while police are directing traffic.
• Accessible drop-off
  Confirm the game-specific location with BYU Special Events or the Ticket Office; the appropriate side depends on whether the seats are in the accessible west or east inventory.

BYU’s official pregame is Cougar Canyon, which turns Canyon Road directly west of the stadium into a family-oriented festival. It opens three and a half hours before kickoff, hosts the team arrival an hour later and closes 30 minutes before kickoff. Food trucks, live entertainment and broadcast programming create a full event without requiring a private tailgate or alcohol.

Tailgating

• Cougar Canyon
  Canyon Road closes beside the west stands for live bands and DJs, face painting, caricature artists, giveaways, merchandise and a large screen showing other games. Admission is free.
• Cougar Walk
  Two and a half hours before kickoff, team buses arrive and players and coaches walk through a fan corridor in Cougar Canyon. Stand near the stadium end for a close view and high-five opportunity.
• The Backyard at Cougar Canyon
  Across University Parkway on Helaman Fields, the Backyard provides a more relaxed gathering area south of the stadium.
• REVELxp
  Premium full-service setups at the Backyard can include tents, furniture, televisions and catering. Reserve in advance, especially for Utah or a major Big 12 opponent.
• No alcohol or tobacco
  Both are prohibited throughout BYU campus, inside the stadium and in all university parking lots. That includes beer, wine, spirits, cigarettes, vaping products and smokeless tobacco.
• Timing
  Cougar Canyon remains active until 30 minutes before kickoff, but gates open two hours prior. Leave the festival earlier if you want the full band and stadium presentation.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Brick Oven
  The longtime Provo pizza restaurant on North University Avenue is part of BYU food lore, with pizza, pasta and house root beer. Its proximity makes it extremely busy on game days.
• J. Dawgs
  Born in a small shack near BYU, this local hot-dog favorite serves grilled beef and Polish dogs with its signature sauce. It also operates a concession location inside the stadium.
• BYU Creamery on Ninth
  The essential campus dessert stop serves burgers, fries and BYU ice cream, including LaVell’s Vanilla. Go well before the Cougar Walk because lines swell through the weekend.
• Bombay House
  West of the stadium on University Avenue, this popular Indian restaurant is a strong sit-down alternative to pizza and burgers. A reservation or early meal is wise.
• Black Sheep Café
  Downtown Provo’s Southwestern and Indigenous-inspired menu includes Navajo tacos and bison dishes. Pair it with UVX rather than trying to repark near the stadium.
• Station 22
  A Center Street restaurant focused on American comfort food and specialty sodas. It fits Provo’s alcohol-light game-day culture and works well for families.

• Wear royal
  BYU’s default is royal blue unless a game is assigned a whiteout, blackout or other theme. The color fills all four stands and photographs brilliantly against the mountains.
• Cougar Walk
  The team arrives through Cougar Canyon two and a half hours before kickoff. The event is accessible, family friendly and the best chance to see players up close.
• ROC student section
  The Roar of Cougars occupies the southeast corner from the middle of the south end zone toward the east-side 15-yard line. Students stand, sway and produce the stadium’s most concentrated noise.
• “Power” sway
  Just before kickoff, thousands of ROC students lock together and move side to side to “Power,” creating a visible wave in the southeast corner.
• Third-quarter “Turbulence”
  The student section reenergizes after halftime with the song and coordinated movement, preventing the common third-quarter lull.
• Cosmo the Cougar
  BYU’s acrobatic mascot performs flips, dances with the Cougarettes and works the crowd. Cosmo’s athletic stunts are a genuine part of the show, not a sideline afterthought.
• Cougar Marching Band
  The band supplies “The Cougar Song,” “Rise and Shout” and a full pregame presentation. Enter before the final 30 minutes to experience it rather than watching from the security line.
• “Rise and Shout”
  The fight song gives fans the familiar “Rise and shout, the Cougars are out” refrain. Learn that line and the repeated “Goooooooo Cougars” ending.
• The Y
  The enormous white block Y on the mountain east of campus is visible from much of the stadium and is illuminated for special occasions and after certain victories.
• Rivalry game
  Utah’s visit turns an already intense atmosphere into the Holy War. Tickets, parking and restaurants become far more difficult, and neutral colors disappear.

• Mountain panorama
  Y Mountain rises directly east, Mount Timpanogos dominates the north and the Wasatch peaks fill the horizon. Upper west seats provide the best uninterrupted view.
• Four-stand bowl
  The west, east, north and south grandstands remain visually distinct, joined at concourse level but open at the corners. The layout preserves air, light and mountain sightlines.
• LaVell Edwards name
  The stadium honors the coach who transformed BYU from a regional program into a national champion and quarterback laboratory over 29 seasons.
• Natural grass at elevation
  BYU rebuilt and leveled the Kentucky bluegrass field in 2024. The surface sits above 4,500 feet, adding a subtle conditioning challenge for visiting teams.
• Modern light and video package
  Large north and south boards and ribbon displays arrived in 2021, followed by broadcast-standard LED field lighting in 2024 with color and light-show capability.
• Cougar Canyon setting
  Few pregame festivals sit this close to a stadium wall. The closed street visually links the west stands, team arrival, food trucks and crowd in one compact corridor.

History & Notable Moments

• Opening (1964)
  Cougar Stadium debuted on October 2 with approximately 28,800 permanent seats, replacing the smaller field south of campus.
• NCAA track championships (1967 and 1975)
  Before football expansion removed the track, the venue twice hosted the national outdoor track and field meet.
• 1982 transformation
  BYU lowered the field eight feet, removed the track and built permanent end-zone stands, lifting capacity beyond 65,000 and creating the current box bowl.
• National championship season (1984)
  The Cougars completed a perfect regular season and later defeated Michigan in the Holiday Bowl to claim the national title.
• No. 1 Miami upset (1990)
  Ty Detmer led BYU past defending national champion Miami 28–21 before 66,235, one of the program’s defining victories.
• Attendance record (1993)
  A crowd of 66,247 watched No. 3 Notre Dame, still the venue’s official record.
• LaVell Edwards dedication (2000)
  The stadium received the retiring coach’s name before BYU defeated New Mexico 37–13 in his final home game.
• Double-overtime Baylor win (2022)
  No. 21 BYU defeated No. 9 Baylor 26–20 in a late-night game that showcased the stadium’s modern noise and energy.

LaVell Edwards Stadium’s four stands make seat selection unusually straightforward. The west side carries the press box, loges and most premium space; the east side faces the afternoon sun but looks back toward campus; the end zones offer lower prices and straight-ahead views. Benches are common, aisles can be steep and the upper reaches require substantial climbing. The open corners allow circulation at mezzanine level but do not make every route level or elevator-served.

• West stands
  Best for shade and the premier view of Y Mountain across the field. Sections 101–109 rise beneath the press and loge structure; upper rows require stairs even when limited elevator escort is available.
• East stands
  The sunniest side for afternoon games and the best broad view toward campus and the valley. Lower-concourse wheelchair seating is available here.
• ROC section
  The southeast corner is general student territory and highly active. Adjacent public seating is loud and standing-heavy, ideal for atmosphere but less suitable for guests seeking quiet.
• North end zone
  Strong view of the south videoboard and easy access to the north refill station. The low angle compresses plays at the opposite goal line.
• South end zone
  Close to the ROC and student energy, with the north videoboard directly ahead. It is also convenient to the UVX approach and Helaman Fields.
• West loges and Legacy seating
  Premium areas atop the west stand provide chairback comfort, hospitality and elevator access through Gates 2 and 4. A specific pass is required.
• Upper rows
  These seats reward the climb with the best mountain panorama and tactical field view. At altitude, take stairs slowly and hydrate even in cool weather.
• Accessible seating
  Wheelchair locations are on the upper and lower west concourses and lower east concourse. There are no elevators in the east, north or south stands, so coordinate tickets before purchase.

BYU game-day food leans into local comfort favorites, sweets and specialty sodas rather than alcohol. Outside food and drink—including bottled water—cannot enter, but water fountains and refill stations are available inside. Concession locations and limited-time items can change, so scan the concourse before settling for the first line.

• Cougar Tail
  The stadium essential is an oversized maple bar, long enough to share but often eaten as a personal challenge. Buy early because demand spikes before halftime.
• J. Dawgs
  Grilled beef and Polish hot dogs with signature sauce bring a homegrown BYU-area brand into the stadium.
• BYU Creamery ice cream
  When offered, campus-made ice cream is the natural dessert connection to Creamery on Ninth and a fitting nonalcoholic game-day indulgence.
• Cougar Canyon food trucks
  Before entry, local trucks provide the widest variety and a chance to eat while watching other games on the festival screen.
• Stadium staples
  Pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, hot dogs, candy and Coca-Cola products are available around all four stands.
• Water access
  Refill stations sit on the lower north and south concourses and at the south end of the east stands; drinking fountains are near restrooms on east and west levels.
• No alcohol
  Beer, wine and spirits are not sold and cannot be possessed anywhere on BYU campus, including premium spaces and parking lots.

• LaVell Edwards Stadium has a no-bag policy. Standard clear stadium bags are not permitted simply because they are transparent.
• One small clutch no larger than 5 by 8 by 1 inches is allowed, with or without a handle or strap.
• Medically necessary items, including necessary diaper bags, are permitted after inspection, limited to one bag per person.
• Blankets and baby supplies are allowed after inspection, but ordinary bags used to carry them are not.
• Outside food and drink—including factory-sealed water—are prohibited. Glass bottles, cans, coolers and backpack hydration systems are also barred.
• Personal stadium chairs are prohibited; approved chairbacks can be rented at Gates 1 and 5. Umbrellas, artificial noisemakers, poles and video cameras are not allowed.
• Gates open two hours before kickoff. Reentry is permitted only when the ticket or ROC pass is specifically exit-scanned before leaving and rescanned upon return.
• Camera bags are prohibited. Personal cameras may enter, but professional equipment and video recording require credentials; tripods cannot be used in the seating bowl.