Peden Stadium

Athens lies in southeastern Ohio along U.S. 33, roughly 75 miles southeast of Columbus. The stadium occupies the Athletic Mall between South Green Drive and the Hocking River, with the Convocation Center and TailGreat Park across the water.

Driving & Parking

• From Columbus
  Take U.S. 33 southeast toward Athens, then follow the event route on the current parking map. From West Virginia, U.S. 50 and U.S. 33 provide the principal approaches.
• Do not target the gate
  Stadium Drive and South Green Drive are pedestrian-heavy and controlled on game day. Navigate to the lot printed on the parking pass rather than to Peden's street address.
• Advance purchase
  Ohio strongly recommends buying parking online. Credentials are delivered by mobile or print-at-home methods, and the operation does not accept cash for parking.
• General game-day pass
  The 2025 ticket information listed game-day parking at $50. It guarantees a space but not a particular lot; inventory is filled on a lot-by-lot basis.
• TailGreat Park
  This grass lot between Shafer Street and the Hocking River offers the signature tailgate setting. Season and single-game passes are limited and sell quickly.
• Donor lots
  Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and VIP products are tied to Ohio Bobcat Club giving levels and availability. A donor pass is not interchangeable with a general credential.
• Accessible parking
  Designated spaces, accessible shuttles and CATCAB assistance are available. Contact the ticket office before game day and use the route assigned to the accommodation.
• RV parking
  Ohio sells a separate RV product, including donor inventory with an extended stay window. Arrange it in advance rather than arriving in a general lot with an oversized vehicle.

Public Transit

• Free game shuttles
  Accessible buses serve remote parking from two hours before kickoff until one hour after the game. Real-time locations are available through the university's DoubleMap service.
• South and East Green stops
  Service includes Lots 93, 51-54 and 90, covering the Golf and Tennis Center, South Green/Rufus Street and Morton areas.
• West and Union Green stops
  Stops include Lots 147, 145, 148, 109 and 143, plus the Convocation Center. Use the current map because stop placement can change with construction.
• Athens Transit
  The city system connects local hotels, campus and Uptown, but ordinary weekend frequencies are separate from football shuttles. Check the live schedule before relying on a late postgame trip.
• Intercity bus
  GoBus links Athens with Columbus and other Ohio cities. Its fixed timetable is useful for an overnight visit, not a guaranteed connection to the final whistle.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Uptown drop-off
  Court Street or Baker University Center is a practical arrival point, followed by a downhill campus walk. It avoids sending a driver into the athletics-lot queue.
• South Green option
  A designated open street near South Green can shorten the walk, but follow the matchup traffic plan because access changes near kickoff.
• Postgame pickup
  Walk uphill toward Baker Center or Uptown before requesting a ride. Stadium Drive is committed to pedestrians, buses and lot egress.
• Limited supply
  Athens has rideshare and local taxi companies, but availability is smaller than in Columbus. Reserve early for a night game and confirm the meeting point by message.

Ohio's pregame works in layers. TailGreat Park handles traditional vehicle setups along the river, Bobcat Boulevard brings family activities to South Green Drive, and Hospitality Village serves eligible Bobcat Club members. Uptown adds an authentic college-town meal before the walk to Peden.

Tailgating

• TailGreat Park
  The grass field across from Peden and the Convocation Center is the most recognizable public tailgate location. Each pass must accompany a vehicle.
• Rear-of-vehicle setup
  Equipment belongs behind the vehicle and cannot block lanes. Empty spaces beside the car cannot become extra tailgate real estate.
• Bobcat Boulevard
  Game-specific programming outside Peden has included inflatables, live music, caricature artists, student-athlete appearances and food vendors. The lineup varies.
• Hospitality Village
  The Bobcat Club pregame opens two hours before kickoff. The 2026 offering includes shade, yard games, soft drinks, water and giveaways for eligible members at non-weekday games.
• Group tents
  A limited number of larger hosted outings can be booked in advance. They are distinct from buying a single TailGreat parking space.
• Riverside weather
  Grass conditions and the Hocking River setting make waterproof shoes useful after rain. Secure tents and clean the entire footprint before leaving.
• Payment mix
  Official parking is cashless, but individual hospitality or vendor operations may publish a different method. Carry a card and a modest amount of cash.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Jackie O's Uptown Brewpub
  On West Union Street near Court, the original Jackie O's serves house beer and pub food in a quintessential Athens setting. It fills quickly on football Saturdays.
• Casa Nueva
  At 4 West State Street, this worker-owned restaurant and cantina emphasizes locally sourced Mexican-inspired food, vegetarian and vegan choices, and live entertainment.
• O'Betty's Red Hot
  At 15 West State Street, the tiny hot-dog shop uses burlesque-themed décor and memorable topping combinations. Seating is limited, so it works best as a quick stop.
• Union Street Diner
  At 70 West Union Street, the 24-hour-style college diner serves breakfast plates, burgers and comfort food, useful before an early kick or after a night game.
• Court Street
  The main Uptown strip offers pizza, sandwiches, coffee and bars within a compact area. Eat before walking downhill; moving a parked car close to kickoff is rarely worthwhile.

• Marching 110
  “The Most Exciting Band in the Land” performs a high-step, dance-heavy style and occupies the north end. Its name now represents 110-percent effort rather than an exact membership count.
• Diamond Ohio
  The band's signature formation dates to the modern style introduced in the 1960s. Enter well before kickoff to see the complete field show.
• Rufus the Bobcat
  The costumed mascot works the tailgate areas and stadium. Green and white are the standard colors, with black emphasized for designated Blackout games.
• “Stand Up and Cheer”
  Ohio's fight song follows scores and major moments. The Marching 110's movement is as important as the tune, so the north-end view has special appeal.
• Homecoming parade
  The annual parade moves through Uptown and traditionally ends near Peden's parking area before the afternoon game. Street closures require a much earlier arrival.
• Battle of the Bricks
  Rival Miami is the marquee conference visitor. The name connects both campuses' red-brick identity, and the game brings stronger ticket and parking demand.

• Frank Solich Field
  The playing surface was named in 2022 for Ohio's winningest coach and the MAC's career wins leader. The stadium itself continues to honor Don Peden.
• Victory Hill
  The grass berm behind the south end zone provides a distinctive open backdrop and informal gathering space, subject to ticketing and game-specific access.
• Peden Tower
  The five-story west-side structure contains athletics operations, premium seating, media, meeting and football spaces.
• Hocking River setting
  The river and wooded southeastern Ohio hills create the “Wrigley Field of College Football” intimacy celebrated by the university.
• Historic-site marker
  Peden's longevity, 1929 design and continued use distinguish it from the MAC's more modern bowls.
• North-end band area
  Dedicated space for the Marching 110 turns the open end into a performance platform rather than an architectural gap.

History & Notable Moments

• Dedication (1929)
  Ohio defeated rival Miami 14-0 to open the $185,000 Athletic Plant that later became Peden Stadium.
• Perfect season (1960)
  The Bobcats completed the only 10-0 campaign in program history with Peden as their home.
• Field-lowering project (2001)
  Removing the track, lowering the field and adding Phillips Club rows brought spectators closer to play.
• Solich debut (2005)
  Ohio upset Pittsburgh 16-10 in overtime during the coach's first home game and Peden's first nationally televised contest.
• Modern facilities (2005-06)
  Expanded medical, meeting, video and recruiting spaces completed the stadium's latest broad renovation.
• Field dedication (2022)
  Ohio beat Northern Illinois 24-17 as Frank Solich Field received its name and new turf.
• Attendance record (2025)
  A venue-record 26,740 watched Ohio defeat West Virginia 17-10.

• Tower Club (Sections 202-207)
  The west-side premium area offers an elevator, private restrooms and concessions, hospitality spaces and covered seating in selected locations.
• Phillips Club (Sections 1-7)
  The first four rows behind the home sideline place fans only feet from the team and use bleacherback seating.
• Midfield chairbacks (104-105)
  Five hundred cushioned seats span the 50-yard-line area, with newer chairbacks in the top 12 rows.
• Gold sections
  Sections 10-16, 103 and 106 provide strong reserved views without full premium hospitality.
• Value corners
  Sections 109-116 and other silver inventory trade a sharper midfield angle for the stadium's least expensive reserved products.
• Accessible seating
  Guests needing an exchange can consult ushers near Sections 8 or 9. Arrange ahead when possible, especially for a sellout.
• Band proximity
  North-end seats get the fullest Marching 110 sound. South-end positions look toward the band and sit closer to Victory Hill and the video board.

Peden's concourse stands offer standard football fare, soft drinks and game-specific items. The 2026 A-Z guide directs fans to the current concession map, while Bobcat Boulevard food trucks add pregame variety.

• Main concourses
  Buy from the nearest side rather than circling the compact but crowded passage behind the stands.
• Tower Club
  Premium guests have dedicated concessions and private restrooms, reducing reliance on public halftime lines.
• Food trucks
  Bobcat Boulevard and Hospitality Village can provide more distinctive choices before entry; vendors vary by matchup.
• Merchandise
  Official Bobcats apparel is sold on the north side. Uptown's Ohio Bobcat Fan Store at 30 North Court Street is another option before parking.
• Timing
  Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Eat immediately after entry or during the first quarter to avoid the halftime peak.

• Peden Stadium uses a clear-bag policy. The current 2026 A-Z guide approves clear totes, small clutches and medically necessary bags subject to inspection.
• Ohio's current public guide does not state dimensions for the clear tote or clutch. Do not assume another stadium's measurements apply; check the latest game page or contact the ticket office before buying a bag.
• Every entrance conducts bag checks. Backpacks and bookbags are prohibited, even if a visitor considers them small.
• Outside food and drinks, alcohol, coolers, umbrellas, strollers, amplified noisemakers, drones, tobacco products, weapons and fireworks are prohibited.
• Signs, flags, seat backs and cushions are subject to approval; poles are not permitted. Service-animal or medical exceptions should be arranged in advance.
• Peden has four main gates, all normally opening 90 minutes before kickoff. Gate 1 is the only location that can exit-scan a ticket for permitted re-entry.