Protective Stadium

UAB lists the facility at 1101 22nd Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. Use the address printed for your assigned garage or lot in navigation; entering only the stadium address can put you on the wrong side of event traffic controls.

Driving & Parking

• From I-20/59
  The stadium sits immediately south of the interstate. Use the exit and approach specified on the current UAB map because 22nd, 23rd and 24th streets may operate differently around kickoff.
• From I-65
  Connect to I-20/59 east or use downtown surface streets, allowing extra time whenever Legacy Arena or the convention center has a simultaneous event.
• 2026 season lots
  UAB's current plan includes P1, P4, P6, P7, P9, P10, P15, P16 and a City Walk orange block. Most season inventory is digital, and several closer areas depend on Blazer Scholarship Fund priority.
• Public event parking
  The BJCC advertises more than 14,500 spaces within roughly a five- to ten-minute walk. Buy only through the official BJCC parking portal and confirm availability for the specific game.
• Lot timing
  Standard UAB parking lots open four hours before kickoff. Designated tailgate areas open six hours before kickoff, so a parking permit does not automatically authorize an earlier arrival.
• Accessible parking
  First-come spaces require valid credentials. Permanent accessible drop-offs are near the Northeast Gate from eastbound 12th Avenue North and near the Stadium Club/Northwest Gate from northbound 22nd Street North.
• Cashless operation
  Stadium parking does not accept cash. Save the permit to a mobile wallet and approach from the route shown on it.

Public Transit

• Blazer Express
  UAB provides the most practical transit option for students and visitors. Park free in Zone B at the 12th Street Parking Deck and board at the Hill Student Center.
• Shuttle schedule
  Service begins four hours before kickoff, runs continuously to Protective Stadium and continues for one hour after the game.
• MAX Transit
  Birmingham's bus system serves downtown and the BJCC area, but weekend frequency and postgame timing vary. Check the live trip planner rather than relying on a normal weekday schedule.
• Intercity arrival
  Birmingham's Amtrak and intercity-bus facilities are downtown, close enough for a short rideshare but not a comfortable bag-laden walk in every condition.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Use the current map
  UAB's football traffic plan can designate a rideshare point by season. Confirm it on Blazer Game Day before requesting.
• Campus edge strategy
  Uptown and the BJCC campus become heavily pedestrianized. A meeting point a few blocks south or west is often faster after the game than the curb beside a gate.
• Hotel landmarks
  The Westin and Sheraton are recognizable meeting points, but their drives can be restricted during major events; agree on the exact street side.
• Postgame delay
  Walk clear of 22nd Street and wait until your party is together before ordering. Simultaneous events at the BJCC can produce surge pricing and longer queues.

UAB game day spreads through Uptown rather than a traditional residential campus. Blazer Village, the team walk, donor tailgates, restaurants and City Walk all fit within a compact district, while the free campus shuttle brings students into the scene.

Tailgating

• Blazer Village
  UAB's public fan zone offers live music, sponsor activities, appearances by Blaze and family entertainment near the Blazer Walk route. Opening details vary by game.
• P4 Red Rooftop
  South of the stadium behind the Westin, this reserved area combines a vehicle space with room for a personal setup and elevated downtown views.
• P6 Tailgate
  UAB sells designated spaces in P6 separately from ordinary parking. Verify that the pass says tailgate before spreading beyond the vehicle footprint.
• Student tailgating
  Student organizations claim game-specific reserved passes through Student Involvement and Leadership at the Hill Student Center.
• Opening window
  Tailgate areas open six hours before kickoff, two hours earlier than regular lots. Flames, tents and alcohol must follow the current BJCC and Alabama rules.
• City Walk BHAM
  The park beneath I-59/20 includes plazas, recreation, a beer garden and occasional food trucks. It is a useful gathering space, but activity programming changes by weekend.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Eugene's Hot Chicken
  The Uptown location serves Birmingham's take on Nashville-style hot chicken within an easy walk of the stadium.
• Mugshots Grill & Bar
  Burgers, beer and televisions make this one of the most straightforward group options on Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard.
• Capella Pizzeria
  A newer Uptown choice for wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, gelato and a sit-down meal close to the BJCC.
• Santos Coffee
  Locally roasted Guatemalan coffee and breakfast-friendly hours suit an early kickoff or a pre-tailgate meeting.
• Dillard's Chophouse
  Located at the Westin, the steakhouse works for visitors who want a slower Friday dinner or premium pregame meal.
• Paramount Bar
  A few blocks into downtown, Paramount pairs pub food and local beer with arcade games in a livelier setting.
• The Pizitz Food Hall
  This downtown hall is farther from the stadium but useful for groups seeking multiple local counters before a short rideshare or walk north.

• Blazer Walk
  The team proceeds through Uptown toward Protective Stadium with the Marching Blazers, cheerleaders and fans lining the route. UAB commonly schedules it about two hours before kickoff.
• Blazer Village
  More than a fan zone, the village is where the revived program gathers before entering its new home. Arrive early for music, giveaways and special alumni appearances.
• Blaze the Dragon
  UAB's green dragon mascot circulates through the pregame area and stadium, embodying one of college football's more imaginative identities.
• Marching Blazers
  The band leads the team walk, performs the fight song and supplies the in-game soundtrack in green and gold.
• First-Year Runout
  At the home opener, incoming UAB students can lead the football team onto the field, tying a new class to the program from its first weeks on campus.
• Wear green
  UAB consistently asks supporters to create a sea of green. It is the simplest way for a visitor to fit into the home presentation.
• Program rebirth
  Chants and imagery carry an unusual emotional subtext: supporters helped bring football back after its 2014 shutdown, and every home game celebrates that survival.

• South-end video board
  The field-width display dominates the primary entrance view and anchors the open south end of the stadium.
• Industrial architecture
  Exposed structure, metal and masonry deliberately reference Birmingham's iron-and-steel history rather than mimic a traditional campus façade.
• 360-degree concourse
  Fans can circle the bowl with frequent field views and standing rails, making the venue easy to explore without missing long stretches of play.
• Uptown integration
  Restaurants, hotels, the BJCC and Legacy Arena directly border the football footprint, producing an urban event district rather than an isolated parking sea.
• City Walk BHAM
  The linear public space beneath the rebuilt interstate connects recreation, public art and gathering zones across the stadium's southern edge.
• Multi-tenant design
  UAB shares the building with professional soccer and football, the Birmingham Bowl, concerts and civic events, so the flexible north end may look different by event.

History & Notable Moments

• Opening night (2021)
  Liberty defeated UAB 36–12 before 37,167 in the first event at Protective Stadium.
• First UAB victory (2021)
  The Blazers beat Florida Atlantic 31–14 one week after the opening loss.
• First Birmingham Bowl (2021)
  Houston edged Auburn 17–13, establishing the young stadium as the city's postseason site.
• Revived USFL debut (2022)
  The Birmingham Stallions beat the New Jersey Generals 28–24 in the league's opening game.
• First concert (2022)
  Garth Brooks filled the stadium for its first major concert.
• World Games ceremonies (2022)
  Protective Stadium hosted both the opening and closing celebrations for athletes from around the world.

Protective Stadium is oriented roughly north–south. The west side contains the main tower and most premium inventory, the east side offers straightforward sideline value, and the open south end holds field-level hospitality beneath the giant board.

• West sideline
  Sections in the 130s and 140s place fans near the Stadium Club and press tower, with better access to premium amenities and some late-day shade.
• East sideline
  Sections 104–123 provide conventional views and generally better value, but afternoon sun can be direct.
• Stadium Club
  More than 1,700 west-side chairbacks pair an outdoor seat with a climate-controlled lounge and upgraded food-and-beverage access.
• Cabanas
  North-concourse outdoor suites accommodate groups with bar-top and table seating plus optional private catering.
• Field Club
  Padded seats and group hospitality sit at field level in the south end zone, close to team entrances and the video board.
• Blaze's Corner and Family Zone
  Lower-priced season areas target families and value-focused fans; consult the current color-coded seating chart before purchasing.
• Student sections
  The S-numbered north-end blocks create the loudest UAB-heavy area and sit opposite the Family Fun Zone on the concourse.
• Gate planning
  South Gate best serves Sections 112–123 and 219–223; Northwest serves 104–111, 137–146 and adjacent upper blocks; Northeast serves 124–136 and 224–231.

The continuous concourse makes food easy to compare, although not every stand opens for every crowd. Protective Stadium is entirely cashless and accepts major cards plus common contactless payment methods.

• Anvil Grill
  Burgers, chicken tenders, fries and football standards connect the menu to Birmingham's industrial identity.
• Crossroads Chicken
  The signature Nashville-hot chicken po'boy adds a regional option alongside game-day staples.
• Lady Electra
  Cocktails, wine, draft beer and canned selections provide a dedicated beverage destination.
• General stands
  Hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, soft drinks and water remain the fastest choices around the main concourse.
• Alcohol service
  Guests 21 and older need identification; sales generally end with the third quarter and are limited to two drinks per transaction.
• Water stations
  Multiple WaterMonster filling units operate on the concourse. Guests may bring one empty, non-glass reusable bottle no larger than 32 ounces.
• Premium service
  Stadium Club, suites, cabanas and Field Club products can include separate bars or catering, but inclusions depend on the ticket or group contract.

• One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches is permitted; it cannot be tinted or packed so densely that security cannot see inside.
• One non-clear bag smaller than 5 by 7 inches is allowed.
• Diaper supplies must be carried in a compliant clear bag accompanying a child; ordinary opaque diaper bags are not admitted.
• Medically necessary bags and equipment may exceed the normal limits after inspection and tagging at any gate.
• Camera and binocular cases must meet the clear-bag rule, although binoculars may be carried without a case.
• Empty non-glass water bottles of 32 ounces or less are permitted; cans, coolers and outside food or drinks are prohibited.
• Professional cameras, laptops, artificial noisemakers, weapons, selfie sticks and open umbrellas are prohibited. Save mobile tickets to a wallet because screenshots and recordings are invalid.