Raymond James Stadium

The stadium is at 4201 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33607, between Dale Mabry on the west, Himes Avenue on the east, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the north and Tampa Bay Boulevard on the south. It is several miles west of Downtown Tampa and roughly 10 miles from USF's main campus.

Driving & Parking

• From I-275
  Dale Mabry, Himes and Lois Avenue exits distribute traffic around the complex. Follow electronic signs and the route attached to the parking pass rather than cutting across the stadium grid.
• From Downtown or the Selmon Expressway
  Approach from the south via Dale Mabry or Himes. Tampa Bay Boulevard may be controlled near the south lots and Bulls Bay.
• Season parking
  USF season-ticket members who meet Bulls Club giving requirements may purchase designated lots. The digital pass determines the correct approach.
• Single-game parking
  Day-of inventory is sold by card only in the designated public lots, and advance passes are available for many games. Stadium lots are cashless and first-come within the purchased category.
• Opening time
  USF's active parking page lists all lots opening five hours before kickoff. A weeknight or special-event plan can alter that schedule.
• Accessible parking
  Current drop-off points include the southbound lane near Lot B and the Mass Transit area near Lot A. A valid plate or placard is required for ADA inventory.
• RVs and buses
  USF uses Lot 8 for RVs, campers and buses. Overnight parking is prohibited.
• Outbound traffic
  Dale Mabry and Himes may operate in directed patterns for 45–60 minutes. Follow officers even when the route differs from navigation software.

Public Transit

• HART bus
  Local bus service reaches the Dale Mabry corridor, but schedules and stop locations are not tailored to every USF kickoff. Use HART's live trip planner before relying on it.
• No rail station
  Tampa's TECO streetcar does not serve Raymond James Stadium. A bus, rideshare or car is still required from Downtown, Ybor City or Tampa Union Station.
• Campus separation
  Do not travel to the USF main campus expecting a routine stadium shuttle. Football is played about 10 miles away, and any special student transportation is announced separately.
• Mass Transit turnaround
  Stadium buses and event transportation use the northwest side near the pedestrian bridge. Confirm the specific service before treating it as a public shuttle.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Drop-off
  The designated rideshare drop is the Mass Transit turnaround on the stadium's northwest side beside the pedestrian bridge.
• Pickup
  Major events generally use the Steinbrenner Field lot across Dale Mabry. Cross only on the pedestrian bridge; the precise pickup site can change for a smaller USF crowd.
• Confirm the game
  Raymond James hosts NFL, college and concert events with different traffic plans. Check the event page or call the stadium event-day line before leaving.
• Postgame delay
  Outbound control can prevent a driver from reaching the zone for 45–60 minutes. Wait until nearing the pickup area to request.
• Safe ride
  The stadium's Decide to Ride program can provide a discounted trip home through Guest Services for fans who should not drive.

USF's south-side scene centers on Bulls Bay and the lots around it. The atmosphere is more spread out than an on-campus tailgate, but five-hour lot access gives fans ample time to grill, meet the Herd of Thunder and line the Bulls Stampede route.

Tailgating

• Bulls Bay
  The official fan activation occupies the south plaza near Tampa Bay Boulevard, with sponsor games, family activities, music and rotating food or drink offerings.
• Bulls Stampede
  Players unload near Lot 6D and walk between Lots 5 and 6D through Bulls Bay. Recent schedules placed the arrival about two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff.
• Lot setups
  Tailgating must remain directly behind the vehicle within one 10-by-24-foot space. Saving spaces or blocking aisles and sidewalks is prohibited.
• Kickoff cutoff
  Tailgating must stop when the game begins. Loud amplified systems and inappropriate audio are prohibited.
• Larger parties
  Multi-space or commercial tailgates require approval, the proper number of paid spaces, insurance and any necessary permits.
• No recreational throwing
  Stadium parking policy prohibits footballs and other recreational balls in the lots, even when there appears to be room.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• La Teresita
  About a mile away, this Tampa institution serves Cuban and Spanish comfort food such as ropa vieja, roast pork, black beans and rice at approachable prices.
• West Tampa Sandwich Shop
  A compact local favorite for Cuban sandwiches, breakfast and café con leche; plan for limited parking and a line.
• Cigar City Brewing
  The Spruce Street taproom near the airport showcases Jai Alai IPA and other Tampa-brewed beer with a casual menu.
• Press Box Sports Emporium
  South of the stadium on Dale Mabry, this longstanding sports bar offers televisions, wings, sandwiches and a conventional pregame crowd.
• Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
  A nearby large-format option for groups wanting televisions, burgers, po'boys and Louisiana-inspired dishes.
• Columbia Restaurant
  The historic Ybor City landmark is farther away but ideal for a full Tampa weekend meal built around Spanish-Cuban dishes, sangria and the 1905 Salad.

• Bulls Stampede
  Fans, cheerleaders and the Herd of Thunder welcome the team through the south-side tailgate scene before it enters the stadium.
• Horns Up
  Hold the index and little fingers upward to form bull horns. It is USF's universal hand signal during entrances, third downs and the alma mater.
• Herd of Thunder
  The HOT marching band performs in Bulls Bay, leads the stadium music and supplies the fight song after scores.
• Rocky D. Bull
  USF's costumed mascot appears throughout Bulls Bay and the stadium, recognizable by green-and-gold gear and oversized horns.
• The Herd
  USF students occupy the north end beneath the pirate ship. The most committed front-row supporters, the Beef Studs, paint themselves green and gold and wear bull horns.
• “Golden Brahman March”
  The fight song's “Go Bulls!” refrain follows touchdowns and major defensive stops.
• 30th-season farewell
  The 2026 presentation is expected to emphasize program history and the final Raymond James season; game-specific commemorations will vary.

• Buccaneer Cove
  The north-end village and full-size pirate ship create the stadium's signature view. The ship is closed to ordinary event guests.
• Video panorama
  Two 9,600-square-foot end-zone displays and four video-covered corner towers surround the bowl, products of the 2016–18 renovation.
• Natural grass
  USF plays on Tifway 419 Bermuda rather than an NFL-style synthetic surface, a point of pride in Florida football.
• Bulls beneath the ship
  The student section's location directly below the Buccaneers landmark creates the most visually distinctive USF seating area.
• Championship stage
  The building has hosted three Super Bowls, the 2017 College Football Playoff championship and major international soccer.

History & Notable Moments

• USF debut (1998)
  The Bulls defeated The Citadel 45–6 on October 3, two weeks after the stadium's NFL opening.
• West Virginia upset (2007)
  No. 18 USF beat No. 5 West Virginia 21–13 before the program's first stadium sellout.
• Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
  Pittsburgh defeated Arizona 27–23 on Santonio Holmes's late corner catch.
• National championship (2017)
  Clemson beat Alabama 35–31 on a touchdown with one second remaining.
• Super Bowl LV (2021)
  Tampa Bay became the first NFL team to win the Super Bowl in its home stadium.
• Boise State statement (2025)
  USF defeated No. 25 Boise State 34–7 for its first ranked win since 2016.
• Final season (2026)
  Seven home games close the Bulls' 29-season Raymond James residency before the campus move.

The field runs north–south, with the pirate ship above the north end. USF generally concentrates the active college crowd in the lower bowl; upper levels may open according to demand. Always buy from the current USF chart rather than an NFL map.

• The Herd
  North-end student seating offers the loudest Bulls atmosphere and the closest view of Buccaneer Cove.
• Lower sidelines
  Sections near midfield provide the cleanest football angle. The west side generally receives afternoon shade sooner than the east.
• South end
  Convenient to Bulls Bay and team-arrival activity, with a straight view toward the pirate ship.
• Club levels
  The Hyundai West and East Clubs provide air-conditioned lounges, bars and premium concessions—valuable during early-season heat.
• Upper deck
  Elevated center sections offer excellent tactical views when sold, but feel removed from a modest college crowd.
• Accessible seating
  Inventory is distributed across price levels. Ford and Suzuki Marine Gates provide designated accessible entrances, with ramps, elevators and escalators.
• Heat strategy
  Most seats are exposed. For a daytime kickoff, favor west-side shade, apply lotion sunscreen before entry and hydrate because aerosol sunscreen and outside beverages are prohibited.

Raymond James has 47 stands and nearly 600 points of sale for its largest events, but not every location opens for USF games. All concessions are cashless; a reverse ATM near Section 143 converts cash to a payment card.

• Core grills
  Hot dogs, burgers, fries, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, candy and soft drinks are the dependable USF menu even when specialty stands remain closed.
• Tampa flavors
  The current stadium catalog includes a Tampa Cuban Dog and mojo chicken with yellow rice, though availability may differ from a Buccaneers game.
• Local and regional brands
  PDQ, Aussie Grill, Colony Grill and Tampa Fried Chicken appear in the full venue lineup. Ask Guest Services which stands are operating.
• Club service
  East and west club tickets provide dedicated bars and upgraded food locations, with selections dependent on the event.
• Alcohol
  Beer, wine and mixed drinks are available to guests 21 and older. Sales cutoffs and brands are event-specific.
• No outside drinks
  Even sealed water is prohibited absent an infant, toddler or documented medical need. Buy water after entry and plan for the heat.

• Raymond James Stadium enforces a no-bag policy at every event. The only ordinary exception is one clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches; it does not need to be clear.
• Clear bags larger than the clutch limit are prohibited. This current stadium rule supersedes older USF pages that still describe a 12-by-6-by-12 clear bag.
• Lockers are available for a fee on Tom McEwen Boulevard southeast of the Suzuki Marine Gate, but leaving the bag in the vehicle is faster.
• Contact Guest Services in advance for medical, diaper or other special-needs items. Do not assume a conventional diaper bag will enter without approval.
• Cameras longer than 12 inches overall, camera and binocular cases, seat cushions, strollers and umbrellas are prohibited.
• Food, beverages, bottles, cans, coolers, recreational balls, artificial noisemakers and aerosol or spray sunscreen are prohibited.
• Guests pass security screening, and no re-entry is allowed except for a medical emergency. Gates for USF games normally open 90 minutes before kickoff.