UFCU Stadium

The stadium is at 1100 Aquarena Springs Drive, west of I-35 at Exit 206 and south of the University Events Center. Traffic stacks quickly, so choose a lot before arrival rather than relying on the address for the final approach.

Driving & Parking

• From Austin
  Take I-35 south to Exit 206, turn right on Aquarena Springs Drive, stay on the frontage approach rather than climbing the overpass, and follow event staff toward the assigned lot.
• From San Antonio
  Take I-35 north to Exit 206 and turn left toward campus. Heavy attendance can slow the underpass; arriving well before the Cat Walk is more comfortable than timing the drive to kickoff.
• From Houston
  Use I-10 to US 183/90 through Luling and Lockhart, then Highway 80 into San Marcos. Follow event routing toward the stadium district.
• Advance and reserved parking
  Stadium-side areas are largely pass-controlled. Purchase through Texas State's ticketing system, download the mobile pass and follow its color or lot instructions; event staff may redirect normal campus routes.
• Visitor options
  The current visiting-team guide identifies Mill Street, Lot 5 and the University Events Center lot, each roughly 0.35 mile away. Mill Street and Lot 5 charge a fee; the guide identifies the UEC lot as a free option, subject to that game's operating plan and capacity.
• Accessibility
  Designated spaces require a state placard or plate. Because supply and traffic patterns are event-specific, arrange needs through Texas State ticketing before game day.

Public Transit

• Bobcat Shuttle
  Texas State's campus shuttle serves students, employees and visitors on class days, but football service and stop changes are game-specific. Check the university's live route information rather than assuming the regular weekday pattern applies.
• CARTS / THE BUS
  San Marcos municipal routes connect local neighborhoods, downtown and the multimodal station; vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Weekend frequency may be limited, so verify the current schedule and last trip before using it for a night game.
• Interurban service
  CARTS coaches link Austin-area points, while Amtrak and intercity buses serve San Marcos Station. These reach town but are not stadium shuttles.
• Walking
  Downtown San Marcos is walkable for many visitors, but the route includes hills and busy crossings. Allow 25 to 35 minutes from the courthouse square and follow staffed crossings near Aquarena Springs Drive.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Texas State does not publish a permanent football rideshare zone in its stable venue policy. Use the location shown in the current game's digital guide and obey temporary closures rather than requesting pickup at Gate 2 or on Aquarena Springs Drive.
• After the game, use authorized routes to an open pickup point. Waiting 15 to 30 minutes usually improves driver matching.

Pregame energy concentrates in Tailgate Central, where alumni, student organizations and purchased spaces create a corridor for the Cat Walk. Downtown restaurants offer a cooler alternative.

Tailgating

• Tailgate Central
  Texas State's organized area hosts registered fraternities, sororities and other student organizations and forms the core route for the Cat Walk. Public access and purchased spaces depend on the current game plan.
• Alumni tailgate
  The Texas State Alumni Association has recently operated an official gathering within the stadium tailgate scene. Confirm admission, registration and opening time for the specific game.
• Purchased spaces
  Parking and tailgate inventory are sold separately through Texas State's ticketing portal. A parking pass alone does not guarantee an expanded tailgate footprint, so reserve the correct product in advance.
• Safety
  Keep drive lanes, sidewalks and emergency routes clear and follow posted cooking, tent and alcohol rules. Private golf carts and utility vehicles are prohibited.
• Weather
  San Marcos heat and thunderstorms can alter or cancel outdoor activity. Use weighted shade, hydrate early and monitor official Texas State alerts; do not treat a severe-weather evacuation as permission to continue tailgating.
• Cat Walk timing
  The team approaches through Tailgate Central with cheerleaders and the Strutters. The exact time changes with kickoff, making the official game timeline more useful than a fixed rule of thumb.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Grins Restaurant
  A Texas State tradition since 1975 at 802 North LBJ Drive, Grins serves burgers, chicken-fried steak, margaritas and a shaded deck. It is a natural alumni stop and close enough for a deliberate walk to the stadium.
• The Taproom
  At 129 East Hopkins Street near the square, this pub offers half-pound burgers, wings and 36 draft beers, with televisions for earlier games. The adjoining Porch supplies a later-night music and bar option.
• Chimy's Cerveceria
  Near the square on East Hopkins, Chimy's is a student-oriented stop for Tex-Mex and margaritas. Expect a crowd on football weekends and plan transportation before drinking.
• Downtown San Marcos
  The courthouse-square district combines restaurants, patios and bars, working well for visitors using rideshare or walking.
• Loli's Cafe
  On Aquarena Springs Drive between downtown and the stadium area, this small breakfast-taco stop is useful for an early kickoff day. Hours and lines can be limiting, so check before building the trip around it.

• Cat Walk
  Cheerleaders and the Texas State Strutters lead the football team through Tailgate Central toward UFCU Stadium. Stand along the published route early and leave the corridor open for players and staff.
• Texas State chant
  One side of the stadium calls “Texas” and the other answers “State.” Visitors can join immediately; the pause between halves of the call is the entire effect.
• Eat 'Em Up, Cats
  Fans shape a right hand like a Bobcat paw while delivering the program's signature cheer. It appears throughout the game and pairs naturally with the fight song.
• Heart of Texas State
  The left-hand sign resembles the outline of Texas, with the outer fingers pointing toward the state's center to mark the university's location.
• Strutters and Bobcat Marching Band
  The precision dance team and band frame the Cat Walk, introductions and halftime. The Strutters date to 1960.
• Light the Victory Star
  After athletic victories, the five-pointed star on the north side of Strahan Arena at the UEC illuminates. The custom began in 1942 with a star mounted on the old campus water tower.

• Bobcat Victory Ball
  Dedicated in 2006 on a marble base outside the north end-zone complex, the ball honors former coach and athletic director Bill Miller. Fans rub it for luck when entering the complex.
• Strutters Gallery
  The Linda Gregg Fields Strutters Gallery in the north-end complex preserves costumes, memorabilia and the dance team's international history. It is ordinarily open before football games, but operating hours can change.
• Jim Wacker Field
  The playing surface was named in 2003 for the coach and athletics director who guided Texas State's 1981 and 1982 national champions.
• Weisman Football Performance Center
  The rebuilt south end integrates football operations with the bowl, connects both public concourses and adds a rooftop terrace and alumni hospitality pavilion.
• North-end enclosure
  The 2012 expansion removed the running track, added roughly 13,500 seats and converted the venue into a football-only stadium. It created the enclosed atmosphere visible today.

History & Notable Moments

• Opening and first title (1981)
  The stadium opened in August, and Jim Wacker's Bobcats went 6-1 at home on their way to the NCAA Division II national championship.
• Repeat championship (1982)
  Texas State completed a 14-0 season and won a second straight national title, establishing the program's defining historical standard.
• West Side Complex (2009)
  The Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields complex introduced 15 suites and a 450-seat club section.
• FBS-era expansion (2012)
  The rebuilt north end debuted against Texas Tech before 33,006, one of the largest crowds in venue history.
• Attendance record (2016)
  A crowd of 33,133 watched Texas State host No. 6 Houston on September 24.
• South-end completion (2025)
  The $42 million project reached substantial completion in July, modernizing team facilities and creating a continuous concourse.

The west holds the press box, suites and club; the east offers conventional seating; the north wraps behind the end zone; and the south integrates the performance center. The exposed bowl makes shade and kickoff time important.

• West sideline
  The premium side offers the best access to the Legacy Suites and Dan and Cindee Diepenhorst Champions Club. Its elevation provides a clean tactical view and convenient indoor relief for credentialed guests.
• East sideline
  Traditional reserved sections face the west complex and provide strong views of the video and premium backdrop. Afternoon sun can be direct, so verify the kickoff angle.
• North end zone
  The 2012 enclosure produces an energetic end-zone view near the Strutters Gallery and north-concourse amenities. First aid is also located on the north concourse.
• South end and terrace
  The 2025 connection allows fans to circulate between sides, while eligible Bobcat Club and hospitality guests use the elevated terrace. Access is controlled by the ticket or membership level.
• Visitors
  Section 223 is the primary visiting allocation and may expand with demand. The visiting sideline runs adjacent to Sections 117-123, with the locker room beneath Sections 115-116.
• Accessible and family needs
  Purchase accessible and companion inventory through the ticket office. Portable chair backs are permitted; umbrellas may enter but cannot open in seating areas.

Concessions mix stadium basics with Texas vendors. The 2025 program added a second Cats' Corner and continued Stadium Drop, but confirm current service points.

• Cats' Corner
  Self-service, grab-and-go locations behind Sections 101 and 120 have recently served guests 21 and older, reducing conventional counter lines for beverages and snacks.
• AJ's Ranch Road Grill
  A returning stadium vendor built around grilled and Texas-style fare, useful when a full meal matters more than speed.
• Yapa Artisan Empanadas
  Handheld empanadas are one of the most practical local-style options for eating from a stadium seat.
• Journet's Creole Kitchen
  Creole selections broaden the lineup beyond standard burgers, pizza and hot dogs.
• Doxa Coffee Roasters
  Coffee is especially welcome for late-season night games or an early arrival after driving from Austin or San Antonio.
• Pizza Hut and Chick-fil-A
  Familiar quick-service choices remain useful for families and guests prioritizing predictable food over exploring the local stands.
• Stadium Drop
  The platform has offered in-seat delivery. Confirm it is active before ordering.

• Texas State permits one clear bag per person, no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon resealable clear bag.
• A small non-clear clutch or purse no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches is allowed for privacy. Seat cushions without pockets or compartments are permitted.
• Backpacks, handbags, waist bags and drawstring backpacks are prohibited. Camera, diaper and medical bags may be admitted only after inspection; medical items are permitted upon inspection.
• Texas State's 2025 football guidance allowed one factory-sealed water bottle, although the standing venue page otherwise prohibits outside food and drink. Follow the current football game guide where it provides the event-specific exception.
• All entrants and belongings are subject to search. Gates normally open 90 minutes before kickoff, and mobile tickets should be downloaded before arrival.
• UFCU Stadium has no re-entry. A severe-weather evacuation is the stated exception, with ticketed fans readmitted when play resumes; for a medical problem, contact on-site personnel before leaving.