Valley Children’s Stadium

The stadium is at 1600 East Bulldog Lane near Cedar and Barstow avenues, west of Fresno State's main academic core. California 41 and 168 feed the Shaw Avenue corridor; drivers from Highway 99 normally connect through 180 or Shaw. Follow the route attached to the mobile parking pass because Cedar, Barstow, Millbrook and Bulldog Lane change function as lots fill.

Driving & Parking

• Reserved color lots
  Blue, Red, White, Purple and Green products surround the athletics district. Show the mobile pass before reaching the attendant and accept the assigned stall; spaces cannot be saved for later arrivals.
• General parking
  Fresno State's active guide lists game-day parking at $20. Green Lots P1 and P2 east of the core are the principal remote choice and include free shuttle service.
• Opening and closing
  Lots open six hours before kickoff and vehicles may remain for two hours afterward. Grass lots can close in poor weather, so check athletics updates before driving.
• One pass, one stall
  A vehicle occupies the purchased space, while tents, chairs and grills go immediately behind it. Tailgate equipment may not consume another stall, driveway or fire lane.
• Accessible parking
  First-come spaces in the Red, White and Blue lots open four hours before kickoff and require a valid placard plus the game-day fee. Lot P1 has additional accessible inventory and a mobility-equipped shuttle from Maple Roundabout.
• Oversized vehicles
  Standard color-lot passes are for passenger vehicles; limousines, trailers and RVs are not admitted to general areas. Purchase the correct oversized or picnic product in advance.

Public Transit

• Green Lot shuttle
  Free game-day buses begin three hours before kickoff from stops along Barstow Avenue, Woodrow Avenue and Maple Roundabout, dropping at the stadium's North Gate.
• Service window
  Pregame trips continue through the end of the first quarter. Return buses begin at the end of the third quarter from the North Gate and retrace the same Green Lot loop.
• Accessible bus
  A wheelchair-equipped vehicle serves Maple Roundabout. Tell parking staff or the driver when mobility assistance is needed rather than waiting at an unmarked curb.
• Local buses
  Fresno Area Express and Clovis Transit serve Fresno State and Campus Pointe during normal operations, but they are not substitutes for the dedicated football loop. Check game-day detours and service ending times before relying on them after a night kickoff.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Fresno State's active football guide does not publish a permanent Uber/Lyft zone. Do not use Bulldog Lane or a color lot as the pin once parking controls are active.
• Arrange pickup or drop-off on the campus edge, such as the Shaw/Maple side near the Green Lots, then use the shuttle or walk as staff direct. Keep clear of the Maple Roundabout's accessible operation.
• After the game, walk away from Cedar and Barstow before requesting. Traffic is released by lot, and a driver on the opposite side of a closure cannot reach the stadium curb.
• Save the exact meeting point in writing, verify the license plate and expect surge pricing after major opponents. A trip to Campus Pointe or another recognizable east-campus landmark can simplify the match.

Tailgating begins six hours before kickoff, but the public centerpiece is Bulldog BLVD three hours before. It occupies the plaza among Valley Children's Stadium, Bulldog Soccer Stadium and Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.

Tailgating

• Bulldog BLVD
  The free official fan fest offers the Bring the Juice Tailgate Stage, music, a pregame show, Fresno Street Eats trucks, special guests and giveaways. It is the best no-equipment option for visitors.
• Red, White and Blue lots
  Tailgating may continue during the game in these areas. Purple and Green tailgating ends at kickoff, an important difference for anyone accompanying a ticket holder but not entering.
• Tents
  One weighted 10-by-10-foot canopy may stand directly behind the vehicle. Stakes are prohibited, and tents or signs cannot attach to a tree, tree support or fence.
• Cooking
  Propane devices are allowed. Glass, charcoal or wood-chip grills, deep fryers and open-flame barbecues are prohibited in the general color lots.
• Alcohol
  Guests 21 and older may consume responsibly where allowed, but not in Yellow lots. Kegs, party balls and all alcohol or food sales are prohibited.
• Conduct and cleanup
  Music must be reasonable and nonvulgar. Keep aisles open, remove every piece of trash and remember that the entire campus—including parking lots—is tobacco-free.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Dog House Grill
  Across Shaw Avenue from Save Mart Center, this Bulldog-themed favorite is known for tri-tip sandwiches, barbecue and a high-energy crowd. Expect a line and arrive well before the shuttle window.
• Mad Duck Craft at Campus Pointe
  East of campus at 3085 East Campus Pointe Drive, Mad Duck serves house beer, burgers, sandwiches and shareable pub food with televisions and a full-service setting.
• Wahoo's Fish Taco
  Campus Pointe's counter-service tacos and bowls work for families or groups that want a quicker meal without a long sit-down commitment.
• Ike's Love & Sandwiches
  Also at Campus Pointe, Ike's offers a large sandwich menu suitable for picking up before entering the tailgate area; outside restaurant food cannot enter the stadium.
• Bulldog BLVD food trucks
  For the most efficient stadium-adjacent plan, skip a restaurant and buy from the rotating Fresno Street Eats lineup while watching the stage show.

• The Red Wave
  Fresno State's fan base is not limited to alumni or Fresno city limits. Wear red unless the game is specifically designated a whiteout or blackout and expect coordinated “Fresno!” and “State!” responses.
• Bulldog Marching Band
  The band warms up near the Music Building and traditionally parades across campus toward the stadium. Weekly timing can change, so ask at Bulldog BLVD or consult the game-day schedule.
• Ramp entrance
  The Bulldogs descend the north-end ramp into the below-grade bowl, one of the venue's defining sights. Be in the seat before introductions rather than watching from the concourse.
• Third-Down Thunder
  The video, sound and Red Wave rise together on defensive third downs, using the bowl's steep sides to concentrate noise.
• Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred
  The Jim Sweeney-era phrase—ending with being a Bulldog until the day one is dead—remains a statement of lifetime loyalty to the program.
• The Green V
  The green field and uniform mark honors the San Joaquin Valley's agricultural communities, intentionally contrasting with Fresno State's red and blue.

• Below-grade bowl
  The playing surface sits 37 feet below grade, allowing the 40,727-seat venue to maintain a surprisingly low exterior profile.
• Cantilevered lights
  Distinctive arms extend inward and direct illumination toward the field, supplemented by corner LED poles added in 2019.
• Ring of Honor
  Stadium recognition began with coaches Jim Sweeney and Pat Hill, the two figures who built Fresno State's modern national football identity.
• Green V end-zone marks
  The 2025 AstroTurf moved the Valley symbols prominently to the end zones, reinforcing the program's regional mission.
• North video board
  The large high-definition display and ribbon board anchor the end from which the team descends.

History & Notable Moments

• First game (1980)
  Fresno State defeated Montana State 21-14 on November 15, closing the season in its new community-funded stadium.
• Expansion (1991–92)
  End-zone and east-side work added more than 10,000 seats, 22 suites, concessions and restrooms, forming the current scale.
• No. 10 Oregon State (2001)
  Fresno State's 44-24 victory remains its highest-ranked home win and drew a record-tying 42,881.
• Inaugural Mountain West title game (2013)
  Derek Carr and Davante Adams led the Bulldogs past Utah State 24-17 on their home field.
• Valley Children's name (2022)
  The hospital partnership replaced the Bulldog Stadium name while preserving the Red Wave identity.
• First stadium concert (2025)
  More than 35,000 attended Shakira, establishing a new major-event role beyond football.

The west side holds the press box, suites and many established season-ticket areas; the east provides chairback blocks and views toward the west structure. The north video board and team ramp orient the bowl. Most standard inventory is exposed, so early-season sun and late-season cool both matter.

• West red seats
  Central west Sections 9–13 are among the most comfortable traditional choices, with chairbacks and some late-day shade from the press and suite structure.
• West and east sidelines
  Lower central rows bring fans close but require more stair travel from the top concourse. Higher rows improve the formation view and make exits easier.
• Student section
  The student zone occupies the energetic south/east-side end of the bowl. Expect standing and concentrated band and spirit activity rather than a quiet seated experience.
• End zones
  North seats sit near the ramp and video board; south seats face it and provide a full-field view. End-zone value is strong when midfield chairbacks are scarce.
• Accessible seating
  Positions are at the tops of Sections 7, 8, 14, 15, 28 and 34 and bottoms of 28–33. Reserve the wheelchair and companion product rather than buying a standard seat and hoping to exchange.
• Mobility help
  Interior golf carts connect gate waiting areas with the tops of sections. Fans who avoid stairs should choose top-row inventory and request assistance immediately after entering.

Concourse stands cover football staples and Valley flavors, and beer and wine are sold at stadium and concourse points. The live map controls the exact game-day vendor placement.

• Tri-tip sandwiches
  Central California's signature barbecue is the most regionally appropriate stadium meal and a long-running Bulldog game-day favorite.
• Tacos and Mexican food
  Rotating stands and local vendors reflect Fresno's food culture; compare the live concessions map with the Bulldog BLVD truck list.
• Burgers, hot dogs and pulled pork
  Standard grills provide dependable full-meal options around the bowl.
• Funnel cakes, popcorn and sweets
  Portable stands supplement the permanent counters and are useful when main lines build near halftime.
• Beer and wine
  Sales are available inside, but outside alcohol cannot cross the gate. Carry identification and follow transaction limits posted at the stand.
• Water
  Each guest may bring one factory-sealed bottle smaller than 24 ounces—valuable during hot September games. Other bottles, cups and outside beverages are prohibited.

• One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag may be no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches.
• A non-clear clutch may be no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches and may accompany the approved clear bag.
• Necessary medical items and diaper bags receive exceptions after inspection. Use the appropriate inspection line and allow additional time.
• Backpacks, coolers, outside food, bottles, plastic cups, umbrellas, strollers, tripods and video cameras are prohibited.
• One factory-sealed water bottle under 24 ounces is allowed despite the general outside-beverage restriction.
• Guests and bags are screened by metal detection. The North, Northeast and South gates have high-speed units, with additional Northwest and Southwest entries accessible from the White Lot.
• Download mobile tickets and parking passes before arriving. Once admitted, plan to remain inside; do not count on re-entry or carrying tailgate food through the gate.