Football Tailgating Information
Tailgating Times
All parking locations are open at 7 a.m. for games that kick off before 6 p.m., and 11 a.m. for kickoffs at or after 6 p.m.
The parking time for the 2025 season opener vs. Western Michigan (Friday, Aug. 29) starts at 11 a.m. for donor lots 56, 61, 62, 79, and 124. All other lots will open at 2 p.m.
Public game day parking is available for $40. Lot 89 commuter lot/MSU Pavilion parking is $20 and shuttle starts two hours prior to game and returns a reasonable amount of time after the game. Season priority parking permits are available to Spartan Fund donors. Tailgating is permitted in all public parking areas on campus. Click here for more parking information.
All fans are encouraged not to come before these times as traffic lineups will not be permitted.
Tailgating Sites
- Tailgating is permitted in all public parking areas on campus.
- There are many parking and transportation options that can make your game day more enjoyable, including shuttle buses. Lot 89 (commuter lot)/MSU Pavilion parking and shuttle starts two hours prior to game and returns a reasonable amount of time after the game.
- Because soil compaction endangers the long-term health of campus trees, vehicles cannot be parked on grass surfaces north of the Red Cedar River and are restricted to designated grass areas south of the Red Cedar River.
Tailgating Rules
MSU welcomes thousands of football fans to East Lansing and Spartan Stadium every football game day. MSU understands that tailgating is an important component of game day activities and wants to insure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. If your plans include tailgating in one of the designated parking areas on the MSU campus, please adhere to the following rules:
- All parking locations are open at 7 a.m. for games that kick off before 6 p.m., and 11 a.m. for kickoffs at or after 6 p.m.
- No couches or upholstered furniture.
- No kegs or other common source containers.
- No drinking game structures and/or paraphernalia.
- No trailers of any type including pig roasters.
- Oversized trucks must park in RV parking.
- Trash shall be disposed of in available receptacles.
- No tents larger than 10' x 10'.
- No tobacco products can be used on campus at any time
The MSU Police Department and assisting agencies perform regular patrols of designated parking areas to respond to emergencies and enforce state statutes and university ordinances.
Open container ordinance
All fans are reminded of the open container ordinance adopted by the MSU Board of Trustees. The ordinance bans open containers of alcohol on campus and in all public areas of campus buildings.
However, on home football game days, enforcement of the ordinance will be suspended on campus for those of legal drinking age, during the hours parking lots are open for tailgating. Areas that remain alcohol-free are the pedestrian areas immediately adjacent to Spartan Stadium as well as all public areas of campus buildings. Please be aware that open containers are not permitted in the city of East Lansing, even during football game days.
Keep It Green and Clean trash pick-up
MSU Grounds staff members will hand out free green-and-white garbage bags to tailgaters a few hours before kickoff. All fans are encouraged to deposit their trash in the appropriate receptacles and to do their part in keeping the campus green and clean.