Cotton District and campus edgeVisiting fans pick this
5 to 10 min by walk. Bars and food steps from the stadium. The Courtyard by Marriott Starkville MSU bills itself as the closest hotel to campus.
Historic downtown StarkvilleVisiting fans pick this
20 min. Free SMART Starkville Central route to Old Main. Hotel Chester, built in 1925, sits downtown with shops and restaurants nearby.
Highway 12 and Highway 182 hotels
15 to 20 min. Free SMART routes or car. Chain hotels including a Microtel; SMART buses stop at Walmart and Kroger on game day.
Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic, Google Maps
Columbus
35 min by car. About 25 miles east on US 82, near Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
Around the stadium
From a specialist guide
The Cotton District, a walkable strip of local bars and restaurants steps from the stadium. Historic downtown Starkville is a short ride on the free SMART bus.
Map of the area
Tap a pin to see the place.
Getting to Davis Wade Stadium
From Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers
From a specialist guide
Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights. Jackson (JAN) is the larger option.
On game day
Checked at the source
SMART Starkville Central route to Old Main Academic Center. SMART Starkville South route to Newell Grissom. Research Park transit to Old Main Academic Center. Davis Wade Express to College View St.
Parking and tailgating at Davis Wade Stadium
Tailgating
Checked at the source
The Junction is a grassy park on the south side of the stadium where thousands of fans tailgate under tents with no cars or traffic. Tailgate only where you don't block traffic or parking. No tents, tables or chairs in parking spaces or on sidewalks. Clear parking areas by 7 AM the day after the game. Public lots open at 8 AM for kickoffs from 1 PM to 8 PM, and 7 AM for 11 AM or noon kickoffs. All pay lots are cashless. Public RVs park at the Mississippi Horse Park south of campus: $125 dry or $225 with water and power for Thursday to Sunday, booked online in advance. Shuttle to Newell Grissom included. Visiting fans are welcome. Away seats are in Sections 24 and 25 and upper-level areas; use East Gate L. Bring a cowbell. They are allowed in the stadium; ring them when the videoboard and PA say you can.
Game day at Davis Wade Stadium
Getting in
Checked at the source
Bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus a small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
Cashless: All transactions in the stadium are cashless.
After the final whistle
Checked at the source
Free game-day transit runs until 2 hours after the game. Follow the posted North and South Campus egress routes, not your GPS, while game-day traffic patterns are in effect.
One thing to avoid
From a specialist guide
Don't drive into center campus late: roads close 4 hours before kickoff (3 hours for an 11 AM kickoff).
Food and drink at Davis Wade Stadium
Bars near the stadium
Checked at the source
Dave's Dark Horse Tavern, Google Maps
Dave's Dark Horse Tavern
410 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr E, Starkville, MS 39759
Live music spot with local and regional acts, New York and Chicago style pizza and many beers on tap.
Away fans: the visitor bureau's pick for postgame live music.
Rick's Cafe, Google Maps
Rick's Cafe
319B Hwy 182 East, Starkville, MS 39759
Starkville's live music club, which has hosted acts from Snoop Dogg to Mustache The Band.
Away fans: postgame dance floor and concerts.
Things to do around Davis Wade Stadium
Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.
Eat50 points
Ice cream and Edam at the MAFES Cheese Store
They make cheese and ice cream right on campus here, so try the muscadine ripple. It's only open weekdays, so plan on a Friday visit.
$. The day before
Tailgate75 points
Tailgate in the Junction
This car-free grass park in front of the stadium fills with thousands of fans tailgating under tents.
Free. 5 hours before kickoff
Ritual90 points
The Dawg Walk
Two hours before kickoff, the team, coaches, the Famous Maroon Band and Bully walk through the Junction into the stadium to cowbells and cheers.
Free. 2 hours 5 minutes before kickoff
Ritual65 points
Ring a cowbell in the stands
Cowbells are the Mississippi State tradition, and as many as 40,000 can ring at a big game. Grab one downtown before you head in.
$. 15 minutes before kickoff
Seats and views at Davis Wade Stadium
Where each part of the stadium sits, and what you see from it.
Lower bowl01 to 25Club, loge and suite level101 to 112 and 201 to 210Upper decks303 to 311Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.
