On campus and Eddy Street CommonsVisiting fans pick this
Walk to the stadium. The closest rooms, including the AAA Four Diamond hotel on campus, next to the Eddy Street bars.
CAT, Google Maps
Downtown South BendVisiting fans pick this
10-15 min. Free Transpo Game Day Express to McKenna Hall. Express stops at the Aloft, Century Center/Courtyard by Marriott and DoubleTree. Corby's and Fiddler's Hearth are downtown.
Mishawaka and Granger
10-15 min. Drive. More hotel choice. Most hotels in the area are a 10 to 15 minute drive from campus.
Around the stadium
From a specialist guide
Eddy Street Commons, right across the street from campus on the south side. Brothers Bar and Grill and O'Rourke's Public House are both here, and the Linebacker Lounge and Taphouse on the Edge sit on South Bend Avenue nearby.
Map of the area
Tap a pin to see the place.
Getting to Notre Dame Stadium
From O'Hare
From a specialist guide
SBN South Bend International, the closest airport, with direct flights to 17 destinations. The South Shore Line electric train runs from the airport to downtown Chicago.
On game day
Checked at the source
Transpo Game Day Express. McKenna Hall, across from the Eck Visitors Center. Gold Lot shuttle to Bus shelter at Hesburgh Library. Blue Lot shuttle to East side of Hesburgh Library. Saint Mary's College shuttle to McKenna Hall.
Parking and tailgating at Notre Dame Stadium
Tailgating
Checked at the source
Tailgating is allowed in all game-day fan lots before and after the game: Gold Lot, Blue Lot, Burke North, Burke South, Dorr and the rest. No tailgating during the game. Lots open at 8:00 AM on every home game day, whatever the kickoff time. Overnight parking is banned and cars get towed from 6 AM. Tents 10 x 10 feet or smaller, no stakes. Propane grills with tanks under 20 lbs are fine. No charcoal grills, fire pits, open flames, propane heaters or deep fryers. No kegs, drinking games or large parties. No live bands, DJs or amplified speakers. Keep to one parking space. Saint Mary's College: $80 RV, $40 car. Holy Cross College: $250 bus or RV, $100 campers, $40 car, with a shuttle. Vehicles over 7.5 feet wide or 20 feet long must use RV or bus lots. Notre Dame asks fans to be courteous to everyone, including fans of the visiting team.
Game day at Notre Dame Stadium
Getting in
Checked at the source
Bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a one-gallon clear plastic bag, or a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. No backpacks, purses, coolers or strollers.
Cashless: Stadium stands are cashless: cards, Apple Pay and Android Pay. Campus dining is cashless too.
Touring the stadium
Checked at the source
Walk the Bob Hinton Tunnel into Notre Dame Stadium on home football Fridays, 10 AM to 3 PM (last tickets 2:30 PM). $10 a person, self-guided. The football building's lobby opens to the public on home football Fridays, 9 AM to 4 PM, with videos on Heisman and award winners. On Marsh Lane, east side of campus. Free food, celebrity interviews, student performances and photo ops at the Eck Visitors Center, 11 AM to 5:30 PM the Friday before a home game.
After the final whistle
Checked at the source
Lot shuttles run at least 2 hours after the game, until the lines are gone, so expect a wait. Transpo's free Game Day Express runs back downtown for 2 hours after the game. All lots close 3 hours after the game, Burke 2 hours after.
One thing to avoid
From a specialist guide
Don't bring a bottle of water or a stadium seat: both are banned. Bring an empty non-glass bottle instead and fill it inside.
Food and drink at Notre Dame Stadium
Bars near the stadium
Checked at the source
Chris Oliver, Google Maps
Linebacker Lounge
1631 South Bend Ave, South Bend, IN 46617
Known as The Backer, the quintessential Notre Dame college bar and a hotspot on game day.
Away fans: the classic college bar by campus, packed before, during and after the game.
Brothers Bar & Grill, Google Maps
Brothers Bar and Grill
1234 Eddy St, South Bend, IN 46617
Several TVs, a large patio, a long tap list and food, in the Eddy Street strip that buzzes on game weekends.
Away fans: busy game-day sports bar with room for both sides.
O'Rourke's Public House, Google Maps
O'Rourke's Public House
1044 E Angela Blvd, Ste 103, South Bend, IN 46617
Irish pub with a wide Irish whiskey list, steps from Brothers on Eddy Street.
Away fans: irish pub on a busy corner by campus.
Corby's Irish Pub, Google Maps
Corby's Irish Pub
441 East LaSalle Ave., South Bend, IN 46617
South Bend landmark pub where the bar scenes in Rudy were filmed. Full bar, 16 taps, house pizza, Irish memorabilia and flat screens throughout.
Away fans: notre Dame fans, students and alumni, plus anyone who wants to see the bar from Rudy.
Things to do around Notre Dame Stadium
Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.
Tour75 points
Walk the stadium tunnel
On home football Fridays you can walk the Bob Hinton Tunnel into Notre Dame Stadium from 10 AM to 3 PM for $10.
$. The day before
Landmark50 points
Visit the Grotto
This reproduction of the Lourdes grotto was built in 1896 and still gets used as a quiet place for prayer and outdoor Mass.
Free. The day before
Ritual75 points
Midnight Drummers' Circle
After the Basilica bells chime midnight on Friday, the drumline plays in front of the Main Building to kick off game day.
Free. 15 hours 30 minutes before kickoff
Photo65 points
Photo with Touchdown Jesus
The Word of Life mural on Hesburgh Library has arms raised like a touchdown signal and faces the stadium. Fans gather at the reflecting pool here before the team walk.
Free. 3 hours 20 minutes before kickoff
Ritual90 points
Line the Victory March
Two and a half hours before kickoff the team leaves the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and walks to the stadium, with the band playing and the bagpipe band leading them in.
Free. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff
Ritual50 points
Trumpets at the Dome
The band's trumpet section plays outside the Main Building under the Golden Dome, two hours before kickoff, for 15 minutes.
Free. 2 hours before kickoff
Ritual65 points
Band concert on the steps of Bond Hall
The Band of the Fighting Irish plays a 30-minute concert on the Bond Hall steps 90 minutes before kickoff, then steps off from the Main Building 45 minutes out.
Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff
Outing40 points
Studebaker National Museum
This South Bend museum holds Studebaker automobiles, wagons, carriages and military vehicles.
$. The day before
Seats and views at Notre Dame Stadium
Where each part of the stadium sits, and what you see from it.
Lower bowl1 to 36Upper bowl and premium seating101 to 136Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.
