Brooks Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Conway doesn't have a metro system, light rail, or meaningful intercity bus service to the stadium — this is a drive-or-rideshare town, full stop. The campus sits just 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach , making Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) your obvious flying option. From MYR, it's roughly a 20–25 minute drive west on US-501 to campus under normal conditions — budget 40 minutes on game day if kickoff is in the afternoon or evening. Florence Regional Airport (FLO) is roughly an hour northwest and a distant second choice.

If you're driving in, US-501 is your main artery. Brooks Stadium is located on the southwest corner of Coastal Carolina University at the intersection of University Boulevard and Corporal Dennis Lyden Memorial Highway. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) works fine from Myrtle Beach hotels, and on the way in, pricing is predictable. CCU runs shuttle routes on game day: the Teal Route connects Brooks Stadium to the Student Union, HGTC, and Kearns Hall, while the Bronze Route serves the YY Parking Lot on Hwy 544. These shuttles are the smart move if you're parking at one of the remote lots.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in fast and hard after the final whistle — expect 1.5–2.5x normal rates if you try to book immediately. The move is to walk 10–15 minutes toward US-501 or toward the strip mall areas near campus before requesting your ride. That alone can cut the surge in half and dramatically reduce wait times. Wait about 20 minutes after the final whistle before opening the app.

Driving: The lots directly adjacent to the stadium are the slowest to exit — everyone hits University Boulevard at the same time. If you're in Lot GG off US-501, you're actually in better shape because you enter and exit from the highway directly. All parking is less than a 20-minute walk from Brooks Stadium , which means the remote lots also have the advantage of clearing before the stadium-adjacent crush. Expect 20–35 minutes to reach a freely moving road from the on-campus lots after a sellout.

Shuttle: The CCU shuttles keep running post-game and are your best pure option if you parked in a remote lot. The wait can be 15–25 minutes at peak egress, but you're moving the whole time and don't have to deal with parking-lot traffic. One opinionated tip: if it's a night game, stay in your seat for 5–7 minutes after the final whistle. The first wave of crowd rushes the exits simultaneously — let it pass, and your walk to the lot or your rideshare pickup will be measurably easier.

Paid season or single-game passes grant entry to lots within walking distance of the stadium, while complimentary parking is offered in off-site areas such as Lot GG along U.S. 501 and HGTC lots, with shuttle service provided to Brooks Stadium. The on-campus premium lots run roughly $20–$40 per game depending on location and demand; the free off-site lots with shuttle access are the budget play and honestly not a bad experience if you're in early.

Game day parking can be purchased at the lot entrance for GG and HGTC parking only, and all parking is less than a 20-minute walk from Brooks Stadium. That said, "20-minute walk" in a South Carolina September is a commitment — it can be 85 degrees at a 3:30 kickoff. Take the shuttle. Tailgating is encouraged but note that tailgating zones require one vehicle per space, use of gas grills only, and platforms no higher than two feet.

There are a handful of budget chains clustered right around the university — Comfort Suites at the University, Econo Lodge at the University, and Crossroads Inn & Suites are all about a five-minute drive from Brooks Stadium and are reasonably priced. These are purely functional options: fine for one night, close to campus, not much to write home about.

The smarter play, especially for a full weekend trip, is booking in Myrtle Beach proper, which is only 15 miles from campus and gives you a vastly better selection of restaurants, bars, and things to do pre- and post-game. Beach-adjacent hotels along Kings Highway or Ocean Boulevard typically run $80–$180/night outside of peak summer weekends, and the 20-minute drive to the stadium is easy. You also get the beach. An away trip to Conway where you don't at least stick your feet in the Atlantic Ocean at some point is a missed opportunity.

Rivertown Bistro — Rivertown Bistro opened in 1994 and quickly made a reputation for itself in the Conway area that has held up for decades. This is the nicest sit-down spot in historic downtown Conway, with real Southern food done well. Make a reservation if it's a home-opener weekend — locals pack it.

Bonfire – A Smokin' Taqueria — Sitting right on the Waccamaw River, Bonfire offers guests classic BBQ like pulled pork and ribs alongside Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos and burritos. The riverfront patio is genuinely lovely on a fall evening. Order the smoked meats and skip the fusion stuff.

Coastal Ale House — Coastal Ale House is tucked away in a small strip center near CCU, with happy hour drafts at $5. It gets crowded around sports events , which means game-day energy but also game-day waits. Good bar food, solid tap list. Arrive 2+ hours before kickoff or plan to queue.

HopNWich — From the owners of the Grumpy Monk and the Sneaky Beagle, HopNWich opened in December 2022 and is primarily a handheld shop offering seafood, southern food, and a great happy hour menu with drafts, cocktails, and wines. It's in the heart of historic downtown Conway and the kind of place that feels undiscovered even when it's busy.

While the surrounding area offers plenty of options, the stadium itself also delivers a satisfying selection inside.

Coastal Carolina made history in 2025 by becoming the first FBS program to offer free concessions — hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and fountain drinks — with alcohol and other premium items still available for purchase. There is no limit to the number of in-game visits , which is genuinely remarkable for an FBS game — load up. All concession stands at Brooks Stadium are cashless , so leave the paper money in your pocket and tap your card.

Coastal Carolina University enforces a clear bag policy at all athletic ticketed events. A one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12"×6"×12" clear bag is allowed inside the stadium. Small hand-held clutches no larger than 4.5"×6.5" are also permitted. Don't test this policy — security is consistent about it.

All stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Students enter through Gate 2 , so away fans should steer toward other gates to avoid that particular bottleneck. Starting with the 2025 football season, Coastal Carolina Athletics went fully digital for all ticketing — no more paper tickets. Have your mobile ticket downloaded before you lose cell signal in a parking-lot crowd. Teal Town, located near Gate 1, is a free pregame party open to everyone — worth walking through even as an away fan, just don't wear your team colors while sampling the free snacks.

ADA-accessible seating is available throughout the stadium. All parking lots contain the required number of ADA-accessible parking spaces, accessible on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals with official state-issued ADA placards, and access does not require any fees or additional donations. Auxiliary ADA parking is located in Lot S adjacent to the Wall College of Business, and complimentary shuttle service runs from Lot S to Gate 4 of Brooks Stadium.

All shuttles are ADA accessible and can accommodate all passenger needs. For ADA seating questions or to purchase accessible tickets, contact the Chanticleer Athletics Ticket Office at 843-347-8499. If you need a drop-off before parking, guests may use the drop-off service next to Brooks Stadium but will be required to exit the lot afterward and relocate the vehicle.

Visiting fans should look at seats in Section 121, which is designated for fans of the visiting team. However, the visiting bench is on the opposite side of the field in front of sections 104 and 105, so those are good options as well.

If you can't get Section 121, aim for the upper west sideline — you'll get clean sightlines, some separation from the loudest home sections, and a good view of the teal turf, which is genuinely worth seeing. The CCU band occupies all of Section 118, so fans wanting to stay away from the band should find tickets further away from that location. Avoid the north end zone lower bowl if you're not a CCU student — that's the Chantourage student section and it is not a welcoming place for rival colors. The intimate sightlines keep you close to the action from the lower bowl to premium seating , so almost any sideline seat is a decent watch.

Away fans making the trip will find a designated section awaiting them on the opposite end.

Coastal Carolina fans are passionate and loud in a way that sneaks up on you — this isn't a 20,000-seat stadium full of casual ticket holders; these people care. The fans who are there are engaged and knowledgeable about the game. You'll get the usual chirping if your team is losing, but the official sportsmanship policy is taken seriously and the atmosphere is rowdy without being hostile. The thing that genuinely catches you off guard the first time is the turf — Brooks Stadium's teal turf is similar to Boise State's use of blue turf , but somehow even more jarring in person, especially under night lights when the whole field seems to glow. Visiting fans have reported that it's disorienting in the best possible way: you feel like you're watching a video game. Sit in Section 121, bring your colors, and enjoy it — this is one of the more distinctive settings in college football at any level.

Is there public transit to Brooks Stadium? No fixed public transit serves the stadium. CCU operates free game-day shuttles from remote lots including HGTC and Lot GG on US-501. The Teal Route shuttle connects Brooks Stadium to the Student Union, HGTC, and Kearns Hall.

What is the Brooks Stadium bag policy?

CCU enforces a clear bag policy at all athletic ticketed events. A one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12"×6"×12" clear bag is allowed, as is a small clutch no larger than 4.5"×6.5".

How much does parking cost at Brooks Stadium? Free parking is available at off-site lots (Lot GG, HGTC) with shuttle service included. On-campus paid lots typically run $20–$40 per game. Game day parking can be purchased at the lot entrance for GG and HGTC parking only.

What time do gates open at Brooks Stadium?

All stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. The box office at the south ticket booth opens four hours before kickoff for walk-up purchases.

Where do away fans sit at Brooks Stadium?

Section 121 is designated for visiting team fans. Sections 104 and 105 on the west sideline near the visiting bench are good alternatives if you want to be close to your team's coaches.

Does Brooks Stadium accept cash?

All concession stands are cashless. Reverse ATMs are available on the east and west sides of the stadium if you need to convert cash to a card.

Is food really free at Brooks Stadium?

Yes — ticket-purchasing patrons can acquire hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and fountain drinks at no extra cost at designated CCU concession stands during home games. Specialty food items and alcohol are still available for purchase.

What airport should I fly into for Brooks Stadium? Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the closest option, roughly 20–25 minutes from campus under normal conditions. It's well-served by Southwest, American, Delta, and Spirit, with more connections in season.