Visiting Lincoln for a Game?

The primary gateway for Lincoln is Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Omaha, roughly 60 miles away, with the drive taking about one hour via I-80. Renting a car at OMA is the most practical option for most traveling fans, as the drive is straightforward and parking in Lincoln is widely available on non-game days. Shuttle services such as Omalink run between OMA and Lincoln with advance reservations required, and intercity bus operators including Burlington Trailways connect Omaha to Lincoln for around $12–$32, though the trip including transfer time can stretch to over two hours.

Lincoln operates StarTran, a city-owned bus system, but service is limited compared to major metros — Saturday schedules are reduced, and there is no service at all on Sundays — making it unreliable for game-day travel. Uber and Lyft are available throughout the city and are the go-to option for fans without a car, especially for the short hop between downtown hotels and Memorial Stadium on the UNL campus. Lincoln is a car-oriented city, and having a rental gives you the most flexibility, particularly if you want to explore the Haymarket District or tailgate areas before kickoff.

The Haymarket District, just west of downtown, is the top choice for visiting fans: it puts you within a mile of Memorial Stadium and walking distance of the best pregame bars and restaurants. Downtown Lincoln is equally convenient and offers a range of chain hotels, with standard rates running roughly $120-$180 per night on a normal weekend, though prices spike to $200-$350 or more during home football Saturdays, so book as early as possible. The University Place neighborhood near campus has budget-friendly options closer to $80-$120, but expect limited availability on game weekends. Book your hotel the moment the schedule releases if you are targeting a high-profile home game such as the Ohio State or Iowa matchup.

Lincoln is essentially a one-team town, and that team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program, one of college football's most storied brands with five national championships and a fanbase that regularly sells out Memorial Stadium regardless of the team's record. On home Saturdays, Memorial Stadium's roughly 90,000-seat crowd famously becomes the third-largest city in Nebraska, transforming the entire downtown and Haymarket into a sea of Husker red from Friday evening through kickoff. The Huskers' fiercest rivalries include Iowa (for the Heroes Trophy, played on the Friday after Thanksgiving) and historic matchups with Oklahoma, making those particular home games worth planning a trip around. For fans interested in adding a second event, Omaha is only an hour away and is home to the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field every June, making a combined Lincoln-Omaha trip a compelling option for college sports fans.