David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Lawrence sits about 40 miles west of Kansas City on I-70, and if you're flying in, you're landing at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). Kansas City International Airport is 60 miles to the northeast. Budget around 55–70 minutes depending on traffic; game days with noon or early-afternoon kickoffs can back up I-70 on the eastbound return, but the inbound drive from KC is usually clean.

The City of Lawrence invites fans to park downtown for free and catch a ride on Route 4 to and from all home games, and bus service in Lawrence is fare-free. The boarding location is at the bus stop in the 700 block of Vermont Street, across from the Lawrence Public Library. Route 4 runs with higher frequency starting two hours before the game and continues for 1.5 hours after. This is legitimately the slickest way to do a KU game — park for free downtown, eat and drink on Massachusetts Street, then walk a block and catch a KU bus straight to the stadium.

By car, take I-70 to Exit 204 (East Lawrence) or Exit 202 toward Iowa Street and follow signs to campus. The stadium sits at 11th and Maine streets. For rideshare, Uber and Lyft both serve Lawrence; expect the surge to kick in hard right after the final whistle, so either leave early or wait it out.

By bus: After the event, buses come by every 10 minutes and stop at both the Riverfront and Vermont Street parking garages. The Route 4 buses load near the stadium and head back downtown continuously post-game. If you parked downtown, this is by far the fastest egress option — budget 20–30 minutes total door-to-door including the wait. Head to the bus pickup immediately after the final whistle for the shortest queue.

By car: The lots north of the stadium that drain onto 11th Street westbound move reasonably well — 11th connects to Iowa Street (a main north-south corridor) within a few blocks. Lots to the east are slower to empty and will face more congestion once Phase 2 construction is underway. Realistically, plan 25–40 minutes to reach a freely moving road on a full-capacity game day. Waiting 20–25 minutes after the final whistle in your car — listening to the post-game show — can cut that down meaningfully.

By rideshare: Surge pricing hits immediately after the final whistle. Walk 5–6 blocks downhill toward the Massachusetts Street corridor before requesting your ride — you'll get faster pickup times and lower fares away from the stadium zone. The 15-minute walk to Mass Street is downhill and easy; by the time you get there, surge pricing has usually eased slightly. One opinionated tip: if you're staying downtown, just walk back entirely — it's about a mile downhill from the stadium to the heart of Mass Street, takes 20 minutes, and you'll beat every car and most buses to your first post-game drink.

Campus parking close to the stadium fills up fast — arrive at least two hours before kickoff if you want anything walkable. KU sells parking in several lots; expect to pay $20–40 for official campus lots depending on proximity. Lots 56, 57, 60, 92, and 94 are available on game days. The Mississippi Street Parking Garage is also available with hourly rates applying.

The smarter play — and one that locals swear by — is going the transit route. Parking in the lower level and ramp of the Riverfront Parking Garage and the top level of the Vermont Street Parking Garage is free for weekend game days. You park for nothing, spend your parking budget on a pre-game beer instead, and bypass the post-game lot gridlock entirely. If you insist on driving to the stadium, the lots north of the stadium tend to clear faster on exit because they feed directly onto 11th Street heading west.

There are really two categories here. The Oread Hotel is the place for easiest access — its price tag is a little higher than other options, but it overlooks the stadium from the roof. If you can swing it for a game weekend, the view from The Nest rooftop bar alone is worth the premium. The Nest view truly cannot be beat, and the sunset behind the football stadium is a delight.

The Eldridge Hotel is near the majority of the better eating options on Massachusetts Street and sits right in the middle of the Mass Street action — better for anyone who wants to actually enjoy Lawrence rather than just be close to the stadium. It's a historic property with a bar and real character. For budget travelers, there are chains (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn) on the south and west sides of town for $120–180 on game weekends, but you'll need a car to get anywhere useful from those. Book early — Lawrence hotel rooms sell out for rivalry games and any Big 12 opponent with a big traveling fan base.

Free State Brewing Company (636 Massachusetts St.) is the anchor of any respectable Lawrence pre-game. Lawrence's original craft brewery, it's loud, communal, and serves actual food worth eating — the chicken sandwich and the nachos are both reliable. Lines form on game days but move.

The Wagon Wheel (also called "The Wheel") is a KU institution and a favorite for alumni and students, and it's been named one of the best college bars in the nation for the food, drink, and atmosphere. You can sign your name on the bar with a Sharpie and no one will get mad, but if you want a seat for the game you'll need to get there early. This is the place that separates people who've actually been to Lawrence from those who haven't.

Jefferson's on Massachusetts Street is a good option for a casual meal, and Wine Dive and Kitchen on the same street is the upscale pick if you want a proper sit-down dinner.

Rock & Hawk, inside The Oread, reimagines the sports bar experience with a "fellowship-forward atmosphere" and elevated takes on game-day favorites — burgers, wings, and craft beers — with solid cocktails to match. It's steps from the stadium and does a brisk business on game days. Good for groups.

Beyond the surrounding venues, the stadium itself offers plenty of options to keep fans fueled on gameday.

Walking the concourse turns up a wide variety of options — chicken, hot dogs, tacos, burgers, pizza, nachos, and specialty items like the chicken tinga-loaded nacho at "Tiza De Roca" for $15. New food and beverage options were added throughout the stadium with the 2025 renovation. Expect a beer to run $10–13 and a basic meal (burger or nachos) in the $12–18 range; the stadium operates cashless, so leave the cash in your pocket and make sure your card or phone is ready at every stand.

Bags must be clear plastic and cannot exceed 12"×6"×12". A logo can only appear on one side of the bag, and a small clutch purse is allowed no larger than 5.5"×8.5". The Clear Bag Policy is enforced for all events. Don't show up with an opaque backpack and expect to negotiate at the gate — it won't work.

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and two hours before event time. Ticket booths open two hours prior to kickoff. The renovated west side has the newest, most updated entry infrastructure, so if you have a choice, enter from that side. The new scoreboard is enormous — the stadium's new scoreboard is two-and-a-half times bigger than the previous one, going from 2,680 to 5,200 square feet. You won't miss replays. As an away fan, pick up your clear bag at a pharmacy or grocery store the night before — they sell them at CVS and Walgreens in town if you forgot.

Both phases of the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will provide ticketing opportunities that fit all fans, including improved ADA seating and functionality. The Phase 1 renovation included a full rebuild of the west and north stands with modern infrastructure, which means elevator access and ADA-compliant concourses on the newly constructed side of the stadium.

Passengers using ADA transit service to the game will be picked up at both the Riverfront Parking Garage and the Vermont Street Parking Garage. Accessible shuttle buses are also available from Lot 54 on Irving Hill Road. Contact KU Athletics at 785-864-3141 in advance to confirm ADA seating locations and elevator access points for the current season, especially as Phase 2 construction continues to affect the east side of the stadium.

Away fans are typically located in a designated visiting section in the south end zone or upper corner sections on the east side — check your ticket specifically, as the ongoing Phase 2 east-stand construction is affecting seating assignments for the 2026 season. The 2026 season will see the stadium have reduced capacity as construction of the stadium progresses.

For the best views of the action, the west-side lower bowl sections benefit most from the Phase 1 rebuild — those are the premium seats with back support and modern sightlines. If you're buying on the secondary market and want to sit in a quieter area with solid views, the upper corners on the west side give you good angles on the full field and are less likely to have intense home-crowd pressure in your immediate vicinity. Avoid sitting right in the middle of the KU student section, which runs in the north end zone — it's not dangerous, but it's loud and surrounded by people who have been tailgating since 10am.

Away fans should note that while home seating fills quickly, visiting supporters have their own designated section.

Lawrence Jayhawks fans are college football fans in the truest sense — they care deeply, they know the history, and they're generally decent to visiting supporters as long as you're not obnoxious about it. Jayhawk fans are loud and passionate, but they have a tendency to leave games early , which honestly works out in your favor if your team is winning late. The stadium itself, freshly rebuilt on the west and north sides, is a genuine upgrade from the concrete-and-aluminum bleacher era — you're walking into something that feels current. What makes this trip special, though, has nothing to do with the stadium: it's that Lawrence is a real college town with a real downtown, a walkable bar district, and enough local culture that you can have a legitimately good weekend even if the scoreboard doesn't go your way. The hill the campus sits on gives the whole place a slightly theatrical quality — the stadium feels like it belongs to the city, not the other way around.

How do I get from Kansas City to the stadium?

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is 60 miles to the northeast. Drive I-70 west to Lawrence; the trip takes about 55–70 minutes. Lawrence does not have rail service, so driving or rideshare from KC is the standard approach.

Is there a free bus to the stadium?

Yes — Lawrence Transit runs Route 4 from downtown Lawrence to the stadium for all home games, and the service is fare-free. Board at the 700 block of Vermont Street, across from the Lawrence Public Library.

What is the bag policy at The Booth?

Clear plastic bags up to 12"×6"×12" are permitted, plus a small clutch no larger than 5.5"×8.5". No opaque bags, no backpacks.

How much does parking cost? Official campus lots typically run $20–40 depending on proximity. The Riverfront and Vermont Street parking garages downtown are free on weekend game days , making the free bus option the obvious budget choice.

What are the best seats for away fans? Away fans are typically placed in the south end zone or east upper corners. Sit in the west-side lower bowl if you buy neutral seats — that's where the Phase 1 renovations produced the best new sightlines and amenities.

What time do gates open?

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and two hours before kickoff. Ticket booths also open two hours prior.

Is the stadium cashless? Yes. Bring a card or mobile payment — cash is not accepted at concessions or anywhere else inside the stadium.

Is the stadium still under construction?

Yes — the 2026 season will see reduced capacity as Phase 2 construction on the east grandstand continues. The new east stand is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Expect some sections to be limited or unavailable; check the KU Athletics site for the current seating map before you buy.