Fifth Third Bank Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

This is, bluntly, a drive-or-rideshare venue. Kennesaw sits about 30 miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and in normal traffic that's a 40–50 minute drive up I-75 North. In Atlanta rush-hour traffic before a weeknight game, budget 75–90 minutes from ATL and do not cut it close.

The stadium is wedged between Interstates 75 and 575 to the east and west, and sandwiched between Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road to the north and south — among the area's most traveled thoroughfares in the northwestern Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, about a mile from the heart of KSU's main campus. From I-75, take Exit 271 onto Chastain Road, turn left onto Chastain Road, then take the first right at the intersection of Busbee Road and Chastain Road, and you'll dead-end at the stadium.

For public transit, Cobb County Transit (CobbLinc) Routes 40, 45, and the Rapid line stop near Fifth Third Bank Stadium; the nearest bus stop is Busbee Park-N-Ride, about a 3-minute walk away. CobbLinc park-and-ride options near Busbee and Town Center can help if you prefer transit over driving. That said, post-game bus frequency is limited and the CobbLinc system doesn't run late into the night — if you're coming from downtown Atlanta, a rideshare from Midtown or Buckhead (about 30–35 minutes in light traffic) is the practical call.

Gameday parking for KSU Owls is available at the Black and Grey lots. Pre-purchasing a pass for the Black Lot is highly recommended — official stadium parking lots can fill up quickly. Passes typically run $10–$20 depending on the game, with premium spots closer to the main entrance pricing higher.

A tip for getting to the stadium as easily as possible: take the I-75 Peach Pass Lane if possible — the Big Shanty exit offers the easiest access to the parking areas, and most lots are just a short walk from the western main entrance. About an hour before kickoff, Busbee Parkway just outside the facility is shut down to allow fans to cross easily; before that closure, crossing directly in front of the venue can be tricky, so approaching via Big Shanty Road and crossing at the crosswalk at the intersection with Busbee is easier and leads directly to the southwestern gate.

On-site lots are available; buy a pass online in advance and note that lots are cashless. One ongoing challenge at KSU games is that a handful are played midweek or Friday nights — given Atlanta traffic, this can create real difficulty getting to Kennesaw for a 7 PM kickoff. Plan for that.

The area around the stadium is pure suburban Atlanta: hotel chains clustered around I-75, plenty of options, nothing boutique. That's not necessarily a complaint — it's convenient and walkable to the stadium in a way that many FBS venues aren't.

There's a hotel right at 3000 George Busbee Pkwy NW, just 0.2 miles from the stadium — you can walk to the game, which is the best option for those who want to avoid gameday traffic entirely. A modern all-suite hotel sits 0.8 miles away at 3399 Town Point Dr NW, very convenient to the stadium and offering a complimentary hot breakfast.

For more atmosphere (relative term), consider staying slightly south toward the Town Center at Cobb or Barrett Parkway corridor. You'll have better restaurant and bar options within a short rideshare, rates that tend to be slightly lower than stadium-adjacent properties, and easy access in the morning after. Downtown Kennesaw is a few miles northwest and has a slightly more local feel, but the trade-off is a longer rideshare to the stadium.

Taco Mac is one of the more popular options in the area — a regional chain serving a refined pub-style menu with over 100 beers available on tap and in cans or bottles. It's a solid pre-game stop, easy to find, and reliably handles game-day crowds.

Twin Peaks Kennesaw is located off I-75 next to Town Center Mall, with food and drink specials every day of the week. They show all major games, fights, races, and more every night of the week. It's exactly what it sounds like — wall-to-wall TVs, ice-cold beer, wings — and it works fine as a pre-game gathering spot for a group.

Marlow's Tavern on Chastain Road (745 Chastain Rd NW, about 1.1 miles from the stadium) is a polished tavern with a diverse menu and great patio space — a slightly more upscale gameday choice, with tavern burgers as a standout.

Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria is an iconic, hippie-themed pizza spot serving hand-tossed stone-baked pizzas at 1133 Chastain Rd NW, about 0.9 miles from the stadium — within comfortable walking distance and great for groups and families.

No bags that are not clear and/or larger than 12″×6″×12″ will be permitted. Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5″×6.5″ are also permitted. That's the policy as enforced for all events — don't show up with an opaque tote and expect to negotiate.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted: no glass or plastic bottles, no outside food or drinks, no aluminum cans. Leave the tailgate snacks in the car.

For most events, gates open 60 minutes prior to event start time for ticket holders. Some listings cite 90 minutes, so arriving 75–90 minutes early is a reasonable hedge, especially for a bigger matchup. The southwestern gate off Big Shanty Road is the most efficient entry point for fans parking in the main lots.

There is a no re-entry policy , with a weather exception — once you're in, you're in. Plan bathroom and concession runs accordingly.

All restrooms throughout Fifth Third Bank Stadium are wheelchair accessible. If you require medical assistance within the stadium, proceed to the First Aid station located on the West Concourse. ADA parking is at the Student Center Visitor Lot, with Big Owl Bus shuttles running approximately 3.5 hours before kickoff and for 2 hours after the game.

The bowl design of the stadium is relatively compact and low-slung, which works in favor of accessibility — there's no towering upper deck to navigate. Assistive listening devices and sensory accommodations should be arranged in advance by contacting the box office directly at 470-578-4849. The KSU Athletics staff is generally responsive to accommodation requests made ahead of game day.

The home side seats are backed by suites which sit below the level of the concourse, while the molded seats are found along nearly the entirety of the visitor's side of the field — except the area reserved for the Kennesaw State band, the Marching Owls. As an away fan, the east (visitor) sideline is where you want to be. The molded seats there are perfectly functional — close to the field and with clean sightlines in a bowl this small.

The southern end of the seating bowl has aluminum-backed benches and a corner section of high-top tables. The high-top corner area is casual and social — good for a group that doesn't need assigned seats. Temporary bleachers are also brought in along the northern end, which doubles as a concert stage. Avoid the far north endzone if you want a real view of the action — the stage infrastructure can interrupt sightlines.

The best seats for any game are typically near midfield in the lower bowl; fans looking for value often prefer upper-level seats between the 30-yard lines for a full-field view and lively crowd atmosphere. At 10,200 capacity, even the "worst" seat in the house is pretty close to the field.

Concessions are fairly standard — hot dogs, nachos with cheese and salsa, soft baked pretzels, popcorn, plus pizza slices and burgers in the main seating area. The genuine highlight is the beer menu: besides the typical domestics, you can find the Kennesaw State–New Realm collaboration "Owl In" American Lager, plus the Hazy Like a Fox hazy IPA, Avondale Estate's Georgia's Emergency Drinking Beer, canned cocktails from Long Drink and Good Days, and White Claw seltzers. Budget roughly $10–$12 for a craft beer and $8–$12 for a food item. Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the facility.

Visiting fans are treated reasonably well here — this isn't a hostile environment. Owl fans do a decent job filling the stadium, and the intimate size helps create an atmosphere that doesn't feel cavernous or empty; the student section, while modest, is spirited and engaged. What limits the atmosphere is that Conference USA is geographically dispersed — teams stretching across the Southeast and into Texas and New Mexico — which significantly impacts away fan turnout. In practical terms, that means you may have a pretty comfortable section with other away fans around you. The one thing worth knowing before you arrive: first downs are celebrated by the stadium announcer calling "That's an Owl first down!" followed by a burst of the fight song, and capped by the crowd letting out a "hooooooo" in unison — it's charming and repetitive in equal measure. By the third quarter you'll either love it or be counting downs.

Driving: The Black Lot and Grey Lot empty reasonably quickly given the small footprint of this stadium. The Big Shanty Road exit tends to clear faster than the Busbee Parkway side immediately after the game. Head back the way you came — I-75 South if going to Atlanta, I-575 if heading northwest. Realistically, in a car with 10,200 fans dispersing into a suburban network, you're looking at 20–35 minutes to reach a freely moving road. Wait 15–20 minutes after the final whistle and the worst of the crush has cleared.

Rideshare: Surge pricing is real here, especially for Friday night games when everyone is trying to catch a return flight. Cobb County has limited late-night transit options, making rideshare the primary option for those not driving. Walk two blocks away from the stadium entrance — toward the parking lot side streets off Busbee or up Big Shanty Road — before requesting your Uber or Lyft. You'll cut 3–5 minutes off pickup time and usually reduce the surge. Requesting immediately at the final whistle means sitting in a queue; wait 10 minutes and surge drops measurably.

Transit: The nearest CobbLinc stop is Busbee Park-N-Ride, about a 3-minute walk from the stadium. Bus frequency post-game is the limitation — routes don't run on a post-event surge schedule like MARTA does in downtown Atlanta. This is a last resort option unless you've confirmed a specific bus time in advance.

One opinionated tip: If you drove from downtown Atlanta, seriously consider ridesharing both ways and not driving at all. Parking, traffic, and the I-75/I-285 interchange on a Friday night are collectively not worth it.

How do I get to Fifth Third Bank Stadium without a car?

Cobb County Transit (CobbLinc) Routes 40, 45, and the Rapid line serve the area; the nearest stop is Busbee Park-N-Ride, about a 3-minute walk from the stadium. From Atlanta, rideshare is the most practical option for most visitors.

What is the bag policy at Fifth Third Bank Stadium?

Clear bags no larger than 12″×6″×12″ are permitted. Small, non-clear clutch bags no larger than 4.5″×6.5″ are also allowed. All other bags will be turned away.

Can I bring food or drinks into the stadium? No. Outside food and beverages are not permitted — including glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans.

How much does parking cost at Fifth Third Bank Stadium?

Gameday parking is available at the Black and Grey lots. Passes typically run $10–$20 depending on the event. Buy a pass online in advance; lots are cashless.

What time do gates open for football games?

For most events, gates open 60 minutes prior to event start time. Arriving 75–90 minutes early is advisable for bigger matchups.

What are the best seats for away fans? The visitor sideline (east side) in the lower bowl, between the 30-yard lines, offers the best combination of sightlines and crowd atmosphere. Molded seats run along nearly the entirety of the visitor's side of the field.

What airport should I fly into? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the main gateway — the venue is 18 miles north of downtown Atlanta. Budget 45–75 minutes to drive from ATL to the stadium depending on traffic.

Is there a re-entry policy at Fifth Third Bank Stadium?

There is a no re-entry policy, with the exception that fans may seek safety in their vehicles during inclement weather. Plan your concession and restroom runs before leaving your seat area.