InfoCision Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) sits about 15 miles south of downtown Akron , and from there to the stadium is a straightforward shot. By rideshare, figure 25–35 minutes depending on traffic — plan for $20–$30 from CAK to the stadium. If you're flying into Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), the larger hub, add another 45 minutes and roughly $50–$70 for the Uber.

For transit from the airport, METRO RTA Route 110 links Akron-Canton Airport directly to Akron, with a stop at InfoCision Stadium and the University of Akron campus. Journey time to the downtown RKP Transit Centre is around 40 minutes with a fare of $1.25. METRO RTA charges $1.25 for single rides — cheap for a game-day commute. The university is right there; the bus stop drops you within easy walking distance of the stadium gates.

If you're driving in from the north (Cleveland), take I-77 South; from the south, I-77 North. Exit onto Exchange Street. The stadium is at 375 E Exchange Street, and it's genuinely hard to miss — the look is brick with many windows and a vertical glass tower with a blue "InfoCision Stadium" sign at the top. For rideshare drop-off, have your driver head to the E Exchange Street side near the main entrance — that's the most logical spot, and surge pricing post-game in Akron is usually mild by big-city standards.

By transit: METRO RTA restructured their bus network in 2023 to prioritize frequent routes with service every 15 minutes and added more weekend service — but post-game frequency on Route 110 can vary. Check the schedule before you go; evening games may have reduced service. Your best bet is to leave your seat about 5 minutes before the final whistle to catch the first post-game bus rather than waiting for a second.

By car: The lots off Exchange Street drain reasonably fast by major-stadium standards — this is a 30,000-seat venue, not a 100,000-seat behemoth. Exit east on Exchange to get to I-76 or south toward I-77. Expect 15–25 minutes to reach moving traffic if you wait it out in the lot, or 30–40 minutes if you leave right at the final whistle with everyone else. If you're parked farther into the campus or downtown, the walk back to your car is actually your best egress strategy — by the time you get there, the worst of the lot traffic has cleared.

By rideshare: Surge pricing post-game in Akron is usually modest (1.2x–1.5x), nothing like what you'd see after an NFL game. Walk two or three blocks east toward S Main Street away from the stadium cluster — you'll get matched faster and pay less than standing in the pickup scrum right outside the gates. Give it 10 minutes after the final gun before you request.

The one opinionated tip: Just walk downtown. It's 10–15 minutes on foot to the Main Street bar strip, the rideshare pricing normalizes quickly once you're there, and you get to skip all of it — the lot gridlock, the bus wait, the post-game Uber surge. The Lockview or Baxter's will thank you for it.

Parking and campus garages sit around Exchange Street and surrounding blocks, with wayfinding that makes arrival straightforward. University of Akron's campus lots are the primary option on game day. Expect to pay roughly $10–$20 for surface lots and structured garages in the immediate area — prices can vary by lot and game, so check the University of Akron athletics site in advance.

Arrive at least 90 minutes early if you want a close spot. The campus garage off South Forge Street is a reliable option that doesn't fill as fast as the lots directly adjacent to the stadium. Street parking exists in the surrounding neighborhood, but the blocks closest to the stadium on East Exchange will be picked clean by 90 minutes before kickoff. The smart move is to park near the downtown Akron core — about a 10–15 minute walk — skip the circling, and grab a beer on the way in.

Downtown Akron is your best bet, and it's also genuinely the most interesting option. You're looking at roughly a 10–15 minute walk or a 5-minute rideshare from the stadium. Hotels in the downtown corridor tend to be mid-range to budget, which is a refreshing change from the price gouging that happens near bigger-program stadiums. The Hilton Akron/Fairlawn and the Hampton Inn downtown are solid mid-tier choices.

Worth knowing: the University of Akron actually owns Quaker Square — a former Quaker Oats silo converted into a hotel — and it's located right on campus. Staying there puts you literally walking distance from the stadium and gives you a genuinely quirky lodging experience (hotel rooms inside grain silos). It's not luxury, but it's memorable and its location can't be beaten on game day.

The Lockview (207 S Main St, about 0.7 miles) — a laid-back venue in downtown Akron with a relaxed atmosphere and patio, specializing in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches alongside an extensive selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. It's the kind of place that sounds like a gimmick but actually delivers. Go before the game; it gets busy.

Baxter's Bar (205 S Main St) — a popular establishment offering inventive cocktails and small plates, with a scenic outdoor seating area that overlooks the Lock 3 Park bandshell. The outdoor seating is a genuine pre-game asset when the weather cooperates, which in Northeast Ohio is the universal caveat.

The Score Draft Room (426 E Exchange St) — literally 0.1 miles from the stadium on East Exchange Street. This is the closest option to the gates and functions as the de facto game-day bar for both fan bases. Don't go for the food; go because it's right there and you need somewhere to be 45 minutes before kickoff.

Northside Speakeasy — one of the top-rated bars near the stadium , in the Northside District that's a quick rideshare from the stadium. More of a cocktail/craft beer crowd; good for a post-game debrief if you want to decompress somewhere with actual character.

Beyond the surrounding neighborhood spots, InfoCision Stadium itself offers plenty of food and drink options to keep fans satisfied.

Concession prices at InfoCision are typical mid-tier college football: expect $8–$10 for a beer and roughly $6–$9 for a standard hot dog or loaded nachos. Many venues now operate cashless for food and beverage, and most accept major credit and debit cards as well as mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay — bring a card regardless. There's no notable "fan-first pricing" program here, but at a 30,000-seat MAC program, the lines are rarely deep enough to make it a real issue.

Small, hand-held clutches (4.5" x 6.5") are better options than large purses and your best bet for an acceptable bag. Clear bags are better than opaque backpacks. The bag policy here is consistent with standard college football practice — when in doubt, go with a clear tote or leave the bag in the car entirely.

Gates at InfoCision Stadium typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. Get there early not just for parking, but because the entry experience can slow down if the staff isn't running scanners efficiently. Upon entering the stadium through the main Gate 1, entry can take a while , particularly if they're manually checking tickets. The end zone entrances are often less congested than Gate 1 for away fans — worth a try if the main gate has a line.

One game-day specific note: this is an outdoor stadium in Northeast Ohio. Fall weather in Akron can turn quickly — layers are not optional, especially for evening games in October and November.

Wheelchair access is rated as "Good" at InfoCision Stadium. ADA-accessible seating is distributed throughout the bowl, with accessible entrances at ground level — the stadium's design actually helps here, since fans walk into a wide open entry plaza at street level, with the football field below ground level, making for better access overall.

The press tower on the west side includes the club and suite levels; the press box does not have a dedicated elevator according to available information, so if you require elevator access to upper levels, verify with the University of Akron athletics office before the game. METRO's bus fleet is 100% wheelchair/scooter accessible for mobility devices , so transit to and from the game is fully accessible. For assistive listening devices or sensory accommodations, contact UA Athletics directly ahead of game day — this isn't a venue with a large dedicated accessibility staff on-site.

There's no officially designated away section at InfoCision Stadium — MAC football doesn't always bring enough away fans to warrant it. That said, the end zones are naturally where visiting fans tend to cluster when they arrive in numbers, particularly the open end zone where most fans enter from.

For sightlines, the lower sideline sections between the 20s are the sweet spot — the bowl is intimate enough that there's no genuinely bad angle, but midfield lower bowl gives you the best view of formations and replays on the large scoreboard. Club seats (522 individual, partially-covered chairback seats) in the press tower are the premium upgrade if you want a roof over your head and a cushioned chair. Avoid the very top rows of the open bleacher sections on the opposite side from the press tower — the sight lines are fine but the wind gets real up there in late October.

Away fans venturing into InfoCision Stadium should prepare for a distinctly passionate and vocal home crowd surrounding them.

Akron is a college town with a working-class Northeast Ohio backbone, and the fan base reflects that — passionate in good years, subdued when the Zips are struggling, which has been more often than not. The Akron Zips play in the MAC and have had more lowlights than highlights since their move up to Division I-A in 1987; their lone conference championship came in 2005, the same year as their only bowl appearance. What that means practically for away fans: you're not walking into a pressure-cooker environment. The crowd is typically manageable in size, and genuine hostility toward visitors is rare. The one thing worth knowing is that a cannon goes off when the team scores — it's loud, it's unexpected the first time, and it will absolutely make you spill your beer if you're not ready for it.

What's the best transit option to InfoCision Stadium?

METRO RTA Route 110 serves InfoCision Stadium directly , connecting from Akron-Canton Airport and the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center downtown. Single ride fare is $1.25.

What airport should I fly into?

Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is about 15 miles south of Akron and is the closest option. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) is larger with more flight options, roughly 40–45 minutes north by car.

What is the bag policy at InfoCision Stadium?

Small, hand-held clutches (4.5" x 6.5") are your best bet. Clear bags are preferred over opaque backpacks. Leave large bags and backpacks in the car.

How much does parking cost near the stadium? University of Akron campus lots typically run $10–$20 on game day. Arrive early for the closest spots; lots on Exchange Street near the stadium fill first.

When do gates open?

Gates typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. Plan accordingly for parking and pre-game setup.

Where should away fans sit? The end zone sections near the open end of the stadium are where visiting fan groups tend to gather naturally. For the best sightlines, mid-level sideline seats between the 20-yard lines are the sweet spot at this venue.

Is InfoCision Stadium cashless? Payment policy can change season to season; many venues now operate cashless, accepting major credit and debit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bring a card to be safe.

What is the stadium's seating capacity and when was it built?

InfoCision Stadium opened on September 12, 2009 , with a current seating capacity of 30,000. It serves as the home field of the Akron Zips football team at the University of Akron.