Jordan-Hare Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Auburn is not a place you accidentally pass through. There's no subway, no light rail, no Amtrak. Your realistic options are driving, rideshare, or the free Tiger Transit game day shuttle system. The nearest major airports are Montgomery Regional (MGM), about 55 miles west, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), roughly 110 miles to the east — plan on a 1–1.5 hour drive from Montgomery, 1.5–2 hours from Atlanta depending on game-day traffic on I-85.

During Auburn home football games, Tiger Transit runs special game day routes that are free to use for all fans, with pick-up beginning four hours prior to kickoff. Buses run four hours before SEC kickoffs and three hours before non-SEC games, operate intermittently during the game, and continue for two hours post-game to return fans to their stops. Key remote park-and-ride stops include Auburn Mall (1627 Opelika Road, near Belk's parking lot) and TigerTown (2199 TigerTown Parkway, Opelika, off I-85 Exit 58, near Dick's Sporting Goods). Using TigerTown as your base is the smartest play if you're driving in from out of town — park for free, hop the shuttle, avoid the stadium traffic entirely.

For rideshare, a rideshare location has been added at Duncan and Samford Drive to accommodate more fans. Drop-off and pickup near the stadium gets complicated on game days — surge pricing is real and wait times balloon. Plan to walk a few blocks from your drop zone to the gates.

Let's be direct: lots close to the stadium are by permit only for big-money donors. If you don't have a reserved pass, you're not parking on Pat Dye Field's doorstep. There are lots not too far from the stadium that range from $20–$50, and also a lot of free parking a little further away — but close to where people tailgate.

Parking options include reserved spaces via SpotHero, free on-campus parking, student and athletic lots, and accessible parking. The SpotHero pre-purchase route is strongly recommended — walk-up lot prices fluctuate and closer spots vanish fast. For Iron Bowl or primetime games, anything under $40 within a reasonable walk should be grabbed in advance. TigerTown shopping center off I-85 Exit 58 is a reliable option — take Highway 431 north to Opelika and get on I-85 South to exit 58 , then board the free Tiger Transit shuttle to campus. Arrive at minimum two hours before kickoff if you want a spot without circling.

The Hotel at Auburn University, located right on campus at 241 South College Street, is the most walkable option and fills up the moment the schedule drops — book it months out and expect to pay a significant game-day premium (often $250–$400/night). The Collegiate Hotel is another on-campus boutique option worth checking.

For something slightly more affordable and still functional, the cluster of chain hotels along Opelika Road and near I-85 (Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Courtyard by Marriott) puts you 10–15 minutes from campus with the bonus of easier post-game exit. If you're combining your trip with some food and nightlife, staying near downtown Auburn's College Street area — within walking distance of Toomer's Corner — is the move. You'll be able to walk to the stadium and walk home from the bars, which is how a game-day trip should work.

Toomer's Drugs (at Toomer's Corner, College St. & Magnolia Ave.) — This is the spiritual center of Auburn game day. The famous corner drug store serves lemonade that has achieved genuine regional legend status. You go partly for the drink, mostly for the atmosphere. When Auburn wins, this intersection gets absolutely buried in toilet paper. Worth seeing regardless of your rooting interest.

The Hound (inside downtown Auburn) — The Hound is a solid place to spend time with your friends before a game. It's a gastropub with a full bar and a kitchen that actually tries — burgers, craft beers, and the kind of place that doesn't feel like a tourist trap even on game day. Expect a crowd.

Acre (College St.) — Often credited with putting this area on the map, Acre is led by Chef David Bancroft and serves elevated Southern farm-to-table cooking. This is the spot if you're doing a proper pre-game dinner the night before or on a late-kickoff Saturday. Make a reservation; you won't get in otherwise on game day.

Amsterdam Cafe (Gay St.) — One of the more reliable bars for a loud, bar-hopping crowd. Full menu, heavy pours, and close enough to the stadium that you can track the clock and still make kickoff. The kind of spot that gets chaotic in the best way when the town fills up.

Once inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, fans will find plenty of food and drink options to keep the energy going.

All concessions and merchandise stands accept only cards or mobile payments — leave the cash in your wallet. Expect to pay in the range of $10–$14 for a beer and $8–$12 for a meal item (burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, loaded fries are the staples). Auburn has further enhanced concession options and added discounted pricing for WarEagle+ subscribers — which won't help you as a visitor, but it means the lines at subscriber-discount stands can move fast. Outside food or drink is prohibited , so eat well before you arrive or budget accordingly inside.

Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are permitted. Wallets and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ are also allowed and don't need to be clear. Jordan-Hare allows guests to bring one factory-sealed clear plastic water bottle not exceeding 1 liter (approximately 34 ounces). Outside food or drink is prohibited — don't try to sneak in a sandwich.

Gates typically open two hours prior to game time. For those with a documented medical need, medical bags are permitted through Gates 5 and 18. Walk-through metal detectors are in use at all gates, so arrive early — the lines at the main east and west gates grow quickly in the final 30 minutes before kickoff. Gates 1–4 on the northeast corner have been extended and expanded for the 2025 season to improve flow, so that area is worth targeting if you're entering from the north end. Note that no pass-outs are given for any reason — police officers cannot issue them, and if you leave the stadium, you must purchase another ticket to re-enter.

ADA-compliant seating is available in sections 17, 18, 33, 35, 37, and 44. These sections are distributed across the lower bowl on both the east and west sides, so accessible sight lines are generally solid regardless of which section you're assigned to. ADA shuttles from Tiger Transit transport limited-mobility guests from War Eagle Way to Gate 14 (west side) or Gate 2 (east side), beginning four hours before SEC games and continuing for one hour post-game. All buses in the Tiger Transit fleet are ADA-compatible, with priority seating at the front of each bus for those with disabilities and the elderly. For specific accessibility questions, contact Auburn Athletics directly at (334) 844-4750 prior to your visit.

There is no dedicated away section at Jordan-Hare — visiting fans are scattered through the general seating population wherever they can find tickets on the secondary market. Auburn home fans tend to congregate on the west side behind their team , so away fans who end up in the east upper deck (sections 1–14 range) will find themselves a bit more mixed in with the neutral crowd. The east upper deck also gives you a sweeping full-field view, which is ideal for actually watching football.

Lower-level seats offer an up-close view, with sections along the 50-yard line among the most in-demand; upper-level seating provides panoramic views of the entire field. For away fans, the upper deck north end zone (sections 1–4) is a reasonable value pick — sightlines toward the new north video board are good, the seats are cheaper, and you'll have some breathing room. Avoid sitting deep in the west lower deck on your own — you'll be islands in a sea of orange.

Away fans face a different experience entirely, so here is what visiting supporters should know.

Expect a hostile but not ugly crowd. Auburn fans are deeply proud of their home, intensely parochial about their football, and perfectly capable of making you feel outnumbered by a factor of several hundred to one — because you are. What surprises first-time visitors is how organized the passion is: two hours before kickoff fans gather for Tiger Walk as the team parades from the athletics complex, and home games begin with the War Eagle Flight in which an untethered golden eagle glides down from the top of the stadium to midfield. It's genuinely impressive, even if you're rooting against them. The specific thing to know: Auburn's winning home traditions include tossing toilet paper after the first touchdown and a mass toilet paper rolling at Toomer's Corner after a home win. If you're there for a close game that Auburn wins, the whole town moves to that intersection — worth witnessing at least once.

Tiger Transit: Buses offer limited service during the game and continue returning fans to stops for two hours post-game, though passengers at off-campus locations may face delays due to heavy traffic. For the free shuttle to TigerTown or Auburn Mall, aim to board within 15–20 minutes of the final whistle — the lines build fast and service is finite. Don't linger on the concourse hoping the crowd will thin; it won't, and the last shuttles do fill up.

Driving: The streets around Jordan-Hare go from empty to genuinely gridlocked within about 10 minutes of the final whistle. Plan to wait at least 30–45 minutes inside or near the stadium before attempting to get to your car. Lots to the south and east of the stadium tend to drain faster than those on the west side (Donahue Drive). Once moving, take surface streets to reach either College Street south toward I-85 (Exit 51) or Opelika Road toward Exit 57/58 — avoid the immediate campus core.

Rideshare: Surge pricing after a 90,000-person event in a small town is not subtle. It can easily run 2–3x normal rates. The rideshare pickup zone at Duncan and Samford Drive was added to accommodate more fans — walking a few blocks away from the stadium gates will get you shorter wait times and better pricing than trying to hail from directly outside. Wait 20–25 minutes after the game ends, then walk north or east before requesting your ride.

One tip to beat everyone: If you're on the Tiger Transit shuttle system and parked at TigerTown or Auburn Mall, leaving at the two-minute warning — if the game's outcome is clear — gets you a seat before the rush. Unromantic? Yes. Effective? Very.

Is there public transit to Jordan-Hare Stadium?

Tiger Transit runs special game day routes during Auburn home football games that are free for all fans. There is no city subway or light rail. Remote park-and-ride lots at TigerTown (I-85 Exit 58) and Auburn Mall offer free shuttles to the stadium.

What is the bag policy at Jordan-Hare Stadium?

Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are permitted, plus a non-clear clutch of 4.5″ x 6.5″ or smaller. No tinted bags.

How much does parking cost near Jordan-Hare Stadium?

Lots near the stadium run roughly $20–$50. Reserved lots close to the field are donor-permit only. Free parking with free shuttle is available from TigerTown off I-85 Exit 58.

When do gates open at Jordan-Hare Stadium?

Gates typically open two hours prior to game time. Arrive 90+ minutes before kickoff to avoid long security lines.

Is Jordan-Hare Stadium cashless?

Yes — all concessions and merchandise stands accept only cards or mobile payments. ATMs are available inside the stadium if needed.

Where should away fans sit at Jordan-Hare Stadium? There is no designated away section. The east upper deck offers good sightlines and a slightly more mixed crowd than the western home sideline. End zone upper sections (1–4) are the best value.

Can I bring food or drink into Jordan-Hare Stadium?

Outside food or drink is prohibited. You may bring one factory-sealed clear plastic water bottle up to 1 liter.

What's the nearest airport to Jordan-Hare Stadium? Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) is approximately 55 miles west, about a 1–1.5 hour drive. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) is roughly 110 miles east, about a 1.5–2 hour drive under normal traffic conditions.