McLane Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

There's no commuter rail or metro in Waco — this is Central Texas, so your realistic options are driving, the free game-day shuttle, or rideshare. Baylor partners with the Waco Transit System on "The Tailgater," a free shuttle that picks up riders at Third Street and Franklin Avenue (near Heritage Square and City Hall), starting three hours before kickoff. The shuttle drops off at the northwest corner of the McLane Stadium site. It's genuinely free, runs frequently pre-game, and puts you right at the front door — use it if you're staying downtown.

If you're flying in, the nearest airport is Waco Regional Airport (ACT) , which is about 8 miles south of the stadium — roughly a 15–20 minute drive. Larger routing hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) are each about 90 minutes away by car. I-35 runs directly alongside the stadium, which is convenient in theory, but I-35 construction has reduced lanes over a multi-mile stretch, and northbound backups start well before kickoff. Use Waze, not Google Maps — road closures and active construction on I-35 are live on game days and will not appear in standard turn-by-turn navigation.

For rideshare, MLK Jr. Blvd is typically closed for shuttles only on game days, so rideshare won't get you as close as you'd like. Have your driver drop you at the pedestrian bridge on the campus side, or find a spot on University Parks Drive.

On foot/shuttle: The Tailgater shuttle back to Heritage Square is your fastest exit if you parked downtown. Head to the northwest corner of the stadium immediately after the final whistle — the first 10 minutes post-game the line is manageable; wait 20–30 minutes and you'll be standing in a much longer queue. Budget 30–45 minutes door-to-door including the walk.

Driving: I-35's lane reductions are a real factor post-game — the squeeze from four to two lanes creates significant northbound backups. Lots closer to the stadium (McLane Lots 1–3) empty slower because everyone's trying to hit I-35 at the same time. The smarter move is parking downtown and walking out — you can be moving on a clear surface street within 10 minutes of leaving your spot. If you must use a stadium lot, wait at least 30–40 minutes post-game before attempting to exit; bring a snack, check your phone, let the initial crush clear.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft surge hard immediately after the final whistle. Walk two to three blocks east toward University Parks Drive or north on MLK Jr. Blvd away from the immediate stadium footprint, request your ride, and you'll get a faster pickup and a better price. Give it 15–20 minutes post-game before requesting — pricing normalizes meaningfully once the surge spike drops.

Best single tip: The free downtown shuttle beats every other option for most people. Park at a free downtown lot by noon, eat lunch, walk around, catch the shuttle up, and walk or shuttle back after the game. You'll never sit in traffic.

Pre-paid, reserved lots include McLane Lots 1–4, the Gold Lot, Umphrey Law School, Ferrell Center, Dutton Garage, and Speight Garage. Most of these are season-only or sell out early — if you're buying a single-game pass, grab it online before you travel. There's also paid parking across MLK Jr. Blvd near the stadium for around $20, and neighborhood residents often open their driveways for $10–$20 if you arrive early enough.

The smartest play may actually be downtown: Waco has roughly 1,800 city parking spaces within about a mile of the stadium, many of them free. Park downtown, walk or catch the free Tailgater shuttle back. Brazos Parking, a private lot directly across MLK Jr. Blvd, offers reserved tailgating and RV spaces for home games — this is the place to be if you want to drink before the game, since alcohol isn't sold or allowed on campus itself. Campus streets start closing four hours before kickoff and parking lots open three hours out — don't try to wing it by arriving at the usual two-hour mark.

Downtown Waco is the right call. It's about a mile from the stadium, walkable with the right shoes, and you'll have actual things to do the night before and after. The hotel cluster near the riverfront — roughly the stretch between University Parks Drive and the Convention Center — puts you within easy shuttle range and a short rideshare from the stadium.

The EVEN Hotel Waco – Downtown Baylor sits about a kilometer from the stadium with a prime riverfront location, close to the Convention Center and Magnolia Market at the Silos. Hotel Herringbone is a short walk from the Dr Pepper Museum and about 0.7 km from Baylor University — boutique feel, central location, solid choice for away fans who want something with character. The Cambria is right down the street from McLane Stadium and tends to run slightly more affordable than the boutique options on game weekends. Book everything early — Waco hotel inventory is limited and game-weekend rates spike fast.

George's Restaurant is the institution. George's has been serving Waco since 1930, crowds get large, so arrive early. George's also operates a beer tent directly across MLK Jr. Blvd from McLane Stadium on game days — this is your best pre-game drinking option given the dry campus policy. The chicken fried steak and Big-O margaritas are the moves.

Vitek's BBQ, on the south side of campus, is where the locals go. Vitek's is the home of the Gut Pack — brisket, sausage, Fritos, and beans — one of those dishes that genuinely makes you reconsider your afternoon plans.

Terry Black's BBQ on S. 8th Street in downtown Waco is a branch of the Austin institution and holds up well. Terry Black's on S. 8th Street is a popular option for beer and BBQ on game day. Line moves faster here than at the Austin original, and being a short rideshare from the stadium, it's an ideal pre-game stop.

J.S. Barnett's Whiskey House is the place if your group wants a proper bar experience downtown. Barnett's claims to have the largest whiskey collection in Texas, with over 1,200 varieties, and sits in the heart of downtown Waco. Not a sports bar, but absolutely functional for gathering a group before walking or shuttling to the game.

Beyond the surrounding hotspots, McLane Stadium itself offers plenty of satisfying food and drink options inside.

Inside vendors include Rudy's BBQ (beef sandwiches, pulled pork, sausage wraps), a Chick-fil-A stand with a $13.50 chicken tender basket, and Pizza Hut. No alcohol is sold anywhere on campus — if you want a beer before the game, head to George's Party Zone across MLK Jr. Blvd., which opens three hours before kickoff. Bring a clear empty water bottle and use the free refill stations; it'll save you the $3.50 they charge for a bottled water inside.

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12"×12"×6", or a small clutch bag no larger than 4.5"×6.5"×3". Prohibited bags include backpacks, briefcases, camera bags, cinch bags, fanny packs, coolers, and duffle bags. A one-gallon Ziploc bag also works. Don't try to sneak a fanny pack through — they're explicitly on the banned list.

McLane Stadium is cashless: concessions accept credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, but will not accept cash or checks.

Gates A and D are in the southwest and southeast corners; Gate B is on the north end; Gate C is on the east side. Away fans will typically be seated in the upper east side, so Gate C or D is your most logical entry point. All gates except Gate A are ADA accessible. McLane Stadium has a no re-entry policy except for medical emergencies — plan accordingly.

You may bring one empty non-metal water bottle into the stadium and fill it at free refill stations located around the 100 and 200 level concourses.

McLane Stadium provides wheelchair and companion seating with enhanced sight lines on every level. Public elevators are available near Gates B and C. ADA-compliant ramps are on the east side of the stadium, starting at Gate D to the 100 Level concourse and continuing to the 200 Level. Gate A is the only entrance that is not ADA accessible, so avoid it.

A dedicated ADA-accessible shuttle runs from the Baylor Research Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) at 100 Research Parkway, starting four hours before kickoff and running until one hour after the game. First-come, first-served ADA parking at the BRIC lot costs $25 and requires a valid ADA license plate or placard. Service animals are permitted inside the stadium.

There is no formally designated away section at McLane Stadium — visiting fans scatter across whatever tickets they can find on the secondary market. Your best bet is the upper east sideline (200-level sections around 220–226) or the east end zone area, where away fan clusters naturally congregate, the sightlines looking back toward the main scoreboard are solid, and you're somewhat insulated from the loudest Baylor faithful on the west side.

The Baylor student section sits along the visitor sideline — they stand for the entire game and are the primary energy source inside McLane Stadium — so be prepared: if you land lower sideline tickets on what you think is the "visitor side," you may find yourself surrounded by gold-shirted Baylor students going full tilt. The berm seating in the south end zone is grass, general admission, and a totally different (very casual) vibe — fans with berm tickets cannot access the rest of the stadium, and fans with reserved tickets cannot access the berm — so don't accidentally buy berm tickets expecting traditional seating.

Away fans should prepare for a very different experience once they leave the friendly confines of their section.

Baylor fans are genuinely among the more civil crowds in the Big 12 — fans at McLane Stadium are described as energetic, fun, polite, and respectful — but don't mistake civility for indifference. The Baylor Line student section is loud, organized, and relentless, stationed right along the visitor sideline where they'll be in your ear the entire game. The dry campus policy is the most unusual aspect of the experience: there is no beer inside, period, which keeps the atmosphere from getting ugly but also means the crowd dynamic is genuinely different from most P5 venues. The stadium itself is a beautiful place to watch a game — the $20 million shade canopy covers up to 55% of seats , which matters enormously for early-season afternoon games in Texas heat. The open south end gives the bowl a slightly hollow feel acoustically, but the horseshoe is still loud when Baylor is rolling.

Is there public transit to McLane Stadium?

Yes — the free "Tailgater" shuttle runs in partnership with the Waco Transit System, picking up at Third Street and Franklin Avenue near Heritage Square and City Hall, starting three hours before kickoff.

What is the McLane Stadium bag policy?

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12"×12"×6", or a small clutch bag no larger than 4.5"×6.5"×3". Fanny packs, backpacks, and diaper bags are not permitted.

How much does parking cost at McLane Stadium?

Paid lots near the stadium run around $20; neighborhood parking can also be found for $10–$20 if you arrive early. Official pre-paid lots sell out — buy in advance or plan on the downtown/shuttle option.

Is McLane Stadium cashless?

Yes. Concessions accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay; cash and checks are not accepted.

Where is the best seating for away fans? There's no dedicated away section. Target upper east sideline sections (200-level) or east end zone seats on the secondary market — that's where visiting fan groups cluster naturally and sightlines to the main video board are solid.

What time do McLane Stadium gates open?

Doors typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time. The ticket center on the east side opens 3 hours before kickoff.

Is alcohol sold at McLane Stadium?

No — McLane Stadium does not sell alcohol, as the campus is dry. Your best pre-game drinking option is George's Party Zone across MLK Jr. Blvd, or the Brazos Parking lot tailgate area.

What's the closest airport to McLane Stadium?

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is the closest, about 8 miles and 15–20 minutes away. DFW and Austin-Bergstrom are each roughly 90 minutes out if you're flying into a major hub.