Memorial Stadium (Lincoln): Guide for Visiting Fans

Lincoln does not have light rail or a subway. What it does have is the StarTran Big Red Express, a dedicated game-day shuttle operation that is honestly the most underrated transit option at any major college football venue. StarTran runs its Big Red Express from four outlying lots — Gateway Mall at 61st and O Street, SouthPointe Pavilions at 27th and Pine Lake Road, North Star High School at 5801 N. 33rd St., and Northwest High School at 4901 West Holdrege Street — with buses dropping off and departing from R Street between 12th and 14th streets. Buses take an average of 30 minutes or less from boarding to drop-off, and the last bus leaves the lots 45 minutes before kickoff. Round-trip tickets run about $13 in advance or $15 day-of for adults, and $7 or $10 for children.

By car, the stadium sits on the edge of the UNL campus near downtown Lincoln, directly accessible from Interstate 180, which feeds right off I-80. From I-80 westbound, take exit 397, follow Highway 77 south, then take the Rosa Parks Way exit east and follow South 10th Street into downtown. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is available but expect surge pricing on game day; a drop near the Haymarket District, about a 10–15 minute walk to the stadium, will usually get you a cheaper fare than requesting right at the gates.

The nearest commercial airport is Lincoln Airport (LNK), about 5 miles northwest of the stadium — under 15 minutes by rideshare, usually $15–20 base fare off-peak. Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) is roughly 55 miles east on I-80 and a more likely arrival point if you're flying in from out of state; budget about an hour of driving depending on game-day traffic.

Here's the hard truth about parking at Memorial Stadium: all lots directly surrounding Memorial Stadium are reserved for Husker Athletic Fund donor members. If you don't have a donor permit, you're not parking close. Individuals with a valid state accessible parking permit have several options available, with accessible parking priced at $25.

For the general public, the City of Lincoln operates parking at the Nebraska Innovation Campus and various facilities east of the stadium. Public parking is operated for a fee by the City of Lincoln at the east entrance to the Nebraska Innovation Campus (Gate 4) and at public parking entrances day of the game; access to the Midway lot and north of Lot 55 is through the east entrance, Gate 4, on Salt Creek Roadway near 27th Street. Expect to pay $20–40 for surface or garage spots that are more than a 10-minute walk from the gates. The best advice? Park near the Haymarket District, enjoy the pregame bars, and walk the 10–15 minutes to the stadium rather than fighting traffic in the stadium lots. You'll save money and your blood pressure.

Book in the Historic Haymarket District. Full stop. The Historic Haymarket is the heartbeat of Lincoln's sports and entertainment scene — cobblestone streets, restored warehouses, and vibrant murals set the stage for game-day excitement, all just a short walk from Memorial Stadium, and the walkable layout means you can explore on foot.

The Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket at 801 R Street has 104 guest rooms and is just a short walk to both Memorial Stadium and Pinnacle Bank Arena. It's right in the action and rates on game weekends run $150–250/night. The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is a classic downtown property with 300 rooms and suites within easy walking distance of the University of Nebraska campus, Memorial Stadium, the State Capitol, and Pinnacle Bank Arena. It's the "grand old hotel" option and slightly more expensive. Budget travelers should look at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln Downtown at 905 O Street, which is about a 15-minute walk to Memorial Stadium and sits between the Haymarket and downtown amenities. If you're willing to add a short drive, rates drop significantly at properties along I-80 — but on a sunny fall Saturday, the walkability of downtown is worth paying for.

Barry's Bar and Grill (235 N. 9th St.) is the classic pregame bar near campus. Located at 235 N. 9th St., Barry's Bar and Grill is a hub for upperclassmen-crowd socializing, with a downtown location, large outdoor patio, and an assortment of TVs. It's loud, it's fun, and as an away fan you'll be the minority here — which is fine, because the crowd is generally more interested in drinking than harassing you.

HopCat (near Pinnacle Bank Arena in West Haymarket) is your best bet if you want craft beer and a seat. HopCat shows Husker games but keeps music on most of the time; they're known for their award-winning Cosmik fries — beer battered with cracked black pepper seasoning, served with warm cheese sauce. Good for groups.

The Single Barrel (inside the Graduate Hotel downtown) is for the away fan who wants to decompress after the game with something serious. Honored by the Bourbon Review as one of the 100 Best Bourbon Bars in America, The Single Barrel carries over 100 different bourbons and whiskies.

Harry's Bar (16th and O Street) is the old-school local dive. Harry's has been at 16th and O streets for over 30 years, establishing itself as one of the best dive bars near campus, with an old-time ambiance and a great gameday experience. Pool, jukebox, cheap beer. Nobody is going to remember you're wearing the wrong colors.

Beyond the surrounding blocks, fans can also enjoy plenty of food and drink options inside Memorial Stadium itself.

Local fan favorites inside Memorial Stadium include Runza, Valentino's pizza, and Wimmer's Fairbury Red Hot Dogs. These are Nebraska institutions — Runza in particular (a baked bread pocket stuffed with beef and cabbage) is something you genuinely can't get most other places, so try one regardless of what team you're cheering for. Beginning with the 2025 season, alcohol is now available at Memorial Stadium; a valid ID is required for every purchase and the limit is two beverages per transaction. Budget roughly $12–15 for a beer and $10–14 for a stadium meal.

Nebraska Athletics adheres to a clear bag policy for ALL ticketed Nebraska events. Only clear tote bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" will be allowed into ticketed Nebraska events. Small clutch purses that are not clear are not permitted; leave the opaque backpack at the hotel. New in 2025, food and beverages purchased from outside vendors are NOT allowed inside Memorial Stadium — this includes sponsor sample giveaways. Personal empty water bottles are allowed so you can refill at fountains inside.

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and all premium entry points open two hours before kickoff. Fans are encouraged to enter at the gate printed on their ticket, though gates 1–16, 18, 20, and 23 provide access to all stadiums. Critically: Memorial Stadium has a no re-entry policy — if you leave the venue after initial entry, your game ticket becomes invalid. Do not step out for a phone call. The venue is fully cashless and all fans enter using mobile tickets. There are no ATM machines located in or around the venue. Sort out your payment method before leaving the hotel.

Gates 3, 11, 15, 16A, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 23A, and 24 are disabled accessible. There is no elevator access inside Gates 3, 23A, or 24, and there is limited vertical transportation to the north concourse at Gate 15. Suite and club level ticket holders can access elevators in their respective premium level lobby; the 600-level east patrons have a dedicated escalator inside Gate 18; and an elevator on field level in the northeast corner serves mobility-impaired persons needing access to the upper northeast concourse.

Wheelchair seating is available throughout the stadium, including East Stadium Club Sections 402, 404, 407, 410, and 412, Upper East Stadium Sections 601–613, South Stadium Section 14D, West Stadium Club Section 225-D, and multiple North Stadium sections including field level. Accessible parking for patrons with a valid state accessible permit is available for $25, with six accessible public parking areas in facilities east of Memorial Stadium.

There is no formal designated away section at Memorial Stadium — visiting fans are scattered throughout the stadium based on their ticket purchases. In practice, away fans tend to cluster in the upper east stands (Sections 601–613) or the south end zone area, simply because those are the seats that often hit the secondary market first. The 600-level east seats are high but the sightlines across the bowl are actually quite good, and you won't feel completely surrounded.

Fans can expect excellent sightlines across the bowl and a range of seating from lower-bowl sideline views to club seats and suites. If you can get mid-level west sideline seats in the 200s, those are the premium view seats — shaded later in afternoon games, good angles, and close enough to feel the noise without being fully swallowed by it. Avoid the very corner sections of the south end zone if your team is playing on the north end of the field for most of the game; the angles get awkward. The north end zone field level, while exciting for proximity, is entirely Nebraska territory.

Away fans making the journey to Lincoln should brace for an overwhelmingly hostile but electric atmosphere inside Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska fans are among the most self-consciously proud of their reputation as good hosts — the "Nebraska Nice" narrative is real and they'll remind you of it. In practice, the crowd is intensely loud and utterly homogeneous (85,000 people in the same scarlet red is genuinely something), but genuine hostility toward away fans is rare compared to some Big Ten venues. What does get under your skin is subtler: the Tunnel Walk, where the Huskers enter the field to Alan Parsons Project's "Sirius" while the whole stadium turns the volume up to a frequency that vibrates your chest, happens before kickoff and is designed to psychologically bury whoever is on the other side. This storied venue pairs classic college pageantry with modern comforts, and from the electrifying Tunnel Walk to crowd-shaking "Go Big Red" chants, the atmosphere is equal parts tradition and adrenaline. The one specific thing that catches most away fans off guard: this is an open-air bowl with no roof, and Nebraska in October can be cold, windy, and suddenly rainy. Pack a layer. The stadium sits in a natural depression that funnels wind in a way that makes 48 degrees feel like 35.

Transit: Riders can board the Big Red Express for the return trip after the start of the 4th quarter, though buses won't return to the lots until they are fully loaded. If you want a seat and not a standing crush, head down to the R Street pickup zone on the north end — between 12th and 14th — about 10 minutes before the final whistle. Expect around 30 minutes or less from boarding to getting back to your vehicle. The shuttle is genuinely faster than driving out of any campus lot post-game.

Driving: The I-180 on-ramp backs up badly for 30–45 minutes after any home game. If you're parked east of the stadium, the Salt Creek Roadway/27th Street corridor is your best bet for getting to I-80 without sitting on Stadium Drive. Wait in a Haymarket bar for at least 45 minutes after the final whistle — seriously, the roads are moving by then and you'll have enjoyed the time better anyway.

Rideshare: Surge pricing after a sold-out game in a mid-sized city like Lincoln can be extreme — 2x to 3x is common within the first 20 minutes. Walk 8–10 blocks into the Haymarket or toward O Street before requesting your ride; the surge is stadium-centric and drops quickly with distance. Wait at least 25–30 minutes after the game before requesting if you want a reasonable fare.

One tip: The Big Red Express shuttle is genuinely the best exit option from this venue — it bypasses all the lot gridlock, the fare is cheap, and the buses run continuously post-game.

How do I get to Memorial Stadium without a car?

Ride the StarTran Big Red Express to and from all UNL Husker home football games from four outlying lots, with continuous shuttle service beginning two hours before kickoff. Drop-off is on R Street between 12th and 14th, a short walk to the stadium gates.

What is the Memorial Stadium bag policy?

Nebraska Athletics adheres to a clear bag policy for all ticketed events — only clear tote bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" are allowed in. No non-clear bags of any kind.

Is Memorial Stadium cashless?

Yes — Memorial Stadium is a fully cashless venue and all fans must enter using mobile tickets. There are no ATMs in or around the venue. Bring a card or set up your mobile wallet before you arrive.

How much does parking cost at Memorial Stadium?

All lots directly surrounding Memorial Stadium are reserved for Husker Athletic Fund donor members. Public parking through the City of Lincoln costs roughly $20–40 depending on location, with accessible parking at $25 via UNL.

What time do gates open at Memorial Stadium?

Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, with all premium entry points opening two hours before kickoff.

Can I re-enter Memorial Stadium if I leave during the game?

No — Memorial Stadium has a strict no re-entry policy as of 2025. After initial entry, if a patron leaves the stadium, their ticket becomes invalid. Make sure you have everything you need before going in.

Where do away fans typically sit at Memorial Stadium? There is no designated away section. Secondary market tickets in the upper east stands (Sections 601–613) and south end zone are the most common landing spots for visiting fans. Mid-level west sideline seats offer the best sightlines if you can get them.

What food is worth eating at Memorial Stadium?

Local fan favorites inside include Runza, Valentino's pizza, and Wimmer's Fairbury Red Hot Dogs. Get the Runza — it's a Nebraska original and you won't find it anywhere else. Alcohol sales are now available at the stadium beginning with the 2025 season, a new addition.