Protective Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) sits about 8 kilometers (roughly 5 miles) northeast of downtown Birmingham. A rideshare from BHM to the stadium will run you 10–15 minutes in light traffic and usually costs $12–20. Don't bother with a taxi — Uber and Lyft are abundant at the airport and significantly cheaper.

Metro Area Express (MAX) is the bus system operated by the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) that provides public transportation in Central Alabama. To find the route that works best for you, use the MAX Trip Planner or contact MAX at (205) 521-0101. Birmingham is not a subway city — the bus is your transit option, and it's more useful for locals than for out-of-towners trying to navigate pre-game. Most visiting fans drive or rideshare.

Protective Stadium is near the junction of I-20/59 and I-65. From I-20/59 Eastbound, take Exit 124D and turn left on Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, then another left on 24th Street North — the stadium will be on the left. From I-20/59 Westbound, take Exit 126B, stay left, and turn right onto Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard — Protective Stadium will be on the right. The highway exits are well-signed; just don't trust your GPS to navigate the post-game road closures.

All lots and garages are cashless , so leave the cash in your pocket. Named lots around the stadium include P6 (400 spaces at 2478 11th Ave. N.), P4 (1,400 spaces at 917 22nd St. N.), P9 (1,800 spaces at 2000 11th Ave. N.), P1 (330 spaces at 1080 22nd St. N.), and P7 (120 spaces at 2130 11th Ave. N.). P9 is your best bet for volume, but P4 is closer if you pre-purchase. Average cost for parking in the recommended lots runs around $20 per space.

Parking reservations typically open two months before an event , and the closer lots sell out well in advance for UAB games. Authorized parking can only be pre-purchased through the stadium's parking page and BJCCParking.com. Arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff if you're paying on-site — the lots nearest the stadium fill fast and street parking in the surrounding blocks is limited and inconsistent on game days.

The Westin Birmingham and Sheraton Birmingham are both located on the BJCC campus , which means you can walk to the stadium in under five minutes and skip the rideshare surge entirely. The Westin runs $180–250 on game weekends — not cheap, but you're paying for the convenience of rolling out of bed into the pregame. Both are reliable mid-to-upper tier options with solid bars inside for the pre-game pint.

If you want something with more neighborhood character, downtown Birmingham's hotel row along 20th Street North puts you a 10–15 minute walk from the stadium and keeps you closer to the city's better bar and restaurant scene in areas like Five Points South. Budget travelers should look at chain options 3–5 miles out (Homewood and Hoover) for rates in the $90–140 range, though you'll need a car.

The Southern Kitchen & Bar is the move before a UAB game, full stop. Just steps from Protective Stadium in the Uptown district, this casually elegant spot blends heritage-rich fare — shrimp and grits, fried pickles — with handcrafted cocktails and local drafts on tap. Settle on the rooftop patio with a drink in hand and you get elevated dining with the game-day energy all around you. It gets packed; arrive early or expect a wait.

Eugene's Hot Chicken is the local favorite for something more casual and specific to Birmingham. You may have seen Eugene's around town via their food truck, but the Uptown brick-and-mortar is the real deal — the menu is stacked with Southern favorites including collard greens, fried okra, potato salad, and hot chicken. Go medium heat unless you have something to prove.

Mugshots Grill & Bar is the Uptown sports bar option — award-winning burgers, great drinks, and a convivial atmosphere that fills with a mix of home and visiting fans before kickoff. It's casual, loud, and reliable. Good spot to wear your away colors without getting side-eyed.

Capella Pizzeria is worth knowing about if you want something a little lighter pre-game. Capella has mastered Neapolitan pizza, with fresh ingredients, authentic gelato, and wood-fired pizzas made to order. It's a shorter menu with higher execution, perfect for fans who don't want to show up bloated.

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12"×6"×12". Bags cannot be tinted or overstuffed. Non-clear bags smaller than 5"×7" will be permitted. That second point matters — if your clear bag is so crammed that security can't see through it, they can turn you away. Pack light or pack smart.

Gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for UAB football. The stadium ticket office opens four hours before scheduled UAB kickoff , so if you're picking up will call, don't cut it close. Ticket offices are located at the South Gate and Northeast Gate. The Northeast Gate is accessed via eastbound 12th Ave. N. near 24th St. N.; the Stadium Club/Northwest Gate is via northbound 22nd St. N. near 11th Ave. N.

One practical note: one reusable, clear plastic water bottle up to 32 ounces is permitted at Protective Stadium, but it must be empty upon entry and can be refilled at water stations inside. Given Alabama's warm fall weather, bring that bottle.

All ADA seats may be purchased in advance via Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster Customer Service line at 1-800-653-8000. If you purchased a ticket in the fixed seating area but require an ADA seat, the Box Office may be able to assist with relocation, though all relocations are first-come, first-served and not guaranteed. If you need assistance on game day, visit Guest Services at the Northwest Corner of the Concourse.

There is one ramp in the stadium that accesses all levels, located on the south end of the Concourse and accessible via South Gate entry. ADA-accessible parking spaces are available in the Orange Lot and Red Parking Garage on a first-come, first-served basis. The KultureCity Sensory Room at Protective Stadium is located on the concourse by the Northeast Gate entrance. Sensory bags — including a VIP lanyard, fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and a visual cue card — are available for checkout at Guest Services locations at no cost.

The seating area is mostly bleacher seating with cushioned chairback seats at midfield on both sidelines. The home side has a building with premium club seating that provides shade to the lower bowl. The opposite (east) side has a second level of bleacher seating, which means the visiting side actually has more seats than the home side.

Away fans should target the east (visitor's) side upper deck — sections in the 200s on the east sideline — for solid sightlines, decent separation from home fans, and a clear view of the field. The Marching Blazers band also sits on the visitor's side of the stadium , which is unusual and means the band noise will be closer to you than to UAB fans. It's not deafening, but worth knowing. End zone sections are fine for budget tickets and have a good angle into the red zone your team is attacking twice.

The Sloss Steakhouse concession stand sells BBQ sandwiches ($13), Conecuh sausages ($12), premium hot dogs ($6), Birmingham hot dogs ($8), pretzels ($6), and nachos ($6). Alcohol is available with domestic drafts at $11 and premium/imports at $13. Protective Stadium is a fully cashless operation including all concessions, merchandise, and parking , so tap-to-pay or bring a card. The Conecuh sausage is the local standout — it's an Alabama classic and worth the $12.

Protective Stadium is genuinely one of the more comfortable away-fan experiences in the Group of Five. The crowd is enthusiastic and loud — UAB fans remember what it was like to almost lose this program forever, which gives the fanbase a distinct emotional investment — but it doesn't curdle into hostility toward visitors. The "Blazer Village" tailgate outside the south end zone opens four hours before kickoff , and the whole Uptown district has a festival-adjacent feel before big home games. The stadium itself is spotlessly modern with wide concourses and no bad sightlines — the bowl design works. One thing that genuinely surprises first-timers: the east (away) side of the stadium actually has more seats and more upper deck space than the home side, so you'll never feel like you're crammed into a corner. Wear your colors freely; you'll get some side-eyes but nothing worse.

By rideshare: Don't try to get picked up on Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard immediately post-game — it will be gridlocked and your driver will be circling. Walk two blocks north or east toward 11th Avenue North or 24th Street North to find a quieter pickup zone, and expect surge pricing for 20–30 minutes after the final whistle. Best strategy: sit tight for 15 minutes, let the first wave of traffic clear, then order and walk to meet your driver.

By car: The stadium is near the junction of I-20/59 and I-65 . Post-game, the road closest to Richard Arrington exits will jam. Head north on 22nd or 24th Street to 11th Avenue and angle toward the highway from there. Realistic expectation: 15–25 minutes to reach moving highway traffic from your lot, depending on which lot you're in. P9 (the largest lot) empties from the north and can be faster than the closer lots for reaching I-20/59.

By MAX bus: Event shuttle buses may be available on a per-event basis — check the "Know Before You Go" email for specific details. Standard MAX buses run reduced post-event frequency, so don't count on the bus as your primary exit plan unless you've confirmed routing.

Best tip for beating the crowd: Leave with 4–5 minutes left in the fourth quarter if your team is comfortably ahead or behind. You'll bypass the full exit wave entirely and be on the highway before most fans have cleared the gates.

How do I get to Protective Stadium from BHM Airport?

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is about 8 kilometers northeast of downtown. A rideshare from BHM takes roughly 10–15 minutes and costs $12–20. There is no direct rail link.

What is the bag policy at Protective Stadium?

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12"×6"×12". Non-clear bags must be smaller than 5"×7". Tinted clear bags are not allowed.

Does Protective Stadium accept cash?

No. Protective Stadium is a fully cashless operation including all concessions, merchandise, and parking. Bring a card or set up Apple/Google Pay.

How much does parking cost near Protective Stadium?

Average parking in the recommended official lots runs around $20 per space. Pre-purchase through BJCCParking.com. On-site availability varies and closer lots sell out.

When do gates open for UAB football games?

Gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for UAB football. The ticket office opens four hours before kickoff for UAB games.

Where should away fans sit? Target the east sideline upper deck (200-level sections on the away/visitor side). You'll have solid sightlines, more space, and be with fellow visiting fans rather than isolated in a home section.

Is there a water bottle policy?

Fans can carry in their own reusable water containers or purchase water and refill inside. Containers must be 32 ounces or less, must be empty upon entry, and plastic is preferred for faster security screening.

Is Protective Stadium a good game-day experience overall? Yes, especially for a mid-major college football stadium. Opened in 2021 , it's modern throughout, with wide concourses, good food variety in the Uptown district right outside, and a fan base that brings genuine energy without being intimidating to visitors.