S.B. Ballard Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is about 8 miles from ODU, and a rideshare or taxi takes roughly 12 minutes and costs in the $26–$32 range. That's one of the genuinely convenient airport-to-stadium situations in college football — no tunnel, no bridge, no adventure.

By car, major highways close to ODU include I-64/I-664 (Hampton Roads Beltway), and the I-564 exit provides quick access to Hampton Boulevard, which runs directly in front of the stadium and the front entrance to ODU.

For transit, ODU has partnered with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), which offers buses, the Tide light rail, and even boat ferries. The HRT Route 2 – Hampton Blvd bus serves stops along Hampton Boulevard , with the stop at Hampton & 49th St being your on/off point for the stadium. The closest Tide light rail station to ODU is the EVMS/Fort Norfolk station, and Bus Route 2 connects to the Tide. Keep in mind that most HRT bus routes operate every 30 or 60 minutes , so check your timing before the game. Rideshare is easy — drop-off on Hampton Boulevard right in front of campus is the standard.

Here's the honest truth about parking at S.B. Ballard: parking is generally free unless you pay for premium parking or are a member of the athletic foundation. That alone makes this one of the better value propositions in college football. The garage on the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street, as well as another garage between 45th and 46th off Hampton Boulevard, are a couple of good options. ADA parking is available on the first level of the Red Garage located on the corner of 49th Street and Bluestone Ave.

Arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff — tailgating fills the lots fast and the free spots disappear quickly. Premium reserved lots closer to the stadium cost in the range of $20–$30 depending on the game; check the ODU Athletics site for game-day purchasing. Don't try to be clever and park in a neighborhood side street — residents near this campus have heard every excuse.

There is a SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Hampton Boulevard near the campus, which is an ideal location if staying for the game. It's walking distance to the stadium — you will not need a car once you're checked in. Rates run $120–$180 on game weekends, so book early for big home games.

Downtown Norfolk is your other smart bet — about 10–15 minutes by rideshare. The Ghent neighborhood, which bleeds into the ODU corridor along Colley Avenue, is the most interesting place to be: walkable, bar-dense, and with actual character. Hotels on Granby Street in downtown proper give you access to Norfolk's best food and drink scene without being glued to campus pricing. Virginia Beach, about 20 minutes east, offers more hotel inventory and beach access if you're making a long weekend of it, though you'll be commuting each way.

Elation Brewing — Norfolk's own Elation Brewing pairs stellar brews with wood-fired pizza from Bakehouse right on site; try the Fungi Bianchi paired with a Larchmont Lager. It's the obvious pregame answer — a short drive from campus, relaxed atmosphere, and they know a game is happening.

The Dirty Buffalo — A family-owned spot operated by a New York native and ODU alum, The Dirty Buffalo serves authentic Buffalo NY-style wings with sauces ranging from mango habanero to spicy garlic parmesan, and it's a great spot to grab a beer before the game.

La Herradura — Located on Monarch Way in the heart of ODU, La Herradura draws locals for refreshing margaritas and locally sourced Mexican cuisine; the Texas fajitas are always a hit. Close to the stadium and not overrun by tourists.

Coach House — Coach House offers an inviting bar, spacious dining room, and covered outdoor patio with contemporary American cuisine; standouts include warm Gulf shrimp scampi dip, oysters Rockefeller, and entrées like Faroe Island salmon or bison meatloaf. This is your post-game dinner option if you want to decompress over something real.

All bags will be inspected prior to entrance, and a clear bag policy is in effect. For an acceptable bag, small hand-held clutches (4.5" x 6.5") are the safe choice. Leave the backpack at the hotel.

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time. For an away fan, the east side entry is your most direct route from Hampton Boulevard parking. The stadium features 20,000 square feet of open-deck social space, and an arched entrance gate on the east side faces the existing Williamsburg lawn. The west entry gate with its pregame plaza sits below the new press box and is centered for student gatherings — busy on game days, but not impossible for away fans.

Re-entry to the stadium is prohibited , so don't leave unless you mean it. Outside alcoholic beverages or containers of any kind are not permitted inside the stadium.

The stadium is accessible to all guests and features accessible seating in sections E101, E105, E106, W114, W117, N121, N122, E205, E206, E207, E208, W211, W212, W217, as well as the Loge Level and Suites. That's a solid spread of locations across both sidelines and the north end, giving wheelchair users real choices about where to watch the game. ADA parking is available on the first level of the Red Garage located on the corner of 49th Street and Bluestone Ave.; for more detailed information about services for guests with disabilities, contact the Box Office at (757) 683-4444.

The stadium features elevators as part of its 2019 rebuild, and the improved layout from that reconstruction means accessible routes are integrated into the concourse rather than bolted on as an afterthought. If you have specific assistive listening or sensory accommodation needs, reach out to ODU Athletics guest services in advance — they can confirm current availability for each game.

There is no formally designated away section at S.B. Ballard Stadium — you buy where you can find inventory, which means you may be scattered among Monarch fans. That said, the north end zone (sections N121, N122) tends to have looser ticket availability and is a reasonable gathering point for traveling fans who want to cluster together. Fans in the new east or west stands are closer to the action with better views of the players' benches , and the lower sideline seats on either side give you clean sightlines on the FieldTurf.

The new seating structure uses a lot of stairs and multi-level aspects to accommodate a modern stadium's needs within the space limitations of the old footprint — not confusing, but plan on doing a bit of navigating. The upper concourse sections on both sidelines have unobstructed views and decent sight lines given the stadium's intimate size. Avoid the far south end zone if you want to be in the action; it's the least-connected part of the bowl from a noise and atmosphere standpoint.

ARAMARK is the concessionaire, with points of sale located behind both the east and west sides of the stadium, and all food and beverage transactions are cashless. Fans can find Ynot pizzas, seafood, loaded nachos, vegan and vegetarian options, and a range of Mexican dishes. Expect to pay around $10–$14 for a basic meal item and $8–$11 for a beer — standard mid-major college football pricing with nothing exceptional but nothing embarrassing either. Bring a card; cash will not work anywhere inside.

ODU fans are something to behold — they sell out virtually every game, and it's hard to believe this is a relatively young program; the tailgate atmosphere is impressive and most schools would love fans like these. They are loud, engaged, and proud of what they've built — deservedly so. As a visitor, you will be visible and occasionally heckled, but not in any threatening way. The stadium's intimate size (~22,000) means sound carries and the crowd feels present regardless of where you're sitting. One thing that catches away fans off guard: the pregame tailgate scene on campus is legitimately festive, almost SEC-adjacent in its intensity for the market size. Get there early, respect the space, and you'll have a good time even if your team loses. Just don't wear your rival school's gear into the student section — that's a different conversation.

Transit: Most HRT bus routes operate every 30–60 minutes on regular schedules. Route 2 along Hampton Boulevard is your bus home — the stop at Hampton & 49th St is right there, but do not expect enhanced post-game frequency; this isn't a major-market system that adds service for events. Wait 15–20 minutes after the final whistle to let the initial crush thin out, then walk to the stop. Miss the first bus and you're waiting 30–60 minutes.

Driving: Hampton Boulevard northbound clogs fast after the final whistle. I-564 and Hampton Boulevard are your exit arteries ; the lot exits toward 43rd Street tend to clear faster than those right on Hampton. If you parked in the 45th–46th Street garage, work your way out via Bluestone Ave rather than Hampton itself. Wait 20–25 minutes after the game in your seat or on the concourse and you'll cut your exit time roughly in half — this is a manageable stadium egress, not an NFL nightmare.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in immediately at the final whistle. Walk two or three blocks east off Hampton Boulevard — toward the interior campus streets or toward 43rd/44th Street — and you'll get cleaner pickup times and pre-surge pricing that can save you $8–$15. Request before you leave your seat; by the time you reach the pickup point, your driver should be close. Waiting at the main stadium entrance on Hampton is the most expensive and slowest option.

The one opinionated tip: If your team won, stick around 10 minutes on the concourse after the game. The outbound rush clears remarkably fast for this venue, and that small delay transforms a 25-minute parking lot ordeal into a 5-minute exit.

What is the nearest airport to S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is about 8 miles away and roughly 12 minutes by rideshare, costing approximately $26–$32.

What bus serves S.B. Ballard Stadium?

The HRT Route 2 – Hampton Blvd bus serves stops along Hampton Boulevard. The closest Tide light rail station to ODU is the EVMS/Fort Norfolk station, and Bus Route 2 connects to the Tide. Check goHRT.com for current schedules.

What is the bag policy at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

All bags will be inspected prior to entrance, and a clear bag policy is in effect. Small hand-held clutches (4.5" x 6.5") are the safe non-clear option.

How much does parking cost at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Parking is generally free unless you pay for premium parking or are a member of the athletic foundation. Premium reserved spots near the stadium run approximately $20–$30 depending on the game.

When do gates open at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before the event.

Is S.B. Ballard Stadium cashless?

All food and beverage transactions are cashless. Bring a card or set up your mobile pay before you walk in.

What are the best seats for away fans? There's no designated away section. The north end zone (N121, N122) offers the most accessible away-fan clustering. Lower sideline sections on either side offer the best sight lines for the price.

What surface does S.B. Ballard Stadium play on?

The playing surface is AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D. Fast, consistent, and plays well in the Virginia weather — it handles rain better than natural grass would in this climate.