SECU Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

The nearest transit hub is College Park–University of Maryland station, a Washington Metro and MARC station located near the UMD campus, served by the Green Line — plus, since December 2025, every other Yellow Line train, which now runs through to Greenbelt; the rest still turn back at Mt Vernon Square, so plan around the Green Line and treat a through-running Yellow as a bonus. From downtown DC, take the Green Line toward Greenbelt — it's a roughly 25-30 minute ride from Gallery Place/Chinatown. The station sits about 1 mile southeast of the campus center , which means you'll either walk about 20-25 minutes through campus or catch the free Shuttle-UM bus. The UM Shuttle Bus runs from the College Park Metro Station every 15 minutes and drops you close to the stadium — take it. Don't try to walk in from the Metro in dress shoes right before kickoff.

Coming from Baltimore, the MARC Camden Line stops at College Park station, immediately adjacent to the Metro station. It's a straightforward option if you're coming from Camden Yards area or Union Station with a transfer. From BWI Airport (about 20 miles away), your best move is MARC Camden Line to College Park or an Uber that'll run $30–$45 with gameday surge. From Reagan National (DCA, about 12 miles), take the Yellow Line — every other train runs through to Greenbelt and stops at College Park; if yours is turning back at Mt Vernon Square, hop off at L'Enfant Plaza and switch to the Green Line — figure 35–45 minutes. From Dulles (IAD, about 30 miles), you're driving or doing a complex transit chain; just rideshare.

By car, take I-95 to Route 1 south toward College Park, or US-193 (University Boulevard) to Stadium Drive. Rideshare dropoff closest to the stadium is on Stadium Drive — request it specifically.

Metro: The best exit strategy for away fans without a car. Walk out immediately after the final whistle — don't linger. It's a 20–25 minute walk or a 5-minute Shuttle-UM ride to the College Park–University of Maryland station. The station is served by the Green Line (plus every other Yellow Line train), and WMATA typically runs added frequency after major events. Expect a 10–15 minute wait on the platform if you arrive within the first 20 minutes of the postgame rush. If you wait 45 minutes at your seat, the platform clears considerably.

Driving: Lots immediately adjacent to the stadium — especially Lot 1/Z — can take 30–45 minutes to clear after a sold-out game. Terrapin Trail Garage exits more efficiently because it feeds onto Route 193 rather than into the heart of campus. Realistic time to reach moving traffic: 20–30 minutes if you leave within 10 minutes of the final whistle, 45+ if you wait.

Rideshare: Surge pricing is real and will hit $2x–$3x within 15 minutes of final score notifications. The stadium's immediate drop-off zone turns into a pickup cluster immediately postgame. Walk two to three blocks east toward Baltimore Avenue for a faster, cheaper pickup — the surge dissipates quickly once you're off campus. Wait 30–40 minutes after the game ends and surge typically drops back to near-normal. One opinionated tip: if you're Metro-capable, just take the train. The Green Line is genuinely faster and cheaper than any rideshare surge you'll face on a full-capacity Saturday.

On-campus parking is available in Lot 1/Z, which surrounds SECU Stadium. Parking in these lots is not open to the public until after 4:00 PM on weekdays, but is open all day on Saturdays and Sundays. For most afternoon or evening games, you're fine. The best bet is to pre-pay for a parking space through the university — the price seems high but at least you know where you're going, with pricing ranging from $20 to $30 depending on the game and availability.

The Terrapin Trail Garage is a personal favorite of regulars because it is relatively close to the stadium but still allows a quick way out of the area after the game. Lots open four hours before kickoff; Lot 4B is closest, with Lots 1, 4, and 11B also near the stadium. Free parking at Cole Field House with a shuttle is also an option. If the game time conflicts with parking regulations, fans can use the Stadium Drive Garage (SDG), a pay-to-park location that charges $3.00 per hour. For away fans without a pre-purchased permit, go for Terrapin Trail Garage or SDG and arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff.

The Hotel at the University of Maryland (yes, that is its actual name) is the best lodging choice and is within walking distance of the campus. It's a proper Marriott-affiliated property right on Route 1 — higher-end, comfortable, and you can walk to both the stadium and the pregame bar scene without a rideshare. Rooms run $180–$280 on gameday weekends, more for rivalry games. Book early; it fills fast.

For budget travelers, the Holiday Inn Express College Park and Hampton Inn on Route 1 are about a mile south of campus, well-priced ($110–$160 on non-premium game weekends), and walkable to the bar strip. The Cambria Hotel College Park is a newer mid-range option with a better vibe than the highway-adjacent chains. If you want more variety, DC proper is only 20-30 minutes by Metro and opens up dozens of hotel neighborhoods — Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, and Navy Yard all put you on the Green Line without a transfer.

RJ Bentley's — Route 1's closest thing to a dive — blends in like a red shack, decked out with vintage license plates and automobile trinkets. It's a popular spot because of its fun atmosphere, daily drink specials, and proximity to campus and the stadium. Away fans are generally treated fine here — it's casual, loud, and doesn't take itself seriously. Get there early; it gets packed by kickoff minus two hours.

Looney's Pub is another great option and is located in The Varsity building (8150 Baltimore Ave) north of the downtown area and maybe even closer to the stadium if walking. It's a Maryland-based chain of Irish sports bars, known for its fresh crab options in the form of pretzels, dips, and crab cakes. Open daily until 2am — useful post-game. Expect a mixed crowd of locals and students, especially on Saturdays.

Potbelly Sandwich Works and Five Guys are also solid, quick-service options in the downtown College Park area along Route 1 if you want to eat cheap and fast before heading in. Ledo's Pizza is practically a Maryland institution and has outposts both near campus and inside the stadium itself — their square-cut pizza is the regional thing to know about.

For a pregame meal with more ambiance, the Stamp Student Union on campus has a Maryland Dairy ice cream shop — sounds quirky, but the ice cream is legitimately great, and it's a nice way to kill time before gates open.

Beyond the surrounding neighborhood spots, the stadium itself offers plenty of satisfying options to keep you fueled.

All venues at the University of Maryland utilize cashless transactions for concessions , so leave the cash in your wallet. The signature item to seek out is "The Chessie," a large 24-ounce hot soft pretzel smothered in backfin crab dip and melted cheddar cheese, then topped with a dusting of Old Bay — it's legitimately regional and worth the line. Chick-fil-A offerings can be found behind Tyser Tower, while Ledo's Pizza can be found behind Sections 13, 20, and 205 ; beer, including local Maryland craft options like Denizens and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon, runs roughly $10–$14, and a meal will set you back $12–$18. Alcohol sales stop at the end of the third quarter , so plan accordingly.

Only the following bags will be allowed into the stadium: bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"; one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar); and small clutch bags measuring 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. A list of prohibited bags includes purses, backpacks, drawstring bags that are not clear, briefcases, coolers, fanny packs, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, binocular cases, and diaper bags. Don't test this — they enforce it. If you're traveling with a backpack, plan to leave it in your car or hotel room.

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time. For away fans, Gates A and C on the south and east sides of the stadium are your standard entry points — check your ticket for the specific gate printed on it. The stadium does not have a designated "away fan" gate, but visiting sections are generally in the upper deck, so entering from the east or southeast side makes logistical sense. Arrive 90 minutes early to avoid queues building up at security.

SECU Stadium is designed with parking, restrooms, concessions, water fountains, ATMs, closed captioning, and seating areas accessible to guests with disabilities. The stadium also offers accessible parking, paratransit vans, elevators, and accessible restrooms; contact the Maryland Ticket Office for reservations and documentation. Wheelchair-accessible seating is distributed across multiple levels, including the lower concourse and mezzanine level.

The Metro platform at College Park–University of Maryland station is accessible, though the MARC platforms are not. Fans with mobility needs arriving via Metro should use the elevator access on the east entrance of the station. In 2025, Maryland widened lower-level seating and added handrails and accessibility improvements to boost comfort and safety. Assistive listening devices are available — contact guest services at the stadium on arrival. Medical bag exemptions are granted with inspection at the gate.

SECU Stadium seating features a lower bowl, mezzanine/club level, and upper (200/300) decks. In recent seasons the athletics department relocated visiting-team seating to select upper and club sections — visiting sections have been listed as Sections 202, 302, 303, and 304 in recent season planning. Always check your specific game's ticket listing for the confirmed away block.

Sections 23–27 offer midfield views and are among the best neutral sightlines in the stadium if you can get them. Upper deck rows give a full-field perspective and often the best value per sightline — on a sunny afternoon, bring sunscreen because it can get exposed. Sections 8–16 are reserved for University of Maryland students, and this area delivers the loudest chants and standing crowds. Avoid buying tickets immediately adjacent to the student section if you want a quieter experience — though honestly, if the game is close, the energy is worth being near.

The five-story Tyser Tower added luxury suites and a larger press box on the west sideline — club and mezzanine seats here have shade and seatbacks, worth the premium for a 3:30pm kickoff in September.

Away fans venturing into SECU Stadium should prepare for a notably different experience than the home crowd enjoys.

The student section at Maryland is noted for being loud and fairly rude — expect to hear a few choice words during their chants. That said, the general Terrapin fanbase in the non-student sections is reasonably civil to visiting fans — this isn't a hostile environment so much as a loud one when the game is on the line. The open-air bowl concentrates crowd noise surprisingly well for a stadium of this vintage, especially when the upper deck fills in. One specific thing to know: the team enters through a giant Terrapin shell tunnel, and the pregame fanfare around it legitimately pumps the crowd up. If you're in the upper deck away sections, you'll have a clear sightline to the whole field, but be ready for an earful from Maryland fans when things go against you — the student section carries down the bowl.

How do I get to SECU Stadium from Washington, DC?

Take the Green Line (Branch Ave to Greenbelt direction) to the College Park–University of Maryland stop, one stop before the end of the line. From there, take the free Shuttle-UM bus or walk ~20 minutes through campus. Total time from downtown DC: 35–50 minutes.

What is the bag policy at SECU Stadium?

Clear plastic bags up to 12"×6"×12", one-gallon Ziploc bags, or small clutch bags of 4.5"×6.5" are permitted. No opaque backpacks, purses, or fanny packs.

How much does parking cost at SECU Stadium?

Pricing ranges from $20 to $30, depending on the game and availability. The Stadium Drive Garage charges $3.00 per hour as a walk-up option.

When do gates open at SECU Stadium?

Gates typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before kickoff. Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes early for security lines.

Is SECU Stadium cashless?

All venues at the University of Maryland utilize cashless transactions for concessions. Bring a card or use mobile pay. ATMs are available inside and outside the stadium if needed.

Where do away fans sit at SECU Stadium?

Visiting sections have been listed as Sections 202, 302, 303, and 304 in recent season planning — confirm via your specific game ticket. These are upper deck seats with full-field views.

What's the nearest airport to SECU Stadium? Reagan National (DCA) is closest at about 12 miles; Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is about 20 miles away. DCA is the better transit option via Metro.

Is alcohol served at SECU Stadium?

Maryland craft and national brand beers, as well as wine and canned cocktails, are available for purchase at stands and kiosks throughout SECU Stadium. Alcohol sales stop at the end of the third quarter.