Veterans Memorial Stadium (Troy): Guide for Visiting Fans

There is no major airport close to Troy University. Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) is about an hour's drive away and is served by American, Delta, and United. Dothan Regional Airport (DHN) is also an option — roughly 49 miles away . Either way, you're renting a car. There is no commercial rail or fixed-route bus service to Troy.

Troy sits in something of an oasis when it comes to interstate access. US-231 is the most direct route into town, whether coming off I-85 east of Montgomery or connecting from US-29 after heading down from I-65 to the west. From Birmingham or Montgomery, take I-65 South to Montgomery, follow to the I-85 interchange (Exit 173), then I-85 to Taylor Road (Exit 9). Turn right on Taylor Road until it dead-ends into Troy Highway (231), then left on US-231 for 41 miles into Troy until you reach George Wallace Drive.

For those staying at a hotel along US-231, the University runs a free game-day shuttle. Transportation Services sponsors shuttles from local motels to Veterans Memorial Stadium for all home football games. Shuttles run starting three hours before kickoff, approximately every fifteen minutes until kickoff. Return service begins immediately after the game and runs for one hour. The drop-off and pick-up point at the stadium is directly in front of the Alumni House on Highland Avenue. That's your best bet if you're staying nearby — skip the parking chaos entirely.

You can always use Uber or Lyft to campus. There's no specific rideshare drop-off point, but the campus is easy to navigate and drivers know the area.

Driving: Traffic from Lot 1, Lot 3, Lot 4, and Lot 5 should travel north and exit through the roundabout at the lagoon. Traffic from the Highland Avenue area should turn north on George Wallace Drive and exit on Elm Street. Traffic from Lot 2 (Hawkins Lot) should exit east on John M. Long Avenue, then south on George Wallace Drive toward Highway 231. The US-231 corridor clears faster than the campus interior roads — get there within 5 minutes of the final whistle if possible, or wait 20–30 minutes inside the stadium and let the worst of it pass.

Shuttle: Return shuttle service to the motels begins immediately following the game and runs continuously for one hour. Pick up at the Alumni House on Highland Avenue. This is the least stressful option, full stop.

Rideshare: Uber and Lyft availability in Troy is limited compared to a major city — surge pricing after a game is real, and the wait times can stretch to 20+ minutes. Walk a few blocks off campus toward the US-231 hotel strip before requesting a pickup; you'll get a faster match than pinning yourself at the stadium gates. Best advice: wait 25 minutes inside before even opening the app.

Parking is a donation-hierarchy system, which is very Troy. Parking on campus requires membership in the Trojan Warrior Club, and lots are assigned based on the size of your annual donation. If you're not a donor (and as an away fan, you're not), you'll be looking at off-campus street parking near downtown or the church/business lots that open up on game days along US-231 and surrounding streets — typically $10–20 for informal lots.

All parking on George Wallace Drive adjacent to the stadium is reserved for law enforcement, emergency vehicles, and deliveries. George Wallace Drive closes two hours before game time from John M. Long Drive to the entrance of Charles Henderson High School. Get there early or plan around that closure.

RVs must park in the designated RV lot at Trojan Arena Parking. RVs may start parking at 1 p.m. the day before the game. For a standard vehicle, the free hotel shuttle is genuinely the smartest move for away fans — park at your hotel and ride in.

Troy's hotel strip runs along US-231, and that's essentially your universe. The good news is nothing is truly far from the stadium in a town this size.

The Hampton Inn Troy is within 1.4 miles of Veterans Memorial Stadium and is consistently the most-recommended option near campus. It's also convenient to the Downtown Square , which puts you close to the pre-game bar scene and walkable to a few decent restaurants. Mid-range pricing, reliable quality.

The Courtyard by Marriott Troy is 1.5 miles from the stadium and has a seasonal outdoor pool, private parking, a restaurant, and a bar. Good choice if you want to eat in and decompress after a long drive. The Home2 Suites by Hilton Troy is also 1.5 miles from the stadium and tends to have suite-style rooms — solid for groups or multi-night stays.

Book well ahead for any big home game. Troy is a small town with finite rooms, and they go fast once the schedule drops.

Troy's town square is about a mile and a half from the stadium. Downtown Troy may be small, but it provides a solid mix of shops and eateries that see a noticeable uptick in foot traffic on game days.

B Graves on the Square is the go-to for Southern comfort food , and it's also where the TroyFest game-day shuttle picks up fans — convenient if you're pre-gaming downtown. The Corner does burgers, Franchesca's handles Italian, and Bayou La Roux brings Cajun flavor to the mix. Within a block of the square, Moe's serves up BBQ and Flo's Kitchen offers casual American plates, giving visitors a nice range despite the compact footprint.

For a pre-game beer, Troy's scene includes local favorite The Pub, where you can find craft beers and Southern hospitality. The Half Shell Oyster Bar and Grill is another reliable spot with a full bar and bar-food menu. None of these are walking distance from the stadium itself — you'll want to eat and drink downtown before making your way over, not after arriving on campus.

Beyond the surrounding neighborhood spots, the stadium itself offers its own selection of food and drink options.

Beer runs around $8–$10 for a domestic, and a basic stadium meal (hot dog, fries) is in the $8–$12 range. Alcohol selections include the usual domestic choices plus local pours from Folklore Brewing & Meadery — their Troy-branded Trojan Ale, a session blonde, and Blakeney's Brew, an amber honoring Larry Blakeney. The local craft options are a genuine reason to skip the Bud Light. No outside food or beverages are permitted.

This is important and it's new: Troy Athletics is implementing a clear bag policy beginning with the 2026–27 athletic season for all ticketed events. The policy takes effect August 1, 2026, and covers all events at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12"×6"×12", one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, and small clutch purses with or without a strap that do not exceed 4.5"×6.5". Prohibited items include non-clear purses, clutches larger than 4.5"×6.5", coolers, solid backpacks, fanny packs, and camera bags.

All gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Gate 2 handles visitor will call and player passes — that's your first stop if you're picking up tickets day-of. Gate 1 has an Express Lane for fans with no bags, which moves quickly.

Before each home game, hundreds of fans line University Avenue to cheer the team as they march with the Sound of the South band from the Quad toward Veterans Memorial Stadium. Get there for the pregame walk — it's one of those small-school traditions that actually delivers.

The main seating areas are easy to reach. The home side features ramps leading to both the field level and upper deck, making those sections accessible and manageable for fans with mobility challenges.

The Pace Hall Lot is designated handicap parking only. To use it, the state-issued handicapped license plate or hang tag must be present, and the individual issued the plate or tag by the state must be present in the vehicle. Fan courtesy shuttles are available two and a half hours prior to kickoff and continue until 45 minutes post-game to assist those who require additional assistance entering the stadium. Contact Troy Athletics directly ahead of your visit to confirm assistive listening device availability and any updated sensory accommodation offerings.

Veterans Memorial Stadium has a primary seating horseshoe where the main level is built into the ground level, with each side topped by an upper level of seating running the length of the field. The completion of the North End Zone Facility in 2018 enclosed the stadium, giving it a cozier feel.

Away fans are typically scattered in the upper deck on the visitor's side (east side, upper rows). There's no dedicated, walled-off away section like you'd see at an NFL venue — you'll be mixed in with general admission. The student section packs in behind the visiting sideline, giving Troy a genuine home-field boost , so expect noise right in your ear on that side of the field. The south end zone upper rows offer a solid overall view if you want to take in the whole field without being surrounded by Trojan faithful. Seats tucked underneath the home-side overhang lose sight of the main scoreboard on the north end, though the smaller video board in the southeast corner helps fill the gap — avoid the deeper overhang sections if you care about replays.

Away fans making the trip to Troy should prepare for a lively, passionate home crowd surrounding them.

Expect a relaxed but genuinely proud crowd. Troy fans are not the type to get in your face — this is small-town Alabama hospitality, not a hostile mob — but don't mistake "friendly" for "uninterested." Troy is a town of about 19,000 people, yet they average around 25,000 fans per game, placing them in the upper half of the Sun Belt — that's a striking level of institutional investment for a school this size. The one thing that catches first-time visitors off guard: golf carts are the preferred method of transportation around campus, and they are a noticeable part of Troy's game-day culture. You will be passed by carts constantly on your walk in. It's oddly charming, and also means you need to watch where you're walking.

Is there public transit to Veterans Memorial Stadium? No fixed-route public transit serves the stadium. Troy University sponsors free game-day shuttles from local motels to the stadium for all home football games, running three hours before kickoff. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is available but limited.

What is the new bag policy at Veterans Memorial Stadium?

Troy Athletics is implementing a clear bag policy beginning with the 2026–27 athletic season, effective August 1, 2026. Approved bags are clear plastic bags up to 12"×6"×12", one-gallon clear freezer bags, or a small clutch no larger than 4.5"×6.5".

How much does parking cost near Veterans Memorial Stadium?

Campus parking requires Trojan Warrior Club membership. Away fans should budget $10–$20 for informal off-campus lots, or use the free hotel shuttle.

What time do gates open?

All gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

What's the nearest major airport?

Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) is about an hour's drive from Troy University. Dothan Regional Airport (DHN) is also about 49 miles away. A rental car is essential.

Where should away fans sit? Upper deck on the east (visitor) side offers good sightlines and keeps you away from the densest home sections. Avoid deep overhang seats if scoreboard visibility matters to you.

Can I bring my own food into the stadium?

No outside food or beverages are permitted.

What's the best way to get downtown before the game? Stay along the US-231 corridor near the Hampton Inn or Courtyard Marriott, use the free shuttle to the stadium, and eat and drink on the downtown square at spots like B Graves or The Pub before heading over.