War Memorial Stadium: Guide for Visiting Fans

Honest truth: almost everyone drives to this game. The Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) has daily flights to Denver International Airport (DIA) courtesy of SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, and the flight from Denver takes just 45 minutes. But most visiting fans road-trip it: Laramie is about 45 minutes from Cheyenne, 60 minutes from Fort Collins, and roughly two hours from Denver International Airport. From DIA, take I-70 West to 270 North, then 76 West to I-25 North toward Cheyenne, then I-80 West to Laramie — take the Grand Avenue exit into town.

There's no light rail or subway here — this is Wyoming. SafeRide is a free on-call public transportation service that operates on game days, serves all community members and visitors, covers downtown Laramie, and can be reached by calling 307-766-7433. SafeRide picks up at Gate 8 of War Memorial Stadium. For rideshare, there are designated pick-up spots for Uber/Lyft along East University Avenue. Uber coverage in Laramie is thin — book early and expect some wait.

Parking around the War is refreshingly non-predatory by college football standards. The Long-Term Lot off 30th Avenue and the Aragon Parking Lot (north of Armory Road) both offer free single-game parking, as does the UW Annex Lot at 22nd & Garfield. These free lots fill up for big games, so if you're coming for the Colorado State rivalry, get there at least 2.5 hours early or you'll be walking farther than expected. Paid reserved lots run roughly $20–30 for premium game-day spots closer to the stadium — check the UW Athletics site before game day for current passes. Accessible parking for fans with state-issued handicapped placards is available in Lots AA, D, S, FA, H, and the Cowboy Field Lot — accessible parking is free and first-come, first-served. An ADA shuttle runs from the Cowboy Field Lot off Willett Drive on game days.

East of the stadium along Grand Avenue, you'll find several chain hotels clustered near one of I-80's off-ramps — the Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, and Hampton Inn all sit within a 10-minute walk of the gates. These are the workhorses of the visiting fan experience: convenient, predictable, usually $120–180/night on a regular game weekend and substantially more for rivalry games. The Holiday Inn Laramie is the most reliable option for visiting fans, though it fills quickly during home football weekends as Cowboys supporters compete for limited Laramie accommodations.

If you'd rather feel like you're somewhere, book in or near downtown Laramie. Downtown is an easy five-minute drive west from the War. The Laramie Railroad Depot area has restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and pubs in a span of a few blocks, and the neighborhood gets lively on game weekends. Downtown Airbnbs in old Victorian homes go for $100–150/night and put you walking distance from the best pregame bars.

Altitude Chophouse & Brewery — an upscale chophouse and craft brewery in downtown Laramie offering hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and house-brewed beers — the finest dining experience in town with a sophisticated Western atmosphere. Get the Wyoming beef and a pint of their house ale. It'll be loud on game day; make a reservation.

The Buckhorn Bar & Parlor — a Laramie stalwart since 1900, with a bullet hole still in place after an agitated patron fired shots in the bar. Order a cheap beer and earn the "I Survived the Buckhorn" t-shirt. This is the bar that makes Laramie feel like Laramie.

Elmer Lovejoy's — around the corner from the Buckhorn on the same block, fronting the Union Pacific rail yard and serving quality bar and southwestern food. Located in the heart of downtown, it's been a community favorite since 1994. Great pre-game spot; reasonable prices.

Cowboy Saloon & Dance Hall — the beating heart of Laramie's nightlife, a massive Wyoming dance hall where after a Cowboys football game the entire town seems to end up. Country music, cold beer, and a crowd that doesn't care if you're wearing the wrong colors — just don't start anything.

Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and not exceed 12"×6"×12" (or a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag), or a small clutch purse no larger than 4.5"×6.5". All bags not meeting these requirements will not be permitted. Wyoming enforces this — don't test it. Additional clothing is permitted if carried loosely or in an approved clear bag; blankets are permitted if carried over the shoulder upon entry.

Gates open two hours prior to kickoff. Away fans won't have a designated away section in the traditional sense — Wyoming is open seating by section, so opposing fans generally spread across the upper deck and end zone areas. Tickets are mobile-only — tickets can be added to mobile wallets; make sure to download to your wallet before game day, since cell service can be spotty at elevation during sellouts.

One other thing worth knowing: pre-game flyovers by military aircraft — A-10 jets or historic WWII planes — are a real tradition here, so arrive early enough to appreciate it. And wear layers. Always wear layers.

Accessible parking with state-issued handicapped placards is available in Lots AA, D, S, FA, H, and the Cowboy Field Lot — it's free and first-come, first-served — and an ADA shuttle runs from the Cowboy Field Lot off Willett Drive on game days. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available throughout the lower bowl; contact the UW Athletics ticket office in advance to confirm exact locations.

Elevator access in War Memorial Stadium requires a Wildcatter Suite or Club ticket, a Press Box pass, or an elevator pass; other patrons needing elevator access should contact event staff for assistance. The stadium has ADA-compliant features integrated across the venue following recent renovations. If you have specific accessibility needs, call the UW Athletics office at (307) 766-4091 well before game day.

The War does not have any obstructed seating — there is not a bad seat on either side. That's not marketing copy; the symmetrical layout genuinely delivers clean sightlines from nearly everywhere. The Wyoming Athletics Department designates midfield lower-level seats as the student section, so if you're looking to avoid the loudest home crowd, steer toward the upper deck east side (sections in the 200s) or the south end zone.

Away fans tend to cluster naturally in the upper deck on the east side and in the south end zone corners — you'll find your people there without needing a formal away section. The open end zones give spectators elevated sightlines to the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape, including the Snowy Range and Laramie Range, which is a genuinely spectacular backdrop for a football game. If you can swing lower-deck sideline seats around sections 105–110, the mid-field views are excellent. The Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites are on the west side if you want premium amenities and a warmer environment for late-season games.

Concession stands are on each level and side of the stadium, with beer locations on each concourse and additional kettle corn and beer stands in the south end zone. The bar area underneath the large scoreboard on the stadium's south side is a very pleasant place to get a drink and watch the game from ground level — a genuinely underrated spot. Expect to pay around $10–12 for a beer and $8–12 for a standard stadium meal. The stadium primarily operates on a cashless basis, with most onsite purchases done via digital wallet, debit, or credit card.

Visiting fans are treated about as well as they are anywhere in the Mountain West — the Wyoming faithful are passionate but not hostile, and Laramie is small enough that you'll end up talking to a local at the Buckhorn or Lovejoy's whether you want to or not. The thing nobody tells you before your first visit: at 7,222 feet, War Memorial is the highest FBS stadium in the country, and if you've come from sea level, three flights of stairs to the upper deck will remind you of that fact immediately. The thin air also carries crowd noise differently — the stadium sounds bigger than its 29,000 capacity suggests, and the "Beer Song" ("In Heaven There is No Beer") is a genuine, only-here tradition that you'll either find charming or infuriating depending on the score. One practical note: fall temperatures here can drop hard after sunset — a September kickoff at 65°F can feel like 45°F by the fourth quarter. Dress for both.

Driving: The lots right around the stadium back up badly immediately after the final whistle. If you parked in the free Long-Term Lot off 30th, you'll actually exit faster than the premium lots closer in because you're further from the main bottleneck on Grand Avenue. Plan to sit in your car for 20–30 minutes post-game, or wait inside the stadium for about 15 minutes until the main wave clears — it moves faster than you'd think for a sellout.

Rideshare: Surge pricing hits hard in a town with limited drivers. Walk two or three blocks west toward downtown on Grand Avenue before requesting a pickup — you'll get matched faster and cheaper than if you're standing in the stadium lot with 5,000 other people doing the same thing. Uber is available in Laramie along with Bird electric scooters (via app) and taxi service. For a late-season night game, book your return rideshare before halftime or you may be waiting a long time.

SafeRide/Taxi: SafeRide is free, on-call, and serves downtown Laramie on game days — call 307-766-7433. It's your best post-game option if you're staying downtown. Allow 20–30 minutes for pickup after the game.

One opinionated tip: Skip the car for the first 25 minutes. Walk to the Buckhorn or Lovejoy's, have one drink, let the lots drain, and you'll be on I-80 in far less time than the people who sprinted to their cars at the final gun.

What airport do I fly into for Laramie?

The Laramie Regional Airport (LAR) has daily flights to Denver International Airport (DIA) courtesy of SkyWest Airlines operating as United Express. Most visitors fly into DIA and drive roughly two hours up to Laramie.

Is there public transit to the stadium? No subway or light rail exists. SafeRide is a free on-call shuttle that operates on game days for all visitors and community members — call 307-766-7433 to request a ride. Uber/Lyft are available but coverage is limited.

What is the bag policy at War Memorial Stadium?

Clear bags must not exceed 12"×6"×12" (a one-gallon Ziploc is fine), or bring a small clutch no larger than 4.5"×6.5". No backpacks or oversized purses.

How much does parking cost?

The Long-Term Lot off 30th Avenue and the UW Annex Lot at 22nd & Garfield are free single-game options. Reserved premium lots run approximately $20–30 on game day.

When do gates open?

Gates open two hours prior to kickoff. Arrive early for the pregame Cowboy Walk and possible military flyover.

Where are the best seats for away fans?

There is not a bad seat in the stadium , but away fans tend to gravitate toward the upper deck east side and south end zone corners. Avoid the midfield lower bowl, which is the student section.

Is War Memorial Stadium cashless?

The stadium primarily operates on a cashless basis; most purchases are made via digital wallet, debit, or credit card. Bring a card to be safe.

How do I handle the altitude?

At 7,222 feet, War Memorial is the highest FBS stadium in the country. Drink water, go easy on the beer initially, and don't sprint up to the upper deck without expecting to feel it. Seriously.