Football Saturdays in autumn turn Madison into a sea of red. Camp Randall Stadium, home of the University of Wisconsin Badgers, seats about eighty thousand people and sits on the west side of campus, a short walk from State Street and the Capitol. The game-day ritual starts hours before kickoff, with tailgates on lawns and parking lots, brats on grills, bars packed along the streets and the marching band making its way to the stadium. Inside, the most famous tradition arrives between the third and fourth quarters, when the stadium plays a hip-hop song and the entire crowd jumps in unison, making the stands bounce, an experience visitors describe as unlike anything else in college football. Even if you cannot get a ticket, the atmosphere on campus is part of the fun, and the nearby bars and the Memorial Union Terrace swell with fans. The Badgers also play basketball and hockey at the Kohl Center in winter, which offers a smaller, louder alternative.
Tickets for popular games can be difficult to find and expensive on resale markets, so plan ahead and buy only through the university's ticket office or reputable resellers. Prices vary widely by opponent, and big games sell out. The city also gets busy, so hotels near campus fill quickly and may require minimum stays on home weekends.
If you can not get into the stadium, you can still enjoy the day by joining the crowds on Regent Street and State Street, watching on a bar screen or walking through tailgate areas in a friendly manner. Public transit and ride shares are easier than parking on game days, and some streets are closed around the stadium.
Basics for visitors
Wear red, arrive early, bring cash for food stands and expect crowds. Bag restrictions apply at the stadium, so check the rules before you go. Weather can swing from warm to cold in a single afternoon, so layer up and bring a rain jacket. Families should plan for noise and long hours, and anyone who wants a quieter experience might choose a smaller event such as a volleyball or soccer match, or a hockey game in winter.
Beyond football, the campus is a beautiful place to walk on any day, with lakeside paths, historic buildings and friendly cafes. If you are visiting off-season, a stadium tour is sometimes offered by the athletic department, and the surrounding neighborhood has a sports-bar scene year-round. For many travelers, a Badgers home game is the most memorable way to see Madison at full volume.
If you are new to game-day culture, a few etiquette points will help. Tailgaters are friendly, but ask before joining a party, respect property lines and keep noise reasonable late at night. Alcohol rules vary by location and event, and stadium policies are strict. The band, known for its pregame show, is worth catching, and the traditions of the student section and the fifth-quarter celebrations are a memorable part of the day.
If you are visiting with family, arrive early, set a meeting spot in case you get separated and plan a quiet break away from the stadium crowds.
Winter offers a different flavor of the same spirit. Basketball and hockey games draw loud, passionate crowds, tickets are often easier to find and the Kohl Center sits within walking distance of downtown hotels, so a night out with the Badgers can fit neatly into a weekend.
What to expect
The experience
A campus-wide game-day scene: tailgates, bars, the band and eighty thousand fans at Camp Randall, with the Jump Around tradition before the fourth quarter.
Best time
Autumn home Saturdays; winter basketball and hockey at the Kohl Center. Book hotels early.
How long
Plan most of a day for a football game.
Tips
Buy tickets from reputable sources, wear red, use transit instead of driving and check bag rules.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Sports fans and anyone curious about one of college football's great atmospheres.
- Families
- Fun for older children but loud and long; check ticket and bag rules.
- Couples
- A high-energy outing for couples who like crowds and tradition.
- Pair with
- State Street, Memorial Union Terrace and tailgate areas.
- Time needed
- A full day on football Saturdays.
Good questions
What is Jump Around?+
A crowd tradition in which fans jump together to a hip-hop song between the third and fourth quarters, famous for making the stands shake.
Where is Camp Randall?+
On the west side of the UW-Madison campus, a short walk from State Street.
How hard is it to get tickets?+
Demand varies by opponent. Plan ahead and use reputable sources.
Where should I stay on game weekends?+
Book early, as hotels fill quickly near campus and downtown.
Is there something to do without tickets?+
Yes: tailgate areas, campus bars and the Union Terrace all offer an atmosphere.