Ohio Stadium parking ranges from $30-$60 across official stadium lots and surrounding garages. Ohio State Buckeyes game day parking passes can be prepaid online for the closest lots, with cheaper options available within walking distance of the venue. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots only; find lot maps, ADA accessible parking, and rideshare drop-off details below.
Common questions
How much is parking at Ohio Stadium?
Where can I find cheap parking near Ohio Stadium?
Where do I park for a Ohio State Buckeyes game at Ohio Stadium?
Can you tailgate at Ohio Stadium?
How Much Is Parking at Ohio Stadium?
Parking at Ohio Stadium ranges from $30 to $60 per vehicle depending on lot tier and proximity to the field.
The three main pricing tiers for day-of-game parking are set by CampusParc, the university’s parking manager. Premiere Day of Game locations cost $60 per vehicle, Proximity Day of Game locations cost $40 per vehicle, and Non-Proximity Day of Game locations cost $30 per vehicle. Day-of-game lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and open at 5 a.m. on football Saturdays.
All parking on game day is cashless, credit card or smartphone payment only. No cash is accepted at any lot or garage entrance. Annual CampusParc permit holders can park in any day-of-game surface lot or garage at no charge by presenting a valid access keycard or QR code. Prepaid single-game passes can be purchased through the Ohio State Buckeyes official website or secondary marketplaces like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats.
Ohio Stadium Parking Lots and Maps
Ohio Stadium is surrounded by a mix of surface lots and garages managed by CampusParc, organized into proximity tiers that determine price and walking distance to the stadium.
Premiere lots ($60) are the closest to Ohio Stadium, typically located immediately adjacent to the east and west sides of the stadium. Proximity lots ($40) sit within a moderate walking distance of the stadium on the main campus core. Non-Proximity lots ($30) are further out, including lots on West Campus west of SR-315, and are served by a free shuttle. The full interactive parking map is available at ohiostatebuckeyes.com/gameday.
West Campus lots, including the Carmack Lots near Kenny Road and Woody Hayes Drive, are among the most accessible non-proximity options. A free shuttle runs from the Mount Hall Loop pickup point on West Campus, dropping fans at the Neil Avenue Transit Hub and the Herrick Drive Transit Hub just south of Ohio Stadium. Woody Hayes Drive between Tuttle Park Place and Cannon Drive is closed to all vehicle traffic on game days, so plan your approach route accordingly.
Season permit lots are reserved exclusively for permit holders and are not available for day-of-game purchase. Re-entry to any lot or garage is not permitted once you have exited.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Ohio Stadium
The closest, most convenient parking to Ohio Stadium is available through Premiere Day of Game permits at $60 per vehicle, which place fans within the shortest walking distance of the stadium gates.
For the ultimate VIP experience, fans who purchase a VIP Buckeye Experience receive a parking pass to the Sisson Lot along with a fully guided pregame experience that includes on-floor access to Skull Session at St. John Arena, experiencing Buckeye Walk with the team, and an all-inclusive meal in the Varsity O Club. The Sisson Lot is one of the closest and most coveted parking spots on campus.
Season parking permits for all home games are sold through the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office. To inquire about or purchase a season permit, call 1-800-GOBUCKS or email athletic.tix@osu.edu. All season and event parking passes are issued digitally through your Ohio State Buckeyes ticketing account. Party bus and limo vehicle permits are available for purchase in advance at $150 per game, granting access to parking along John Herrick Drive near the stadium, no day-of sales are available for oversized vehicle permits.
Free Parking Near Ohio Stadium
There is no widely available free parking directly on Ohio State’s campus on game days, but budget-conscious fans have options by parking further out and using the free shuttle.
Fans who hold a current valid annual CampusParc parking permit (A, B, C, etc.) may park in day-of-game lots at no charge by presenting their access keycard or QR code. For those without a permit, the most cost-effective strategy is to park in a Non-Proximity lot at $30 per vehicle on West Campus and ride the complimentary shuttle to the stadium. The shuttle picks up in front of Mount Hall and drops off at the Herrick Drive Transit Hub, which is just south of Ohio Stadium.
Residential neighborhoods north and west of campus along streets like Summit Street, 4th Avenue, and Indianola Avenue can offer street parking, though spaces fill up quickly and walk times to the stadium can exceed 20-30 minutes. Always check local posted signs for permit-only zones or game-day parking restrictions before leaving your vehicle.
Can You Tailgate at Ohio Stadium?
Tailgating is allowed at Ohio Stadium in select permitted parking lots, but several rules govern what you can bring and do in your space.
All vehicles and tailgate setups must fit within the 8.5-foot by 15-foot space assigned to each permit. Trailers, storage units, and tailgating equipment cannot occupy vacant parking spaces, crosswalks, or interfere with traffic flow, and drive lanes must remain clear at all times. Guests parked in ADA Disability Lots are also permitted to set up tailgates within these same rules.
Charcoal grills, wood grills, and fire pits are not permitted anywhere on Ohio State University’s campus. Liquid propane grills are allowed, provided a fire extinguisher is available, the grill is placed on a level surface at least 10 feet from structures, and it does not impede walkways. Alcohol possession and consumption are subject to Ohio state law, which prohibits open containers in public places. Anyone found in violation may face criminal charges. For tents or inflatables, follow OSU Emergency Management and Fire Prevention policies available on the university’s website.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Ohio Stadium
ADA and disability parking at Ohio Stadium is located in the surface lots north of St. John Arena and in the Lane Avenue Garage, both accessible via Lane Avenue.
Disability parking costs $30 per vehicle and is paid by credit card or smartphone at the lot entrance, no cash is accepted. A current state-issued disability placard (temporary or permanent, from any state), along with vehicle registration, is required, and the placard owner must be present in the vehicle. Officers may validate placard ownership at any time.
A complimentary accessible shuttle transports guests from the St. John Arena disability lots to the east side of Ohio Stadium near Gate 22/26. The shuttle operates from six hours before kickoff until one hour after the game ends. Shuttle buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and can secure two wheelchairs per trip. Importantly, you do not need to have parked in the disability lot to board or use the ADA shuttle. For guests who need to be dropped off by a personal vehicle, Lane Avenue near St. John Arena is the closest accessible option, from which riders can then board the ADA shuttle to the stadium.
Ohio Stadium provides elevators, accessible seating on all levels in compliance with the ADA, accessible restrooms, and assistive listening devices available at no charge from Guest Services near Section 5A.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Ohio Stadium
Rideshare vehicles at Ohio Stadium are required to pick up and drop off at one of two designated locations, they cannot access streets in or around the stadium itself.
The two official rideshare zones are along Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center and inside the Carmack 1 parking lot on West Campus. When you request a ride through the Uber or Lyft app, you will automatically be directed to one of these two locations. Do not attempt to direct your driver closer to Ohio Stadium, police checkpoints prevent vehicles without valid stadium parking permits from passing through the security perimeter.
After the game, riders must walk away from the immediate stadium area before requesting a return ride, as drivers cannot enter the secured zone. Plan for extra time post-game as rideshare demand near a 100,000-seat stadium causes significant wait times and surge pricing. The Borror Drive location near the Schottenstein Center is generally the more convenient of the two for most fans.
Public Transit to Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is served by COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) fixed-route bus service, making it one of the most transit-accessible stadiums in the Big Ten.
COTA Lines 1, 2, 8, 22, 31, and 102 all serve the Ohio State campus, with most routes running every 15 to 30 minutes on game days. Visit COTA.com or download the Transit App to plan your route from anywhere in Columbus. Bus stops near campus on High Street, Neil Avenue, and Lane Avenue provide convenient access within a short walk of the stadium.
Note that Ohio State’s regular free campus bus routes are suspended on game days, starting six hours before kickoff and resuming approximately two hours after the game ends. COTA public routes remain in service and are not affected by this suspension. A free game-day shuttle also runs from the West Campus Carmack Lots to the Herrick Drive Transit Hub just south of the stadium, starting six hours before kickoff and running until 90 minutes after the game. A complimentary bike valet is available on the Olentangy River Trail near the footbridge adjacent to Lincoln/Morrill Tower for fans arriving by bicycle.
Ohio Stadium Parking Tips
Arrive early, all football parking lots and garages open at 5 a.m. on game days, and premium spots near the stadium fill hours before kickoff.
Prepay your parking pass online before game day through the Ohio State Buckeyes official website or your Buckeyes ticketing account. All parking permits are issued digitally, so download the Ohio State Buckeyes app on iOS or Android to access your pass. When approaching campus, traffic control officers will direct you based on the color of your permit, so have a passenger display the digital pass so officers can route you correctly.
For fans on a budget, West Campus non-proximity lots at $30 are the best value, pair them with the free shuttle and you are at the stadium without the stress of crowded premium lots. Sign up for Game Day Alerts text notifications at the official opt-in link to receive real-time traffic, parking, and weather updates throughout the day. Day-of-game customers must exit parking facilities no later than 10 a.m. on the Sunday following a game. Re-entry to any lot or garage is not permitted, so make sure your group is together before pulling in.
Heading to a show? See our Ohio Stadium bag policy for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Ohio Stadium for Buckeyes games?
Day-of-game parking at Ohio Stadium is priced in three tiers: Premiere lots cost $60 per vehicle, Proximity lots cost $40 per vehicle, and Non-Proximity lots cost $30 per vehicle. All payments are cashless, credit card or smartphone only.
Can I prepay for parking at Ohio Stadium?
Yes, prepaid parking passes for Ohio Stadium events can be purchased through the official Ohio State Buckeyes website and ticketing account. Single-game passes are also available on secondary sites like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats. All permits are issued digitally.
What time do Ohio Stadium parking lots open on game day?
All football parking lots and garages open at 5 a.m. on game days. Day-of-game parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis within each assigned lot.
Is there a free shuttle from parking to Ohio Stadium?
Yes, a free shuttle runs from West Campus Carmack Lots (near Kenny Road and Woody Hayes Drive) to the Herrick Drive Transit Hub just south of Ohio Stadium. The shuttle starts six hours before kickoff and runs until 90 minutes after the game ends.
Where does Uber and Lyft drop off at Ohio Stadium?
Rideshare vehicles can only pick up and drop off at Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center or inside the Carmack 1 lot on West Campus. Rideshare drivers cannot access streets in or around Ohio Stadium due to police security checkpoints.
Where is ADA parking at Ohio Stadium?
Disability parking is located in the surface lots north of St. John Arena and in the Lane Avenue Garage, both accessed via Lane Avenue. The cost is $30 per vehicle, and a free accessible shuttle runs to Gate 22 near Ohio Stadium beginning six hours before kickoff.
Is tailgating allowed at Ohio Stadium?
Tailgating is allowed in select permitted parking lots before Ohio State football games. Charcoal and wood grills are prohibited on campus; liquid propane grills are allowed with proper safety precautions. Each tailgate must fit within the 8.5-foot by 15-foot parking space.
Can I take a bus to Ohio Stadium?
Yes, COTA bus lines 1, 2, 8, 22, 31, and 102 all serve the Ohio State campus on game days, running every 15 to 30 minutes. Plan your trip at COTA.com or the Transit App. Note that OSU’s free campus bus routes are suspended on game days starting six hours before kickoff.
