So you’ve made it to Columbia, Missouri, for a Mizzou football game. Congratulations, you picked a great time to visit! The 2026 season is extra exciting for Mizzou football fans and game attendees. The program on the verge of breaking through to a new level of success under Eli Drinkwitz – entering his seventh season at the helm with a brand new contract filed last winter – who has attracted some of the most exciting talent on the field and on the sidelines. The breakthrough hasn’t happened yet,
as the Tigers are still chasing that elusive first College Football Playoff bid. But it’s so close you can almost taste it…
Speaking of tasting! It’s time to talk about food and parking and fun and such. You know, all the things you want to think about when you’re prepping for a visit to Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. There’s quite a bit to know before you roll up on Stadium Boulevard, so let’s talk strategy. Let’s talk prep. Let’s talk Mizzou Gameday.
Plan your food intake ahead of time
A wise person once said, “Meal prep sucks all the joy out of life,” and they were wise for a reason. Still, it’s never a bad idea to have a plan, and believe me, you’ll need one before heading to a Mizzou football game.
The way I see it, attendees have two options for food intake:
1. The Tailgate Route
I’m all about spending too much money on food stuff in and around Columbia, Missouri. But there’s no doubt that your experience is going to be best if you can find your way into a tailgate, either in the parking lot or on Mizzou’s campus which is a light walk away. I’ve been to about a dozen different tailgates in my day, and everyone does things a little differently, but here are a few things I’ve seen done consistently well:
- Midwestern generosity: Move over “Southern hospitality,” because the Midwest is here to offer you a free beer. There’s never a shortage of cold beverages to be had at a tailgate, and Mizzou tailgates often have a good variety of options, from macrobrews to local favorites like Logboat to the essentials like water and Dr. Pepper Zero (this isn’t a sponsored post, I just like the brand.) And the portion sizes? Please…
- Not your average grill-and-chill: Sure, you could rock up to a tailgate and request a burger or a hot dog, but where’s the fun in that? Try and worm your way into a tailgate that features regional BBQ offerings – both Kansas City and St. Louis-based fans should be able to offer you some smoked goods – or find an outside-the-box offering like shrimp cocktail (no joke, maybe my favorite tailgate snack that I ever happened across.) Given the wide spread of tailgates out there, you should be able to pick and choose your desired plate(s).
- Ball Knower Central: Maybe I just know the right people, but from my experience, Mizzou folks know their ball. It’s easy to get wrapped up in a really good football conversation at any tailgate around Memorial Stadium because these folks aren’t casuals. Come prepared with some stats to back up your argument, Pro Football Focus advanced numbers preferred.
2. The Tourist Route
Don’t have an in with a tailgate or are still too shy to make some new friends? No worries, Columbia has plenty of options for you downtown which, as I mentioned above, is conveniently located a short walk away from the stadium. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Ernie’s (get there early to avoid crowds) or expand your palette at Cafe Berlin. Get the Butch Jones, trust me. If you’re not planning on dropping some cash at the new “modern concessions” Mizzou has promised, stop by Billiards for a massive, delicious burger and fries or take a chance that CJs might be open for the best wings you’ll ever have. Don’t forget to hit up Broadway Brewery, Waves or Logboat (if you’ve got a ride and some time to kill before the game.)
It’s not just the players who are new
That’s right. Things are all fresh and shiny in the heart of Columbia. Take a look:
That’s a view of the brand-new North End Zone, featuring Mizzou’s iconic Rock M… hey, wait a second!
The project was completed this summer and will be ready to debut this fall for fans visiting Columbia. According to website, “The upgrades will expand fan amenities with modern concessions, restrooms and gathering spaces, while introducing new premium seating and hospitality options.”
The new NEZ should bring a lot of excitement… and some extra large crowds. If you’re planning on doing a walkabout, make sure to get into the stadium early, especially if you’re hitting up one of the earlier contests in the season.
Don’t stand out… know the traditions!
Like any self-respecting college football fanbase, Mizzou Football has plenty of gameday traditions that are totally unique to our program and in no way shape or form mirror those of other programs around the country.
Want to be a part of the gameday experience from the start? Don’t miss Tiger Walk, when the team walks from their training complex across the street to the stadium. It’s a great way to get kids excited about seeing the players, the cheerleaders, the Golden Girls, Truman… everyone who makes the gameday experience special. There, you’ll quickly learn the main chant to know if you don’t already: If you hear someone scream, “M-I-Z,” you better be ready to respond, “Z-O-U.” Do it loud and proud, otherwise we might think you’re a kansan in disguise.
Are you into songs and chants and such? There are always new ones floating around, so you’ll have to learn on the fly, but a few you can count on right off the bat. The Missouri Waltz plays at the end of the First Quarter and has quite a few hand motions to learn. Feel free to start by watching this video as a quick tutorial. And you can bet your bottom dollar that once you hear the opening guitar line of The Killers’ timeless classic, “Mr. Brightside,” it’s about to get rowdy. If you really want to endear yourself to the home fans, get ready to use some naughty words during the chorus, because that’s when we let the school to the west of us know what we really think of them.
All jokes aside, there’s no one right way to do Mizzou Football gamedays. The above suggestions might make you feel like part of the family quicker, but the only way you should focus on is the way that makes you most happy and comfortable. Us Midwesterners are generally nice, accommodating folks and will be glad to lend you an ear or an opinion if you’re looking for one. So have fun, be safe, Go Tigers, MIZ-FKU.
