If you’ve ever attended an LSU football game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, you know there’s no place quite like Death Valley on a Saturday night. With more than 100,000 passionate fans filling one of the most iconic stadiums in college football, the atmosphere is electric from kickoff to the final whistle. But for many LSU fans, the excitement begins long before the game even starts.
Tailgating at LSU is an experience unlike any other, bringing together family and friends for hours of good food,
music, and fun. So, if you’re planning to attend an LSU game this season, here are a few things you should know before heading to Baton Rouge.
Get there early! Traffic can become a real mess and fast!! Tiger fans wake up at the crack of dawn to claim the perfect parking and tailgating spots, firing up grills and jambalaya pots long before kickoff. There’s always a huge variety of good food and drinks flowing and you will never meet a stranger at a Tiger tailgate, but you don’t want to miss all the fun or the game because you’ve left too late and are still sitting in the car.
If you want to have your own tailgate, the good news is that you actually can set up the day before but there are rules on where and when you can start pitching those canopies and tents.
Tailgate setups inside the campus gates are allowed beginning after 4:30 p.m. on Friday prior to each home football game, when campus gates officially open for gameday setup. Any setup prior to the opening of campus gates is not permitted.
Tailgate setups in exterior campus parking lots are allowed after 5 p.m. on Thursday prior to each home football game, unless otherwise designated by LSU Athletics.
All tents and canopies must be properly secured with weights.
Outdoor cooking is permitted with contained cooking equipment such as:
• Grills
• Smokers
• Fryers
• Blackstone
However, all cooking equipment must be at least 10 feet away from buildings and flammable materials, always be actively attended and have a fire extinguisher available.
To give you an idea of what to cook, some of the delicious dishes you will normally see and smell on gameday include grilled burgers, hotdogs, smoked boudin, dirty rice, jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice. Of course, there is also no shortage of sandwiches, nachos, cold soft drinks and beers.
No tailgate is complete without great music, so turn up your favorite playlist but be respectful of your fellow fans. LSU requires sound levels to remain reasonable, with music ending at midnight before game day and by 2 a.m. after the game. Live bands, DJs and professional sound systems are not allowed.
So, whether you’re a lifelong Tiger fan or attending your first game, an LSU game day is an experience that you will never forget. There’s no fan base more loyal or passionate, and while the action on the field is unforgettable, the hospitality and excitement of tailgating are a huge part of what makes the day truly special.
Tailgating at LSU isn’t just a pregame activity, it’s a tradition that brings people together every week. After just one Saturday in Tiger Stadium, you will understand why it’s truly in a league of its own.
