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First game at Ohio Stadium - What do I need to know?

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irodeo

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Hello fellow Buckeye fans. I just purchased tickets for my first Buckeye game at Ohio Stadium. Can you please share some advice or tips? We are driving from Canton. I am debating whether or not we should stay in Columbus Friday night or just drive down the morning of the game. We would like to tailgate and experience the atmosphere before the game. We will be at the Michigan game on 11/27. Our seats are in 27AA.

Thank you in advance for all of your help.

Tom
 
First off send me the tickets for safe handling. PM me for the address.

Get there by the Shoe at least 4 hours before game time. To get a parking place close you will have to buy one. Chances are you will be taking University bus from where you do park. The police will close Lane avenue around 3 hours before the game.
To reach parking places west of the stadium come down 71 west on 275 to 315S then a few miles down to Ackerman or Lane west and follow the signs to the public parking places. There are tailgate parties going on in these lots but the best ones are by the stadium and ST Johns arena. There are lots of small lots where you ca pay to park.
I believe the Skull session in St Johns starts about 1 1/2 hours before gametime.
I like to tailgate, do the Skull session, See the Buckeye grove (where all the past AA's have a tree planted for them) and get into the stadium well ahead of game time just to see the activities.
You are in for the thrill of a lifetime in experiencing a Buckeye Gameday.
(I got shivers just typing that)
If you don't want to tailgate yourselves there are plenty that admit you for a donation and you can eat and drink as you wish.
If you are getting to the stadium late then stay outside and watch the Band come over and into the rotunda and you can watch the band entrance right there too.

The Hotels are close by are probably already sold out for fri and saturday night. You should be able to get one near C'bus if you look.
 
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irodeo;1781832; said:
Thank you for the reply. Do you know when they will determine the kickoff time? Also, what is the parking situation like at the stadium. Are there only certain areas that we can tailgate?
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Tailgating, I've seen all around the stadium, down Woody Hayes Dr., parts of Olentangy River Rd. On Lane Ave., they have corporate sponsored tailgates like Heineygate, WNCI RiverJam Tailgate Party, etc.

Parking at the stadium, you might as well forget about it unless you are arriving incredibly early. Your best bet is the West Campus Parking Lot (From 315, take Lane Ave. away from campus towards Upper Arlington. After the first light, the first street you can turn left on, take it and that will lead to the parking) Or if you don't mind walking a little more, take Lane Ave. to Northstar Rd. and park in that area (residential area - no parking fee - just make sure you're parking in a location that doesn't say no parking)
 
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irodeo;1782023; said:
Do I need to get tickets for Skull Session? I think we will probably just pay the donation to tailgate with other fans.
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No tickets needed, but it starts 2 hours before the game, and may be full a little while before that.
 
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Arriving and leaving.

I come the day before the game and leave on Sunday morning but I drive from Virginia. Personally I think it's worth staying the night before to avoid traffic and give you a free parking spot from which to walk or shuttle to the stadium area.

If you are a vigorous celebrator you might want to stay the second night as well.

Enjoy.
 
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Wear lots of blue and yellow.

I've parked in the lot off of Akerman, tailgated there and walked to the game. I think it was $5. Take the time to enjoy a bit of atmosphere before returning to your car as it will be one slow exit for the first hour and a half.

27 AA sounds like end zone to me. Be prepared to stand the whole damn game. Ugggg.

As BB73 suggests the skull session fills up fast, especially for the Michigan game as both bands play.

There are some places where you can park for free, but new parking regulations have cut into many of them. You won't notice the signs that say "Permit Parking Only" until you return from the game and discover your car is awaiting you in the city impoundment lot. About a $10 cab ride away.
 
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BB73;1782047; said:
No tickets needed, but it starts 2 hours before the game, and may be full a little while before that.
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Not sure why, but the EMU game started at 3:30, but the Skull session started at 1:15 with the band entrance and the team in and out 1:18-1:20 pm.
Would highly recommend getting to St. John arena by 9:30 am for Indiana game.
 
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Bringing my brother

Hello, I have an older brother who has been a buckeye fan all of his life (58 y.o.). I bought two tickets to the Indiana game so he could experience the horse shoe experience. Any suggestions you could offer
would be greatly appreciated. Time to arrive prior to kick, parking, etc...
Thank you in advance,

Kelly
 
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irodeo;1805259; said:
What are a few suggestions for bars to hang out at after the game? We are spending Saturday night after the Michigan game in Columbus.
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The kickoff time for The Game has been set at noon.

For bars after The Game, it depends what you're looking for. I've been to each of these in the last two seasons.

In the Ohio Union (12th and High), there's Woody's Tavern. It's not very large, but there are lots of TVs on one wall, including a giant projection screen. And if you haven't seen the new Union yet, it's worth checking out.

The Varsity Club on Lane Ave is a good time. If you're looking to watch another football game on TV it's not the best place for that. But if you're looking for a place with loud music and packed with a young, lively crowd, this is a good option.

Eddie's Grill is at Chittenden and High. It's a big place with lots of TVs above the bars and decent food. The owner wore #27 in the mid-90s.
 
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BB73;1805273; said:
The kickoff time for The Game has been set at noon.

For bars after The Game, it depends what you're looking for. I've been to each of these in the last two seasons.

In the Ohio Union (12th and High), there's Woody's Tavern. It's not very large, but there are lots of TVs on one wall, including a giant projection screen. And if you haven't seen the new Union yet, it's worth checking out.

The Varsity Club on Lane Ave is a good time. If you're looking to watch another football game on TV it's not the best place for that. But if you're looking for a place with loud music and packed with a young, lively crowd, this is a good option.

Eddie's Grill is at Chittenden and High. It's a big place with lots of TVs above the bars and decent food. The owner wore #27 in the mid-90s.
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I can also vouche for Eddie George's Bar and Grill. It is the best sports bar I've been to! I think the food is better than decent, it's GREAT! How great is it where a guy can go to the restroom, have a shelf for his drink, and look through a 2way mirror (or is it a 1 way mirror??) and continue to watch the games on the TV's above the bar?!?! I had a spicy shrimp/pasta dish there that was fantastic. My group spotted Charissa Thompson in the VIP room while we were there (absofreakin' lutely stunning!).
http://www.eddiegeorgesgrille27.com/


I enjoy the (outdoor) patio scene at the Varsity Club in the warmer months, but when it's cold outside, it sucks...I would think so many people packed inside it wouldn't be much fun.

I would also recommend finding a hotel for Friday night, and maybe also Saturday night if you plan on doing any drinking after the game. Looks like the nearby hotels are booked, but a friend of mine highly recommends the Hyatt Place OSU (downtown) near the Arena District.

http://www.hotelplanner.com/Hotels/353219-Columbus/Deal-Hyatt-Place-Columbus-Osu-795-Yard-St-43212

They have a (free) shuttle that takes hotel guests near the stadium on game days....not sure about the return trip though.

Here is a link for Gameday activities at the Ohio Union. Personally, I like the drunken carnage of Varsity Club, but if you have kids with you, or do not like the crowd/drunks, this could be fun.

http://ohiounion.osu.edu/visit_the_union/gameday
 
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