The Auburn University Tigers are preparing for their 2022 season under second-year head coach Bryan Harsin. And after a year off, tailgating at Auburn University is coming back at full strength.
Most tailgates at SEC colleges are great, but Auburn’s is a full-on spectacle, one that takes over the entire town. Local townsfolk and officials don’t just support tailgating — they encourage it. Here’s your guide to Tigers fans’ truly unusual game-day celebrations and tailgating service at Auburn University.
Tigers 2022 Home Schedule
Here are the Tigers’ home opponents in 2021. All games are on Saturdays.
- Sept 3 – Mercer
- Sept 1o – San Jose State
- Sept 17 – Penn State
- Sept 24 – Missouri
- Oct 1 – LSU
- Oct 29 – Arkansas
- Nov 12 – Texas A&M
- Nov 19 – Western Kentucky
Getting Tickets
Auburn’s online ticket office places heavy emphasis on season ticket plans, to the extent that mini-plans and single-game tickets aren’t even mentioned on it as of mid-July. Both should be available later this summer. When they are, snap them up as soon as you can.
Travel, Accommodations, and Transportation
Auburn is a small town about 55 miles northeast of Montgomery on the eastern side of Alabama. Here’s how to get there and where to stay.
Traveling to Auburn
Driving: Interstate 85 is the main national route through Auburn. US Routes 280 and 431 and Alabama State Route 51 also go through town.
Air Travel: Most out-of-town visitors will get to Auburn via Atlanta. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is almost 95 miles away, but it’s the busiest airport in the U.S., taking in connecting flights from virtually every U.S. city. You can book a shuttle from ATL to Auburn. Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG) and Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) are closer if you’re coming from Charlotte or Dallas/Ft. Worth.
Nearby Hotels and Accommodations
The hotels closest to Auburn University include Clarion Inn, TownePlace Suites, and The Hotel At Auburn University. There are more options along Alabama State Highway 147 near the junction with I-85, southwest of the school.
If you plan on hosting a tailgate party, check to make sure that the hotels you’re considering can handle your tailgating rig and equipment. It may be wiser to find an Airbnb rental that can accommodate them.
Getting to Jordan-Hare Stadium
The Tiger Transit Shuttle runs several routes on game day, with plenty of stops both on- and off-campus. It’s free for all, starting four hours before kickoff and ending two hours after the game’s over. Hotel guests may want to take Uber or Lyft.
How to Tailgate at Auburn University
Tailgating at Auburn University is passionate, spirited, and frankly a little out-of-hand (in a good way). Here’s how to plan for it, enjoy it, and possibly survive it.
Where to Tailgate at Auburn University
To be perfectly honest, that subhead’s kind of redundant — all of Auburn is one big tailgate on game day. Let’s start with the parking lots.
Car Parking
The lots closest to Jordan-Hare Stadium are open to the public for a daily fee or with season passes, and also accommodate university donors with season-long permits. Some lots are reserved for athletics pass holders.
Around the perimeter of the university, you’ll find a bunch of free parking lots. We repeat…free. You don’t find a lot of schools in the NCAA with organized free parking lots for football. Better yet, they all open the Friday afternoon before the game and allow tailgating, albeit at staggered times — some open at 2 p.m., others at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Don’t take our word for it — here’s the parking map.
Some prime spots for tailgating at Auburn University include:
- The hayfields on Donahue Drive
- Intramural Fields on Biggio Drive
- Ag Heritage Park
- The pines at Weagle Woods
- Graves Amphitheater
RV Parking
RV parking is allowed in the Hayfields, Community Gardens, Lem Morrison Fields, and Facilities Pond lots. They open at 2 p.m. on Fridays. Astonishingly, RV parking is free in those lots. A couple of nearby RV parks, like Eagle’s Landing and Auburn RV, offer football packages for longer times with more amenities.
“Official” tailgates hosted by Auburn include:
Auburn Alumni Center
The Alumni Hospitality Tailgate is run by the alumni association but is open to everybody. It’s got food, big-screen TVs, surprise guests, and more. It’s open three hours before kickoff.
Coca-Cola Tiger Fan Fest
This is a family-friendly, interactive tailgating event. It’s got all the usual trappings for kids (Giant inflatable items), plus DJs, sponsor booths, and some free giveaways and prizes.
Tailgating at Auburn University: Rules and Tips
Rules
There are a few basic rules for tailgating at Auburn University:
- Flammable materials not allowed within 50 feet of campus buildings
- Douse charcoal fire with water
- Dump expired coals in designated areas
- Clean up when you’re done
Here are some of the fire rules.
Tips
If you’re planning to park at Intramural Field — one of the free lots — it’s best to reserve your spot before the Friday rush. You can do so starting on the Monday before the game. The lot has 70 open tailgating spots that, again, cost $0.
Many of the tailgaters at Tigers games are long-time fans who have reserved the same spots for years. That’s true with every school, but especially Auburn.
If you’re not running your own tailgate, look to hang out at these more established, “veteran” tailgates. People keep them running because they’ve been doing something right for years.
Tailgating at Auburn University: Traditions
You don’t want to miss these game-day events in Auburn.
Tiger Walk
You know that tradition at almost all NCAA schools in which the football team marches to the stadium before the game? Auburn University was the first school to do it, back in the ‘60s. The Tiger Walk starts two hours before kickoff at the Athletic Complex, continuing down Donahue Drive to the stadium. Fans line the walk all the way. It’s a madhouse. Get there early.
Rolling Toomer’s Corner
After Auburn victories, fans rush to Toomer’s Corner, a pretty little town square near College and Magnolia. They then drape the entire landmark in toilet paper, covering all the trees and fixtures in Charmin white. Local businesses are apparently okay with this.
Off-Campus Drinks and Food
Downtown Auburn has plenty of great eating and drinking options. Here are a few.
Bars Near Jordan-Hare Stadium
The bars closest to Auburn University are situated near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street just northeast of campus. Halftime Sports Bar is sure to be busy on game day. Other downtown options include The Avondale Bar & Tap Room, Skybar Café, and 17-16 Bar. Just outside of downtown on Opelika Road, you’ll find Game Time Sports Bar.
Check out Google Maps’ recommendations for bars in Auburn.
Restaurants Near Jordan-Hare Stadium
Near Magnolia and College you’ll find these places for food:
- The Hound (upscale American)
- Little Italy Pizzeria
- Mellow Mushroom (pizza)
- Esposito’s Italian Bistro
- The Depot (seafood)
You should also visit Niffer’s Place on Opelika — it’s a classic local diner with a great burger menu.
See Google Maps’ recommendations for more dining options.
Auburn Gameday Gear
With the new season fast approaching, it’s time to get some new Auburn University gameday gear to rep at your tailgate.
The best way to show your team pride is with a team-branded tailgate tent. This Logo Brand one is always a favorite of ours. You can find it here.
These Rawlings tailgate chairs are great. There are quite a few ‘fancier’ chairs out there, but these are all you need for a tailgate party. For the most part, you’re hardly even sitting. You can find them here.
If you want to rep Auburn before gameday, this is a great-looking ball cap! Linked here.
For all things attire Fanatics: Auburn University is a great place to start. They have something for every member of the family. Be sure to only buy when they have promotions running, which is quite often!
Fanatics also has a fun Auburn University: Tailgate & Party section that has cute decorations, car decals, and tailgate games. Outside of cornhole (bags) games, I’d stick to Amazon for your bigger tailgate items like tents, tables, chairs, etc.
Wrap-Up!
Tailgating at Auburn University is one of the more intense experiences in SEC football — nothing subtle about it. With virtually the entire town entering party mode on Friday afternoon, it’s one of the most complete and fulfilling tailgates in the NCAA.
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Tailgate On!
Tailgater Concierge
do you have to have a ticket do the game I. order to tailgate at auburn?
Do you know of any services where you can rent and rv and they take it and set it up and you just come “check in”? Other SEC school have this just wondering if Auburn has such a thing.
Can you setup a tent at Graves Amp on friday?
Will there be restrooms available at the intramural fields?
Traveling from Pennsylvania for the Penn State Game on 9/17. W are looking for two (2) spots that we can drive into Saturday morning, we are staying about an hour outside of campus, park and setup a tailgate. What’s the process to procure parking passes in advance for single games? Is the 8/16 release of single game parking passes in the hayfields, intramural fields I see on https://auburntigers.com/sports/2019/7/21/football-gameday-home.aspx the only option?
What is the process for reserving a rv spot in one of the free lots
First come first serve. Some people rope off a spot Friday morning.
What is the process on reserving a RV spot in one of the free lots?
What is the process on reserving a RV spot in one of the free lots?