The Buckeye Game Day Survival Guide
Parking, tailgates, where to watch if you can't get a ticket, and how to make it to Sunday morning intact. O-H!
There's nothing quite like a fall Saturday in Columbus. 100,000+ fans, the Best Damn Band in the Land, and the entire campus dressed in scarlet and gray. Whether you scored a student ticket or you're watching from a buddy's couch, here's how to do game day right.
Plan your morning. Tailgates start hours before kickoff — the Lane Avenue and St. John Arena lots open early. If you live around campus, walk. Driving anywhere near the Shoe on a home game is a special kind of regret. The CABS bus runs a game-day route, and rideshares surge hard, so plan ahead.
Food and pregame. Hit Eddie George's Grille 27 for breakfast and an early beer, Out-R-Inn for the dive bar vibe, or grab tailgate sandwiches from Brenz Pizza. If you're hosting, a slow cooker of chili and a tray of buckeye candies (peanut butter + chocolate) is the move.
Inside the Shoe. Get there at least 45 minutes before kickoff so you can watch Script Ohio — it never gets old. Bring a clear bag, a portable charger, and layers; October games can start at 80°F and end at 50°F. Hydrate. Yell. Sing 'Hang On Sloopy' between the third and fourth quarter like you mean it.
Can't get a ticket? Buckeye Donuts, Eddie George's, The Library Bar, and Midway on High all show every snap with full crowds. Or stay home — a quiet couch with good food and a clean kitchen is its own underrated game day plan.
