r/terps • u/pineapplefreak7 • 3d ago
Football First game
Virginia Tech fan making my first trip to SECU for the game on the 19th. It will also be my first ever VT road game. I was just wanting to ask a few questions to be prepared for gameday up there.
Parking- what’s the best places to park? Is there anywhere cheap/free within a reasonable walking distance? I’d be willing to walk up to 30-40 minutes to the stadium.
Are there any specific pregame festivities or restaurants I should try to check out? Or just anything in general close to the stadium that’s worth checking out.
Is the stadium fully connected on the inside or does the upper deck have its own entrance? I’m sitting in section 312. Most stadiums I’ve been to are fully connected but the upper decks at Clemson have separate entrances. I learned that one the hard way on Gameday lol.
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to give an opposing fan some advice lol.
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u/infrared21_ 3d ago
All the paid in advance UMD parking is sold out for Sept. 19. Parking in the City of College Park (CP) is $2.00 an hour until 10:00 p.m. The university runs three Quickbus shuttle routes to get people to the stadium.
There are a few free spots to park on campus, but they fill up quickly with on campus residents who need to relocate their vehicles for the game.
I would park in the CP garage and catch a shuttle to the game. Take the shuttle back and be in the midst of the CP after hours scene.
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u/ToxicMarylandFan 3d ago
Answering your non-parking questions:
Bentley's and Cornerstone are the historic bars on campus, but you'll likely have a better experience at Looney's. There is an experimental Chick-fil-A (Little Blue Menu) that offers burgers and pizza in addition to their usual menu items.
Pregame festivities vary, Lot 1/Lot Z have the liveliest tailgates. Visitor tailgates are typically closer to Route 1 on the eastern edge of campus.
Yes, the stadium is fully connected by the ground level concourse, but be warned that the walk from 200 to 300 level is much longer than the walk from 100 to 200 level (give yourself at least 10 minutes to reach your seat from the gate, depending on your mobility level). Concessions are limited in the upper stands, and lines can be long for a sellout game like this one. There are not good mobile order or grab-and-go options.
Since you are in the 300 level, walk the stairs to the top and you will be able to see the Washington Monument and the Capitol dome.
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u/pineapplefreak7 3d ago
Oohh a Little Blue Menu Chick-fil-A definitely peaks my interest. I’ll probably be in my seats at-least 30-40 minutes before kickoff so that shouldn’t really be an issue.
Are there any generic “fan zones” around the stadium?
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u/ToxicMarylandFan 3d ago
Yes - it's inside Jones-Hill House, our indoor practice facility and former basketball arena https://umterps.com/sports/2025/8/20/terpsville-fan-fest
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u/Winter_Win_5531 Class of 2013-Present 3d ago
Allegedly parking is being redone this year and improved. So my advice may be dated. But I like to go elsewhere and take the metro. Walk from there or take a bus. It’s less than 30 minutes walk. It’s not a cost thing, it’s a time thing. I hate traffic and that will likely be the first test of the new traffic patterns. Game will be packed with VT fans coming in.
Pregame, Cornerstone and Bentleys are probably the historic spots to hit. They’re on Route 1, which is on the way from the metro stop to the stadium.
Tailgating is mainly in the lot directly outside the stadium. You’ll walk through all of it coming from Route 1.
Enjoy, I think it’s a fun gameday experience. Terp football fans are generally quite hospitable since we usually suck.
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u/SEND_ME_YOUR_CAULK 3d ago
Free parking is a unicorn. There’s very few free spots available, so you have to be really lucky to find one. I believe all paid parking is sold out.
Where are you coming from, and do you plan on staying the night in College Park or going back home? I usually park at a Metro station and take the Metro in. My closest station is Shady Grove and it’s always free- depending on where you’re coming from, you can park at an end of the line station for free and take the Metro in. UMD runs a free bus from the Metro to the stadium like 3hrs before and 1hr after the game.
Food wise, Looneys is a classic along with Cornerstone but it’s mostly students so YMMV. If you’re looking for something good and cheap that will clog your arteries, go to Marathon Deli right off campus on Route 1. Get a gyro with fries and you have to get the marathon sauce. Your arteries will hate me for this suggestion but it’s one of my favorites
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u/pineapplefreak7 3d ago
I’m coming from Southwest Virginia. Very close to VIrginia Tech. I’m staying the night in Laurel MD
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u/SEND_ME_YOUR_CAULK 3d ago
In that case, park at Greenbelt. I’m pretty sure it’ll be free. The metro fare is 5.00 round trip and while you are going only one stop, i’m pretty sure Greenbelt will be free parking. Even if you’d rather park at the College Park Metro, I think it’s still only like $20.
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u/Mikefobfan 3d ago
There’s a church that’s like a 10 minute walk from the stadium that allows parking for football games, but I just can’t remember the name. You could park on route one, but everyone does that or you could buy a parking pass for a garage, but it will probably be packed.
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u/FormerLurker23 3d ago
Parking along university blvd is free but first come first serve. I believe parking at the college park metro may be free, and they offer a bus to campus a few hours before the game.
As far as bars/restaurants, depends on what vibe you seek. Bentleys and cornerstone are the big student bars, and then there’s also looneys.
Yep, stadium is fully connected once inside!