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TCF Bank Stadium
FOOTBALL FAN LINKS
Season Ticket Football Parking | Day of Game (Single Game) Parking | Disability Parking | Free Fan Shuttles | Taxis | Charters | Tailgating
UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY LINKS
Contract Parking on Game Day | Saturday Class Students | OV & Vendor Contracts | Loading Zone Contracts |
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Traffic Management | Additional Transportation Options |
A transportation and parking plan was created to ensure a smooth, pleasant experience for football patrons while still accommodating the educational and research necessities of the University.
On gamedays, drivers should anticipate congestion and delays while travelling to and around campus. While PTS has implemented comprehensive plans to limit automobile congestion, we highly encourage fans to carpool and use alternate methods (transit, bike, walk) to help ease congestion and lessen the University's carbon footprint on game days.
Because of limited road capacity around the stadium, fans should anticipate that exiting the campus may take one hour. Incidents on the roadways or freeways can increase this exiting time.
2013 Home Football Schedule
- Thursday, August 29 vs UNLV @ 6 p.m.
- Saturday, September 14 vs Western Illinois
- Saturday, September 21 vs San Jose State
- Saturday, September 28 vs Iowa
- Saturday, October 26 vs Nebraska
- Saturday, November 9 vs Penn State
- Saturday, November 23 vs Wisconsin
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Parking on Game Days
U Community Information
University Contract Parking Information
Individuals who are not attending the game or are not scheduled for work-related activities are encouraged to avoid campus. Do your part to help us reduce campus congestion.
Faculty, staff and commuter students with a 24-hour EAST BANK parking contract will be able to use their contract on game days, but not in their regular contract locations. On game days, contract holders will be required to park in the East River Road Garage.
Those with West Bank and St. Paul contracts will park in their regularly assigned facility.
Students with a residential hall parking contract will be able to park in their assigned facility (regardless of where the parking contract is located).
Automatic keycard readers should be operational on football game days. Hangtag contract holders will need to show their hangtag to the parking attendant to gain entrance. In general, the alternate location becomes effective at midnight on Friday for Saturday games.
Requests for exceptions must be submitted to and approved by appropriate collegiate dean or vice president. All approved exceptions must be sent to Parking and Transportation Services AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to the requested date. PTS will respond to the request based on facility space availability.
Additional information:
- University vehicles may remain in their assigned locations on football game days.
- The reciprocal parking benefit for University parking contract holders is not available on football Saturdays.
For students who are taking Saturday classes, PTS offers a discounted $6 parking rate in three locations:
- East River Road Garage - East Bank
- 21st Avenue Ramp - West Bank
- Gortner Avenue Ramp - St. Paul
Students MUST show the parking attendant TWO things to receive the reduced rate:
- your U Card (University ID) and
- a copy of your registration into that Saturday class.
You can print your registration on your MyU Portal (under "My Courses & Teaching" and " Active" tabs) or from OneStop (under the Quick Link "Registration" on the right column and "Enrollment Summary" for Fall 2012 semester).
Game Day Impact on Official Vehicle/Vendor Contracts
Here are some key points for vendor contract holders:
- Official vehicle/vendor spaces can be used on game days; however the vehicle must have a state license plate (absolutely NO private or personal vehicles allowed on game days)
- Your contract is NOT valid at meters on game days
- If you have a day-of emergency, please contact PTS as soon as possible at 612-626-PARK
Game Day Impact on Loading Zone Contracts
Here are some key points for loading zone contract holders:
- Most loading zone spaces are available during game days; however the vehicle must have a state license plate (absolutely NO private or personal vehicles allowed on game days)
- Spaces near the TCF Bank Stadium will NOT be available on game days
- If you have a day-of emergency, please contact PTS as soon as possible (prior to parking) with the details at 612-626-PARK.
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Season Parking Passes for Football Fans
Football season ticket holders can pre-select their parking location and purchase a season parking pass.
The maps below show parking locations for football game days. Because heavy congestion occurs on East Bank, we have provided recommended travel routes into campus for each parking location. Please be aware that certain campus roads may be closed to traffic.
Note: this information is subject to change. With light rail and other construction on campus, travel patterns may change from game to game. Check for updates and changes FOR EACH GAME.
The overview map of campus shows all parking options at a glance. If you prefer the big picture, we also have a map showing the travel access into campus and out of campus.
The personalized maps below are based on your selected parking location.
EAST BANK
WEST BANK
ST PAUL
Single Game Football Parking For Fans
Single game football parking (public parking in an attended facility) will be available in the following locations:
- NEW EAST BANK LOCATIONS FOR 2012 SEASON!
While space is available. Open 6 hours before game time, but no earlier than 7 a.m.
- Washington Avenue Ramp (no tailgating) - $20/vehicle
- NEW EAST BANK LOCATIONS FOR 2012 SEASON!
- Various Meters (no tailgating) - $4/hr (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
- East Bank
- St. Paul
- West Bank
Disability Parking
- Season ticket holders with a state-issued disability permit or plates may purchase a season parking pass in either Maroon Lot or Gold Lot. Contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 612-624-8080.
- Day-of-game disability parking ($20) is available at the University Avenue Ramp.
- A drop-off for disability patrons will be located adjacent to the stadium along the north side of University Avenue, directly in front of the taxi stand.
- Gopher Athletics will be running an Ambassador Shuttle (6-passenger golf carts) from University Avenue Ramp to the stadium for patrons with disabilities or those who cannot walk long distances. Contact the Athletics Office at 612-624-8080.
- For a University Paratransit van from other parking facilities, call 612-624-8338 for pick-up and drop-off service.
RV Parking
RV parking is available on game day only for $40 in the State Fairgrounds Lot S108 in St. Paul. Season ticket holders with RVs will be in the Gateway Lot. Overnight parking is not allowed.
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Gopher Football FREE Fan Shuttles
On home gamedays, free Gopher Football Shuttles will bring patrons
from St. Paul to TCF Bank Stadium.
- The St. Paul Shuttle will stop at the following locations:
- Lot S108 (St. Paul fairgrounds lot)
- TCF Bank Stadium (East Bank)
- St. Paul football shuttles run every 15 minutes starting 3 hours before the game and increase to 5-10 minute service as needed.
- During the game, shuttles will run every 15 minutes.
- After the game, shuttles will run continuously until the crowd is clear. After this, service will return to regular 20-minute weekend service until midnight at regular bus stops. The Campus Connector will operate every 20 minutes on its weekend schedule
- Dedicated shuttles for those with disabilities or in need of extra assistance will be available. The St. Paul disability shuttle, post-game, will load on the west side of 23rd Avenue where the shuttle drops off pre-game.
- All Gopher Football Shuttles are low-floor, one-level buses and are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
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Tailgating
The University of Minnesota permits tailgating on football game days in designated surface parking lots, during specified hours and under other general conditions.
- Tailgating may begin 6 hours before game time, but no earlier than 7 am.
- Tailgating must end 4 hours after game time or midnight, whichever comes first.
- All vehicles must leave the parking lots when they close at midnight.
- Green space within a parking lot or within 15 feet of a designated surface parking lot may be used for tailgating by the participants assigned to that parking lot.
- Tailgating is NOT permitted on any other University of Minnesota property, including parking ramps and garages.
These policies are intended to enhance the football game day experience, promote a safe campus environment and preserve the beauty of our campus.
To view more details, please view the University's Tailgating Policy and the TCF Bank Stadium Tailgating page.
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Traffic Management
PTS and other University departments have partnered with local and state transportation officials to create a comprehensive parking and traffic plan for Gopher football fans to provide the best campus travel experience possible.
- PTS has developed a traffic management plan designed to ease congestion and ensure safe, efficient movement through campus on game days.
- Officers are stationed at key intersections, parking access points and pedestrian crossings
- Special event signal timing will be implemented
- Pre-game –favors inbound traffic
- Post-game –favors outbound traffic
- Local electronic message signs alert drivers of event-related parking information
- An on-campus traffic management center monitors Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and local video feeds
- Watch for back-ups/incidents
- Communicate messages to the public via electronic message signs
- On-street parking is temporarily restricted at select locations to promote efficient traffic flow
- Some streets immediately adjacent to TCF Bank Stadium are partially or fully closed to accommodate large pedestrian volumes before and after events
- For parking facilities north of University Avenue, season ticket holders are encouraged to use University Avenue via I-35W or Highway 280
- For facilities south of University Avenue, season ticket holders are encouraged to use Huron Avenue and Washington Avenue
Pre-game - these traffic restrictions are in effect:
- 23rd Avenue between University Avenue and 6th Street is one-way northbound.
- Oak Street is closed from 4th to 5th Streets.
- During periods of high pedestrian activity, traffic control officers may restrict left and right turns from University Avenue eastbound to Oak Street.
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Post-game - the following traffic restrictions are in effect:
- 23rd Avenue is closed to both directions of traffic from 6th Street to the Gopher Lot.
- 23rd Avenue between the Gopher Lot and University Avenue is one-way southbound.
- Erie Street between Essex and Fulton Streets is restricted to local traffic.
- 5th/6th Street from the Gold and Maroon Lots to 15th Avenue is one-way westbound.
- 6th Street from the Gold, Ski-U-Mah and Victory Lots to 25th Avenue is one-way eastbound.
- 25th Avenue from 6th to 4th Streets is one-way southbound.
- 17th Avenue is one-way southbound from the 4th Street Ramp to 4th Street until traffic clears on 5th Street. Once traffic clears, vehicles exiting the 4th St. Ramp may leave via 4th or 5th Streets.
- Essex Street between the Oak St. Ramp and Oak Street is one-way westbound.
On Street Parking Restrictions
In addition to regularly marked parking restrictions, parking at the following on-street locations will be prohibited on game days. Vehicles will be tagged and towed. These locations will be signed as “No Parking” at least 24 hours in advance of all game days.
- Oak Street between 4th and 5th Streets (east side of roadway)
- 5th Street between 17th Avenue and Oak Street (south side of roadway)
- 25th Avenue between the cul-de-sac north of 6th Street and 4th Street (both sides of roadway)
- 25th Avenue between 4th Street and University Avenue (west side of roadway)
- Essex Street between Erie Street and Huron Boulevard (north side of roadway)
- Fulton Street between Harvard Street and Huron Boulevard (both sides of roadway)
- 4th Street between 23rd and 25th Avenues (south side of roadway)
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Additional Transportation Options
For those who would rather avoid driving to campus on game days, there are a number of transportation choices.
Bus/Light Rail
Metro Transit offers fast, frequent service to TCF Bank Stadium on several bus routes. Or take the train to Downtown East-Metrodome Station where you can catch a #16 bus for a short ride to the stadium. Visit Metro Transit for personalized trip planning.
Bikes
Biking is a great option for coming to the game.
- Use the bike lanes around campus to get here. A few good choices are:
- 5th Street SE
- 4th Street SE
- Transitway
- University Avenue
- Find bike routes at cyclopath.org
- FREE bike parking is located on the south side of the stadium, adjacent to University Avenue SE and throughout campus. These spots are available three hours before the game, but are removed TWO HOURS after the game ends.
- If you want to leave your bike longer than two hours after the game, use the permanent bike parking racks near gates A, B, C or D.
Motorcycles
For season parking, motorcyclists must purchase a season parking pass. For single game football parking, motorcyclists must pay the public event rate on game days at an attended facility.
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Taxis
Taxi Pick-up and Drop-off
A taxi stand will be located along University Avenue on the south side of the stadium (see map). Taxis shall stop in the east end of the pullout bay heading westbound on University Avenue. U-turns can be made at the University Avenue/Huron Boulevard traffic signal. No stopping on Oak Street (on the west side of the stadium) is allowed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ben Schnabel, Assistant Director of Public Parking and Events. He can be reached by e-mail at schna015@umn.edu or by phone at 612-624-5001.
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Charter Buses
All charter operations are required to use the City of Minneapolis Charter Bus parking system. Buses will be assigned to designated zones near TCF Bank Stadium and will need to display a printable permit.
Click here to purchase your parking.
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