We are just 10 days away from the start of the 2025 Ohio State home football season that will kick off with a first-ever season-opening game against the No. 1 team in the nation. At 12 p.m. Aug. 30 in Ohio Stadium, No. 3 Ohio State will host No. 1 Texas in what will be one of the biggest games of the college football regular season.
There’s plenty for fans to know in front of the kickoff, though. Some of the more important and fun news and notes, and some annual reminders, for those visiting Ohio Stadium this year are listed below.
Tradition Evolved
Tradition Evolved is the athletics department’s commitment to aligning Ohio Stadium’s energy with the passion of the people in it. Exciting and new in the ’Shoe this year: Victory Bell Ringer, THE Towel, Color Outs, unique Brutus Buckeye entrances, Defend the Shoe, a return to the noisy north end for TBDBITL, enhanced video board layout, Caamp’s anthem, “Ohio” and a bigger Block O.
Day-of-Game Parking
Day of Game parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis on football Saturdays. All football parking lots and garages open at 5 a.m. Credit card or smartphone payment only will be accepted at all public parking locations. The prices to park this year are $60 for Premier Day of Game locations (Ag Administration and Vivian), $40 for Proximity Day of Game locations (Neil Ave. Garage, Arps Garage) and $30 for Non-Proximity.
Fans wishing to purchase single game parking in advance may do so for the Sisson and Fawcett Center lots beginning Friday, August 22nd at 10 a.m. EDT at this link: https://am.ticketmaster.com/buckeyes/buy. Permit parking passes will be on fans’ mobile devices.
Woody Hayes Drive Closures
Woody Hayes Drive will be closed between Cannon and Tuttle in both directions to all vehicles approximately four hours prior to kickoff for pedestrian safety.
New Dropoff Point for West Campus Shuttle
The route for the west campus shuttle is different this year. Fans parking and riding from west campus will ride shuttles from Mount Hall Loop to and from the Transit Hub, near the RPAC, from six hours before kickoff until one hour after the game.
Bold and Fun Food Updates
This season’s lineup brings bold new flavors to the forefront, according to Levy, the department’s food and beverage partner, starting with the Overloaded stands at Sections 10C and 9A. There, fans can dig into SCOOP N SCORE Nachos stacked with chipotle black beans, queso, jalapeño crema and cilantro chimichurri. Also at Overloaded: the Birria Nacho with smoky brisket and consommé, and the Sugardale Italian Hot Dog topped with cherry pepper relish and chopped pepperoni.
At the BBQ stands in Sections 15A and 6A, guests will find the Loaded Cowboy Chipper featuring house-smoked brisket and cheddar sauce, alongside the House Smoked Pulled BBQ Sandwich (choice of pork or brisket) served on a brioche bun with creamy slaw and pickles. Rounding out the new additions, Dos Hermanos joins the starting lineup with fresh Mexican fare at Sections 36A and 17C.
WaitTime Technology
The Ohio State Buckeyes app now displays a WaitTime bar that allows fans to monitor bathroom, concession and drink refill lines.
847 (Safe Fan)
The old “Text Brutus” issue number is being discontinued this year. This year, fans can text issues to 847-723-3326 … or 847 (Safe Fan).
Construction Projects
A number of projects were completed in the past year, including field level sideline replacement, C-Deck restroom renovations, a repositioning of portal video boards and new donor and team signage to be unveiled at the Texas game.
Ohio Stadium Tours
Tours of Ohio Stadium can now be booked year-round for tours starting at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and occasional weekends. Game day tours, which conclude with a seat at Skull Session, are also available this year. Visit www.OhioStadiumTours.com for details.
And Some Annual Reminders …
Visit the Game Day Website – Fans are encouraged to visit https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/feature/gameday-football for all game day information needs (mobile tickets, mobile parking passes, traffic and parking info, maps, tailgating and an A-Z guide).
Download the Official Ohio State Buckeyes App – There has been an Ohio State Buckeyes app update, so fans should update their app! The best way to access season tickets and parking passes is through the Ohio State Buckeyes app, compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Click here (iPhone) or here (Android) to download the app onto mobile devices for free.
Ticket Pedestals – Gates into Ohio Stadium have new ticket pedestals that fans use for access into the game by scanning their ticket from their own mobile device.
Metal Detectors – All Ohio Stadium entry gates are equipped with walk-through metal detectors that guests pass through for entry. Fans will not need to empty their pockets unless instructed by stadium security. The goal is for a frictionless entry into Ohio Stadium.
No Bag Policy – Ohio State has a no bag policy at Ohio Stadium and all athletics department venues. Small bags, no larger than 5x8x1 inches, (add comma) will be permitted. Guests with medical or childcare needs will be permitted to carry one bag, no larger than 14x14x4 inches, into the stadium through one of these two locations: the Band Center entrance between Gates 10 and 12, or the Press Entrance between the Huntington Club and Gate 23.
Game Day Alerts Text – Fans are encouraged to sign up for Game Day Alerts to receive texts for real-time traffic and parking updates, weather information and emergency notifications. Opt in at https://getvozzi.com/opt-in/vVkEb.
Ohio State Single Game Tickets – Verified resale tickets are available at ticketmaster.com and via the Ohio State Buckeyes app or Ticketmaster app. The Department of Athletics firmly encourages fans to protect themselves from potential fraud by utilizing these sites for purchasing resale tickets over any other resale ticket options.
Buckeye Experiences – Fans can experience an Ohio State football game day inside the Ohio Stadium like never before by purchasing an exclusive Buckeye Experience. There are 13 unique game day experiences including a personalized videoboard message, VIP seats to Skull Session, pregame sideline passes, pregame photos on the 50-yard line and much more.
New! VIP Experiences – New this season are VIP Buckeye Experiences. Fans who purchase a VIP Buckeye Experience will receive a parking pass to the Sisson Lot and a fully guided pregame experience including on-floor access to Skull Session at St. John Arena, experiencing Buckeye Walk with the team, an all-inclusive meal in the Varsity O Club and much more.
Fans can purchase experiences here, or VIP experiences here.
A to Z Guide – Visit the A to Z Guide for information and answers to all of your game day questions.
Accessibility Information – Ohio Stadium provides accommodations for those with disabilities, including elevators, accessible seating, accessible restrooms, assistive listening devices and closed captioning that will allow for an enjoyable game day experience.
Cashless Operations – Cashless operations are utilized throughout Ohio Stadium, including for program sales, concessions, ticket office transactions and merchandise.