There’s nothing quite like your first-ever experience at a college football game. Today, I’ll share what it was like to step into the vibrant world of the LSU Tigers on game day, right in the heart of Baton Rouge.
Imagine arriving at Tiger Stadium on game day, the energy buzzing through the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge. That’s where my immersive journey into college football began.
I have a ticket, and I’m going to walk you through a game day at Tiger Stadium, home to the LSU Tigers College Football, who play in the SEC – Southeastern Conference.
One thing I love to do when I travel is to enjoy participating in local spectator sports.
It’s a great way to get straight to the heart of the action when it comes to visiting a new country or city.
Understanding the local sports team is a great way of picking up the local vibe and culture.
Sports bring us together, and the passion and rivalry we all share for our beloved teams make the world a fun place.
American College Football hits different; it’s on a whole other level. Let me explain.
I have to admit, I’ve never watched an American football game live and in person.
I have watched American Football on TV, mostly the NFL and the Super Bowl.
But College football? I’ve never watched a game, even on TV, and didn’t know much about it at all. Oh boy, was I in for a surprise. College Football is a whole different ball game.
The NFL is the professional league, and the local Louisiana team in New Orleans is the New Orleans Saints, and they play at the Caesars Superdome, which has a capacity of 83,000+.
Tiger Stadium, also known as “Death Valley,” has an attendance capacity of over 102,000+ sports fans!
LSU Tigers, the SEC College Football team, have an additional 20,000 seats compared to the professional NFL team New Orleans Saints, down the road in the state of Louisiana.
And I haven’t even mentioned the numbers that tailgate around Tiger Stadium because those numbers can double on Saturday, College football day at LSU.
I just wanted to share the above numbers just to showcase the sheer number of fans that turn up for college football in the state of Louisiana alone.
Personally, I can’t get my head around college football being bigger than the professional league.
Maybe because the only equivalent to College sports we have in the United Kingdom isn’t anywhere near this scale.
And the stadium capacity for college football gets even bigger when you head over to Michigan Stadium, known as “the Big House,”. The stadium for the University of Michigan has a whopping capacity of 107,000+.
Not only this, but in recent years, College Football players could seek sponsorship and endorsement deals (Which came into effect in 2021).
This makes student-athlete/amateur-level sports more lucrative as youth athletes can still develop their skills whilst in education without the need to rush into professional-level sports.
Keeping the next big talents within College football makes the sport more exciting.
Heading to Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Flying into New Orleans and making the drive to Baton Rouge felt like the perfect start to my first college football adventure.
The drive is about 80 miles to Baton Rouge, roughly an hour and a half drive.
The anticipation built with every mile, knowing I was heading to the legendary Tiger Stadium, better known as Death Valley. With a capacity of over 102,000 roaring fans, it’s one of the most electrifying venues in all of sports.
Louisiana State University, nestled in Baton Rouge, USA, is more than just a campus it’s a culture, a tradition, and a community. And as they proudly say here: GEAUX TIGERS!
Practical Tips for travelling LSU Tiger fans, Getting There and where to stay
I would stay in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I booked myself into Hampton Inn and Suites Baton Rouge, and the check-in desk was already decked out in LSU Tigers decorations, getting me pumped up for the game and in the mood. It’s great to see the whole city getting involved.
Parking at Tiger Stadium: Arrive early—parking fills quickly. Many fans park on campus lawns, so be prepared for a walk. You can pre-order your parking spots in advance if you want to park closer to the stadium.
Dress Code: Purple and gold are mandatory if you want to blend in with the LSU Tigers theme.
I was very impressed with the large selection of LSU Tigers merchandise. You name it, they have pretty much branded it. Everyone gets behind the LSU Tigers in Louisiana, and it’s great to see the local support. Be sure to get involved!
I would recommend pre-ordering merch from the Rally House Siegen Lane Marketplace online store for collection. Making it a little easier with sizes and in-stock items. You can also try the Barnes & Noble on campus for some last-minute purchases.
Saying this, New Orleans sports stores stocked LSU gear if you’re visiting the city before making your way to Baton Rouge.
You can also visit the Baton Rouge Target store if you want to pick up some pre-game snacks and drinks to keep in a cooler box back at your parked car.
Food & Drink: Bring cash for concessions, but don’t miss the chance to eat at tailgates.
Post-Game: Traffic can be heavy leaving campus. Consider hanging around for a bit after the game to let the crowds thin out a bit.
Here are my top GameDay Highlights – What to See and Do around the LSU campus
Aimed to arrive at Louisiana State University for around 10:00am with pre-booked parking. This way, we could explore the campus with enough time to enjoy the night game in the evening.
Explore campus and discover LSU’s Homecoming Pomping Boards
Started the day by exploring the LSU’s Homecoming Pomping Boards.
Pomping Boards are Large, colorful displays created by student organisations using thousands of tissue paper “pomps.”
They showcase LSU pride, artistry, and creativity, and are a great way to feel the campus spirit.
We headed first to the LSU Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, which had won third place in the homecoming pomping boards.
Tip: Arrive early to stroll through campus and snap photos before the crowds start to build up.
Time for Tailgating at LSU Tigers pre-college football game day
Now it’s time for Tailgating on Campus. Tiger Stadium can hold over 102,000+. Expect the same number of sports fans around the car lots and campus.
Tailgating is a whole day experience on game day, and some locals don’t even make it into the stadium. They set up the tailgate, hook up the TV, and watch the game from the parking lot.
Expect comfortable chairs, gazebos, TVs, BBQ pits, and even chandeliers hanging from the trees. almost like little mini congregated cities start popping up.
Loads of corn holes and beer pong to be played on game day.
The beauty of a tailgate is that all you have to say is a friendly hello, and you will be invited into the tailgate community. Beers, frozen slush machines, and gumbo boil on the go; this is what makes LSU special for tailgating.
LSU tailgating is legendary, with fans cooking Cajun classics like jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and fried chicken.
Look for tents, grills, and music everywhere. Don’t be shy—Tiger fans are famously welcoming. Walk around, chat with locals, and fingers crossed, you might be invited to sample the food.
I reached out to ask if I could join the Cajun Tigers Tailgating community ahead of time, and they kindly invited me along to the impressive Tailgating setup they have.
They had a massive truck with a DJ on top with a beer tap sticking off the side, it was all rather impressive!
They had a whole outdoor kitchen set up with hot plates, smoke ovens, and even a deep-fat fryer.
The idea is to cook up on the menu whoever the away team’s mascot is. As the LSU Tigers were playing the North Carolina Gamecocks, of course, fried chicken was top of the agenda.
Walk the Tiger Walk with LSU Golden Guys
Meet the LSU Golden Guys, A spirited group of fans dressed in gold suits who raise money for Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.
They embody the heart of LSU fun mixed with philanthropy.
Be sure to bring some cash to donate and grab a photo with them. Don’t miss out on the LSU dance, and be sure to walk the tiger cat walk in style on game day!
Play some Beer Pong with the Away Fans
Jump on a game of Beer Pong with the Away Fans. LSU fans often mix with visiting fans for friendly games and banter.
If you’re competitive, jump in for a round. If not, enjoy the atmosphere; it’s all part of the fun.
Another fun game that you might frequently stumble across is corn hole which is also super fun to play and make new friends with other sports fans.
Pass by and say hi to Mardi Gras Mike
Stop by and Say Hello to Mardi Gras Mike, A Baton Rouge legend who brings Mardi Gras energy to LSU game days.
Normally, Mardi Gras Mike Roars to Life at Mardi Gras or on display at Mardi Gras World NOLA, but on Game Day, he makes an appearance and makes his way to the LSU campus and parades down Victory Hill.
His personality makes him a fan favorite. Spot him near tailgating areas—he’s always up for photos and spreading Tigers cheer.
The Golden Band from Tigerland marching band parades down Victory Hill
The Golden Band from Tigerland, before kickoff, the LSU marching band parades down Victory Hill, playing iconic Tiger tunes.
Be sure not to miss this iconic game day spectacular. The sound of brass and drums echoing through campus builds anticipation like nothing else.
Position yourself along Victory Hill about 90 minutes before kickoff to catch the full performance. See if you can catch some Mardi Gras beads.
Time for the game: LSU Tigers vs South Carolina Gamecocks
Tailgating from 10:00am, you forget that you’re actually here to watch a game of College Football. That’s the beauty of GameDay, with so much going on.
Time to head Inside Tiger Stadium, known as Death Valley, the Atmosphere, Deafening noise, purple and gold everywhere, and fans who live and breathe LSU football.
Be sure to arrive early to soak in the pre-game energy. Once inside, prepare for one of the loudest stadium experiences in the country.
The Golden Band from Tigerland will be kicking off the pre-game show, covering half-time too, and also sticking around till the end until they get kicked out of the stadium.
The Game I went to was the LSU Tigers vs the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The matchup is SEC football at its finest, with fierce competition and passionate fans.
Be sure to Learn the chants—especially GEAUX TIGERS!—and join in. It’s part of the magic.
On the day, LSU Tigers scored 20 and South Carolina Gamecocks scored 10. LSU Tigers grab the win on this Saturday college football night and the atmosphere was electric!
Thank you for reading my blog post about the LSU Tigers GameDay
Final Thoughts: My first LSU game day was more than a sporting event; it was a cultural immersion into Louisiana’s traditions, food, music, and community.
From pomping boards to tailgating, from Mardi Gras Mike to the roar of Death Valley, LSU delivers an unforgettable experience. GEAUX TIGERS!
Thank you for reading my blog post review of an LSU Tigers GameDay, and I hope you found all the above useful towards your Baton Rouge trip planning.
