EAST LANSING – It’s game time, and here’s what fans need to know before heading to Michigan State University football games in 2024.
It can seem like there’s a lot to remember, from what bags you’re allowed to take to where to park.
You probably already know that the construction is going to be bad, but let’s dig a little deeper.
What can I bring with me?
Bags and purses are prohibited in Spartan Stadium. However, small clear bags up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″ are permitted, as are plastic bags with a capacity of 1 gallon.
Water bottles are limited to sealed 20-ounce bottles.
E-cigarettes, vapes and tobacco are not allowed.
Strollers and umbrellas are on the banned list, as are selfie sticks and camcorders. Small cameras and phones are allowed, as are seat cushions without backrests. And pagers, if they still exist, are allowed.
The stadium does not offer storage facilities, so please leave prohibited items at home or in your car. A full list of prohibited and permitted products can be found here.
Alcohol sales
Alcohol sales will resume at the stadium during football season, university spokeswoman Kat Cooper said this summer.
She said fans should expect more shopping options but less selection, while bestsellers like Coors Light, Sparti Parti and Nutrl Seltzer will remain.
Sales totaled over $1 million last year, excluding the first two football games. This will be the first full season of alcohol sales.
Parking and tailgating
Public parking is available on game days for $30. Cheaper rates ($20) are available in Lot 90 (Commuter Lot)/MSU Pavilion. The shuttle departs two hours before the game and returns afterward.
Tailgating is permitted in all public parking lots on campus.
For Friday’s game, these parking lots will be closed beginning at 5:00 p.m. Thursday and will reopen at 2:00 p.m. Friday. Event parking passes are required.
- Lot 62 is located on the north side of IM Sports West and Spartan Stadium
- Lot 124 is located on the north side of IM Sports West and Spartan Stadium
- Lot 61 is located on the west side of Spartan Stadium
- Lot 79 is located on the south side of Spartan Stadium
On Friday, the remaining parking spaces on campus will be available for normal school operations until 1 p.m. After that, access to the football pass parking lots will be restricted. All donor parking spaces reserved by the MSU Athletic Department will open at 2 p.m. on Friday. All other general parking spaces for football passes will open at 3 p.m.
All teachers and staff with cars are asked to leave the campus starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, according to a statement from the university.
Navigating the construction site
Road construction on US 127 and Interstate 496 is currently affecting several entrances and exits to campus.
Construction on US 127/Interstate 496 will impact campus access roads, including Trowbridge Road. Drivers heading south on US 127 may exit at Trowbridge, but drivers coming from the south may not.
The ramp from northbound US 127 to Kalamazoo Street is also closed. Fans traveling north on the highway should consider exiting at Holt Road or continuing to the Saginaw Street exit.
This year, the state is rebuilding the stretch of highway between Interstates 496 and 96. All traffic has been shifted to the southbound side while workers rebuild the northbound lanes. That process will be reversed next year, with all traffic being rerouted to the newly constructed northbound side.
Spartan Athletics asks fans to allow extra time to travel to Spartan Stadium. Fans are asked to familiarize themselves with the new traffic patterns and are strongly encouraged to use GPS, even if they are familiar with the area, to find alternate routes if necessary.
University spokesman Mark Bullion said traffic and construction could be challenging, but GPS navigation systems are generally well-suited to navigating the changes. The following resources should be helpful: MDOT information and construction sites maps: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/us-127-corridor-improvements, and MSU construction and detour map: https://apps.gis.msu.edu/construction/closures-and-detours/
Stay up to date
Spartans fans and guests can sign up for game day updates from MSU Police and Public Safety by texting SPARTANFB24 to 888777. Updates will include safety information, possible game delays, and traffic and parking information.
How to watch
If you are not at the game, you can follow it as follows:
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Streaming/Mobile: FOX Sports App
- Live stats: msuspartans.com
- Radio: Spartan Media Network, 106.9 FM or 1240 AM (and 730 FM) or Sirius/XM (channel 84)
Contact Mike Ellis at [email protected] or 517-267-0415
