Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking
Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking Passes
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Nebraska Memorial Stadium Address
600 Stadium Dr., Lincoln, NE 68508
Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking Reviews
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Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking Information
Reviewed by Prked Editorial Team · Last updated September 14, 2026
On Nebraska Cornhuskers game days, Memorial Stadium in Lincoln turns into the state's third-largest "city," packing nearly 90,000 fans onto campus. Getting a decent spot for Nebraska Memorial Stadium parking comes down to understanding the split between donor-only campus lots, city garages, park-and-ride shuttles, and tailgating areas around the Haymarket.
How Early Do Lots Open for Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking on Game Day?
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) campus parking lots open at 6:00 AM for kickoffs before 6:00 PM, and at 11:00 AM for night games scheduled for 6:00 PM or later. Off-campus locations, including City of Lincoln Park & Go garages and the Pinnacle Bank Arena Festival Lot, generally open at 7:00 AM regardless of game time.
Aim to get there three to four hours before kickoff. Stadium Drive, T Street, and the main campus roads fill up with foot traffic fast. Note that UNL donor Lots 4 and 6 shut down to all incoming and outgoing vehicles 90 minutes before kickoff for pedestrian safety near the stadium gates. Pass holders who miss that 90-minute cutoff have to wait until post-game foot traffic clears before they can enter or leave.
Where Can I Find Husker Football Game Day Parking Without a Donor Pass?
Fans without donor passes looking for Husker football game day parking can use designated UNL public lots and garages, downtown city garages, surface lots at Haymarket Park, or private driveways booked on sites like Prked, which ranks #1 on Trustpilot across both the Parking Garage and Parking Lot categories.
Almost all surface parking right next to Memorial Stadium—including Lots 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 23, 24, and 26—is strictly reserved for Huskers Athletic Fund donors with season permits. Everyone else needs to head slightly further east on City Campus, downtown, or out into the West Haymarket.
| Parking Location | Facility Type | Distance / Walk Time to Stadium | Typical Game Day Rate | Payment / Reservation Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14th & Avery Garage (Lot 9) | UNL Campus Garage | 0.4 miles (8–10 min) | $25 | Credit card on entry / ParkMobile |
| 19th & Vine Garage (Lot 13) | UNL Campus Garage | 0.8 miles (15–18 min) | $25 | Credit card on entry / ParkMobile |
| UNL Public Surface Lots | Campus Surface Lots | 0.5–1.0 miles (10–20 min) | $10–$20 | Credit card on entry / ParkMobile |
| Que Place Garage (1111 Q St) | City Park & Go Garage | 0.5 miles (10–12 min) | $20–$30 | parkandgo.org / Card on entry |
| Larson Garage (1317 Q St) | City Park & Go Garage | 0.6 miles (12–15 min) | $20–$25 | parkandgo.org / Card on entry |
| University Square (101 N 14th) | City Park & Go Garage | 0.6 miles (12–15 min) | $20–$25 | parkandgo.org / Card on entry |
| Haymarket Park (Line Drive) | Ballpark Surface Lots | 0.5 miles (10–12 min via bridge) | $20–$25 | Credit/debit card on entry |
| Downtown Street Meters | City Curbside Spots | 0.4–1.0 miles (8–20 min) | $15 flat rate | Passport Parking App (Zone 90) |
Why Renting a Private Driveway or Yard in the North Bottoms Is Often the Smartest Game Day Move
Booking a private driveway or residential yard spot in the North Bottoms neighborhood gets you closest to Memorial Stadium without a donor pass and makes getting out of Lincoln much faster after the game.
- Immediate Walking Proximity: Homes along Charleston, Claremont, Bessie, Court, and Y Streets (between 8th and 12th Streets) sit just 0.3 to 0.6 miles north of Memorial Stadium. It is an easy 5 to 10-minute walk across Salt Creek Roadway straight to the North and West stadium gates.
- Skip Multi-Level Garage Delays: Parking in a private driveway cuts out the 30- to 45-minute wait typical of city garages like Que Place or Larson, where hundreds of cars queue up at single-lane exits onto crowded streets.
- Direct Northbound Highway Egress: Vehicles parked north of the stadium can pull straight out onto North 10th Street or Military Road and head north toward Cornhusker Highway (US-6) or Interstate 180, dodging the pedestrian gridlock on Stadium Drive and T Street.
- Cheaper and More Attentive Than Commercial Lots: Homeowners usually charge less than high-demand downtown garages, and an on-site resident host watching over the property offers extra peace of mind compared to an unmonitored lot.
If you want to secure a spot before game day instead of hunting for an open lawn that morning, platforms like Prked—rated 5.0/5 on Trustpilot across 750+ reviews—let you reserve a private driveway or yard near Memorial Stadium in advance. You can compare exact walking distances, read host reviews, and pay securely through the platform to lock in your space before hitting game day traffic.
How Much Does Game Day Parking Cost at UNL Parking Garages and Public Lots?
Game day parking at UNL campus parking structures costs a flat rate of $25, while UNL-operated public surface lots charge between $10 and $20 depending on how close they are to the stadium.
The two main campus structures with public drive-up parking on Husker football game days are the 14th & Avery Garage (Lot 9, north of Vine Street) and the 19th & Vine Garage (Lot 13, on the east edge of campus). Public surface lots sit mostly along the edges of City Campus near 16th, 17th, and 19th Streets. Since campus spots fill fast for marquee conference matchups, checking the official UNL football parking map before arriving in Lincoln helps you scout secondary lots before running into street closures.
Can I Pay for Parking With Cash at Memorial Stadium Lots and Lincoln City Garages?
No. All official UNL campus parking lots and garages are completely cashless and accept only major credit cards, debit cards, or contactless mobile payments.
City-operated Park & Go facilities and major commercial lots in the Haymarket also run on cashless systems. While a few private homeowners in the North Bottoms neighborhood selling lawn spaces may take cash, municipal and university parking operations require a card or pre-purchased Nebraska game day parking passes through apps like ParkMobile or Passport Parking.
How Do I Reserve Park and Go Lincoln Game Day Parking and Garages in Advance?
You can reserve parking spaces in advance through the City of Lincoln's Park and Go Lincoln game day parking system at parkandgo.org, through the ParkMobile app for select university spaces, or via neighborhood booking platforms like Prked.
Pre-purchasing a Lincoln Memorial Stadium parking garage spot takes the guesswork out of driving from facility to facility on game morning. The City of Lincoln Park & Go system manages several multi-level garages within walking distance of Memorial Stadium and the Historic Haymarket entertainment district:
- Que Place Garage (1111 Q Street): Right in the middle of downtown dining and roughly a 10-minute walk to the South Stadium gates.
- Larson Garage (1317 Q Street): A dependable multi-level option right off Lincoln Mall and Q Street.
- University Square Garage (101 N. 14th Street): Located right at the south edge of UNL City Campus.
- Red 1 Garage (1128 M Street) & Center Park Garage (1120 N Street): Located slightly further south, providing a 15-minute walk and an easier post-game exit away from campus traffic.
City garage event rates generally range from $20 to $30. If you reserve online through Park & Go, you receive a barcode to scan at the gate upon entry and exit.
What Is the Street Meter Parking Rule in Downtown Lincoln on Husker Game Days?
On Husker football game Saturdays, all downtown Lincoln on-street metered parking spaces convert to a flat-rate event charge of $15 for the entire day, managed through the Passport Parking mobile app using Zone 90.
Normal hourly limits on meters are waived on game days under this program. Drivers can park at any open meter downtown, open the Passport Parking app, input their license plate number, and select Zone 90 to pay the $15 flat rate. This is an affordable option if you arrive early enough in the morning to find an open curb space along P, Q, N, or M Streets. Regular meter rules return on non-event days.
How Does the Big Red Express Shuttle Memorial Stadium Route Operate on Game Day?
The StarTran Big Red Express shuttle Memorial Stadium service picks up fans from multiple satellite park-and-ride lots across Lincoln and drops them off right next to Memorial Stadium on 14th Street near Vine Street.
Taking the Big Red Express shuttle lets fans skip downtown congestion, street closures, and stadium parking fees. Shuttles begin running about two to three hours before kickoff and run continuous return trips for up to an hour after the game ends.
Standard park-and-ride pickup points throughout Lincoln include:
- Gateway Mall (6100 O Street – pickup near the north side parking lots)
- SouthPointe Pavilions (27th & Pine Lake Road – pickup near the southwest quadrant)
- North Star High School (5801 N. 33rd Street)
- Northwest High School (2828 W. Holdrege Street)
Round-trip fares on the Big Red Express are typically $10 to $15 per passenger (with discounted rates or passes available through StarTran). Buses run in dedicated transit corridors to speed up arrivals and departures, making this one of the most efficient options for out-of-town visitors.
Where Are the Best Tailgating Lots Near Memorial Stadium and Haymarket Park?
The top public tailgating spots near Memorial Stadium are the Pinnacle Bank Arena Festival Lot in the West Haymarket, Haymarket Park (home of the Lincoln Saltdogs and Nebraska Baseball), and private residential yards in the North Bottoms neighborhood.
Because open flames, propane grills, and charcoal setups are strictly prohibited inside all UNL campus parking garages, fans looking for an authentic tailgating experience set up in open-air surface venues:
- Pinnacle Bank Arena Festival Lot: Located northwest of the arena, this lot offers a lively festival atmosphere packed with thousands of fans, music, TV setups, and team tents.
- Haymarket Park Husker Parking: Located northwest of the stadium across the railway tracks, Haymarket Park features grass and asphalt tailgating areas with direct pedestrian skybridge access over the tracks straight to Memorial Stadium's west side.
- The North Bottoms Neighborhood: Located immediately north of the stadium across Salt Creek (along 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets north of Military Road), where local residents open their lawns to tailgaters for cash or mobile payments on game mornings.
How Do I Secure Pinnacle Bank Arena Festival Lot Tailgating Passes?
Spaces for Pinnacle Bank Arena festival lot tailgating must be purchased online in advance via Ticketmaster or the official Pinnacle Bank Arena ticketing site, with sales closing at 5:00 PM on the Wednesday prior to each home game.
Individual drive-up Nebraska game day parking passes are not sold at the Festival Lot gate on game day. Tailgating passes are issued digitally and must be displayed on your phone or printed. The Festival Lot opens at 7:00 AM on game mornings, regardless of kickoff time. Spaces are standard passenger-vehicle dimensions, and tailgating gear like canopies, chairs, and grills must fit within your marked stall or directly behind your vehicle to keep driving lanes clear.
Where Is Memorial Stadium RV Parking Lincoln Located for Game Weekends?
Dedicated Memorial Stadium RV parking Lincoln options are offered at the Haymarket Park lots (Line Drive) and the Pinnacle Bank Arena Festival Lot, both requiring specialized advance permits.
Haymarket Park accommodates self-contained recreational vehicles for weekend stays, opening to RV pass holders on Friday afternoon and allowing parking through Sunday morning. Spots must be reserved weeks to months in advance through the Haymarket Park ticket office or website due to high demand. There are no full utility hookups, so RVs must be completely self-contained. The walk from Haymarket Park Husker parking areas to Memorial Stadium takes roughly 10 to 12 minutes across the pedestrian footbridge.
Where Is Memorial Stadium ADA Accessible Parking Located in Lincoln?
The primary public facility for Memorial Stadium ADA accessible parking is the UNL Lot 9 parking structure (14th & Avery Garage), which costs $25 and includes a free golf cart mobility shuttle directly to the stadium.
To use this option, drivers must display a state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate. The 14th & Avery Garage features an enclosed ground-level bus lobby where UNL operates a fleet of complimentary, accessible golf carts and vans that transport fans with mobility impairments directly to the Memorial Stadium gates before kickoff and back to the garage after the game.
The City of Lincoln also provides a limited number of first-come, first-served on-street ADA parking spaces on 14th & Vine Street. These designated hooded meter spots are available to qualifying placard holders at no charge, but they typically fill up several hours before kickoff.
Where Is the Designated Rideshare Drop-Off and Pickup Zone for Nebraska Football Games?
The official pre-game and post-game rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and passenger drop-off zone is located northwest of Memorial Stadium along the eastbound lanes of Salt Creek Roadway, just north of Lot 8.
Drivers access this drop-off slip lane from the north or west, drop passengers off along the pedestrian sidewalk leading toward Gate 10 and the North Stadium expansion, and immediately exit eastbound to keep traffic moving. Post-game pickups at this location experience long delays due to road closures. Many experienced fans walk 10 minutes south into the Historic Haymarket (near 7th and P Streets) or east toward 14th and L Streets to call their ride away from the heaviest post-game gridlock.
Is There Free Parking Anywhere Near Memorial Stadium?
Free parking within direct walking distance of Memorial Stadium does not exist on game days; however, free street parking is available in residential neighborhoods roughly 1.0 to 1.5 miles away.
Unrestricted street parking can generally be found east of 17th Street in the Near South and East Campus neighborhoods, or south of K Street and Lincoln Mall. Parking in these areas requires a 20- to 30-minute walk to the stadium gates. Be sure to consult the UNL football parking map and check all posted city signs, as residential parking permit programs and temporary game-day "No Parking" zones are strictly enforced around campus perimeters.
Traffic Bottlenecks and Post-Game Egress Strategy
Departing Lincoln after a Nebraska home game can take over an hour if you do not plan your exit route around major bottlenecks on 9th Street, 10th Street, and Interstate 180.
Immediately following the final whistle, the convergence of pedestrian traffic and exiting vehicles causes major slowdowns:
- Interstate 180 / 9th & 10th Street Corridor: This is the primary route out of downtown heading north toward I-80 and Omaha. It is consistently the most congested artery in Lincoln post-game.
- Haymarket District Bottlenecks: Exiting garages in the West Haymarket onto Canopy Street or N Street can take 30 to 45 minutes of idling during peak egress.
Smart Exit Strategies:
- Heading North/East toward Omaha: If parked east of 14th Street, avoid 9th and 10th Streets entirely. Drive east on K, L, or Holdrege Street until you reach 27th Street, 56th Street, or Highway 6 (Cornhusker Highway), which bypasses downtown and connects directly to I-80 East.
- Heading South: Use 14th, 16th, or 17th Streets heading south to connect with Capital Parkway and Nebraska Highway 2 rather than getting trapped in downtown cross-streets.
- Heading West: Utilize Salt Creek Roadway or Sun Valley Boulevard to bypass the inner Haymarket core and access West O Street and I-80 West.
Which Parking Option Is Right for You?
Planning your game day trip to Nebraska Memorial Stadium requires weighing distance, cost, and post-game traffic congestion across Lincoln. This side-by-side decision matrix compares every official and neighborhood Husker football game day parking and transit option across key factors so you can choose the best fit for your trip.
| Option | Cost | Convenience | Getting In & Out | Safety | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential/Driveway Parking (Prked) | Typically undercuts city garages | 0.3–0.6 miles (5–10 min walk) | Direct northbound egress via N 10th St; avoids garage queues | Monitored by on-site resident host; 5.0/5 on Trustpilot | Closest non-donor walk & quickest post-game highway access |
| UNL Campus Garages (14th & Avery / 19th & Vine) | $25 | 0.4–0.8 miles (8–18 min walk) | Heavy campus congestion; pedestrian delays on Vine St | University-managed garage | Covered campus parking & ADA mobility shuttle access |
| UNL Public Surface Lots | $10–$20 | 0.5–1.0 miles (10–20 min walk) | Fills early; subject to campus street closures | Unmonitored university surface lots | Budget-friendly official campus parking |
| Downtown City Park & Go Garages | $20–$30 | 0.5–0.6 miles (10–15 min walk) | 30–45 min exit delays onto crowded downtown streets | Standard municipal parking structure | Advance reservations & Historic Haymarket dining access |
| Haymarket Park Surface Lots | $20–$25 | 0.5 miles (10–12 min walk via footbridge) | Moderate egress delays near Sun Valley Blvd | Ballpark surface facility | Open-air tailgating and weekend RV parking |
| Downtown Street Meters | $15 flat rate (Zone 90) | 0.4–1.0 miles (8–20 min walk) | Central downtown congestion; requires early morning arrival | Public curbside parking | Early arrivals seeking a low flat rate downtown |
| Big Red Express Shuttle (StarTran) | $10–$15 per passenger | Remote park-and-ride; drops off at 14th & Vine | Dedicated transit lanes bypass downtown traffic gridlock | City municipal transit | Out-of-town fans wanting to bypass downtown driving entirely |
| Free Residential Street Parking | Free | 1.0–1.5 miles (20–30 min walk) | Egress away from campus core; strict permit zones nearby | Unmonitored residential streets | Zero-cost parking for fans willing to make a long walk |
| Rideshare (Salt Creek Roadway Drop-Off) | Varies | Direct drop-off north of Lot 8; 10-min walk south for pickup | Heavy post-game road closures and long pickup delays | Standard commercial rideshare | Direct stadium drop-off without needing to park a vehicle |
Is Prked Cheaper Than UNL Campus Garages for Husker Football Game Day Parking?
Reserving a driveway through Prked in the North Bottoms generally costs less than the flat $25 fee charged at UNL facilities like the 14th & Avery and 19th & Vine garages. In addition to potential cost savings, driveway spots sit only 0.3 to 0.6 miles from the north gates, offering a shorter walk than the 0.8-mile trek from 19th & Vine. Driveways also allow drivers to exit straight onto North 10th Street without getting trapped in campus pedestrian traffic.
Prked vs. UNL Public Surface Lots at Nebraska Memorial Stadium
UNL public surface lots offer lower rates ($10 to $20) but sit 0.5 to 1.0 miles away on the eastern edges of campus and fill up rapidly on game mornings. Booking a residential space through Prked guarantees your spot in advance and places you just 5 to 10 minutes from the stadium gates. Driveways also provide the security of an on-site resident host watching over the property, unlike unmonitored university surface lots.
Why Choose Prked Over Downtown Lincoln Memorial Stadium Parking Garages?
City-operated Park & Go garages like Que Place and Larson charge $20 to $30 and frequently suffer 30- to 45-minute exit queues as hundreds of cars funnel into single-lane exits. A private driveway booked via Prked completely bypasses multi-level garage bottlenecks with quick, ground-level departures. Prked spaces also place you closer to Memorial Stadium's north and west gates than most downtown commercial facilities.
Prked vs. Haymarket Park Husker Parking
Haymarket Park is ideal for open-air tailgating and self-contained RVs, but general vehicle parking costs $20 to $25 and requires walking across the railway footbridge. Driveways in the North Bottoms offer a comparable or shorter walk (0.3 to 0.6 miles) with a level route across Salt Creek Roadway. For visitors not participating in major tailgates, private residential spaces offer a faster arrival and simpler exit routes north toward US-6.
Is Prked a Better Option Than Downtown Street Meters on Game Day?
Downtown meters provide a flat $15 rate via the Passport Parking app, but they require arriving hours early to locate an open curb space and involve a walk of up to a mile. Prked lets you reserve a dedicated private stall in advance so you can arrive on your own schedule without circling downtown. Driveways in the North Bottoms also put you significantly closer to the stadium than most available metered spaces.
Prked vs. the Big Red Express Shuttle for Nebraska Memorial Stadium Parking
The Big Red Express shuttle costs $10 to $15 per rider and picks up from satellite lots across Lincoln, which can get expensive for families or groups traveling together in one vehicle. Prked charges per parking space, making it a more economical choice for full vehicles while keeping your car within walking distance of the stadium. While the shuttle uses dedicated bus lanes, North Bottoms driveways offer direct highway access toward I-180 and Cornhusker Highway.
Free Residential Street Parking vs. Prked Near Memorial Stadium
Free street parking in neighborhoods east of 17th Street or south of K Street eliminates parking costs but forces fans into a 20- to 30-minute walk (1.0 to 1.5 miles) and carries the risk of parking tickets in permit-only zones. Choosing Prked cuts walking time down to 5 to 10 minutes while providing a legally guaranteed space monitored by a resident host. The modest booking cost delivers substantial savings in walking time and peace of mind.
Prked vs. Rideshare at Nebraska Memorial Stadium: Which Gets You Out Faster?
Rideshare drop-offs provide convenient pre-game access along Salt Creek Roadway, but post-game pickups face severe gridlock and long delays due to stadium-area street closures. Parking in a private driveway booked through Prked allows you to walk straight to your car and pull immediately onto North 10th Street or Military Road. Driving yourself and parking in the North Bottoms eliminates surge pricing and post-game wait times entirely.