Notre Dame Stadium Parking

Getting into a parking spot on a Notre Dame gameday in South Bend takes some advance planning. More than 77,000 Fighting Irish fans pack the campus on Saturdays, so finding good Notre Dame stadium parking comes down to knowing which lots need donor passes, which ones take drive-up arrivals, and where off-campus options can save you hassle.

Where Is the Best Place to Find Notre Dame Football Parking Without a Pass?

If you do not have a pre-purchased permit, head for the university's Blue Lot or the drive-up general admission areas on the Burke Golf Course (Burke North and Burke South). These open-public options require no donor credentials, charge a flat fee, and offer either shuttle service or an easy walk to the stadium.

Drivers coming off the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90 Exit 77) will find blue lot notre dame parking easiest to reach by taking Cleveland Road to Juniper Road. It has high capacity and runs a free shuttle straight to campus. Coming from the south or west along Angela Boulevard or State Road 933? The burke golf course parking notre dame lots (Burke North and Burke South) sit on the southwest corner of campus, leaving you with a pleasant 10-to-15-minute walk to the gates.

If you want to skip campus traffic jams entirely, you can book a driveway or private space nearby through Prked, which holds the #1 ranking on Trustpilot in both the Parking Garage and Parking Lot categories.

How Much Does Notre Dame Gameday Parking Cost?

University-run drive-up lots charge a flat $50 per vehicle on football Saturdays. Every official campus lot is cashless, taking major credit cards and digital payments through notre dame ParkMobile parking.

Surrounding colleges and private operations set their own rates based on proximity:

Joyce Lot Parking Notre Dame vs. General University Lots

The lots closest to the venue, including the Stadium Lot, joyce lot parking notre dame, and the Bookstore Lot, are reserved for athletic department donors and season ticket holders.

Parking in these prime areas requires a physical university hangtag or a digital pass scanned at security checkpoints. You cannot buy drive-up access to the Joyce or Stadium lots on game morning, though passes regularly pop up on ticket resale sites for $125 to $250 or more, depending on the matchup.

Without a donor permit, you will need to aim for the outer general admission lots:

• Blue Lot: The main high-capacity lot north of Douglas Road.
• Gold Lot: Located off Douglas Road, opening later in the day (free for Notre Dame faculty and staff with valid ID).
• Dorr Road Lot & Burke Golf Course: Located on the west and southwest perimeters off Angela Boulevard and Dorr Road.

Can You Buy a Notre Dame Stadium Parking Pass on Gameday?

You can purchase a notre dame stadium parking pass on gameday at the gate of any general lot using a credit card or ParkMobile. Keep in mind that drive-up spots often fill up quickly for major games. The Burke Golf Course lots may also close unexpectedly if rain makes the turf too soft to park on.

To ensure you have a spot, buy ahead through the Murnane Family Ticket Office or ParkMobile before Saturday. Another reliable option is reserving a spot ahead of time on Prked, which guarantees a space in a private driveway or lot south of campus even if campus lots fill up early.

How Does Blue Lot Notre Dame Parking and Shuttle Service Work?

Shuttles run continuously through blue lot notre dame parking and drop passengers off at Library Circle, just east of the Hesburgh Library.

From there, it takes roughly 3 to 5 minutes along a paved walkway to reach the north gates of Notre Dame Stadium. Shuttles start as soon as the lot opens and run for two hours after the game ends.

What Time Do Lots Open for Notre Dame Tailgating Parking?

Official university lots open for notre dame tailgating parking at 8:00 AM ET, whether kickoff is set for noon, 3:30 PM, or under the lights at 7:30 PM.

The only real exception is the Gold Lot, which opens at 10:00 AM ET for 3:30 PM starts and 1:00 PM ET for night games. Any unauthorized vehicles left in event lots overnight must be out between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM Saturday morning, or they risk getting towed.

Attendants direct traffic into general lots using zipper parking, filling spots row by row in arrival order. You cannot save spots for friends coming later, so groups wanting to park together need to pull through the gates at the same time.

What Are the Rules and Regulations for Notre Dame Tailgating Parking?

Charcoal grills and beer kegs are strictly prohibited across all university lots.

Notre Dame sets clear rules on tailgating gear to keep parking areas safe and orderly:

• Prohibited Items: Charcoal grills, open flame fire pits, deep fryers, propane tanks over 20 pounds, patio heaters, kegs, enclosed tents, and tent stakes driven into pavement or grass.
• Permitted Items: Propane grills running on tanks 20 pounds or smaller, weighted pop-up canopies up to 10x10 feet (no ground stakes), and coolers.
• Space Constraints: All vehicles, canopies, tables, and chairs must stay within your marked parking space. Gear cannot spill out into driving aisles.
• Kickoff Shutdown: Tailgating shuts down at kickoff. Fans are expected to pack up and either head into the stadium or clear out of the lots once the game starts.

Where Is ADA Parking for Notre Dame Stadium Located?

Accessible ada parking notre dame stadium is located at the Bulla Lot on Bulla Road, just west of Twyckenham Drive.

Spots cost $50. You must display a valid, state-issued disability placard or license plate, and the registered individual must be in the vehicle.

A free accessible shuttle runs between the Bulla Lot and Gate 4 of the Joyce Center, right across from the stadium's east concourse. Shuttles run continuously from the time lots open until post-game traffic clears. Notre Dame staff in green jackets also run courtesy golf carts across inner campus walkways for anyone needing mobility assistance.

Can You Find Parking Near Notre Dame Stadium at Saint Mary's or Holy Cross College?

Yes, both Saint Mary's College and Holy Cross College provide convenient drive-up parking near notre dame stadium along State Road 933.

• Holy Cross College: Just north of Angela Boulevard on SR 933. Parking costs $40 per car and includes a shuttle to McKenna Hall on Notre Dame Avenue, running from 3 hours before kickoff until 1 hour after the game.
• Saint Mary's College: Off SR 933 south of Douglas Road. The saint marys parking notre dame game spaces run $40 for cars and $80 for RVs. Lots open at 8:00 AM ET for daytime kickoffs and 10:00 AM for night games, with shuttles crossing Route 933 over to campus.

Both schools offer a much smoother exit onto SR 933 and the Toll Road after the game than main campus lots.

Why Choose Residential Parking Near Notre Dame Stadium Over Official Lots?

Parking in a residential driveway, lawn, or private lot right next to campus is often the fastest way to handle parking near notre dame stadium. Homeowners south and east of campus rent out spaces that rival donor lots for walkability, minus the heavy post-game traffic snarls:

• Northeast Neighborhood and Harter Heights (South of Angela Boulevard): Houses along St. Vincent Street, Napoleon Street, Campeau Street, Corby Boulevard, and Notre Dame Avenue sit 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the gates. Afterward, you can head directly south on Eddy Street or South Bend Avenue (State Road 23) toward downtown or east toward Mishawaka, staying well clear of campus street closures.
• Wooded Estates and Twyckenham Corridor (East of Campus): Driveways on Twyckenham Drive, Vaness Street, Bulla Road, and Ivy Road leave you a flat 10-to-15-minute walk from the stadium's east entrance by the Joyce Center. Leaving here gives you an open path south along Twyckenham or east down Edison Road toward Capital Avenue (State Road 331) and the US 20 Bypass.
• Direct Egress vs. Official Lot Bottlenecks: Unlike the Blue Lot, where you have to take a shuttle back to Hesburgh Library before inching toward Cleveland Road, parking at a nearby home lets you walk directly to your car and pull straight onto neighborhood roads.

Reserving a spot through Prked (rated 5.0/5 on Trustpilot across 750+ reviews) is a straightforward way to secure these residential spots ahead of time. Rates are usually well below commercial options like the $100–$125 Eddy Street Commons Garage, bookings are handled securely online, and an on-site resident is there instead of leaving your car in an unmonitored lot.

How Do You Use the Transpo Game Day Express for Notre Dame Football Parking?

If you are staying downtown or prefer parking away from campus, take the Transpo Game Day Express (Route 117).

This free municipal shuttle runs on every home game Saturday. Buses start rolling 3 hours prior to kickoff, with the last trip to campus leaving downtown 1 hour before kickoff. Return service runs for 2 hours after the final whistle.

Key downtown pickup stops with parking include:

• Century Center Lot & Garages (Free gameday parking options downtown)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (Washington Street stop)
• Aloft South Bend / Courtyard by Marriott

The bus drops riders off at McKenna Hall on Notre Dame Avenue, putting you an easy 8-minute walk from the stadium.

Where Are Rideshare Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zones for Notre Dame Gameday Traffic?

For an easier Uber or Lyft pickup after the game, walk south toward Eddy Street Commons (or Howard Street near Trader Joe's) or east toward Vaness Street / Ivy Road before opening the app.

Notre Dame restricts rideshare traffic to specific perimeter spots to keep campus roads clear:

• Pre-Game Drop-Offs: Compton Family Ice Arena, Rugby Lot (off Wilson Drive), and Lake Lot (on Dorr Road).
• Post-Game Pick-Ups: Dorr Road Lot (west side), Ivy Road and Bulla Road area (east side), and Vaness Street.

You cannot get picked up at the stadium gates because streets like Holy Cross Drive, Moose Krause Circle, and Joyce Drive are closed to traffic. Walking 10 to 15 minutes past Angela Boulevard to Eddy Street lets your driver reach you without sitting in gridlock, and cell reception is usually much better once you are off campus.

How Long After the Game Can You Stay in Notre Dame Stadium Parking Lots?

Fans parked on the Burke Golf Course must exit within 2 hours after the game, while other official university lots give you 3 hours after the final whistle to clear out.

You can tailgate after the game during that window, but overnight parking in regular event spots is not allowed. Parking staff and police clear lots right at the deadline, and vehicles left behind will be ticketed or towed. If you want to stick around South Bend for dinner and drinks without rushing, booking a private driveway through Prked or parking in a downtown garage with the Transpo shuttle takes away the time pressure.