War Eagle! A Fan’s Guide to Auburn Tigers Football Game Day

Let your inner War Eagle fly during an Auburn Tigers football game day at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Bordering downtown Auburn, Jordan-Hare Stadium and its surrounding area become the peak of The Plains for home games, reminding fans why “It’s Great to Be an Auburn Tiger.” First, get your Auburn Tigers football tickets and Jordan-Hare Stadium tickets, then prepare for game day with essential tips for tailgates, traditions and more below.

Pre-Game Traditions

In Auburn, the hype builds well before the game has started. On Fridays before game day, guests can check out events like the Friday Football Luncheon, where Tigers fans can meet with the coaches and staff, or the Football, Fans and Feathers exhibition, where guests can preview the pregame Eagle Flight at the Auburn University Raptor Center. If you have a car, head to War Eagle Road on South Donahue Drive toward Samford Avenue, where driving over special rumble strips plays the first notes of the “War Eagle” fight song. At night, the Come Home to the Corner block party is traditionally held in downtown Auburn with live music and extended shopping hours.

On a home Auburn football game day, you won’t want to miss the Tiger Walk to Jordan-Hare Stadium. It begins two hours prior to kickoff at the Athletics Complex with fans lining Donahue Drive to cheer on passing players. From there, ticketholders can continue into the stadium or enjoy the surrounding tailgate space, but make sure to find your seat with at least 45 minutes to spare or risk missing another Auburn pregame tradition: the Eagle Flight. An Auburn mascot for over 100 years, the War Eagle has ascended from a sideline-only mascot to a soaring pregame staple. During each home game, the live golden eagle circles above Jordan-Hare Stadium and lands mid-field before kickoff.

Tailgating a Tigers Game

Fans interested in an Auburn tailgate will not be disappointed with pregame options including both free and premium spaces on campus. For all ages, the free Coca-Cola Fan Fest takes place on the north side of Jordan-Hare Stadium and opens four hours ahead of the game with live music, food vendors and fan giveaways. Alternatively, the Home Plate Tailgate is open to the public near Plainsman Park and begins four hours before kickoff, while the Alumni Hospitality Tailgate at the Auburn Alumni Center launches three hours prior to gametime.

Reservable tailgating at Auburn University can be found in popular parking areas like the Hayfields on South Donahue Drive, the Community Garden on Samford Avenue and Intramural Fields on Biggio Drive. Many on-campus tailgating spaces are free and can be claimed as early as 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Fridays before game day.

Elsewhere, fans can reserve a premium Auburn tailgate via REVELxp. Across campus, full-service tailgates are set up for booking on the Campus Green across from Jordan-Hare Stadium and at the Graves Amphitheatre, plus the Agricultural Heritage Park with the Tailgate at the Park package. The university also offers an Auburn VIP membership for athletics programs, opening up perks to fans like a pregame tour of Jordan-Hare Stadium, photo opportunity on Pat Dye Field and more. Book the Auburn VIP football experience via the website.

When attending an Auburn pregame event, be sure to pack the right tailgating supplies. Sun protection, from large hats to sunscreen to sunglasses, will be essential along with plenty of layers of the Tigers’ burnt orange and navy blue team colors. It’s also good practice to bring cash if you’re not the host, or a dish of local favorites like boiled peanuts, pulled-pork sliders or to-go platters from local favorites like Chappy’s or Birdie’s Cup and Saucer. Lastly, don’t over-serve yourself on drinks before heading inside; as of 2024, alcoholic beverages are sold in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Inside Jordan-Hare Stadium

Thrilling gameplay and cherished traditions await inside Jordan Stadium, but be sure to review the entry rules and bag policy before entering the Auburn Tigers football stadium.

War Eagle

The most common battle cry for any Auburn football fan, “War Eagle” has many meanings. Various stories source the phrase back to either Native American history, a Civil War-era bird in the late 19th century or a pep rally cheer in the 1910s. Despite their Tigers mascot, Auburn has housed a live golden eagle since the 1930s with the ceremonial “War Eagle” title being passed down to each bearer.

“War Eagle” is also the name of the Auburn Fight Song, played before and after games. Meanwhile, the phrase is shouted by fans during the pregame Eagle Flight and at kickoff. Most importantly, “War Eagle” is a greeting exchanged between Auburn fans anywhere outside of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Aubie the Tiger

Not to be upstaged by the War Eagle, Auburn’s official mascot Aubie the Tiger is a showstopping force all himself. Introduced in 1959 and brought to life in 1979, the mascot has earned a record-setting 11 titles at the Universal Cheerleading Association National Championships, most recently winning in 2024.

Auburn University Marching Band

As the only band in the SEC without a nickname, the Auburn University Marching Band lets the music do the talking. Formed in 1897, the band traditionally performs during the pregame and halftime at Auburn football games and features 380 members including the unique Tiger Eyes visual ensemble.

Auburn Creed

Written by Auburn’s first football coach George Petrie, the Auburn Creed is not so much a game day tradition as it is a state of mind. Although not routinely recited during games, the words hold a constant presence by students and alumni who remind fans that “because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.”

Rolling Toomer’s Corner

After an Auburn win, let it roll! Since 1972, fans have gathered postgame at Toomer’s Drugs on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and College Street to unravel toilet paper rolls over two massive oak trees. Despite the trees’ removal in 2013 due to poisoning by a rival Alabama fan, the tradition of “rolling the corner” returned in 2023 with two new, transplanted oaks.

Keep the Party Going After the Game

Once the game has ended and Toomer’s Corner rolled, explore around College Street and Magnolia Avenue for postgame fun. Sample some classic bites at Momma Goldberg’s Deli, Moe’s Original BBQ, Hamilton’s on Magnolia and Little Italy Pizzeria, or check out popular drink spots like Skybar Café, Halftime Sports Bar & Grill and War Eagle Supper Club at the Graduate Hotel. Farther into Auburn, make dinner plans at The Depot, Acre or The Hound, then sample some local beers between New Realm Brewing Co., The Plains Taproom, Auburn Draft House and Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint.

Auburn Tigers Game Day Schedule

Catch every moment of a Tigers game day by checking out Auburn’s regular season football schedule.