Boomer Sooner! A Fan’s Guide to Oklahoma Sooners Football Game Day

OU’s chant will never die on a Sooners football game day at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Earning its nickname as “The Palace On The Prairie,”  Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium holds claim to a long history of gridiron greatness that’s now pushing into new territory after Oklahoma joined the SEC in 2024.

Prepare to mix with the crimson and cream by securing Oklahoma Sooners tickets or Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium tickets and checking out the OU football game day guide below with tailgating tips, traditions and more.

Oklahoma Tailgating Tips

In 2024, OU entered the SEC with expanded, on-campus tailgate space. Under the new layout, public tailgating outdoors is permitted anywhere on campus, with the exception of select points on the university map. Popular gathering areas include Boyd Lawn, Duck Pond, Nieman Field and designated locations on Brooks Street and Lindsey Street.

General on-campus Oklahoma Sooners tailgating is first-come, first-served with many spaces going up for grabs beginning at 5:00 p.m. the day before a home game, Notably, the Lindsey Street area does not open until 7:00 a.m. on game day. Parking is available in paid cash lots around campus with prices starting at $30.

Fans can attend Party at the Palace, the all-ages tailgate on the north end of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. for free. The Sooners football pregame, featuring games, music and food vendors, runs from three and a half hours to 30 minutes before kickoff. Nearby at McCasland Field House, former students can attend the Boomer Bash Alumni Tailgate. Meanwhile, VIP and premium tailgates are available for booking on Jenkins Avenue via REVELxp.

Oklahoma tailgating essentials include your entry materials like tickets, photo ID and parking pass, adequate sun protection and debit and credit cards or cash. Come in your best crimson and cream outfit and don’t forget to sample some local specialities, from pulled pork and barbecue to the Oklahoma-themed Schooner All-American Ale from COOP Ale Works.

Pre-Game Traditions

Before a Sooners football game day, fans should plan to visit the Grand Lobby at the Switzer Center on the south end of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The athletics complex, which closes on Fridays before home games, houses a revolving collection of OU athletics memorabilia. Nearby, guests can see more of the football program’s esteemed legacy visualized at the Carl B. Anderson All-American Plaza, which honors every Sooners All-American player.

On the day of a home game, the Walk of Champions marks the first can’t-miss moment of an Oklahoma football pregame. Starting two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, the Walk of the Champions features the players’ arrival at the corner of Brooks Street and Jenkins Avenue, where they march amongst fans at the Party at the Palace and enter Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium through Gate 6. The event also includes appearances by the Sooner Schooner, the RUF/NEKS and the Pride of Oklahoma marching band.

Inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Before heading into Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, brush up on the biggest in-game OU football traditions, along with the entry rules and bag policy at the Oklahoma Sooners football stadium.

The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band

OU’s marching band, known as “The Pride” for short, plays a crucial role in every Sooners game day. From the pregame performance and distinctive drum major “Strut” introduction to iconic fight songs like “Boomer Sooner,” “Oklahoma” and the “OU Chant” alma mater, the Pride of Oklahoma prove they’re worthy of the title every Saturday.

National Anthem Flyover

Fans are treated to one spectacle after another at the Sooners pregame as a military aircraft flyover is conducted at the end of the National Anthem. In response, fans shout “Home of the Sooners” to close the song.

Sooner Schooner 

One of the most unique mascots in college sports, the Sooner Schooners is a crimson-and-cream covered wagon first introduced in 1964. Pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner and driven by members of the RUF/NEKS spirit team, the Sooner Schooner races across the field during the pregame show and after each OU touchdown.

RUF/NEKS

The RUF/NEKS are OU’s all-male spirit squad responsible for driving the Sooner Schooner, leading the football team onto the field and firing ceremonial shotguns at high points in the game, including touchdowns and the end of every quarter.

Boomer Sooner Chant

With each half of the stadium taking one word and repeating it back-and-forth, “Boomer Sooner” echoes across The Palace On The Prairie to create a unifying cheer.

Boomer and Sooner

Along with the white ponies that pull the Sooner Schooner, OU fans find extra team spirit from the costumed mascot versions of Boomer and Sooner.

Toby Keith Tribute

As a tribute to late country singer Toby Keith, the Sooners played his 2002 single “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” between the third and fourth quarters. The Oklahoma native and longtime OU fan died in 2024, inspiring the team to honor him at every home game the following season.

Post-Game Activities

After the game, explore more of Norman on Main Street and in the Campus Corner neighborhood by West Boyd Street and Bucahan Avenue. Hang with fellow Sooners fans at popular post-game bars like O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille, The Porch, Logie’s on the Corner, The Library Bar and Grill and Sideline Bar & Grill. Elsewhere, snack on top local bites from The Mont, Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails or The Garage Burgers and Beer, then venture further into Norman for a final cheers at The Winston or The Standard beer garden.

Oklahoma Sooners Game Day Schedule

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