Step Inside: Tiger Stadium – Home of the LSU Tigers

Home of the LSU Tigers

Death Valley comes alive on game days at Tiger Stadium, home of the Louisiana State University football team. Located against the Mississippi River and just south of downtown Baton Rouge, Tiger Stadium has hosted a full century of LSU football on The Bayou. Below, find everything to know before you geaux to Tiger Stadium.

Tiger Stadium History

Tiger Stadium opened in 1924 with an initial capacity of 12,000. Even with renovations in 1936, 1953, 1978 and 2014, a piece of the original structure remains in the lower east and west grandstands along with The Win Bar goal post crossbar used between 1955 and 1984. The crossbar now hangs above the home team’s field entrance for every player to touch on game day. From its first renovation until the late ’80s, students lived in dormitories built into the stadium’s north, south and west sides.

For its 100th anniversary in 2024, Tiger Stadium received three expanded video boards, 11 new ribbon boards, two upgraded speaker towers and an updated LED display for in-game light shows.

Tiger Stadium has earned a reputation as one of the loudest venues in sports. According to school lore, its Death Valley nickname derived from an earlier label “Deaf Valley” for the ringing ears students would experience after a game. The energy level has even been measured on the school’s seismograph, occurring first at the 1988 “Earthquake Game” against Auburn. Other distinctive features of the stadium include the field’s line markers at every five yards, as opposed to the standard 10 yards, and the H-shaped goalposts, which the team runs through in the north endzone when taking the field.

Games at Tiger Stadium have traditionally been played at night since 1931. Before kickoff, fans can greet the team on their march down Victory Hill toward the stadium and watch the “Golden Band from Tigerland” LSU Tiger Marching Band perform a full pregame show on the field. Sounds of the stadium include cheers like “Hot Boudin,” “Tiger Bait” and the classic “Geaux Tigers,” as well as songs such as “Hold That Tiger,” “Hey Fightin’ Tigers” and Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” Notably, the latter tune caused another instance of seismic activity when Brooks performed to a crowd of 102,000 at Tiger Stadium in 2022.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Tiger Stadium hosted the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and Tulane University Green Wave football teams for a total of seven games during the 2005 season. The stadium was also the nearly decade-long site for Baton Rouge’s Bayou Country Superfest, which received stars like Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lady A, Florida Georgia Line and Eric Church.

Parking and Admission at Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium is located on LSU’s campus at North Stadium Drive and Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Reserved and general parking are offered in multiple areas across campus on game day. Reserved parking is divided among the Southwest, Southeast, North, Northeast and Northwest Zones and costs between $45 to $140 per game. Free parking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis in the Golf Course Lot, Gourrier South Lot, Hayfield Lot, Levee Lot South, three Old Front Nine lots and two Parker Coliseum lots.

Free ADA parking is available in Lot 406 on Gourrier Avenue with shuttle service to the stadium entrance and from Nicholson Gateway until 90 minutes after the game. Oversized vehicle parking can be accessed in Lot 407, while RV parking is provided in Lots 401, 412 and Great American RV Superstores Touchdown Village 1 and 2. Although most parking opens day-of at 7:00 a.m., individual lot times vary. Purchase a reserved parking space via the athletic program’s website.

Gates open two hours before kickoff and three hours prior for club and suite-level guests. Tiger Stadium rules prohibit entry with any artificial noisemakers, backpacks, banner poles, containers, projectiles, seat cushions larger than 16” with pockets or compartments, umbrellas, video cameras and weapons. Notably, strollers are permitted, though there is no designated storage area. Only documented service animals will be granted entry. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, with the exception of one 32-ounce or less, sealed water bottle. Smoking, vaping and general tobacco use is prohibited inside Tiger Stadium.

The bag policy at Tiger Stadium permits clear tote bags smaller than 12″ x 6″ x 12,″ non-clear clutch purses smaller than 4.5” x 6.5” or one clear 1-gallon plastic storage bag. Medically approved containers, excluding diaper bags, are accepted.

Tiger Stadium Capacity & Seating Options

The seating capacity at Tiger Stadium taps out at 102,321. The venue ranks as the fifth largest stadium in college football and seventh largest in the world.

Bench-style and general chairback seating fills much of the stadium. The LSU sideline stretches between Sections 102 and 104 on the stadium’s west side, with the student section taking up Sections 105 to 106, 202 to 205 and 218 to 236. Club seating is available in Stadium Club West, Stadium Club South, Tiger Terrace and throughout the venue. Full VIP at Tiger Stadium can be accessed in the Tiger Den Suites, South Suites and Field-Level Loge Seating. View the Tiger Stadium seating chart here.

Food & Beverage Options at Tiger Stadium

Concessions at Tiger Stadium include a wide variety of dining options. Local cajun flavors and regional vendors blend with fan favorite football foods at Tre’s Street Kitchen, T’Beaux’s Creole Kitchen, The Big Cheezy, Posh Pop‘s, Queens Eats, Leola’s Cafe and more. Elsewhere, enjoy a Tiger Dog and grab a drink from Leroy’s LipSmackin Lemonade or Baton Rouge Beer Co. Guests over 21 years old can purchase alcohol in both general and club sections. Tiger Stadium is a cashless venue.