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Madison
Game Day

Next Home Game — Western Illinois· Sep 12, 2026
180Days
23Hrs
24Min
04Sec
TBATBA
Book Your Crawl

Quick Facts

School

University of Wisconsin

Stadium

Camp Randall Stadium

Capacity

80,321

Conference

Big Ten

2026 Football Schedule

Official University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers home & away games

DateOpponentLocationTV / Time
Sep 6, 2026Notre Dame (Shamrock Series @ Lambeau Field)NeutralTBA· TBA
Sep 12, 2026Western IllinoisHomeTBA· TBA
Sep 19, 2026Eastern MichiganHomeTBA· TBA
Sep 26, 2026at Penn StateAwayTBA· TBA
Oct 3, 2026Michigan State (Homecoming)HomeTBA· TBA
Oct 17, 2026at UCLAAwayTBA· TBA
Oct 24, 2026USCHomeTBA· TBA
Oct 31, 2026at Iowa (Heartland Trophy)AwayTBA· TBA
Nov 7, 2026RutgersHomeTBA· TBA
Nov 14, 2026at MarylandAwayTBA· TBA
Nov 21, 2026at PurdueAwayTBA· TBA
Nov 28, 2026Minnesota (Paul Bunyan's Axe)HomeTBA· TBA

* Schedule subject to change. Always verify with the official athletic department.

Fan Planning Guide

Game Day Weather

Madison sits on the Wisconsin lakes and delivers crisp, classic Midwest fall weather. September is warm and gorgeous, October is ideal for Camp Randall, and November can be brutally cold — especially for Jump Around.

September

warm

72°

High

/

50°

Low

5 rainy days
Beautiful fall weather with lake views. Light layers are perfect. State Street patios are at their best.
⭐ Best Month

October

crisp

57°

High

/

39°

Low

5 rainy days
Perfect Badger weather. A warm hoodie and jeans are ideal. The lakes and campus look stunning in fall colors.
❄️ Toughest

November

cold

42°

High

/

28°

Low

5 rainy days
3 snow days
Cold and potentially snowy — heavy coat, gloves, and a hat are essential. Jump Around hits different in the cold.

Game Day Packing List

  • Red and white layers for any temperature
  • Waterproof jacket — Wisconsin fall rain is frequent
  • Heavy coat, gloves & hat for November games
  • Warm base layer for night games
  • Hand warmers for late-season Jump Around
  • Comfortable shoes for the State Street bar crawl

Best Time to Visit

October

These months offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor tailgating and the walk to Camp Randall Stadium.

Bundle Up For

November

Late-season games can be cold and unpredictable. Dress in warm layers and check the forecast before heading out.

Best Game Day Bar Districts

The top neighborhoods to celebrate in Madison on game day

State Street

The legendary gameday strip connecting campus to downtown with packed bars and Badger traditions

  • Gameday central
  • Walking distance to stadium
  • Jump Around energy

Capitol Square

Downtown Madison with upscale bars, craft breweries, and views of the Wisconsin State Capitol

  • Downtown location
  • Craft breweries
  • Capitol views

Regent Street

Campus-adjacent area with college bars, late-night spots, and authentic student gameday atmosphere

  • Campus proximity
  • College bars
  • Student energy

Top Bars for Game Day

The best spots near Camp Randall Stadium for Wisconsin Badgers fans

The Kollege Klub

0.5 miles from stadium·College bar institution
Legendary gameday spotCheap drinksPacked crowds
Open in Google Maps

State Street Brats

0.8 miles from stadium·Sports bar & grill
Outdoor patioBrats & beerGameday atmosphere
Open in Google Maps

Lucky's 1313 Brewpub

0.7 miles from stadium·Brewpub
House-brewed beerPub foodGameday specials
Open in Google Maps

The Nitty Gritty

0.6 miles from stadium·College bar classic
Birthday traditionCheap drinksStudent favorite
Open in Google Maps

Ale Asylum

3.2 miles from stadium·Craft brewery
Award-winning beerOutdoor spaceGameday releases
Open in Google Maps

The Old Fashioned

0.9 miles from stadium·Wisconsin tavern
Old FashionedsWisconsin cheeseLocal flavor
Open in Google Maps
Official Game Day Route

Bar Crawl Route Map

The ultimate walking route between the top game day bars near Camp Randall Stadium — follow the stops in order for the best experience

Total Distance

1.8 miles

Estimated Time

4.5 hours

Bar Stops

6 Stops

Route Type

Walking Route

Start Here

The Kollege Klub — 529 Lake St

1
Stop 1First Stop

The Kollege Klub

529 Lake St, Madison, WI 53703

Wisconsin institution since 1933 — legendary gameday HQ for 90+ years
Get Directions
3 min walk
2
Stop 2

State Street Brats

603 State St, Madison, WI 53703

Rooftop patio + Spotted Cow on tap — you can't get New Glarus outside Wisconsin!
Get Directions
4 min walk
3
Stop 3

Lucky's 1313

1313 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715

Best craft beer selection on Regent Street — try the sampler flight
Get Directions
5 min walk
4
Stop 4

The Nitty Gritty

223 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703

Free birthday drinks since 1968 — bring your ID if it's your birthday!
Get Directions
6 min walk
5
Stop 5

The Old Fashioned

23 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703

Must try: brandy Old Fashioned (sweet) + fried cheese curds — pure Wisconsin
Get Directions
7 min walk
6
Stop 6Final Stop

Ale Asylum

2002 Pankratz St, Madison, WI 53704

Award-winning Hopalicious IPA — finish strong at Madison's best craft brewery
Get Directions

End Point

Ale Asylum — 2002 Pankratz St

Live Route Map

Full Route
1

The Kollege Klub

Stop 1 of 6

Wisconsin institution since 1933 — legendary gameday HQ for 90+ years

1 / 7
1.8 miles
4.5 hours
6 bars + stadium
Full Route
Pro Tip

Wear your red and white Badgers gear — you'll fit right in with 80,000 fans! End the crawl in time to catch Jump Around between the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Join the Official Crawl

Skip the planning — book a guided bar crawl and we'll lead you through every stop

Book Your Spot
Fan Culture

Game Day Traditions

The rituals, chants, and moments that make University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers game day unlike anywhere else

Jump Around

Between 3rd and 4th quarters — every home game

Between the third and fourth quarters, the entire Camp Randall Stadium — all 80,000 fans — jumps in unison to House of Pain's "Jump Around." The stadium literally shakes. Engineers have studied the structural vibrations it causes. It's been called the greatest tradition in college football by ESPN, and visiting teams have described it as the most intimidating moment they've ever experienced on a football field.

Engineers have measured the structural vibrations caused by 80,000 fans jumping simultaneously

State Street Pre-Game Parade

4–5 hours before kickoff on State Street

State Street — the legendary pedestrian mall connecting campus to the Wisconsin State Capitol — transforms into a massive outdoor party on gameday. Bars open at 7 AM for noon games, and the entire street fills with red-and-white Badgers fans. The walk from State Street to Camp Randall is one of the great gameday experiences in the Big Ten, with fans streaming toward the stadium for hours.

State Street has been a gameday institution since the 1950s

Fifth Quarter

Immediately after the final whistle — every home game

After the final whistle — win or lose — the Wisconsin Marching Band stays on the field and plays a 20-minute concert called the "Fifth Quarter." Fans flood back onto the field and dance, sing, and celebrate with the band. It's one of the most joyful post-game traditions in college football, and it happens after every single home game regardless of the result.

Happens win or lose — one of the most beloved post-game traditions in college football

Bucky Badger Mascot Antics

Throughout the game — especially after touchdowns

Bucky Badger is one of the most energetic and beloved mascots in college football. Known for doing push-ups equal to the score after every Wisconsin touchdown, Bucky works the crowd relentlessly throughout the game. Students compete to be selected as Bucky each season, and the mascot's antics — from crowd surfing to dancing on the sideline — are a constant source of entertainment.

Bucky does push-ups equal to the score after every Badger touchdown

Paul Bunyan's Axe — Minnesota Rivalry

Annual rivalry game vs. Minnesota — late November

The annual Wisconsin–Minnesota game is played for Paul Bunyan's Axe, a 6-foot trophy that the winning team gets to keep until the following year. The tradition dates to 1948, and the winning team's players and fans celebrate by carrying the axe around the stadium. It's one of the oldest and most cherished rivalry trophies in college football.

Paul Bunyan's Axe is one of the oldest rivalry trophies in college football (since 1948)

Experience Every Tradition Live

Join our guided bar crawl and we'll make sure you don't miss a single Wisconsin Badgers ritual

Best Gameday Food

Fuel up before kickoff at these local favorites near Camp Randall Stadium

Open Gameday

State Street Brats

Wisconsin Bratwurst · $

4.5(3241 reviews)

The quintessential Madison gameday stop. Grilled brats with sauerkraut and spicy mustard on a toasted bun — washed down with a Spotted Cow. Pure Wisconsin tradition on State Street.

0.8 miles
Must Order:Grilled Bratwurst with Sauerkraut
Open Gameday

Ian's Pizza on State

Pizza · $

4.6(4872 reviews)

Madison's most famous pizza spot, known for wild toppings. The mac & cheese slice is a Wisconsin gameday legend — grab a couple slices and head to the patio before kickoff.

0.7 miles
Must Order:Mac & Cheese Slice
Open Gameday

The Old Fashioned

Wisconsin Tavern · $$

4.7(5634 reviews)

The definitive Wisconsin gameday experience. Squeaky fried cheese curds and a brandy Old Fashioned (sweet) — this Capitol Square institution is mandatory for every Badgers fan.

0.9 miles
Must Order:Fried Cheese Curds & Brandy Old Fashioned
Open Gameday

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry

Burger Joint · $$

4.6(2987 reviews)

Consistently ranked among the best burgers in Wisconsin. The Badger Burger with aged Wisconsin cheddar and caramelized onions is a pre-game must. A Madison institution since 1975.

1.1 miles
Must Order:Badger Burger with Aged Cheddar
Open Gameday

Mickies Dairy Bar

Classic Diner · $

4.5(2143 reviews)

Open since 1946, Mickies is the go-to for a pre-game breakfast near Camp Randall. The Scrambler — eggs, potatoes, and your choice of meat — is the fuel that powers Badger fans.

0.5 miles
Must Order:Scrambler Breakfast & Pancakes
Open Gameday

Ale Asylum

Craft Brewery · $$

4.6(3876 reviews)

Award-winning Madison brewery with a massive beer garden. The Hopalicious IPA paired with a warm soft pretzel and beer cheese dip is the ultimate Wisconsin craft beer gameday experience.

3.2 miles
Must Order:Hopalicious IPA & Brewery Pretzel
Earn Money on Game Day

Host a Madison GameDay Crawl

Turn your love of Wisconsin Badgers football into income. Organize bar crawls on game days, build your crew, and get paid doing what you love.

  • Earn $200–$800 per crawl
  • Set your own schedule
  • Join a host community

Tailgate & Parking Info

Everything you need to know before you arrive at Camp Randall Stadium

Tailgate Zones

Lot 17 / Kohl Center AreaOpens 5 hrs before kickoff

Premier tailgate zone with RVs, tents, and Jump Around energy. The most popular pre-game spot.

State StreetOpens All day

The legendary pedestrian mall transforms into a massive outdoor party with bar patios and live music.

Regent Street LotsOpens 4 hrs before kickoff

Campus-adjacent tailgate area with student energy and cheap drinks nearby.

Parking & Transit Tips

  • Purchase official UW parking passes at uwbadgers.com — sell out for big games.
  • Capitol Square parking ramps are walkable to State Street and fill up by 9 AM.
  • Arrive 3+ hours early for noon games — University Ave and Regent St back up significantly.
  • Madison Metro Transit runs free game day shuttles from multiple Park & Ride locations.

Rideshare Drop-off

Uber/Lyft drop-off on Randall Ave near Camp Randall. Expect surge pricing 2 hrs before kickoff.

Shuttle Service

Madison Metro Transit runs free game day shuttles from East Towne Mall and West Towne Mall to campus.

Where to Stay

Top hotels near Camp Randall Stadium for game day weekend

Graduate Madison

$$$
0.6 miles from stadium
  • Steps from State Street
  • Badger-themed décor
  • Rooftop bar
Book 3–4 months out for Michigan and Minnesota rivalry games. Rates spike to $350+/night.

Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

$$$
1.5 miles from stadium
  • Lake Monona views
  • Full-service hotel
  • Walking distance to Capitol Square
Great downtown option. Book early for Big Ten home games.

Best Western Plus Madison

$$
2.2 miles from stadium
  • Free breakfast
  • Free parking
  • Shuttle available
Best value option. Use rideshare to reach State Street and campus.

Game Day FAQ

Everything you need to know about Madison game day bar crawls

Ready for the Ultimate Madison Game Day?

Book your University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers game day bar crawl and experience Madison nightlife like never before!

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