EAST LANSING — It's game time, and here's what fans need to know before going to Michigan State University football games in 2024.
It can seem like a lot to remember, from what kind of bags you can bring to where to park.
You probably already know construction is going to be bad but let's dig in a little more.
Bag policy and what you can and cannot bring
Spartan Stadium has a no-bags policy, which is also a no-purses policy. Small clear bags, however, are allowed, up to 12 inches by 12 inches by six inches as are one-gallon plastic zipper bags.
Water bottles are limited to sealed 20-ounce bottles.
E-cigarettes, vapes and tobacco are not allowed.
Strollers and umbrellas are on the don't-bring-it list, as are selfie sticks and camcorders. Small cameras and phones are allowed, as are seat cushions without a back. And pagers, if any still exist, are allowed.
The stadium does not offer storage, so leave any banned items at home or in your vehicle. For a full list of banned and allowed products, visit here.
Alcohol sales
The football season will see a return of alcohol sales to the stadium, university spokesperson Kat Cooper said this summer.
She said fans should expect more places to buy but fewer choices while keeping best sellers like Coors Light, Sparti Parti and Nutrl Seltzer.
The sales amounted to more than $1 million in revenue last year, without the first two football games. This will be the first full season of alcohol sales.
Parking lots and tailgating
Public game day parking is available for $30. Cheaper rates, $20, can be found at Lot 90 (commuter lot)/MSU Pavilion, with a shuttle that starts two hours prior to the game and returns afterward.
Tailgating is permitted in all public parking areas on campus.
For Friday's game, these lots will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday and will open at 2 p.m. Friday, with event parking passes required.
- Lot 62 located on the north side of IM Sports West and Spartan Stadium
- Lot 124 located on the north side of IM Sports West and Spartan Stadium
- Lot 61 located on the west side of Spartan Stadium
- Lot 79 located on the south side of Spartan Stadium
On Friday, the rest of the lots on campus will be available for normal school operations until 1 p.m., when entrance to football pass lots begins to be restricted. All donor lots reserved by the MSU Athletics Department will open at 2 p.m. Friday. All other general football parking lots will open at 3 p.m.
All faculty and staff with cars are encouraged to begin leaving campus by 1 p.m. Friday, according to a university statement.
Navigating construction
Road construction projects on U.S. 127 and Interstate 496 are currently impacting several exits into and off of campus.
The construction on U.S. 127/Interstate 496 is affecting entrances to campus, including Trowbridge Road. Drivers heading south on U.S. 127 can get off at Trowbridge, but drivers approaching from the south can't.
The ramp from northbound U.S. 127 to Kalamazoo Street also is closed; fans heading north on the freeway should consider getting off at Holt Road or continuing on to the Saginaw Street exit.
This year, the state is rebuilding the section of freeway between Interstates 496 and 96. All traffic has been moved to the southbound side while crews rebuild the northbound lanes. That process will be reversed next year, with all traffic shifted to the newly rebuilt northbound side.
Spartan Athletics are asking fans to allow extra time to arrive at Spartan Stadium. Fans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new traffic patterns and are also strongly encouraged to use GPS, even if they know the area, to assist with finding alternate routes as necessary.
University spokesperson Mark Bullion said traffic and construction could be challenging but GPS directions typically do a good job of navigating the changes.The following should be helpful resources: MDOT Information and Construction, Maps:https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/us-127-corridor-improvements, and MSU Construction and Detour Map:https://apps.gis.msu.edu/construction/closures-and-detours/
Stay updated
Spartan fans and guests can sign up to receive gameday updates from MSU Police and Public Safety by texting SPARTANFB24 to 888777. Updates include safety information, potential game delays, traffic and parking information.
How to watch
If you're not at the game, here's how to catch it:
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Streaming/Mobile:FOX Sports app
- Live Stats:msuspartans.com
- Radio: Spartan Media Network, 106.9 FM or 1240 AM (and 730 FM) or Sirius/XM (channel 84)
Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415
