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College Park
Game Day

Next Home Game β€” HamptonΒ· Sep 5, 2026
172Days
06Hrs
13Min
17Sec
TBATBA

Quick Facts

School

University of Maryland

Stadium

SECU Stadium

Capacity

51,802

Conference

Big Ten

Local Bar Scene

Bar Districts in College Park

The neighborhoods where College Park fans drink before, during, and after the game. Each district has its own vibe β€” here's where to find your crowd.

Route 1 Corridor

The main gameday strip lined with bars, restaurants, and Terps fans gearing up for kickoff

Notable Bars

Walking distance to stadium
Packed patios
Terps spirit everywhere

Downtown College Park

College town center with a mix of sports bars and casual dining perfect for pre-game

Notable Bars

Variety of venues
Easy parking
Local favorites

Hyattsville Arts District

Nearby neighborhood with craft bars and a more relaxed pre-game atmosphere

Notable Bars

Craft cocktails
Artsy vibe
Less crowded

2026 Football Schedule

Plan your game day around the University of Maryland Maryland Terrapins home schedule

HamptonHome

Sep 5, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
at UConnAway

Sep 12, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
Virginia TechHome

Sep 19, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
UCLAHome

Sep 26, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
at NebraskaAway

Oct 3, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
at Ohio StateAway

Oct 10, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
RutgersHome

Oct 17, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
IllinoisHome

Oct 31, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
at PurdueAway

Nov 7, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
WisconsinHome

Nov 14, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
at USCAway

Nov 21, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA
Penn StateHome

Nov 28, 2026

TBAΒ· TBA

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

Fan Planning Guide

Game Day Weather

College Park enjoys mild Mid-Atlantic fall weather β€” warm and humid in September, beautifully crisp in October, and cool by November. Being close to DC, the weather is milder than most Big Ten cities, making September and October both excellent months to visit.

⭐ Best Month

September

warm

79Β°

High

/

58Β°

Low

5 rainy days
Warm and humid β€” light layers and sunscreen are a must. Route 1 bar patios are at their best.
⭐ Best Month

October

crisp

65Β°

High

/

46Β°

Low

5 rainy days
Perfect Terps weather. A light jacket and jeans are ideal. The DC area fall foliage is stunning.
❄️ Toughest

November

cool

52Β°

High

/

37Β°

Low

5 rainy days
Cool but manageable β€” a medium-weight coat is enough. Milder than most Big Ten cities in November.

Game Day Packing List

  • Red and gold layers for any temperature
  • Waterproof jacket for fall rain showers
  • Medium-weight coat for November games
  • Sunscreen for warm September games
  • Comfortable shoes for the Route 1 bar crawl
  • Metro card β€” the Green Line is the easiest way to the stadium

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberOctober

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

Toughest Months

November

Pack extra layers and check the forecast before you go. Indoor bars are your best friend on cold game days.

Local Bar Guide

Best Bars in College Park on Game Day

The definitive guide to College Park's college bar scene β€” where fans drink, what to order, and what makes each spot worth visiting on game day.

Cornerstone Grill & Loft

0.4 miles from SECU Stadium

#1

Atmosphere

Classic college sports bar

Known For

Gameday specialsMultiple screensTerps watch parties

Terrapin's Turf

0.5 miles from SECU Stadium

#2

Atmosphere

Terps-themed bar

Known For

Maryland crab dipRed & gold cocktailsLoud and lively

Old Maryland Grill

0.6 miles from SECU Stadium

#3

Atmosphere

Upscale sports bar

Known For

Craft beersCrab cakesPre-game brunch

Bentley's Bar & Grill

0.7 miles from SECU Stadium

#4

Atmosphere

Neighborhood dive bar

Known For

Cheap pitchersPool tablesLoyal regulars

Ledo Restaurant

0.8 miles from SECU Stadium

#5

Atmosphere

Local institution

Known For

Famous square pizzaCold beerMaryland tradition since 1955
Fan Culture

College Park Game Day Traditions

What makes Maryland Terrapins game day unique β€” the rituals, chants, and moments every fan lives for.

Pre-Game Tailgate

3–4 hours before kickoff

College Park fans gather hours before kickoff to tailgate near SECU Stadium. Grills fire up, team colors fill the lots, and the energy builds to a fever pitch before the gates open.

Arrive early for the best spots

Team Entrance Cheer

At kickoff

When the Maryland Terrapins take the field, the stadium erupts. Fans pack the tunnel entrance and create a wall of noise that opposing teams dread.

One of the loudest moments in the game

Victory Celebration

Post-game

After a Maryland Terrapins win, the party moves back to the bar district. Fans flood the streets, bars stay packed until last call.

The bar district comes alive after wins

Fight Song Singalong

After every score

The Maryland Terrapins fight song is belted out by every fan in the stadium after every score. Learn the words before you arrive.

Know the words before you arrive

Best Neighborhoods for Bar Hopping

The top districts in College Park for game day bar crawls and nightlife.

Route 1 Corridor

The main gameday strip lined with bars, restaurants, and Terps fans gearing up for kickoff

  • Walking distance to stadium
  • Packed patios
  • Terps spirit everywhere

Downtown College Park

College town center with a mix of sports bars and casual dining perfect for pre-game

  • Variety of venues
  • Easy parking
  • Local favorites

Hyattsville Arts District

Nearby neighborhood with craft bars and a more relaxed pre-game atmosphere

  • Craft cocktails
  • Artsy vibe
  • Less crowded
Earn Money on Game Day

Host a College Park GameDay Crawl

Turn your love of Maryland Terrapins 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 SECU Stadium

Tailgate Zones

Lot 1 / North CampusOpens 4 hrs before kickoff

Primary tailgate lot adjacent to SECU Stadium. Fills up 3+ hours before kickoff.

Route 1 Bar PatiosOpens 3 hrs before kickoff

Outdoor bar patios along Route 1 serve unofficial tailgate zone for students and alumni.

Byrd Stadium LawnOpens 3 hrs before kickoff

Open green space near the stadium entrance for casual tailgating with grills and cornhole.

Parking & Transit Tips

  • Purchase official UMD parking passes at umterps.com β€” lots sell out for big games.
  • Metro Green Line to College Park station is the easiest option β€” 10-min walk to stadium.
  • Arrive 3+ hours early for noon games β€” Route 1 and campus roads back up significantly.
  • Rideshare drop-off on Campus Drive near the Comcast Center is the most convenient.

Rideshare Drop-off

Uber/Lyft drop-off on Campus Drive near the Comcast Center. Expect surge pricing on game days.

Shuttle Service

UMD Shuttle-UM runs free game day routes from Metro station and remote lots to the stadium.

Where to Stay

Top hotels near SECU Stadium for game day weekend

The Hotel at the University of Maryland

$$$
0.3 miles from stadium
  • On-campus location
  • Steps from Route 1 bars
  • Terps-themed dΓ©cor
Book 3-4 months out for Penn State and Ohio State weekends.

Marriott College Park

$$$
1.5 miles from stadium
  • Full-service hotel
  • Free shuttle on game days
  • On-site restaurant
Great option for families. Book early for rivalry games.

Hyatt Place College Park

$$
2.0 miles from stadium
  • Free breakfast
  • Easy Metro access
  • Modern rooms
Best value near campus. Use Metro or rideshare to reach the stadium.

Game Day FAQ

Everything you need to know about College Park game day bar crawls

Know College Park's Bar Scene Better Than Anyone

Explore every bar district, find the best spots near SECU Stadium, and discover where Maryland Terrapins fans drink on game day.

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