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School
University of Wisconsin
Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium
Capacity
80,321
Conference
Big Ten
The neighborhoods where Madison fans drink before, during, and after the game. Each district has its own vibe — here's where to find your crowd.
The legendary gameday strip connecting campus to downtown with packed bars and Badger traditions
Notable Bars
Downtown Madison with upscale bars, craft breweries, and views of the Wisconsin State Capitol
Notable Bars
Campus-adjacent area with college bars, late-night spots, and authentic student gameday atmosphere
Notable Bars
Plan your game day around the University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers home schedule
Sep 6, 2026
Sep 12, 2026
Sep 19, 2026
Sep 26, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 17, 2026
Oct 24, 2026
Oct 31, 2026
Nov 7, 2026
Nov 14, 2026
Nov 21, 2026
Nov 28, 2026
* Schedule subject to change. Always verify with the official athletic department.
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.
72°
High
50°
Low
57°
High
39°
Low
42°
High
28°
Low
These months offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor tailgating and the walk to Camp Randall Stadium.
Pack extra layers and check the forecast before you go. Indoor bars are your best friend on cold game days.
The definitive guide to Madison's college bar scene — where fans drink, what to order, and what makes each spot worth visiting on game day.
0.5 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
College bar institution
Known For
0.8 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
Sports bar & grill
Known For
0.7 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
Brewpub
Known For
0.6 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
College bar classic
Known For
3.2 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
Craft brewery
Known For
0.9 miles from Camp Randall Stadium
Atmosphere
Wisconsin tavern
Known For
The best order to hit Madison's top bars on game day — optimized for walking distance, atmosphere, and crowd energy.
Start
The Kollege Klub — 529 Lake St
Est. Time
4.5 hours
Total Distance
1.8 miles
Start Here
The Kollege Klub — 529 Lake St
529 Lake St, Madison, WI 53703
603 State St, Madison, WI 53703
1313 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715
223 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703
23 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
2002 Pankratz St, Madison, WI 53704
End Point
Ale Asylum — 2002 Pankratz St
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.
What makes Wisconsin Badgers game day unique — the rituals, chants, and moments every fan lives for.
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 most intimidating moment they've ever experienced on a football field.
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.
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.
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 each season, and the mascot's antics — from crowd surfing to dancing on the sideline — are a constant source of entertainment.
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.
Top spots to eat before or after the game — ranked by proximity, quality, and game day vibes.
Wisconsin Bratwurst · 0.8 miles from stadium
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.
Pizza · 0.7 miles from stadium
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.
Wisconsin Tavern · 0.9 miles from stadium
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.
Burger Joint · 1.1 miles from stadium
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.
Classic Diner · 0.5 miles from stadium
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.
Craft Brewery · 3.2 miles from stadium
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.
The top districts in Madison for game day bar crawls and nightlife.
The legendary gameday strip connecting campus to downtown with packed bars and Badger traditions
Downtown Madison with upscale bars, craft breweries, and views of the Wisconsin State Capitol
Campus-adjacent area with college bars, late-night spots, and authentic student gameday atmosphere
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.
Everything you need to know before you arrive at Camp Randall Stadium
Premier tailgate zone with RVs, tents, and Jump Around energy. The most popular pre-game spot.
The legendary pedestrian mall transforms into a massive outdoor party with bar patios and live music.
Campus-adjacent tailgate area with student energy and cheap drinks nearby.
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.
Top hotels near Camp Randall Stadium for game day weekend
Everything you need to know about Madison game day bar crawls
Information sourced from official and authoritative references
Wisconsin Athletics
Official schedules, tickets, and parking for Camp Randall Stadium.
Camp Randall Stadium Guide
Stadium policies, bag rules, and gameday information.
Visit Madison
Official Madison visitor guide, hotels, and local events.
Big Ten Official Site
Conference standings, schedules, and broadcast information.
ESPN College Football
Live scores, schedules, and game day coverage.
Explore every bar district, find the best spots near Camp Randall Stadium, and discover where Wisconsin Badgers fans drink on game day.