Tailgating

• The setting up of tents, awnings, and similar equipment may commence at 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding a home football game, most typically on Friday for a Saturday game. Space may be occupied between noon and 5 p.m., but stakes may NOT go into the ground until 5 p.m. All items must be taken down and removed by noon on the day immediately following the game, typically Sunday. For the Lindsey Street tailgating area, please see site -specific rules for set up times.

• The drop off of supplies at tailgating sites is permitted up until five and a half hours prior to kickoff. At that time, streets around campus will close and tailgating sites will become inaccessible by vehicle. Vehicles dropping of supplies must be clear of the area following the below examples:
  
  • 11 a.m. game, drop off ends at 5:30 a.m.
  • 2:30 p.m. game, drop off ends at 8 a.m.
  • 6 p.m. game, drop off ends at 12:30 p.m.

• The erecting of tents, awnings and similar equipment by the public is only permitted for tailgating purposes on home football game days. Individuals and third parties that wish to host events on campus outside of home football games should contact Campus Scheduling: ou.edu/scheduling

• Any such items that are set up outside of this timeframe or that collapse or are blown off their sites will be removed by the University and disposed of.

• Tents, awnings, and similar equipment must be securely anchored. Stakes may not be longer than 12 inches to avoid interfering with underground utilities.
  
  • Tents must be set up no closer than three feet from either side of sidewalks.
  • Tents, awnings, generators, similar items, and tailgating activities of any kind are not allowed within three feet of either side of sidewalks. Any items obstructing sidewalks must be moved or will be removed by the University.
  • Tents must be set up at least 10 feet from any University building. Tents larger than 400 square feet require a permit issued by the campus fire marshal’s office, contact Fire@ou.edu.

• Tents, awnings, similar items, and tailgating activities of any kind are not allowed at several locations. See prohibited areas on the map.

• Tailgating activity that takes up vacant parking spaces or otherwise interferes with vehicle movement within a parking lot is prohibited.

• The University will provide and locate portable toilets at convenient locations around the grounds. Individuals, groups, and businesses are prohibited from moving portable toilets or bringing or arranging the delivery of their own toilets.

• Recreational generators may be used in designated tailgating areas, so long as they do not damage University property; if a generator is placed on a grassy area, it must rest on a board or other hard material to protect the grass and soil beneath. Generators cannot be placed within three feet of either side of a sidewalk, or within 10 feet of a building and must be located within the immediate tailgate site.

• Hooking into, connecting to, or similar use of University utilities (electric, water, communication cable, etc.) and building receptacles is prohibited.

Out of respect for our students that live on campus, the tailgating area on the south side of Lindsey Street between Jenkins and Asp Avenues has the following site-specific rules:

• The setting up of tents, awnings, and similar equipment may commence at 7 a.m. on the morning of a home football game, most typically a Saturday morning. Space may be occupied beginning at 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding a home football game, most typically on Friday for a Saturday game, but stakes may NOT go into the ground until 7 a.m. the following morning. All items must be taken down and removed by noon on the day immediately following the game, typically Sunday.

• Tailgating may only take place on the grassy area between the Lindsey Street curb and the north side of the sidewalk.

• Tailgating supplies must be hand-carried to the site from the designated loading areas. All supplies must be maintained within the claimed spaces.

• Tailgating sites should be kept clean throughout the day. Trash belongs in a bag or can, not on the ground. The disposal of grease, hot coals, or hazardous materials onto the grounds or into storm drains is prohibited. 

• Only students and university officials with Sooner Card access may enter the residence halls. Following or “piggybacking,” authorized individuals into the residence halls and associated outdoor spaces or asking residents for access is prohibited and may result in immediate eviction from campus and a written warning citation for the first violation. In the event of a second violation, the University will take action up to and including immediate eviction from campus, loss of tailgating privileges and a six-month trespass order from campus.

• Open flames are prohibited; gas and charcoal grills with covers are permitted and should be attended at all times. Gas and charcoal grills are prohibited in ALL University parking garages and cannot be within 50 feet of campus buildings or under tents.

• It is the responsibility of the individual to provide a fireproof container for the disposal of coals and remove said container from University premises.

• Small, non-University vehicles such as golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, and the like are prohibited on campus, and are subject to impound.  Bicycles must be parked at bike racks.

• Pedicabs (typically, a three-wheeled public conveyance operated by pedals, having a cab for passengers mounted behind the driver) must abide by all traffic laws, including observance of one-way traffic. They should extend courtesy and yield to pedestrians. Pedicabs may not drive on University lawns/grassy areas or beyond traffic barricades. Pedicab operators will receive a written warning citation for the first violation. In the event of a second violation, OUPD will take action to prevent further violations up to and including immediate eviction from campus and a six-month trespass order from campus. See the pedicab perimeter map for more information.

• Trailers and vehicles are prohibited from parking on the grass.
  • Trailer parking at any ‘paid’ lot requires payment for the vehicle and an additional payment for the trailer.
  • Trailer parking at any ‘permit’ lot requires a permit for the vehicle and an additional permit for the trailer.

• No vending or solicitation is allowed in tailgating areas. Any and all events that are defined under "solicitation" must obtain permission in advance. Solicitation permits can be obtained through Campus Scheduling: ou.edu/scheduling.

• Companies are prohibited from issuing free or sample products without being properly licensed by the University.  The University Campus Scheduling Office, (405) 325-2121 or scheduling@ou.edu, may be contacted for information.

• Corporate or commercially sponsored tailgates are prohibited except in designated locations. Those who wish to organize and provide such sites should contact Sooner Sports Properties at (405) 325-2148.

• Food and beverages shall be for personal consumption only.  Sales are prohibited. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by adults over 21 in University-authorized tailgate areas on game days shall not, in itself, be deemed a violation of the University’s Alcohol policies. All other state laws, municipal ordinances, and University policies prohibiting public intoxication, providing alcohol to minors, etc. will be enforced.

• Registered Student Organizations must follow normal University procedures and process for hosting open social events and events where alcohol is served.

• The operation of drones/unmanned aircraft systems on or above University property, including the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, is prohibited on home football game days and Major Event Days. Visit the Campus Safety website to view drone policy.

• In compliance with state and federal law, all OU property is tobacco, marijuana, electronic cigarette and vaping device-free.

• In compliance with Oklahoma law, it is permissible for firearms to be stored securely in vehicles in designated parking areas. In all other respects, firearms are prohibited on campus except for police and other peace officers permitted to carry a firearm on state property.

• Individuals, groups, and organizations holding or participating in tailgating are responsible for their own conduct and are expected to respect the rights of others, including members of the University community, and visiting fans and teams. Noncompliance with these policies may result in immediate eviction from campus and a written warning citation for the first violation. In the event of a second violation, the University will take action to prevent further violations up to and including immediate eviction from campus and a six-month trespass order from campus.

• Pets are not allowed to be unattended in tailgating sites or on campus. Furthermore, animals shall not be secured to University property. Clean up after your pet.

• Dispose of all trash in trash receptacles or pack it out. Tailgating sites should be kept clean throughout the day. Trash belongs in a bag or can, not on the ground. The disposal of grease, hot coals, or hazardous materials onto the grounds or into storm drains is prohibited.

• Any person damaging University property will be responsible for the cost of repairs, including grass and sprinkler damage.

• The University is not responsible or liable for accidents, damage, loss, or theft of materials, items, or personal property.

• Amplified bands and loud music are not permitted.

• Hay and straw are not authorized on campus at any time. This material can contain destructive insects and bacteria that are harmful to the soil and grass.

• Selling of tailgating spaces is strictly prohibited and will result in the loss of tailgating privileges.

• This Policy is applicable to non-University events held on Game Days or Major Event Days and is designed to prevent disruption of the events and impeding the ingress and egress to University activities. Game days include all home football games, Spring Game, and any event taking place in the football stadium where large crowds are anticipated. Major Event Days include Commencement, Convocation, and other special events where large crowds are anticipated.

• To protect the safety of visitors and avoid damage to University property, the University prohibits signage, for whatever purposes, to be implanted in, posted on, or otherwise affixed to university property.  This prohibition in no way interferes with the right of students, faculty, staff, and fans to otherwise engage in advocacy, expressive activity, or the political process.

• The University must also refrain from creating an appearance of partisan activity endorsed by the University.  Political campus organizations shall have access to selected University facilities on the same basis as all other campus organizations, in keeping with the rights of all members of the campus community to express political views on game days/major event.  Non-campus political organizations shall likewise have access on the same terms as other non-University organizations described herein.

• Further, on game days and major event days, reservations of outdoor properties for non-University purposes are limited to the following:
  • A portion of the Lloyd Noble parking lot, except during an event held at the Lloyd Noble Center, at which time a portion of the Gymnastics Center parking lot may be utilized; or
  • A portion of the University Duck Pond; or
  • A portion of the property in front of the Bizzell Statue; or
  • A portion of the Dale Hall parking lot.

• Because space is limited, non-University events shall be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis determined by the date the individual or group executes all relevant documents, provides evidence of adequate insurance where required due to risk of damage to persons or property, and submits all such documents to Campus Scheduling.

• No picketing, leafleting, large signage, displays, or peddling shall be permitted within 300 feet of the facility hosting the event (e.g., football stadium) on the day of the event.