The Wisconsin Badgers will play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the 2018-19 season-opener football game at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31. A Friday night game will bring thousands of visitors to campus, so expect traffic and delays. Construction (notably on W. Johnson Street) and recent flooding in the Madison area may cause additional traffic disruptions. An estimated 80,000 fans will attend the game.
Most campus lots are reserved for football attendee parking. Select permit holders will need to relocate before 5 p.m. to accommodate game attendees. Transportation Services staff will be out at lots beginning at 1 p.m. to ensure spots are reserved for annual UW permit holders. Game attendees are able to access football parking lots after 5 p.m.
Permit holder information for game day
Permit holders are encouraged to consider alternate work schedules and/or alternative transportation options for Friday, Aug. 31. Try options like taking the bus, carpooling, biking, or walking! Need help figuring out a route to campus? Fill out this route information request form!
Lots not listed below are not affected by football parking.
Lots – Relocation required
Permit holders in lots 7, 13, 16, 17, 20, 27, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 51, 54, 56, 62, 80, and 92 must be out of the lots by 5 p.m. If you must stay after 5 p.m. for work-related reasons, please relocate to Lot 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21, 26, 30, 35, 61, 82, 85 or 131 after 2 p.m.
Permit holders in Lot 18 must relocate by 2 p.m. For those Lot 18 permit holders unable to relocate during the workday, you may relocate to Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage) for the Friday workday.
Permit holders in Lot 19 may not park in their assigned lot at all on August 31. Permit holders must relocate to Lot 46 (Lake & Johnson Ramp) or Lot 83 (Fluno Center Garage).
Afternoon and night permit holders who use any of the following lots may not park in these locations on August 31: Lots 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 44, 51, 62, 80, or 92. Vehicles must use Lots 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21, 26, 30, 35, 61, 82, 85, or 131.
Relocation guide:
| Affected lots | Alternate lots for relocation |
| Permit holders in Lot 7, 13, 16, 17, 20, 27, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 51, 54, 56, 62, 80, and 92 | Must relocate to Lot 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21, 26, 30, 35, 61, 82, 85 or 131 by 5 p.m. Can relocate after 2 p.m. |
| Lot 18 permit holders | Relocate to Lot 7. Must relocate by 2 p.m. Can park in Lot 7 on August 31 if unable to relocate during the day. |
| Lot 19 permit holders | Park in Lot 46 or 83 on August 31. |
| Afternoon and night permits holders who use: Lots 7, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 44, 51, 62, 80, or 92 | Park in Lots 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21, 26, 30, 35, 61, 82, 85, or 131 for August 31. |
Need help finding these lots? Check out the campus parking maps webpage and the lot locations and hour page for addresses.
When relocating, please do not park in reserved or service/vendor stalls. Flex permit holders—if you start a full-day session in the morning, it is valid when you relocate.
If your work requires you remain parked in one of the above noted relocation-required lots after 5 p.m., please contact—or have your supervisor contact—the Transportation Services Special Events unit at (608) 262-8683 or customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu to make temporary parking arrangements. Those who need to relocate their vehicles before 2 p.m. may also contact Transportation Services.
Lots – vehicles may stay for work-related purposes only
Permit holders in lots 46, 57, 58, 59, 60, 64, 76, and 91 may remain in their assigned lots after 5 p.m. for work-related purposes only. If you are attending the game, you must purchase a game day parking permit to remain in the lot after 5 p.m.
Service/vendor parking
Service and vendor permit holders may not park in Lots 7, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 27, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 51, 54, 56, 62, 80, and 92. Use service/vendor stalls in Lots 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21, 26, 30, 35, 61, 82, or 85 instead. Service/vendor parking map (PDF)
Football game attendee parking
Game attendees are able to access football parking lots after 5 p.m. Limited availability to lots may be possible beginning at 2 p.m.
Day-of parking will be sold in the following lots on Friday, August 31 (cash only):
| Lots 60, 76 | $5 |
| Lots 46, 57, 58 | $15 |
| Lot 64 | $50 – RVs, buses, oversized vehicles |
Locations for game day parking are marked on the football game day parking map (PDF).
The Bucky Shuttle (Badger Bus) has stops at Lots 60/76 and 64 and drops off/picks up at Camp Randall. A round-trip ticket is $6; one-way is $3. See the Athletics Shuttle Bus Service page for details, costs, and a route map.
Free, supervised bicycle corral parking is available on football game days. Just bring a lock! More information can be found on the bicycle page.
Reference links
- Athletics season opener fan information release
- Football game day parking map (PDF)
- Campus parking maps and lot address list
- City of Madison flooding information (includes road closure map)
- Bicycle parking information – free bike corral
- Campus construction – road closures and detours map (PDF)
- Monroe Street construction information
- Events calendar