Notre Dame Stadium

Visiting the University of Notre Dame Stadium for a football game is just about the most exciting and wholesome fun you can have (involving sports). We attend at least one game per year, and highly recommend the experience. We really love to go to late September games, as you have a chance at sunny, great weather. But we don’t really mind standing in the sleet or freezing cold to SHAKE DOWN THE THUNDER and cheer on our Irish :)
Must see: the grotto, the Cathedral, the marching band playing on the stairs of the dorm before the game, the Hammes gift shop (bring your wallet because it’s hard to resist buying everything there!), and of course– the stadium itself. Currently under renovation — they’re in the midst of a $ 400M project that will add 3 massive buildings and 4,000 premium seats. Also, check out the weekend event schedule before you go, to make sure you can squeeze in some of the pre-​game events. We completely love going to the pep rally Friday night!
CHEER, CHEER FOR OLD NOTRE DAME!
WAKE UP THE ECHOS CHEERING HER NAME!

Well this Georgia Bulldawg fan was in town for work and had to come by and pay my respects to one of the great college football teams in history. To bad the stadium was getting renovated and I could not get in to see the stadium but I had a chance to see the famous Touchdown Jesus. Nice place but I still bleed Red & Black…

While I would not go quite so far as Ned Beatty in Rudy, when he enthusiastically says «This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen,» I can honestly state that the gameday experience at Notre Dame stands unparalleled in the world of sports. Not just college, but professional sports & not really even just the day of the game, but the entire weekend of activities surrounding it.
Granted, in a university environment, you have a built-​in community of fans in the student body & alumni, but you also have visitors (like me), which suggests this experience could be emulated in the professional arena. Imagine if you will the following — the day before the game, free tours of the stadium tunnel with view of the field & the well known «Play Like A Champion Today!» sign. Pep, rallies, Drum circles. Band concerts. The day of the game, a scholarly Lecture series on a Notre Dame produced documentary on the 1916 Irish Rebellion, narrated by Liam Neeson, held in a museum on campus. Cheer the players on as they make their way to the stadium. Tour the library as you learn about its plans to renovate & become even more impressive as it meets the evolving needs of Notre Dame students & faculty. See a bagpipe performance, or Irish stepdancers. Watch the Notre Dame Marching band. Or, attend an expo in the nearby Joyce Center, itself a monument to Notre Dame’s rich sports history — but on gameday, a chance to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Fighting Irish with activities & giveaways centered around the excitement of the gridiron.
And then the gates open & you make your way inside. Stop & admire the statue of legends of yesteryear & perhaps buy some delicious South Bend Chocolate to snack on. Or, stop at a booth for more traditional stadium snacks. Don’t tarry too long, as you don’t want to miss the pre-​game introductions, including the famous Marching Band, who will get things started with the famous Notre Dame fight song. When the game begins, your announcer will excitedly bring out the team & more lively than most I’ve heard, even quote Van Morrison in his weather forecast, as spectators enjoy «A Golden Autumn Day» of football in South Bend.
Hopefully, you’ll see a victory & spirits remain high in the sea of blue & gold. The Marching Band will play any number of familiar tunes, ranging from The 1812 Overture to The Imperial March from Star Wars & Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off & all points in between. Come halftime, they’ll be back & add some fun choreographed formations to their music.
But you’re there for the football & Notre Dame will deliver with some of the best collegiate players giving their play after play. If it’s a victory, stay after & hear the band lead the stadium in song, with Touchdown Jesus looking down in approval. Then, make your way out of the stadium, hopefully, if you have to catch the bus to White Field, with a bit more spring in your step than most, as it’s a long bloody line.

This place is so special. The traditions, the architechture, the history, the people. Everything about the stadium is special. The seats are tight but we seem to be a bit bigger now than we were 100 years ago! The gameday experience in and around this stadium is unlike any other. I refer to Notre Dame as the Walt Disney World of college football on game day. They know how to do it right here and it’s so special to come up and spend the day at the greatest college campus, and inside the greatest stadium, watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish!

Great atmosphere. Cold. A campus tour is a must when visiting.
Visit of the Grotto — bunnies:(and the Cathedral were great. No booze on campus so pack well for the game.
O’rourkes was a great pre game visit. Tons of TV’s.

This is legitimately the most friendly stadium I have ever been to. Most places take your ticket and maybe grunt at you while pointing in the direction of your seat (if they acknowledge you at all). Every stadium employee I interacted with opened with a friendly «Welcome to Notre Dame». It wasn’t contrived. They were genuinely enthusiastic about me being at Notre Dame! Holy cow!
My only complaint was the massively long food and beverage lines. My line’s register broke and the guy at the counter asked me to go to another one after I’d been in line for like 15 minutes. I was like, «uh, could you try to direct some traffic between the lines? I can’t just jump in» I’m from South Florida, if I merge into someone’s stadium food and beverage line I’m going to get punched, and I’m a girl. Fortunately, he just rang my line up on another register (which I’m sure slowed up that line too), but I’m glad he didn’t force me to test mid-​western niceness by cutting into another line.

«Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame, Wake up the echoes cheering her name, Send a volley cheer on high, Shake down the thunder from the sky. What though the odds be great or small, Old Notre Dame will win over all, While her loyal sons are marching, Onward to victory!»
I’ve been singing the Notre Dame Victory March since I could talk! And the NCAA agrees! The Victory March is the #1 fight song in all of college football baby! Check it out here:
I’ve also been coming to Notre Dame Football games since I was a little kid. My Grandpa had season tickets for what seems like forever. So yes, I am a little biased with my love for Notre Dame and college football with this review — but hey it’s my opinion anyways!!! There are so many good memories that I have of coming here to tailgate and watch games with my family. The whole experience just makes me feel at home.
I’ve sat in the same exact seats pretty much every game. I have ventured to different seats though and I don’t think there is a bad view in the house. The student section is always on their feet — the entire game — and do all the cheers which help keep everyone upbeat. The band is amazing. The band performs about a half hour before the game is to start, so get in your seat early if you want to catch it. They also perform the half-​time show. The ushers are amazing people! They usually stay at the same gate year after year so I feel like I know our usher very well by now.
While my sister attended St. Mary’s, I came to a few events held at the stadium as well. Seems like this place is always booked and has something to offer. The new addition should bring even more of that. The construction this season is an eyesore, but other than that it doesn’t seem to bother many people.
The seats, most of them, are old wood. So be careful or rent a seat cushion because you can definitely get splinters on your a*s. The lines are super long, but if you don’t mind standing in line during a play then it won’t take too long. And of course, the bathrooms are usually smelly and not the cleanest. However, in the winter it is the only place to warm your frozen butt up.
They now have a no backpack policy. If you have a purse they will search it prior to entry. This is a college game so no alcohol is sold or permitted in the stadium. This is a great place for a family to come watch the game together. Be aware though that babies, even ones sitting on your laps, will need their own ticket. And you can’t bring in outside food or beverages except a sealed bottle of water.
My guess for not giving 5 stars to ND stadium would be that you are a USC fan…

Play Like A Champion Today! The campus is amazing with so much rich history. We enjoyed our cost of the campus and the football stadium!

Um yes I am giving this a 5 for historical value. The stadium itself is old and lines out the wazoo for food & drinks. However minus all that, the experience is amazing. I am not a ND fan however I am a college football fan and this is a mecca to journey too. I took my 7 year old son here and he had a blast. Many many families in this stadium. Just be aware they won’t let you bring in backpacks unless you have diapers in them. I had to go by a ND backpack to put my backpack into it! Go figure! Guess the Church needs some extra funds. This is a no frills stadium, they don’t have TV screens, the benches are wooden and you might actually get splinters, however every seat in the house is pretty good. Explore the grounds on campus and see all the game day traditions to make the trip even more special. Kid approved!!!

4 Stars on tradition, 2 stars on the facilities! They are however upgrading! On the plus side, nice people and easy to get in, get out. Minus side, restroom really ancient and long lines.

You gotta walk a mile to get upstairs! No beer! Old place was better.

It’s still The House That Rockne Built, but now I tend to think of it as The House That Swarbrick Carpeted. Football should be played on grass.

One of the best places to watch football in the country. The stadium is chalk full of tradition with the marching band, diagonal lines in the end zones, and classic beginning of the fourth quarter joke.
Make sure you review the weekend event schedule when you come here for a game. There are tons and tons of events ranging from Trumpets Under the Dome to professor talks.

Iconic. The whole campus comes to life on football Saturday.

The prehistoric man had his cave. The later man had a tent. The Hebrews had their promised land. Christians had Jerusalem. The modern American Catholics, NCAAF fans, and the blessed ones who can call themselves alumni to this University have Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.
This is where it all happens, the glorious Fighting Irish play their home games. This is our Mecca, where every true supporter and fan has a calling to come watch the current team live up to the history and prestige of the uniform and stadium that make up part of the game, atmosphere, and spirit.
Not everyone remembers what Ara Parseghian did to bring prestige back for the team, the history that has led to more Heisman Trophies from teams still here and gone, and the quality University program that has such high standards and values, that has developed the bests players of NCAA football we have today. This is where it all happens when we congregate on our own soil. We aren’t notorious for many things, maybe not the loudest, or most passionate, but we are Notre Dame — the elite that all other schools and programs look to.
We have our own Television contract. We are independent, and not under the shackles of a ‘conference’. We are different. We are special. We come here to share good times and spirits, and to watch our team PLAY LIKE CHAMPIONS TODAY, and every day. Though you do not need to come here for that, there’s a difference between praying at home and praying in a Sanctuary, Temple, Church, and certainly an Altar.
I made my Pilgrimage in 2012, when the Fighting Irish was under the leadership of Irish Catholic American Brian Kelly. This was the year with the season opener with the Emerald Isle Classic, where in Croke Park — Dublin, our boys beat Navy 50 – 10. I still remember the talk of the time, «who be ye Midshipmen, that thee rejoiceth so?» «I be a Fighting Irish Fan» was always my response, and that should be enough to those who know, to those who matter.
Returning from Éire, Boilermakers were invited to this stadium for a 20 – 17 defeat. After which, we went to Michigan to beat one of the two Michigan teams (the one with the «state» surname) 20 – 3. They were ranked #10 at the time for some reason. After which, on Sept 22, 2012, came the Michigan Wolverines — their big brothers, ranked #18, to settle the score.
We arrived late and had to park some distance from the stadium, but being accustomed to the chaos of NCAA games, it didn’t seem too bad. Or maybe it was the 11 hour non-​stop drive to get here that made a brief walk from a mile or two away seem like nothing, but parking was found and we walked on by to the stadium.
As we neared the hallowed grounds, we saw it all: the campus, the dome, the fans, the tailgating, the jerseys, hats and so much more. It was incredible, overwhelming and inviting at the same time. We beat Michigan, a rival, in our stadium, and my journey to the non-​coastal part of the United States was now complete. Years I’ve been a fan, years I’ve wanted to see «touchdown Jesus» and along with 80,000 others, we were content and happy.
We went on to beat all other team that season, especially the university of spoiled children in a dirty part of Los Angeles, but the highlight for me was to be in the home — the home field, home grounds, home stadium for Notre Dame football. The band, the players, the fans, the atmosphere — a true pilgrimage for those whose path in the NCAA life is towards Notre Dame.

Notre Dame 31 Michigan 0… need I say more?
Be sure to catch the team walking over to the stadium 2 hours before the game. It is a must see!!!

A great tradition and a great fan base. This school has as much pageantry as any in the US. Between the Irish Guard, the student section, and the really nice fans all around, Notre Dame is a fun experience. The campus is beautiful and parking is fairly easy.
Getting in and out of the stadium is very easy and the ushers are very friendly. Still have wooden bleachers in most seating areas, which are undersized and outdated, but it adds to the charm of this small stadium. This will be updated in the renovations in 2015.
Concessions are reasonable priced and quick service from local people, not a concessions company. This is a win.
Also in the concourse are several historical displays of the proud tradition that is Notre Dame football. My favorite is the helmet display representing all consensus All Americans in Notre Dame history.
The only real knock on this stadium is the poor game ops. Changes are coming next season, but currently no video boards for replays is a challenge. On this date, the south scoreboard did not work during the first half. The band plays non-​stop unless the way too loud PA system is going.
The PA system is way too loud and was crushing my ears all the way across the stadium. I can’t image how loud it would be if you were sitting near the speakers that are only near the press box. Also, if you do the hokey-​pokey, you get on field recognition at Notre Dame. Way too many on-​field presentations.
Probably the worst game ops of any stadium I have been to… Makes an otherwise great experience a little annoying with how bad the in game presentation is for the fans. Would be 5 stars if they cleaned this up.

I went here for the USC/​ND game. Glad I did, now I can say I watched a historic rivalry in a historic stadium. I wish the seats weren’t benches (visitor area high up) and I wish there was a big screen to review plays and highlights.
5 stars for history and 3 stars for amenities!

Notre dame stadium! A place where, even on Unilocal,Michigan fans come to make fun of it or say its a copy of another stadium since no two stadiums have ANY similarities…
But seriously, the only negative reviews are… Cough… Well, you know that «jealous ex girlfriend» type, right?
(Runs to Cowboys Stadium website to blast it for copying Lucas oil)
Oh, wait, that’s right, I don’t care. If a stadium does something right, I see other places drawing from their great ideas. Pooling ideas, competitively improving on others creations, Isn’t there a similar economic principle based on that? Ok, somehow I’m off track.
There’s a special feeling of going into the stadium, watching a game without needing a bunch of tvs to watch what you paid to come see… Campus is pristine, stadium is beautiful, and the aura is difficult to explain. I’ve been here for many games, though I recommend getting the full experience and showing up a ways before kickoff (night before, anyone?)
Go ND! Show up, scream, show your pride, and enjoy. I certainly will.

Can’t say enough about the hospitality, professionalism, and devotion the stadium staff undertakes on a daily basis.
Didn’t even go to Noter Dame, but I was proud I was there! I guess I found my calling!