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Tiger Stadium - home of LSU in Baton Rouge, LA
NCAA FBS

Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

LSU

👥
Capacity
102,321
🏆
Conference
SEC
📅
Opened
1924
🌱
Surface
Grass

Quick Actions

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📖About Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium, known as "Death Valley," is one of the most intimidating venues in college football. With a capacity of 102,321, it's the fifth-largest stadium in the NCAA. Bear Bryant famously said, "Baton Rouge happens to be the worst place in the world for a visiting team. It's like being inside a drum."

🏛️History

Origins

Opened on Thanksgiving Day 1924 with 12,000 seats for a matchup against Tulane, replacing State Field on LSU's old downtown campus. Governor Huey Long famously funded a 1930s expansion by building dormitories with stadium seating—students lived in Tiger Stadium until the late 1980s.

Major Renovations

1932Huey Long's dormitory-stadium expansion pushed capacity to 46,000
1953South end zone enclosed, creating bowl shape (67,720 capacity)
2005$85M west upper deck with premium seating and new press box
2014South End Zone Expansion: 66 suites, 3,000 club seats (102,321 capacity)
2024Centennial upgrades: new video boards, LED lights, enhanced sound system

Notable Moments

Oct 3, 1931First night game at Tiger Stadium: LSU beat Spring Hill 35-0
Oct 31, 1959Billy Cannon's legendary 89-yard Halloween punt return beat #1 Ole Miss 7-3
Sep 2005Hosted displaced New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina
Oct 12, 2024100-year celebration game vs Ole Miss

🎟️Visitor Guide

Best Seats

Sections 515-517 (LSU side) or 534-536 (visitor side) offer elevated midfield views with chairbacks. Lower bowl sections 102-104 put you near the LSU bench. West sideline shades first for afternoon games. The West Stadium Club offers climate-controlled lounges and all-inclusive hospitality.

Parking Tips

Free lots include Golf Course, Gourrier South, Hayfield, and Levee Lot South (first-come, first-served). Reserved parking runs $45-$140. Use LSU's custom Waze map for real-time traffic. RVs park at Alex Box Hall of Fame Lot. Do NOT park on Nicholson Drive shoulders—you will be towed.

Game Day

Clear bag policy enforced (12" x 6" x 12" max). Maravich Center opens 5 hours early with free seating and restrooms. The Golden Band from Tigerland performs 2 hours before kickoff. Campus tailgates feature crawfish boils and jambalaya—The Chimes nearby is a 40-year gameday tradition.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

The Chimes

$$

Legendary LSU sports bar since 1983. Over 100 beers on tap and famous Cajun food.

📍 0.5 miles3357 Highland Rd

💡 Arrive 3+ hours early on gameday. Try the crawfish étouffée.

Fred's Bar

$

No-frills dive bar right by campus. Cash only, strong drinks.

📍 0.3 miles1184 Bob Pettit Blvd

💡 True local experience. Gets loud and packed.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux

$$

The original location of the national chain, started by two LSU walk-ons. Prime gameday energy directly next to the stadium.

📍 0.2 miles3838 Burbank Dr

💡 Amazing atmosphere with DJs and massive screens. Get here very early.

The Bulldog

$$

Craft beer haven with 70+ taps and a famous beer-tap fountain on the patio.

📍 2.5 miles4385 Perkins Rd

💡 Dog-friendly with a 21+ vibe. Great for a more relaxed gameday.

🍽️Restaurants

Raising Cane's (Original)

$

The original Raising Cane's location - started here in 1996 near LSU campus.

📍 0.5 miles3313 Highland Rd

💡 Pilgrimage spot for Cane's fans. Same great chicken, historical location.

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

$$$

Upscale Cajun seafood with great atmosphere. Excellent gumbo and crawfish dishes.

📍 2 miles3225 Perkins Rd

💡 Reservations recommended for gameday weekends.

Pastime Restaurant & Lounge

$$

Historic Baton Rouge staple since 1945. Famous for Thin Crust Pizza and Roast Beef Po'boys.

📍 2 miles252 South Blvd

💡 LSU tradition. Excellent pre-game meals.

Louie's Cafe

$

Legendary 24-hour diner serving LSU students and fans since 1941.

📍 0.4 miles3322 Lake Shore Dr

💡 Perfect for a post-game late night meal or pre-game breakfast.

🏨Hotels

The Cook Hotel at LSU

$$$

On-campus boutique hotel. Walking distance to stadium and the best location in town.

📍 0.4 miles3848 W Lakeshore Dr

💡 Books up a year in advance for big games like Alabama.

L'Auberge Casino Hotel

$$$

Full-service casino resort with upscale rooms and restaurants.

📍 5 miles777 L'Auberge Ave

💡 Good option if Cook Hotel is booked. Free shuttle on gamedays.

🎭Attractions

Mike the Tiger Habitat

$

Free to visit. LSU's live tiger mascot lives in this state-of-the-art habitat.

📍 0.1 milesStadium Dr

💡 Right next to Tiger Stadium. Visit before the game.

March Down Victory Hill

$

Iconic tradition where the LSU team, band, and cheerleaders march down Victory Hill to the stadium.

📍 0.1 milesVictory Hill

💡 Starts ~2 hours before kickoff. Arrive early for a good viewing spot.

LSU Memorial Tower

$

Stunning 175-foot clock tower honoring WWI veterans, centrally located on campus.

📍 0.5 milesMemorial Tower

💡 Beautiful photo spot. The bells ring-3 every 15 minutes.

🅿️Parking Options

🎉

Golf Course Lot

Free
Tailgate📍 0.8 miles

💡 First-come, first-served. Opens at 6 AM. Best tailgating atmosphere.

🅿️

Alex Box Hall of Fame Lot

$45
Lot📍 0.5 miles

💡 Reserved for baseball fans but often has football availability. Easy walking.

🅿️

Parker Coliseum Lot

Free
Lot📍 0.3 miles

💡 Very popular free option. Fills up extremely early.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Tiger Stadium? Share it with us.

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Stadium Rankings

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#5 Largest Stadium
View top 50 by capacity
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#32 Oldest Stadium
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Learn more on Wikipedia→

🔥Rivals

→

Saban Field at Bryant–Denny Stadium

Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

→

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Frank Broyles Field

Arkansas

Battle for the Golden Boot

Fayetteville, AR

→

Pat Dye Field at Jordan–Hare Stadium

Auburn

Auburn, AL

→

Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Florida

Gainesville, FL

→

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field

Mississippi State

Mississippi State, MS

→

Vaught–Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field

Mississippi

Magnolia Bowl

University, MS

→

Kyle Field

Texas A&M

College Station, TX

→

Benson Field at Yulman Stadium

Tulane

Battle for the Rag

New Orleans, LA

Stadiums Near Tiger Stadium

→

A. W. Mumford Stadium

Southern Jaguars

Baton Rouge, Louisiana8 mi
→

Strawberry Stadium

Southeastern Louisiana Lions

Hammond, Louisiana43 mi
→

Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium

Nicholls Colonels

Thibodaux, Louisiana49 mi
→

Cajun Field

Louisiana

Lafayette, LA53 mi
→

Benson Field at Yulman Stadium

Tulane

New Orleans, LA71 mi
→

Caesars Superdome

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans, LA73 mi

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.