Badger Game Day Guide

When the UW-Madison Badgers Football team take the field, Camp Randall Stadium bursts with 80,000 Badgers of all ages, and one of football’s best traditions rocks so hard it registers on the Richter Scale.

It's no wonder Sports Illustrated named Madison the best college football town in America. So did Bleacher Report. And the NCAA. And USA Today (twice).

So come to Madison for the game. And the pregame. And the postgame. And all weekend long. This is your official guide to everything you need to know before you head to a UW Badgers Football game.

PREGAME

Badger Bash

Join the marching band and spirit squad at Union South for one of Madison’s favorite game day celebrations. Just steps from the famed Camp Randall Memorial Arch — Badger Bash boasts high-energy fun, live music, games, and fresh, hot food. And of course, ice-cold beer.

Places to Watch

Watching the game at the stadium is exciting. But Madison has many spirited spots to catch the game outside Camp Randall’s walls too. Check out Regent Street or one of campus’ classic bars – they’re local favorites for game day.

GAMETIME

Jump Around 

What's the greatest tradition in college sports? It's a magical few minutes before the fourth quarter where everyone gets on their feet. When you hear "Jump Around" by House of Pain play in Camp Randall you are implored to get jumping. The feeling is electric. You'll never hear the song the same way again.

Student Section

UW-Madison students flood the student section (located in sections J-P; rows 5-17) has its own set of traditions. Look to them to start a Madison-version of the wave, and a flurry of fun chants.

POST-GAME

Fifth Quarter

Stick around post-game for the Fifth Quarter, a high-energy performance by the marching band, enjoyed by more than 35,000 fans. Sing and dance along to school traditions and favorites like “Varsity,” “Hey Baby,” and “You’ve Said it All.”

Where to Eat

Keep the fun going with near-campus classics that alum will remember and newcomers won't soon forget. Scarf down a jumbo-sized slice of pizza from Ian’s Pizza By the Slice. Their unique flavors earned it the title of Wisconsin’s Best Pizza by Food Network. In the mood for a juicy burger? Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry serves up one of Madison’s best — accompanied by local beers, of course. And if you're celebrating your birthday with the Badgers, you have to get your celebratory drink and burger from The Nitty Gritty.

Camp Randall is at the bookend of one of Madison's iconic neighborhoods offering tons of great food and shopping. Monroe Street is home to a wide range of dining like old-school diner Mickie's Dairy Bar and James Beard-honored Fairchild. In between you'll find several restaurants including Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Everly, Gates and Brovi and Miko Poke.

Where to Stay

Turn Badger Gameday into a Badger weekend with hotels that are walkable from Camp Randall. The UW-themed Graduate Hotel grants you close access to campus and downtown State Street throughout your stay. The Edgewater is a historic hotel that has hosted many Badger superstars (check out the wall of fame at Augie's Tavern and prepare to be impressed). Or stay just steps from the stadium at the university's Wisconsin Union Hotel. 

There's dozens more great places to stay when you visit Madison. Click here for a full list of hotels and here for Badger Bundle game day discounts.