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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Parking near stadium - WVU fan
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afWVU
8/22/2025 4:29 PM
Hello Bobcat fans, I am coming to the game and wondering where to park. Other than official pay lots, are there nearby pay lots that you all would recommend?

Thanks in advance
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OhioCatFan
8/22/2025 9:20 PM
afWVU wrote:expand_more
Hello Bobcat fans, I am coming to the game and wondering where to park. Other than official pay lots, are there nearby pay lots that you all would recommend?

Thanks in advance
The official lots are the closest ones, for the most part, though some official lots can be a nice hike away. I'm unaware of any unofficial lots that are any closer. There is a lot across the street from the OU Inn on Richland Avenue that is owned by the Inn. I've parked there without a problem for some low-attendance games, but I suspect they might tow you if you parked there for this game. Farther out on Richland there is a parking lot for Ace Hardware that I've used before, but I'm not sure it would be a good idea to park there for this game, unless they get entrepreneurial and charge for parking there. They also have a lot across Canterbury Drive from their store that is usually blocked off. It's possible they'll open it up to make a few bucks. From these lots its about a mile to the stadium, but very flat and a pleasant walk in good weather. Just some random thoughts here, not sure they are of great help, but it's the best I can do at the moment.
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Morris Mound
8/22/2025 11:16 PM
I think you're gonna have a tough time. lol Campus parking was not really built for an influx of fans from a Big 12 school. Best I can figure is that you get there early and look for spots around the Convocation Center. The good news is that you can try to find street parking up to a mile or so away and have a pleasant walk down to the stadium
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Bobcat110
8/23/2025 3:44 PM
The fairgrounds is offering parking. It’s easy walk and on the bike path or they are offering shuttles from 11am to an hour after end of game


Athens Fairgrounds Parking
Address: 286 West Union Street, Athens, OH 45701 (~20 minute walk to Peden Stadium)
Cost: $15 Pre-Purchase

https://www.athenscofair.org/event-details/ou-vs-wvu-parking |

$20 Cash Only At Gate
Parking Hours: 7 AM September 6th – 12 PM September 7th
Shuttle Service: Free shuttle to the venue available from 11 AM until 1 hour post event
RV Parking: Visit Athens County Fairgrounds Off-Season Camping by clicking:

https://www.athenscofair.org/offseasoncamping?utm_medium=...


Richland Avenue Park Parking
Address: 8493 Dairy Lane, Athens, OH 45701 (~0.5 mile walk to Peden Stadium)
Cost: $15 per vehicle must be purchased in advance (limited to 150 grass parking spaces). Parking can be purchased online here:

https://secure.rec1.com/OH/athens-oh/catalog/index/39003b...

(under special events section) or over the phone at 740-592-3325 through September 4th.
Parking Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, September 6th Only (Attendant onsite until 4 PM)
Tailgating: Permitted; tailgating rules must be agreed to during the permit purchase process, restrooms on site.
Last Edited: 8/23/2025 4:31:42 PM by Bobcat110
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SBH
8/23/2025 4:02 PM
Baker Center deck is not part of GameDay parking. It's by the hour ans a very short walk to the stadium.
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M.D.W.S.T
8/24/2025 11:34 AM
There is usually some good parking and tailgating by the soccer field and field hockey areas on Shaffer. Baseball field parking lot as well.

I was there for the Iowa State game and it was a great crowd and still quite a few spots in that baseball area behind west green.
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afWVU
8/24/2025 5:22 PM
Thank you all for the recommendations. Probably staying in Parkersburg the night before and coming in early for the game.
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shabamon
8/25/2025 1:51 PM
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
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colobobcat66
8/25/2025 2:47 PM
nm
Last Edited: 8/25/2025 5:13:07 PM by colobobcat66
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Alan Swank
8/25/2025 5:58 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
Traffic patterns have changed for one. The Stimson Avenue bridge is being refurbished and traffic is one direction at a time. That is one of the two prime entrance and exit points for those coming from the north and east (WV). Freshman are now allowed to have cars on campus. Not only does the fairgrounds sell parking spots now but so does the city out at the city rec building. Other than Marshall, the schools you mentioned did not bring a fraction of the fans coming from WV. Back in the day, the tailgate area was first come first served where now it's paid parking. There is a huge dorm going up on the south green that has taken up some parking spots. Yes, parking is going to be an issue.
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shabamon
8/25/2025 8:19 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
Traffic patterns have changed for one. The Stimson Avenue bridge is being refurbished and traffic is one direction at a time. That is one of the two prime entrance and exit points for those coming from the north and east (WV). Freshman are now allowed to have cars on campus. Not only does the fairgrounds sell parking spots now but so does the city out at the city rec building. Other than Marshall, the schools you mentioned did not bring a fraction of the fans coming from WV. Back in the day, the tailgate area was first come first served where now it's paid parking. There is a huge dorm going up on the south green that has taken up some parking spots. Yes, parking is going to be an issue.
Thanks for the intel about the bridge and freshmen having cars. Those make a difference. But the visiting fan question remains. 25K in the stadium minus the students means the same number of cars coming into campus regardless if it's OU fans for homecoming or 8-10,000 WVU fans.
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Alan Swank
8/25/2025 9:38 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
Traffic patterns have changed for one. The Stimson Avenue bridge is being refurbished and traffic is one direction at a time. That is one of the two prime entrance and exit points for those coming from the north and east (WV). Freshman are now allowed to have cars on campus. Not only does the fairgrounds sell parking spots now but so does the city out at the city rec building. Other than Marshall, the schools you mentioned did not bring a fraction of the fans coming from WV. Back in the day, the tailgate area was first come first served where now it's paid parking. There is a huge dorm going up on the south green that has taken up some parking spots. Yes, parking is going to be an issue.
Thanks for the intel about the bridge and freshmen having cars. Those make a difference. But the visiting fan question remains. 25K in the stadium minus the students means the same number of cars coming into campus regardless if it's OU fans for homecoming or 8-10,000 WVU fans.
Update on the bridge. It will be one way into town until the week after the WVU game. Last week on a normal day, traffic was backed up on East State Street clear around the bend where the Athens flower shop used to be.

As for the students, the number of student tickets was reduced so that there are more paying customers in the stands.
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TWT
8/25/2025 9:47 PM
afWVU wrote:expand_more
Thank you all for the recommendations. Probably staying in Parkersburg the night before and coming in early for the game.
Plenty of options and a real easy drive to Athens now with the bypasses in place.
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Jonesy1017
8/26/2025 7:16 AM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
Traffic patterns have changed for one. The Stimson Avenue bridge is being refurbished and traffic is one direction at a time. That is one of the two prime entrance and exit points for those coming from the north and east (WV). Freshman are now allowed to have cars on campus. Not only does the fairgrounds sell parking spots now but so does the city out at the city rec building. Other than Marshall, the schools you mentioned did not bring a fraction of the fans coming from WV. Back in the day, the tailgate area was first come first served where now it's paid parking. There is a huge dorm going up on the south green that has taken up some parking spots. Yes, parking is going to be an issue.
Thanks for the intel about the bridge and freshmen having cars. Those make a difference. But the visiting fan question remains. 25K in the stadium minus the students means the same number of cars coming into campus regardless if it's OU fans for homecoming or 8-10,000 WVU fans.
I think changing half of the student section into paid tickets could also play a factor. For those other big crowds those were all students that might night have cars in town. Now it is non student seating who will more than likely have cars.
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SBH
8/26/2025 7:42 AM
This is Y2K all over again. Everything will be fine.
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shabamon
8/26/2025 8:24 AM
Jonesy1017 wrote:expand_more
There's so much freak out over parking and I'm over here thinking haven't we had sellout football games before? Were we freaking out over Pitt, New Mexico State, a few of the Marshall games, some homecoming games. 25K is 25K. Doesn't matter if they're wearing green or blue. Did something drastically change with parking and traffic patterns in the last decade?

Brew week or whatever it is probably the big wrinkle, but it's a little understated in this topic.
Traffic patterns have changed for one. The Stimson Avenue bridge is being refurbished and traffic is one direction at a time. That is one of the two prime entrance and exit points for those coming from the north and east (WV). Freshman are now allowed to have cars on campus. Not only does the fairgrounds sell parking spots now but so does the city out at the city rec building. Other than Marshall, the schools you mentioned did not bring a fraction of the fans coming from WV. Back in the day, the tailgate area was first come first served where now it's paid parking. There is a huge dorm going up on the south green that has taken up some parking spots. Yes, parking is going to be an issue.
Thanks for the intel about the bridge and freshmen having cars. Those make a difference. But the visiting fan question remains. 25K in the stadium minus the students means the same number of cars coming into campus regardless if it's OU fans for homecoming or 8-10,000 WVU fans.
I think changing half of the student section into paid tickets could also play a factor. For those other big crowds those were all students that might night have cars in town. Now it is non student seating who will more than likely have cars.
Are they doing this for every game or just WVU?
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Jonesy1017
8/26/2025 9:59 AM
Per the graphic at https://ohiobobcats.com/sports/2025/2/17/football-ticket-... , it is going to be for every game. Those sections on the south side of the away stands that used to be student section seating have been sold as season tickets. There were many available as single game tickets for the WVU game so those seats should also be available as single game tickets for the rest of the season as well
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shabamon
8/26/2025 11:08 AM
Jonesy1017 wrote:expand_more
Per the graphic at https://ohiobobcats.com/sports/2025/2/17/football-ticket-... , it is going to be for every game. Those sections on the south side of the away stands that used to be student section seating have been sold as season tickets. There were many available as single game tickets for the WVU game so those seats should also be available as single game tickets for the rest of the season as well
I'm sure there's some data that shows the average number of students that come out for games and it's better money to sell a couple of those sections. This also implies that there is a maximum number of students we can admit. Have we ever turned away students? I can say firsthand that the student side for New Mexico State was packed like Cameron Crazies.
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GoCats105
8/27/2025 4:15 PM
I may have been in the minority on this because I loved walking through uptown, but I've always parked out on East State Street and enjoyed strolling down Court for a while before making my way to Peden or the Convo. Have a couple pumps of beer here and there, you know. Also makes for getting out of town much, much easier.
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Kinggeorge4
8/28/2025 8:46 AM
Jonesy1017 wrote:expand_more
Per the graphic at https://ohiobobcats.com/sports/2025/2/17/football-ticket-... , it is going to be for every game. Those sections on the south side of the away stands that used to be student section seating have been sold as season tickets. There were many available as single game tickets for the WVU game so those seats should also be available as single game tickets for the rest of the season as well
Wasn't there a section in that area before for relatively new alumni to encourage season tickets sales at a lower price?
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Andrew Ruck
8/28/2025 10:57 AM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I'm sure there's some data that shows the average number of students that come out for games and it's better money to sell a couple of those sections. This also implies that there is a maximum number of students we can admit. Have we ever turned away students?
I could see this happening, especially if we show decent at Rutgers. This is the perfect cocktail for student turnout.

1st game of season (always big for freshmen)
Wonderful fall-like weather
Boring OSU game that day
Later kick off
National broadcast
Huge opponent
Regional opponent
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The Optimist
8/28/2025 11:49 AM
Gameday parking is free at Athens High School
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Kinggeorge4
8/28/2025 12:09 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
Gameday parking is free at Athens High School
Walk to Eclipse and have a few beers. Walk the bike path to the game. Could be a thing
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spongeBOB CATpants
8/29/2025 11:11 AM
The student turnout is going to be at a level I don't think we've ever seen. Maybe once or twice in recent memory. Their section is already not enough for big games like this, it will be overflowing. I'm actually kind of nervous because I don't think WVU fans and OUr students are going to get along very well.

The perfect storm is brewing, should be a hell of an atmosphere.
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The Optimist
8/29/2025 11:23 AM
Kinggeorge4 wrote:expand_more
Gameday parking is free at Athens High School
Walk to Eclipse and have a few beers. Walk the bike path to the game. Could be a thing [/QUOTE]
Bike path shuffle: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F3F2YQxCyA69oFdV6

[QUOTE=spongeBOB CATpants]I'm actually kind of nervous because I don't think WVU fans and OUr students are going to get along very well.

The perfect storm is brewing, should be a hell of an atmosphere.

Good. The Marshall game in 2011 was pretty heated with students and their fans. Really got the fan base energized
Last Edited: 8/29/2025 11:28:37 AM by The Optimist
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