What you need to know for USC home games, from tailgating to the Coliseum

There’s a lot that’s new with USC football this year, including a new quarterback, a new conference and new rivalries in the making — but the traditions that make game day at USC special remain. Here’s a wrap-up of everything you need to know to enjoy what many Trojans consider to be the most wonderful time of the year.

Getting there

• If you’re driving, leave early and allow lots of time to find parking.
• Drivers are urged to purchase a parking permit in advance online, as a limited number of permits are available for the USC Downey Way, Shrine and Grand Avenue parking structures. Additionally, passes at the USC Downey Way, Royal Avenue and Flower Street parking structures will not be available for sale on game days. More parking information is available online.
• Follow USC Transportation on X (formerly Twitter) for live updates during football season.
• Fans are encouraged to take the Metro E (Expo) Line directly to one of the three stations serving USC: Expo/Vermont, Expo Park/USC or Jefferson/USC.

Game day on campus

Campus access:

• To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, all visitors entering the University Park Campus will pass through security access points when driving or walking in. Please be ready to show a government-issued photo ID if asked for scanning. No guest registration is needed.

Reservations and regulations:

• A tailgate permit is required for all groups tailgating on campus. No walk-up tailgating is permitted.
• Tailgate reservations must be made three weeks prior to the game to avoid late fees.
• Reservations are for the campus grounds only and do not include parking or a space for a vehicle.
• Setups start six hours before game time, and tailgates must end by kickoff.
• Attendees must follow the Fan Code of Conduct and comply with all university policies and requests from USC staff and security officers, report inappropriate behavior to security personnel, exercise moderation in consuming alcoholic beverages and refrain from smoking. Those found to be in violation of USC policies will have their future tailgating privileges revoked.
• Additional tailgating rules are online.

Trojan Family Game Day Experience:

• Offered on-campus for every Saturday home game and a great place to be if you want to have the tailgate atmosphere, but don’t want to bring all the equipment.
• Includes games for kids and fans, big-screen TVs tuned to college games, plenty of tables and chairs, and a wide variety of food and beverages including soft drinks, beer and wine available for purchase.
• Open to the public.
• Located in Alumni Memorial Park, across from Tommy Trojan in front of Doheny Memorial Library.

Other options:

• University-owned venues — including the USC Hotel lobby bar, McKay’s and The Lab on Figueroa Street; and Moreton Fig and the Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club at King Stoops Hall — will feature game day specials.

No tailgating before Friday game:

• On-campus tailgating is prohibited before the Friday, Oct. 25, game against Rutgers, since classes will be in session that day.

Other information to consider:

• 

  Glass containers are prohibited on campus. Use multiuse containers or cans.

• There will be a “Waste End Zone” tent for all trash and a mobile recycling station cart in McCarthy Quad (there will be large signs with the university’s Assignment: Earth logo).
• Tailgating and game day parking at USC Village is prohibited. Restaurants and shops are open for dining on all game days, but parking is reserved for shoppers and dining patrons only.
• USC is a smoke-free environment. The policy applies to lighted cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookah or other lit products, and includes the use of any substance including tobacco, cloves or marijuana.
• Tailgate policies apply to on-campus gatherings. Similar procedures will apply within the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum fences but not at Exposition Park, which is not overseen by the university.

At the Coliseum

Parking:

• Most traffic into Exposition Park is right turn only. Left turn pockets will be closed.
• Exposition Park lots are permit only. There are no cash lots at Exposition Park during USC football games.

Inside:

• Be prepared for a metal detector screening and have items clearly displayed in a clear bag.
• Arrive at the gates no later than 30 minutes before kickoff.
• The Coliseum is cashless — only credit/debit cards and mobile pay are accepted.
• The Coliseum is a no smoking venue — smoking, smokeless tobacco and smoking implements are prohibited in all areas of the Coliseum.
• Download mobile tickets to your wallet on your mobile device before arriving — screenshots are not accepted.
• Additional Coliseum information is available online.