Fall in Columbia is synonymous with one thing: football season. Whether you’re a football fanatic, a stadium hot dog connoisseur or just look good in black and gold, Saturdays mean more around here.
With a packed home schedule, a proper rivalry game against Kansas (the first since 2011) and several SEC showdowns, the for 2025 Mizzou football season will be one for the books. With all the chaos a game day can bring, we’re here to bring you our certified game day guide.
What to Wear
Days before kick-off, you might ask your friend: “what are you going to wear?” To some of us, it’s as important of a question as “what time should I arrive?” and “who are we playing, again?”
You might have your tailgate-to-stadium outfit laid out, shoes and all, the night before gameday. Or you might be the type to be digging through your closet the morning-of. However you choose to style your gameday, Columbia’s local retailers are stocked and ready for football season. For an elevated casual gameday outfit, consider a solid dress with cowboy boots, or emblazon your top with chic gameday pins to show your spirit. Let accessories take the lead, too. This might be a colorful strap on your clear bag, tiger paw earrings, gold sunglasses or pops of yellow on a subtle black, white or denim outfit. You also can never go wrong with the classic jersey and jeans combination.
Emby Goods and Winning Streak Athletics owner MacKenzie Knierim says muscle tanks, flattering crop tops and classic tees are the most popular right now. “You can dress it up or down,” she says. “For example, our classic vintage Truman tee can be dressed up for game day or worn casually.”
Parking Dilemma
If the thought of parking is already giving you a headache, don’t worry; we have some alternatives.
A pre-game shuttle will start two hours before kickoff. It will pick up from Truman’s Landing northwest entrance, the Carrie Francke and Research Park intersection, and the entrance to Lot U. The Columbia Transit Shuttle can also take you to the stadium, for $1.50 fare each way. For updates on that shuttle’s route, check gocomotransit.com.
If you want to park on campus and take the heel-toe express to the game, garages HSG, UAG, CAG and TAG are available as space allows. Lot WG6 is available for accessible parking.
Tiger Tailgating
There’s no such thing as college football without tailgating, especially in the SEC. If you’re looking for a spot to set up, mutigers.com has a map of where to park, where permits are required and how to obtain them. Your tents and canopies may be no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet and cannot obstruct sidewalks or drive lanes. Feel free to bring your grills, speakers and coolers, as long as you aren’t disturbing your fellow Tiger fans.
Game Time
Are you the type to stay until the tailgate’s packed and put away, or do you charge the gates to Memorial Stadium 90 minutes to kickoff on the dot? For those in the student section, you may want to get to your seats quickly as they’ll fill up well before kickoff. If you aren’t rushing to your seat moments before kickoff and have some time to spare, check out Memorial Stadium’s vendors and souvenir stands to beat the lines that will form later.
No Ticket? No Problem
Columbia’s gameday spirit stretches far beyond the gates (and the expenses) of the stadium. If you aren’t attending the game, there are plenty of restaurants and bars that will bring the ZOU to you. Here are some recommendations where you can sit, eat and enjoy the air conditioning, without losing a bit of that gameday atmosphere.
If you want to stay near the action, snag a table at Stadium Bar and Grill. Downtown, stick to the classic gameday spots: Harpo’s, Shiloh’s, 50 Yard Line Bar and Grill, and more. To dodge the downtown mania, get a table at Addison’s South or The Deuce Pub and Pit. Scope out our Dining Guide on page 81 for a full list of the best spots.
No matter how you spend your game day, it’s sure to be a great one. We’re all looking forward to another unforgettable season of Mizzou Football. Go Tigers!
