Situated on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Camp Randall Stadium has been the beating heart of Badgers football since it opened on November 3, 1917. Designed by architect Arthur Peabody at a cost of just $15,000, the stadium was built on grounds that once served as a Union Army training camp during the Civil War, where an estimated 70,000 Wisconsin soldiers prepared for battle. Its first game set a fitting tone: a 10-7 homecoming victory over rival Minnesota.
Beyond the history, Camp Randall is also a working venue that tens of thousands of fans navigate on every home Saturday — which means knowing the seating layout, bag rules, parking options, and ticket process matters just as much as knowing the backstory. This guide covers both.
Quick Answer
Camp Randall Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin, holds 76,057 fans as of the 2024 season. Entry follows a clear-bag-only policy, alcohol has been sold in general seating since 2024, single-game parking near campus typically runs from about $5 to $50 depending on the lot, and tickets are sold through the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office, Badger Select, and licensed resale marketplaces.
A Civil War Camp Turned Football Cathedral
The original Camp Randall training ground was named after Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall, and the site briefly held Confederate prisoners of war in April 1862. After veterans protested plans to sell the land for development, the state purchased it in 1893 and transferred it to the university, where it was soon put to use as an athletic ground by the track, baseball, and eventually football teams.
The stadium’s Civil War heritage remains a defining part of its identity — a stone arch and a Civil War museum sit adjacent to the stadium grounds as a reminder of the site’s original purpose.
A Century of Expansion and Big Ten Rivalry
Camp Randall Stadium started as a modest horseshoe with a capacity of around 11,900 and grew through a series of major expansions across the 20th century. Key milestones included the addition of south stands in the 1930s, the removal of the on-field track and addition of roughly 11,000 seats in 1958, and the construction of an upper deck on the west side in 1966 — pushing capacity past 76,000 for the first time.
A $77.6 million renovation of the south end zone, completed in 2022, modernized the fan experience with premium seating, replacing older bleacher sections and settling the current capacity at 76,057. The oldest stadium in the Big Ten, it consistently ranks among the top draws in all of college football, with a single-game attendance record of 83,184, set on November 12, 2005, against Iowa.
Seating Chart: Where to Sit at Camp Randall
Camp Randall’s bowl runs lengthwise with the Wisconsin sideline in front of sections D through F and the visiting team’s sideline across the field in sections S through U. The student sections occupy J through P on the south end, right where the Jump Around tradition hits hardest — expect noise, energy, and standing room rather than quiet sightlines.
Premium options include the Buckingham Club, on the press-box level above the Wisconsin sideline with theater-style seating and complimentary food service, and the Varsity Club in the northeast corner endzone with cushioned seating and similar amenities. For day-game comfort, sections on the west upper deck stay shaded longer into the afternoon than the east-facing lower bowl.
Tickets & Prices: How to Get Into Camp Randall
Wisconsin sells season and single-game tickets directly through the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office, with season-ticket holders given priority access to upgrades and extra seats through the Badger Select portal. Single-game prices are opponent-driven — a marquee Big Ten rivalry game (Minnesota, Iowa, or a ranked opponent) commands a significant premium over a non-conference matchup, and prices also shift with the team’s record and the game’s kickoff slot.
Beyond the official box office, tickets are widely available on secondary marketplaces, which is often the more flexible route once a schedule is set. For current pricing, seat availability, and the official ticket office contact information, see the official Wisconsin Badgers ticket office.
Parking & Getting to the Stadium
Camp Randall sits in the middle of a dense residential and campus neighborhood, so parking is limited close to the gates and priced accordingly. University-run lots near the stadium (including Lots 60 and 76) typically run at the lower end of the price range, while lots reserved for oversized vehicles and RVs run considerably higher. The Bucky Shuttle runs fans between outlying lots and the stadium for a modest round-trip fare, and is often the easiest way to avoid the worst of the gameday gridlock.
Because Madison’s campus is compact, many fans also walk in from downtown hotels or take advantage of rideshare drop-off zones set up a few blocks from the stadium on gameday. Confirm current lot assignments, prices, and shuttle schedules on the official Wisconsin Badgers gameday information page before you go, since lot layouts can shift year to year.
Bag Policy & Gameday Rules
Camp Randall enforces a clear-bag policy. Each ticket holder may bring one small clutch bag no larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″, plus either a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear tote or a one-gallon clear resealable plastic bag — non-clear bags of any size are turned away at the gate. Medically necessary items that don’t fit the clear-bag rule are allowed after inspection and tagging by security staff at the gate.
Standard prohibited items include outside food and drink, hard-sided coolers, umbrellas, poles, banners, and video cameras, while small stadium seat cushions are generally permitted subject to inspection. Gates typically open one to two hours before kickoff, though exact timing is set on a game-by-game basis and posted ahead of each home date.
Alcohol Sales at Camp Randall
Starting with the 2024 season opener, Wisconsin began selling beer, wine, and pre-packaged alcoholic seltzers in general seating areas throughout Camp Randall Stadium, making UW the 16th Big Ten school to offer stadium-wide alcohol sales. Purchases are limited to two drinks per person per transaction, and expanded police and text-line reporting support was added alongside the rollout.
Jump Around: The Tradition That Moves the Stadium
Between the third and fourth quarters of every home game, Camp Randall Stadium erupts to House of Pain’s 1992 hip-hop anthem ‘Jump Around.’ The entire student section — and much of the 76,000-seat bowl — jumps in unison, creating a wall of noise and vibration that has been measured by seismographs. The tradition began informally in 1993 and was officially adopted as a stadium program on October 10, 1998.
The tradition’s grip on Badger game day is so strong that when stadium officials briefly suspended it in 2003 over structural concerns, student protests prompted a rapid reinstatement after engineers confirmed the stadium could safely handle the vibrations. It’s now widely regarded as one of the most electric crowd moments in college football and a key part of the stadium’s home-field advantage.
Stadium Tours & Visiting in the Off-Season
Outside of football season, Wisconsin Athletics runs guided walking tours of Camp Randall that take visitors through areas like the locker room, press box, and field-level access points while covering the stadium’s history and traditions. Tours are typically offered on a limited summer schedule, run about an hour, and are priced modestly per person — group bookings require a minimum headcount and advance reservation. Check the official Wisconsin Badgers athletics site for the current tour calendar and booking details, since availability is seasonal.
Camp Randall Stadium visitor guide FAQs
When did Camp Randall Stadium open?
Camp Randall Stadium opened on November 3, 1917, with a 10-7 Wisconsin homecoming victory over Minnesota. It is the oldest stadium in the Big Ten Conference.
What is the current seating capacity of Camp Randall Stadium?
Following a 2022 south end zone renovation, Camp Randall Stadium holds 76,057 fans. Its all-time single-game attendance record is 83,184, set on November 12, 2005, during a game against Iowa.
What is the bag policy at Camp Randall Stadium?
Camp Randall uses a clear-bag policy: one small clutch bag (up to 6.5″ x 4.5″) plus one clear tote (up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″) or one-gallon clear resealable bag per person. Opaque bags of any other size are not allowed, though medically necessary items are permitted after inspection at the gate.
Does Camp Randall Stadium sell alcohol?
Yes. Starting with the 2024 season, Wisconsin began selling beer, wine, and pre-packaged alcoholic seltzers in general seating areas throughout the stadium, with a limit of two drinks per purchase.
How much does parking cost at Camp Randall Stadium?
Single-game parking near the stadium generally ranges from around $5 in outlying university lots to roughly $50 for oversized vehicles and RVs in premium lots. A shuttle service also runs fans in from outlying lots for a small round-trip fare.
How do you get tickets to a Wisconsin Badgers football game at Camp Randall?
Tickets are sold directly through the Wisconsin Athletic Ticket Office and the Badger Select portal for season-ticket holders, and are also widely available through licensed secondary ticket marketplaces. Prices vary significantly by opponent, with rivalry and ranked matchups commanding the highest demand.
Where is the student section at Camp Randall Stadium?
The student sections are located in sections J through P on the south end of the stadium, closest to where the ‘Jump Around’ tradition and student energy are most intense.
What is the ‘Jump Around’ tradition at Camp Randall Stadium?
Between the third and fourth quarters of every home game, the PA system plays House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ and the entire crowd jumps in unison. The tradition started informally in 1993 and was made an official stadium event in 1998, and is considered one of college football’s most iconic crowd moments.
Can you tour Camp Randall Stadium?
Yes. Wisconsin Athletics offers guided walking tours during the off-season, typically in the summer, covering areas like the locker room and press box along with the stadium’s history. Tours require advance booking and run on a limited schedule.
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