College Football Games on a Budget

10 Great Venues not to Miss

Game Tickets at Memorial Stadium

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Great Traditions: Standing ovation for opponent, consecutive sellouts

Consecutive sellouts here began in 1962, when the stadium seated about 32,000. Today, there are 82,000 seats, mostly filled with red-clad Cornhuskers. Nebraska fans have a tradition of giving the opposing team a standing ovation -- win or lose -- as they leave the field. One opposing coach once quipped that there isn't a nicer place to lose in the nation.

The sellout streak creates a problem for budget travelers because seats can be tough to find at reasonable prices. Meals and hotel rooms (especially outside of Lincoln) are reasonably priced.

Game Tickets at Notre Dame Stadium

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Great Traditions: 1812 Overture and student section

Few places have more football tradition than South Bend, which is also home to the College Football Hall of Fame. Notre Dame's band is famous for playing a stirring rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at the start of the fourth quarter, which causes the crowd to rise and wave arms to the beat of the music. Speaking of music, Notre Dame's Victory March is probably the most recognized fight song in all of college football.

South Bend can get pretty booked up on game days, but you can make a day trip from Chicago, which is a common practice for visiting football fans.

Game Tickets at Neyland Stadium

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Great Traditions: Dock at the stadium

Few places combine football and boating like Knoxville, where it's possible to dock on the Tennessee River and walk into Neyland Stadium to watch the Big Orange. With more than 100,000 seats, the stadium noise on a Saturday night can be incredible. Non-conference games are the easiest for which to find tickets.

If the noise of Neyland leaves you searching for some quiet, nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge admission. Hotel options in Gatlinburg and vicinity can help you combine football with the great outdoors. Book early for the best rates.

Game Tickets at Kyle Field

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Great Traditions: "12th Man"

Some places are so intimidating that it's said the crowd becomes the 12th man. At Texas A&M, they've taken that a step further. The tradition includes the entire student body standing during the game. The idea is that each student supports the student-athletes on the field with as much effort as possible. Another tradition: whenever the team scores, students kiss their dates.

College Station is within a 180 miles of Dallas-Fort Worth and 100 miles of Houston. Both cities provide good budget hotel and flight options.

Game Tickets at Husky Stadium

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Great Traditions: Covered stands, boating on Lake Washington

Seattle is known for frequent rain, and when you look at the architecture of Husky Stadium, you see that many sideline seats are at least partially shielded from the elements. Those large rooftops also keep sound waves from rising when the crowd cheers. It makes for quite an effect. Like Tennessee, you can arrive by boat and walk to the stadium, as Lake Washington and the university's boat house are just steps away.

Seattle offers quite a few budget options. The area around the university, along University Ave. is home to smaller budget eateries.

Game Tickets at Harvard Stadium

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Great Traditions: Harvard Stadium

If you visit Harvard for a football game, as many sports aficionados do each fall, you'll be seated in one of the oldest intercollegiate athletic buildings in the nation. The hallowed stadium dates back to 1903. Since then, there have been many epic battles with archrivals such as Yale. As you look around, keep in mind that there were people who doubted the stadium would physically withstand the rush of fans or the cold New England winters.

Cambridge and nearby Boston boast quintessential college neighborhoods that you'll enjoy visiting. Snack shops and coffee houses cater to meager budgets.

Game Tickets at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

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Great Traditions: Pregame rally in the Grove

If you go an Ole Miss football game, you'll miss much of the experience if you don't attend the pregame rally in the Grove, a park-like place on campus that might host the greatest tailgate party anywhere. It's more than a tailgate--there are plenty of pregame rituals here. One example: the team passes through the crowd on the "Walk of Champions" dressed in suits and ties.

Unless you plan long in advance, rooms are tough to find in Oxford on a game weekend. Memphis is 85 miles northwest and provides affordable options. Try the area just south of the state line on I-55 for low-cost hotels.

Game Tickets at Lane Stadium

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Great Traditions: Skipper Cannon

Virginia Tech once had a heated rivalry with V.M.I. After every score, the V.M.I. cadets would fire a cannon and then yell at the VT fans "Where's your cannon?" According to the Tech Web site, students made a larger cannon and fired it during the '64 game, rattling windows and silencing that chant forever. Lane Stadium often is loud anyway, given the recent success of the Hokies. Not far from Blacksburg is Shenandoah National Park and other historic Virginia attractions.

Blacksburg is a fairly small city that fills up during home game weekends. Nearby Roanoke (42 mi.) might be a better bet for finding budget rooms.

Game Tickets at Ohio Stadium

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Great Traditions: Script Ohio

Marching band members at Ohio State learn one of college football's most cherished traditions. The band spells out "Ohio" in script letters during a three-minute spectacle that leaves even Buckeye rivals impressed. A senior member or an honored alum (Jack Nicklaus, for example) is chosen to "dot the I" at the end of the ceremony. Ohio Stadium now seats more than 100,000.

Columbus is a large city offering many hotel and restaurant options. For a good selection of budget offerings, check exits along I-270, which rings the city. Dayton can be a good option for finding budget flights.

Game Tickets at Michie Stadium

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Great Traditions: The Core of Cadets

Army is no longer a football power, but it still plays a major college schedule. Even in a losing effort, there is something special about seeing the entire student body in uniform, standing the entire game as they support the team. The setting of the U.S. Military Academy along the Hudson River is one you won't soon forget. Combine your gameday with a tour of the academy, or make it an autumn Saturday day trip from New York.

If you choose to stay near West Point, nearby communities such as Newburgh offer some affordable options.