Stanford Stadium photo used 7-27-26Stanford Stadium photo used 7-27-26
Glen Mitchell / ISI Photos
Football

Things To Know: Stanford Stadium 2026

All you need to know about new enhancements and premium options at Stanford Stadium

STANFORD, Calif. — The Tavita Pritchard era begins in 33 days with Stanford football’s home opener against Hawai’i on Aug. 29. Many improvements have been made around Stanford Stadium to enhance the game day experience further and make The Farm the place to be during the fall.

STADIUM ENHANCEMENTS
One of the first things fans will notice when entering Stanford Stadium in 2026 is new stadium lights. These state-of-the-art LED lights can be programmed to display different patterns and will be activated during big moments on game day. Stadiums around the country have installed these in recent years to build energy around team entrances, touchdowns, turnovers, and more. Stanford Stadium’s lights will also have the ability to change color to Cardinal red to further help set the atmosphere for Stanford fans.

New, larger ribbon boards have been installed around the facade of the second deck, aimed at creating a better display for the in-game scoreboard, game stats, and other content. The boards can be synchronized with the new stadium lighting to establish fresh activations for the biggest moments of game day. Additionally, more wireless cameras have been added in and around the stadium, which will provide more looks at replays and give exciting new angles for in-game activations. 

Cellular networks inside the stadium have been improved, with the addition of Verizon’s new C-Band Network, allowing fans to capture and share game day moments with ease.

CONCESSIONS
Purchasing your favorite food and drink inside Stanford Stadium just got easier in 2026. Cash App is now accepted throughout the stadium, with all concession locations remaining cashless to keep lines moving and get fans back to the action faster.

Two concession stands will now feature “grab-and-go” options, filled with stadium classics and self-checkout, located behind Sections 103 and 213. A new “Just Walk Out” beverage market is also debuting this season behind Section 118, creating the most seamless concessions experience in the stadium. 

THE ARCHWAY
Located beneath the iconic arches in the north end of Stanford Stadium, The Archway is the destination for fans to eat, drink, and socialize as they take in the game from a scenic vantage point. 

Fans also have the opportunity to enjoy their own semi-private space within The Archway by reserving one of the Archway Cabanas. Each cabana seats up to six guests and includes complimentary food, soft drinks and two (2) premium parking passes. Archway Cabanas are already sold out for three of the Cardinal’s six home games. 

New for 2026 at The Archway are the Archway Grill and Backfield Social, giving fans additional concession options from the most scenic location inside Stanford Stadium.

Learn more about The Archway and other premium hospitality opportunities for the 2026 season HERE.

GROUP TICKETS
Groups of 15 or more can unlock exclusive ticket discounts in preferred seat locations, as well as one-of-a-kind game day experiences for all six of the Cardinal’s home games. Group tickets may be purchased online or through the Stanford Athletics Ticket Office at (800) STANFORD or groupsales@stanford.edu.

PROMOTIONS
The Cardinal has an exciting list of promotions and game themes for the 2026 season:

Saturday, Aug. 29 vs. Hawai’i - Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration + Cardinal Kids Day

Join Stanford in celebration of Pacific Islander heritage, culture, and community. Enjoy an array of performances, recognitions, and unique food & beverage offerings celebrating the rich culture of our Pacific Islander community! 

Cardinal Kids Day, presented by Stanford Children’s Health, allows fans to secure up to four free youth tickets with the purchase of one paid adult ticket.

Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Miami - E-40 Halftime Show

Multiplatinum recording artist and Bay Area hip-hop icon E-40 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his landmark album My Ghetto Report Card with a halftime performance during Stanford’s Week 1 showdown with the 2025 College Football Playoff’s runner-up, Miami.

Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Georgia Tech - Red Out

In the first game of the season with classes in session, Stanford Stadium will be flooded with Cardinal red to celebrate the return of the Red Zone. All fans in attendance will receive a free red t-shirt.

Saturday, Oct. 17 vs. Elon - Reunion Homecoming

Join fellow Cardinal alumni for a Reunion Homecoming clash against Elon, with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff time inside Stanford Stadium. Stanford is celebrating class years ending in 1s and 6s.

Friday, Oct. 23 vs. NC State - Heroes Appreciation

We’re celebrating all the heroes of the Bay Area on a Friday night, as we salute police, fire, military, first responders, and all those who go above and beyond to serve our community.

Saturday, Nov. 28 vs. SMU - Senior Day + Fan Appreciation Game

Our regular-season finale features a send-off for our outstanding 2026 senior class, as well as a celebration of the fans who make the experience at Stanford Stadium unforgettable. This year’s Fan Appreciation Game is presented by Coca-Cola.

TAILGATING
Stanford teams up with RevelXP to provide reserved tailgate packages at Ueland Field. RevelXP specializes in providing premium, full-service tailgating for groups of all sizes. They provide everything for your tailgate needs, including tents, tables, chairs, coolers with ice, TV packages, coordination of food and non-alcoholic beverages, bellhop service, and much more. 

Fans interested in reserving a group tailgate space may do so in a new ONLINE BOOKING SITE.

FAN FEST
No game day is complete without a trip to Fan Fest! Fan Fest will be open three hours before kickoff and will close 30 minutes before kickoff, all season long at the Hammer Throw Area of Cobb Track and Angell Field, just steps from Stanford Stadium! As always, admission is free.

Join us for beer, tasty treats from a variety of food vendors, carnival and yard games, face painting, live entertainment, sponsor booths, giveaways, and much more! Fan Fest food and beverage vendors are 100% cashless.

AT THE GATES
Upon arrival at Stanford Stadium, all mobile tickets must be added to a mobile wallet, such as Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, for smooth entry. To comply with enhanced security standards, static barcodes have been removed from tickets issued by Stanford Athletics. Visit our Mobile Ticketing Guide for step-by-step instructions to help you access and manage your tickets.

To further expedite the entry process, there will be additional OpenGate security screening systems at all entry gates into the stadium, allowing fans to walk through at normal speed without removing items like keys, phones, and wallets. Stanford Stadium’s bag check policy remains in place and can be found HERE.

Re-entry into Stanford Stadium is prohibited for all games during the 2026 season.