MADISON – Wisconsin‘s six home football games in 2026 may come with a few logistical challenges for fans getting to Camp Randall Stadium.
Ongoing construction for nearby athletic and academic facilities, including the second phase of the Kellner Family Athletic Center, have resulted in pedestrian detours and other changes near Camp Randall.
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Daron Jones, UW’s assistant athletic director for external operations, spoke with reporters in August about the 2026 logistics. Here are some of the key takeaways ahead of the Badgers‘ Sept. 12 home opener against Western Illinois:
The pedestrian path that goes from the famous Camp Randall Memorial Arch to the stadium – referred to by UW officials as “Badger Way” – is closed due to construction.
UW has recommended that fans trying to reach Gates 3, 4 or 5 – the three gates on the north end of the stadium – walk north and take the sidewalk on Engineering Drive to get to the stadium. That road also has significant construction and is the vehicle detour for the Lot 17 structure, though.
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“We are going to evaluate that along with law enforcement and our UW transportation staff to make sure that it’s, one, obviously safe and, two, an efficient route for people,” Jones said. “We think we have a good plan. Certainly we’re open to making adjustments as the year goes along as we get feedback from our fans.”
For fans trying to reach the other gates, UW has recommended that fans walk south toward Monroe Street.
The pedestrian closure also affects Wisconsin‘s Arch March tradition. The UW football team will instead be dropped off on Breese Terrace near Gate 5 at the north end of the stadium. Gate 5 also is the student entrance.
“We’re looking to just communicate with the students so they understand sort of the options they have for coming in,” Jones said. “And in terms of the efficiency of getting them in, I feel like we’re in a good spot.”
As has been the case in previous seasons, Breese Terrace and Monroe Street will begin to close to vehicle traffic six hours before kickoff. The Monroe Street closure is between Regent Street and Randall Avenue.
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The new Lot 15 parking structure under the new football facility will be accessible from the east on Monroe Street. The UW Credit Union parking lot will be accessible from the west on Monroe Street.
The western entrance to Engineering Drive also has been closed as part of ongoing construction. Those accessing Lot 17 will need to enter Engineering Drive on the east end from Randall Avenue.
Map: Accessing Camp Randall Stadium on game day
Jones said that Camp Randall’s concourses are “all intact in terms of what could impact our patrons.” There are two noticeable differences, though.
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The Badgers will enter and exit through the north ramp, which the band uses and the team previously used. The team had been using a northeastern ramp that connected the field to the now-demolished McClain Center.
The fire lane between Gate 2 and Gate 3 also is expected to be narrower.
The Western Illinois game will be the Badgers‘ stripe-out game where UW asks fans to wear either red or white based on their section.
UW is asking fans in sections B, D, F, H, Q, S, U, W, Y1, Z1 and the premium seating in the south end zone to wear red. In the upper deck, fans in BB, DD, FF, HH, JJ and LL are asked to wear red. UW is asking the other sections, including the student section, to wear white.
