Sports · Game day Checked Nov 2, 2026
Bison game day, start to finish
When the lots open, where you can have a beer, what fits through the gate and where to go after. All of it from the FARGODOME's and NDSU's own rules, which are stricter about glass than you'd think.
Full schedule, TV and results: Sports · Updated Nov 2, 2026, 4:41 p.m. CT
Next home game
Saturday, November 21 · 3:10 pm CT vs Northern Illinois at the FARGODOME · TV: The CW · Radio: Bison Sports Network · Harvest Bowl, Senior Day, Wear Yellow
- 9:40 AM Reserved tailgating lots (E, F, G) open
- 10:10 AM All other lots open
- 2:40 PM Tailgating ends; everyone out of the lots and into the Dome
- 3:10 PM Kickoff vs Northern Illinois
- Final + 1 hour Lots close
Times worked out from the 3:10 pm CT kickoff on GoBison and the FARGODOME tailgating hours. Friday before a Saturday game: reserved lots open for setup only, 4 to 7 p.m.; the non-reserved lineup starts at 5 p.m. on the south side of 17th Ave.
Schedule: GoBison ↗ · checked nightly · Tailgating hours: FARGODOME policy ↗ (revised Sept. 5, 2025; checked Nov 2, 2026)
Tailgating lots and parking
- Lots E, F and G Reserved tailgating ($25 a spot, per game, sold in pairs). Alcohol allowed.
- NDSU Lot NQ Non-reserved (overflow) tailgating, $10 a spot, 2-spot minimum, 4 max. Alcohol allowed.
- Lots B and C $10 game-day parking. No alcohol.
- NDSU Lots R South, RF and F $10 game-day parking. No tailgating, no alcohol.
- Lots A, AA, D and NDSU R North Staff, media, suiteholders and Team Makers reserved parking.
Non-reserved fans who want to tailgate together should arrive together; vehicles in the Friday lineup can't be left unattended. No tailgating on University or City of Fargo streets on the way in.
Source: FARGODOME football tailgating policy (revised Sept. 5, 2025) ↗ · checked Nov 2, 2026
The rules people actually break
- No glass. Cans, aluminum bottles and plastic or paper cups only.
- No kegs or party balls in any parking area, and no drinking games or devices to speed up drinking.
- Propane and charcoal grills are fine. Fire pits and open flames are not.
- Open containers stay inside the designated lots.
- No drones on FARGODOME or NDSU property, lots included.
- Pets on a leash and well behaved.
- Everything (tents, trailers, the couch) has to be out of the lots by noon the Monday after the game.
Source: FARGODOME football tailgating policy, rules 1 to 20 ↗ · checked Nov 2, 2026
Getting into the Dome
- Bags bigger than 13" x 13" aren't allowed unless medically necessary, and all bags get searched. The FARGODOME won't hold them for you.
- No outside food or drinks. Any bottle has to be clear, empty and plastic.
- Rideshare, taxis and limos drop off and pick up on the west side of Albrecht Blvd.
Source: FARGODOME FAQs ↗ · checked Nov 2, 2026
Game-day deals near the Dome
Saturday deals (the next home game is a Saturday) at bars in North Fargo, from each bar's own site.
The Bison Turf
1211 University Dr N, Fargo · North Fargo, near NDSU and the Dome
- Sat · Drink special · All day Mug day: 32 oz. mug with fill $7, refills $4.50
Source: The Bison Turf's site ↗ · checked Nov 1, 2026
Labby's Grill & Bar
1100 19th Ave N, Fargo · North Fargo, near NDSU and the Dome
- Sat · Brunch · 11 AM–3 PM $3.95 Bloody Marys, Caesars, screwdrivers and mimosas
Source: Labby's Grill & Bar's site ↗ · checked Nov 1, 2026
701 Eateries
701 N University Dr, Fargo · North Fargo, near NDSU and the Dome
- Sat · Happy hour · 4–6 PM $1 off beer, wine and rail drinks, $3 off the featured tap cocktail, plus marked-down lefse plate, Brussels sprouts and Gruyère fries
Source: 701 Eateries's site ↗ · checked Nov 1, 2026
Away game? Sports bars around town
Bars with "sports" right in the name, plus the one named after the team. Whether a given TV has the Bison on is between you and the bartender; call ahead for a big game. Next away games:
- Sat, Nov 14 · 10:10 pm CT at Hawaii · TV: The CW
- Fri, Nov 27 · 2:30 pm CT at San Jose State · TV: CBS Sports Network
Wild Bill's Sports Saloon
Fargo
- Sat · Brunch · 11 AM–3 PM $4 screwdrivers and mimosas (and $5.50 Bloody Marys until 6 PM)
Source: Wild Bill's Sports Saloon's site ↗ · checked Nov 1, 2026
Pepper's Sports Cafe
Fargo
- Sat · Late night · 9–11 PM Late happy hour
- Sat · Brunch · 11 AM–3 PM Brunch, with $1 Bloody Marys or Caesars when you order an entrée
Source: Pepper's Sports Cafe's site ↗ · checked Nov 1, 2026
Legends Sports Bar & Grill
803 Belsly Blvd, Moorhead
- Sat · Drink special · All day Spuddy Bloodys all day; horse racing at 3 PM
Source: from Legends' Facebook specials graphic (checked Nov 2, 2026) ↗ · checked Nov 2, 2026
More deals by day: Happy hours → · Other home games: Sports →
Questions, answered
When do the FARGODOME tailgating lots open?
Reserved tailgating opens 5½ hours before kickoff and all other lots 5 hours before. Tailgating ends 30 minutes before kickoff, and the lots close 1 hour after the game.
Where can you drink at a Bison tailgate?
Only in FARGODOME Lots E, F and G and NDSU Lot NQ. Alcohol is prohibited in Lots A, AA, B, C, D and all other NDSU lots.
How much is parking for Bison games?
Game-day parking is $10 a spot in FARGODOME Lots B and C and NDSU Lots R South, RF and F. Non-reserved tailgating in Lot NQ is $10 a spot (2-spot minimum); reserved tailgating spots are $25 a spot, per game.
What size bag can I bring into the FARGODOME?
Nothing bigger than 13 by 13 inches unless it's medically necessary. All bags are searched, and the FARGODOME doesn't store bags that aren't allowed.
Can I tailgate during the game?
No. Tailgating ends 30 minutes before kickoff and isn't allowed in the lots during the game.