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DUE TO STATE OF ILLINOIS PHASE 4 RETURN GUIDELINES, NO TAILGATING WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THE 2020 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL SEASON... WE HOPE TO BE BACK TO NORMAL WITH TAILGATING AND OTHER PREGAME ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2021 SEASON AT O'BRIEN FIELD... 

SEASON TICKET SALES FOR THE 2020 SEASON ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY BY CALLING 217-581-2106... A REMINDER THAT O'BRIEN FIELD WILL HAVE A LIMITED CAPACITY THIS SEASON AND SEATING GROUPS WILL BE SOCIALLY DISTANCED...

2019 TAILGATE MAP



Things To Know About EIU Football Tailgate This Season (2019)
 
PARKING:  Lots open four (4) hours prior to start of any scheduled game (i.e. 10 am for 2 pm game)… Panther Club members may park in the Gray (West Stadium) or Blue (J-Lot) with a valid Panther Club parking pass for the 2019 season.   The remaining O'Brien / Lantz lot is a paid lot at $5.   Additional parking is available in the student/general grass lot southwest of the stadium (entry through facilities on Grant Street).  Students may park free in the grass lot with a valid 2019-20 student parking pass.  All other general fans will be $5 paid parking.    There will be no general parking on the South side of Lantz Arena (campus pond side), only those with a valid credential for the game, visiting team buses and officials may park on the South Side of Lantz Arena.  For information on Panther Club Parking please contact Jen Peterson at 217-581-6014 or japeterson@eiu.edu.

PANTHER WALK: New this season will be the Panther Walk.  Join the EIU Marching Band as they lead the football in to O'Brien Field.  The Panther Walk begins at the circle drive in front of Lantz Arena with the Band leading the team through the J Lot (north of the stadium) and West Stadium Lot.  The Panther Walk begins 2 hours prior to home games.

KID'S ZONE: The EIU Kid's Zone will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and be open until kickoff (weather permitting).  These inflatables are located just at that start of Tent City.
 
TENT CITY: Tent City will once again be open during the 2019 season for a cost of $50 per tailgating square.  Tailgate squares may not be purchased on the day of the game.   Advanced purchase is required and may be done by contacting Clare Isenhart at 217-581-7151 or cjisenhart@eiu.edu   Tent City will open four hours prior to kickoff when tailgate opens.  Please note that tailgate squares may sell out for select games.
 
VENDORS ROW: Make sure to stop by and enjoy a pregame treat at one of our food vendors – Country Catering, Smoky's House BBQ, Kettle Corn & Dirty's.
 
TICKET SALES: Ticket windows open 2 ½ hours prior to kickoff in the O'Brien Field ticket window.   Ticket gates will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

TAILGATING:  Tailgating can be a means to renew acquaintances and build camaraderie among Eastern Illinois alumni, students and fans.  We need your cooperation in emphasizing responsible tailgating so the well-being of all who attend Panther home football games can be maintained.  For your safety and for safety of others, Eastern Illinois Department of Athletics requires compliance with the criteria in the "Procedures" provided.
 * Failure to meet any of the conditions as presented in the "Procedures" may lead to sanctions including, but not limited to:
1) Temporary or permanent loss of future tailgating privileges.
2) Immediate closure of tent activity or tailgate area by authorized University personnel and/or
3) Prosecution for violation of state laws/local ordinances relating to alcohol and/or safety.
 *  University Police Department shall be allowed to conduct periodic checks for liquor compliance if deemed necessary.

CHUCKTOWN ALLEY is a free STUDENT ONLY tailgate area. Parking passes for the Alley are limited and will be first come, first serve. To get a parking spot in the Alley please contact Clare Isenhart at 217-581-7151 or cjisenhart.edu or by stopping by Lantz 1611 between 10 am and 2 pm the week prior to a home football game. Don't need a parking spot? Just head over to Chucktown Ally with all your tailgating essentials and get ready to cheer on the Panthers. 

Tailgate Area
To ensure the safety of alumni, students and fans, the following procedures must be adhered to in the tailgate area which is designated by the white cyclone fencing.

1)  Tailgating starts four hours prior to game time.
2) Vehicles within the fenced area at kickoff must remain until the end of the third quarter.  
3)  No kegs.  Coolers only.
4) No glass containers allowed, cans only.
5)  No large receptacles that will hold multiple individual servings allowed.
6) Must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol.

NON-APPROVED PROMOTION IS PROHIBITED & ENFORCED ON SITE
Promotion of a business, individual or organization (excluding registered student organizations and departments on the EIU campus) is not permitted on the grounds of Eastern Illinois University. Promotion is defined as and not limited to: signage, banners, displays, grills, vehicles, tent design and color, branding, flags and distribution of materials and items. Anything with a company/business name, promoted individual name or organization name is deemed promotion. The above items are prohibited and are enforced on site for those that have purchased, visiting, borrowing or given tailgate spots. Vendors wishing to showcase their business OR host a business outing should contact AJ@PeakSportsMGMT.com or 314-941-1808 to secure corporate advertising packages that include a designated tailgating spot in Billy's Backyard Corporate tailgate area.