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 2025 season. The remaining J-Lot in front of the Student-Rec Center is a paid lot this year at $20 per game. 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 2025-26 student parking pass. Student tailgate may also take place in the grass area just west of the stadium (between West Stadium Lot and Facilities – enter from Grant Street). The south side of Lantz Arena is a credentialed lot for the game, media, EIU football players/staff, visiting team buses and officials will be the only vehicles allowed to park on the South Side of Lantz this season. For information on Panther Club Parking please contact the EIU Panther Club at 217-581-6014.
TENT CITY: Tent City will once again be open during the 2025 season and can be purchased until the Wednesday before the game online at
2025 Tailgate Squares Tailgate squares are issued to fans who have purchased them via email on the Wednesday evening of that game week (exception will be opening week vs Dayton, squares will be issued on Monday evening August 25). Tailgate squares
MAY NOT be purchased on the day of the game. Tent City will open four hours prior to kickoff when tailgate opens. Please note that tailgate squares may sell out for select games.
TICKET SALES: Ticket windows and will call will open 90 prior to kickoff in the O'Brien Field ticket window. Ticket Gates will also 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.
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.
