From the excitement of a Big Ten crowd at Rutgers University to the storied Ivy League game day traditions at Princeton to New Jersey’s many Division III teams, there’s a college football experience for every kind of fan. Whether you’re there for the game, the marching band or family-friendly activities off the field, here’s your guide to watching college football in NJ like a pro.
Rutgers University
Division I, Big Ten
SHI Stadium, Piscataway
RU Rah, Rah! Famously known as the “Birthplace of College Football,” Rutgers made history when it defeated Princeton in the very first college game in New Brunswick back in 1869. Today, Rutgers is the only New Jersey school that competes in the Big Ten. Cheering on the Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium in Piscataway is a Garden State bucket-list must—not only for the amazing energy and big-name opponents, but for the uniquely Jersey pregame lineup of fun.
What to Expect on Game Day:
The fun starts hours before kickoff at The Rutgers Boardwalk, which brings a Jersey Shore vibe to Piscataway with carnival rides, pony rides, games, mini golf, face painting, 20+ food trucks, and live music. Aside from food and merch purchases, all activities on the boardwalk are free. The boardwalk opens four hours before kickoff. About an hour later, a pregame parade and pep rally follow. Look for Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knights’ horse Excalibur, the marching band and the Rutgers spirit squad.
No Rutgers game day is complete without tailgating. Families can set up with strollers, wagons, coolers, and picnic gear in designated tailgating parking lots—but those items are not allowed in the stadium.
Family Perks/Good to Know:
Kids 12 and under can sign up for Sir Henry’s Kids Club, which comes with opportunities for free tickets to select home games, a Sir Henry plushie, and other giveaways. This season, Rutgers is offering a 4-for-$44 deal for home games, which includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 drinks, and a parking pass (while supplies last; some games are already sold out).
Kids under 2 don’t need a game ticket, but you’ll need to go to the North Gate Box Office for a lap ticket. If you have little ones, park in the Jersey Mike’s Arena lot, which has a level, paved surface that’s easy to navigate with strollers or wagons, and has plenty of space for unloading. A free shuttle runs between the lot and the football stadium, dropping you off at the top of the Rutgers Boardwalk.
Homecoming & Family Weekend:
The Rutgers Boardwalk will open the night before the game for the first time ever on Friday, October 17, at 6 pm. Come for live music, a talent show, and trick-or-treating at the food trucks. Kids 12 and under will get Rutgers Halloween bags, and there will be characters in costume ready to take photos.
On Saturday, October 18, the Rutgers Boardwalk reopens again ahead of the homecoming game vs. the Oregon Ducks. Come dressed for the Halloween Costume Contest, followed by a pep rally, live music, more trick-or-treating, and character meet-and-greets.
Check the Rutgers Boardwalk schedule for the Boardwalk themes for each game, like Once Upon a Boardwalk on Sept. 13 vs. Norfolk State, featuring meet and greets with princes and princesses. The kids can meet Santa, visit Sir Henry’s Hot Chocolate Station and write a letter to St. Nick at the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan at the Winter Wonderland boardwalk on Nov. 29 vs. Penn State.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Fall Home Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Classic Rutgers eateries include Old Man Rafferty’s on Albany Street in New Brunswick for a sit-down meal (burgers are a must!), and Stuff Yer Face on Easton Avenue, famous for its signature strombolis. For dessert, nearby Thomas Sweet is a hot spot for ice cream and chocolate. Tommy’s Tavern & Tap in Edison and Stagehouse Tavern in Somerset are popular nearby options before or after a game.
Princeton University
Ivy League
Powers Field at Princeton Stadium
Few places in New Jersey are as spectacular in the fall as the Princeton University campus, where ivy-covered buildings and stunning architecture are the perfect backdrop for a day of exploring anchored by a college football game. Located along Western Way and FitzRandolph Road, Princeton Stadium is a short walk from Nassau Street in the heart of downtown Princeton.
What to Expect on Game Day:
Consistently ranked among the nation’s most beautiful campuses, Princeton delivers a game day experience that is both spirited and welcoming. The stadium attracts a solid crowd of Tiger students and alumni.
One of the hallmarks of a game here is a halftime performance by the Princeton University Band (also known as the PUB), one of the oldest scramble bands in the country. Scramble bands get their name from the way they quite literally scramble on the field, opposite of precise marching bands with heavily choreographed routines. Princeton’s band is known for its wacky costumes and “lobstering”— where band members lie on the ground and flail their arms and legs—during halftime.
Family Perks/Good to Know:
The Kids’ Zone at Princeton Stadium (located in the north end of the stadium between sections 12 and 20) has a bounce house, games, a face painter, a balloon artist, and more. It opens an hour before kickoff and kids can take advantage of all the fun through the end of the first quarter.
Bring the kids to the stadium on September 20, Future Tigers Day, and they can take part in a free pregame youth sports clinic led by Princeton student-athletes on Finney Campbell Field starting at 10:30 am. The Tigers also offer membership to the Princeton Kids Club, which features merch and tickets to games depending on the membership tier.
Homecoming / Popular Games:
Princeton’s homecoming game against Harvard typically attracts the biggest crowd of the season. The game is set for October 25 and there will be giveaways and celebrations with more details to come on the Princeton site.
The game against Mercer on October 11 will also attract a big crowd given Mercer’s high ranking this season. Tailgating lots open 3 hours before game time, and wind down 15 minutes before kickoff. Lots close one hour after the game ends.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Make time to stroll the grounds of the spectacular campus, where you’ll see iconic spots like Nassau Hall, snap a photo at Blair Arch and stop at Prospect Garden. No visit to the Princeton campus is complete without a stop at Hoagie Haven on Nassau Street. This is a grab-and-go hot spot for students with no seating and over-the-top portions. Grab a Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak or a Mac Daddy (a bacon cheeseburger hoagie with mac and cheese wedges and fries) and find a spot in Palmer Square to sit. PJ’s Pancake House on Nassau Street is all about comfort food, too. And don’t miss ice cream at the bent spoon in Palmer Square.
Monmouth University
Division I, Coastal Athletic Association
Kessler Stadium, West Long Branch
Football Saturdays at Monmouth University offer a combo of football, community and fun at nearby Long Branch Beach and Pier Village. The Hawks play their home games at Kessler Stadium on the school’s 155-acre campus. The stadium has 4,200+ seats for a close-to-the-action feel. Opponents on the fall home game schedule include Villanova, New Hampshire and Stony Brook.
What to Expect on Game Day:
There’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be had with Shadow the Hawk mascot appearances at every game and player meet-and-greets after select games. Kickin’ for Chickin’ gives fans a chance to get on the field and try to win free Chick-fil-A by making a field goal. There are T-shirt tosses at every game, too. Tailgating lots open two hours before kickoff in the main parking lot by the stadium.
Family Perks/Good to Know:
Monmouth offers youth team experiences for football, cheer and dance programs, hosts spirit squad clinics, and offers families a chance to host birthday parties with Shadow the Hawk. Families can save $5 on tickets (excluding premium seating in sections 105, 106, and 107) with youth discounts. Promotions for kids based on the promotional schedule are also available. On Youth Day, for example, kids’ tickets range from $5-$10. A big plus to seeing a game here: strollers are allowed inside the stadium.
Family Weekend & Youth Day / Homecoming Weekend:
Fans can take part in on-the-field experiences on Family Weekend & Youth Day (vs. Villanova on September 20), Community Day (vs. Delaware State on October 4) and Homecoming (vs. Stony Brook on October 18). The fun includes participating in a fan tunnel that the team runs through, meeting the Hawks or taking part in a youth clinic. Game day activities on theme days include face painting, bouncy houses and balloon artists. An alumni tailgate is planned on the practice field next to Kessler Stadium ahead of the homecoming game on October 18.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Long Branch Beach and the restaurants and shops at Pier Villageare just 5 minutes from the Monmouth campus. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch offers beach access and playgrounds. There are plenty of places to eat or grab coffee or dessert, including Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Playa Bowls, Cowabunga Coffee Roasters, SugarPop Candy Bar and The Baked Bear. For a special dinner with an oceanfront view, McLoone’s is a local favorite. Asbury Park’s iconic boardwalk is just 15 minutes away.
Rowan University
Division III, New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)
Coach Richard Wackar Stadium, Glassboro
Football at Rowan University (formerly Glassboro State College) is steeped in tradition, and few names loom larger in athletics here than Coach Richard Wackar. The Profs play at the stadium named after Wackar, a health and physical education professor and coach for 32 years. Wackar is the only coach in NJAC history to win conference titles in four different sports, collecting 20 championships along the way. As head football coach from 1963 to 1980, he led Rowan to five NJAC crowns—and even saw four of his players go on to professional careers.
What to Expect on Game Day:
Situated on Rowan’s campus in Glassboro, Coach Richard Wackar Stadium has a capacity of 5,000, giving families a chance to get up close to the action. From tailgate traditions and food trucks to halftime music and appearances by “Whoo RU,” the Prof mascot, game day is a family-friendly affair.
Family Perks/Good to Know:
Its smaller size also means ticket prices are affordable for families. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children; children under age 3 are free. Tailgating gets underway 3 hours before the game in Lot O. Grills are permitted as long as fire extinguishers are available at each tailgate, and grills are not used within 50 feet of buildings.
Family Weekend / Homecoming Weekend:
Family Weekend is set for October 3–5, anchored by a Saturday game (Oct. 4) vs. Christopher Newport at 1 pm at the stadium. Festivities kick off Friday with planetarium shows at Ric and Jean Edelman Planetarium. On Saturday, Rowan will host an annual family weekend block party from 10 am to 1 pm with food trucks, music, games, and prizes.
The homecoming game is Saturday, October 18, at 2 pm vs. William Paterson. Along with pregame tailgating, homecoming festivities will include student competitions and events, alumni programs, and more. The theme, Soaring with Pride, is inspired by the upcoming launch of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, set to open this fall at Rowan.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Walk along Rowan Boulevard, Glassboro’s downtown area filled with restaurants and shops. The Pierogi Place and Cookie Munchers are local favorites. A visit to the Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, a 65-acre fossil park and the only site east of the Mississippi where you can actively dig for fossilized remains from the Late Cretaceous period, is a must. The Heritage Glass Museum showcases Glassboro’s origins and founding by glassmakers in the late 1700s.
William Paterson University
Division III, New Jersey Athletic Conference
Wightman Stadium, Wayne
The William Paterson Pioneers play home games at Wightman Stadium in Wayne. With a capacity of about 1,900 fans, games here are accessible and affordable, with a great view of the action.
What to Expect on Game Day:
While the game is the centerpiece of a football Saturday, the day is packed with activities non-football fans can enjoy, too. The fun starts with themed tailgate parties in the parking lot. Inside the stadium, cheerleaders toss T-shirts into the stands each time the Pioneers score. William Paterson’s mascot, Pio, roams the sidelines and stands, making sure to connect with kids. At halftime, the University’s Dance Team performs.
Homecoming Weekend:
Homecoming and Family Day are set for October 4 when William Paterson takes on Castleton University at 1 pm at Wightman Stadium. There will be a pre-game tailgate and a family carnival from 11 am to 3 pm with game booths, prizes, and more. Burgers, snacks, and other food will be available for purchase, too.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Brother Bruno’s Pizza on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne serves fresh bagels and artisan pizza. A standout here is the dessert pies topped with Fruity Pebbles, Nutella and cookie dough on a golden crust. Garrett Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park is a short drive from campus and a beautiful hiking spot with trails and picnic areas.
Kean University
Division III, New Jersey Athletic Conference
Alumni Stadium, Union
What to Expect on Game Day:
With a seating capacity of 5,300, football Saturdays bring out a spirited crowd of Cougar fans to Alumni Stadium in Union. The stadium also hosts other sports like field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and track-and-field meets.
Family Perks/Good to Know:
For starters, tickets are affordable—kids, senior citizen and student tickets are just $5, while general admission tickets are $10 and chairback seats are $15 each. Smaller crowds make for a relaxed game-day atmosphere that’s ideal for kids.
Homecoming Weekend:
Kean’s annual homecoming game is set for Saturday, October 4. The Cougars will take on Montclair State at 1 pm. The game is open to everyone but the homecoming carnival featuring food trucks, face painting, henna tattoos and more is reserved for Kean students, staff, alumni and their families.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Liberty Hall Museum is located right on Kean University’s Liberty Hall campus. A National Historic Landmark spanning 23 acres, the American history museum was originally built in 1772 as the estate of New Jersey’s first governor, William Livingston. The museum’s tour schedule is Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, so be sure to book a tour ahead of your Saturday visit.
Grab a bite to eat at Suspenders, a pub near campus that serves up burgers, sandwiches, salads and popular entrees like fish and chips and chicken parm.
Montclair State University
Division III, New Jersey Athletic Conference
Sprague Field, Montclair
The Montclair State University Red Hawks play at Sprague Field on campus. Built in the 1930s, Sprague Field was home to the first college football night game in New Jersey— the Hawks hosted Hofstra in 1941. Sprague, which has 6,000 seats, was also the site of the 2012 NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
What to Expect on Game Day:
The Red Hawks are set to play a mix of in-state competitors like Rowan, Kean, and TCNJ; along with out-of-state opponents like Salisbury (Maryland) and Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Virginia) this fall. Rocky the Red Hawk can be seen at home games and the marching band and cheer squad add to the energy. The field is across the street from the Montclair Heights NJ Transit train station, and taking in a game here also comes with a chance to explore downtown Montclair’s shops and restaurants.
Homecoming Weekend:
Montclair State’s homecoming game against Wilkes University on September 27 kicks off with a full day of activities, starting at 11 am with tailgating and a live taping of Think Tank with Steve Adubato alongside University President Jonathan Koppell. Families can stop by the Kids Art Corner at the George Segal Gallery, watch live performances at the amphitheater, and explore the street fair on Chapin Drive, where there will be food, music, rides, and activities for all ages. The football game starts at 5 pm and there will be field hockey and women’s soccer games this same day as well.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Head to Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street in downtown Montclair for shops, restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops. Java Love, Paper Plane, and Red Eye Cafe are among local favorites for coffee. Arts abound in Montclair, too. A stately institution at the top of Montclair’s busy downtown, the Montclair Art Museum highlights American and Native American art. A new exhibit showcasing New Jersey-based artist Tom Nussbaum opens September 13. The exhibition showcases colorful sculptures, handmade toys, paper cut designs, and more.
The College of New Jersey
Division III, New Jersey Athletic Conference
Lions Stadium, Ewing
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Lions play their home games at Lions Stadium in Ewing, a 6,000-seat stadium on campus. Home to TCNJ’s field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s lacrosse teams, Lions Stadium has been host to various NCAA Division III championships and even the NJ Special Olympics.
What to Expect on Game Day:
TCNJ’s smaller stadium means you’ll feel close to the action on the field no matter where you sit. The college’s spirit squads, the dance team, cheer team and pep band perform at home games.
Homecoming Weekend:
The Lions will face off against William Paterson at 3 pm on October 11 at Lions Stadium. This year’s Alumni Homecoming is all about throwbacks: tailgating and retro Trenton State College football uniforms. Aside from the homecoming game, there will be a DJ, backyard games, a family zone, food trucks, and women’s soccer. Free registration is required by October 9.
Plan Your Visit:
Ticket Info
Game Schedule
Where to Eat/Explore Before/After the Game:
Metro Grill in Ewing is a popular spot for pizza, pasta, steaks and seafood, and its bar with high-top tables. Grounds for Sculpture in nearby Hamilton is a New Jersey must-see; the 42-acre sculpture park founded by artist Seward Johnson is known for its stunning outdoor sculptures, art exhibits and its on-site restaurant, Rat’s, which will make you feel like you’ve stepped inside of a Monet painting. The grounds are especially beautiful in the fall so make time for a visit and be sure to snap plenty of photos.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Money Magazine Says These Are The Best Two Public Colleges in NJ
The Best College Towns in New Jersey
A Year-by-Year Look at the College Application Process for Your High Schooler
Countdown to College: A High School Roadmap to Preparing for College
Popular Now:
Everything You Need to Know to Try and Score FIFA World Cup Tickets
How Happy Are We? New Jersey Ranks Among the Nation’s Happiest States
These Are The 10 Most Family-Friendly Towns in New Jersey
9 NJ High Schools Rank Among the Best in the Country
