Waldo Stadium Game Day Guide: Parking, Tailgating, and Where to Stay This Fall

Planning a Fall Getaway Around Waldo Stadium

Waldo Stadium, the 30,200-seat home of Western Michigan football, is where Kalamazoo spends its fall Saturdays. The Broncos enter October as the reigning Mid-American Conference champions, and two home dates on the 2026 schedule draw far bigger crowds than a typical game. If you are planning a fall getaway around either one, this guide covers tickets, parking, tailgating, and where to stay.

October Home Games at Waldo Stadium

Saturday, Oct. 10: WMU vs. Kent State, Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend. WMU Homecoming brings alumni, inductees, and their families into town all at once, and it is consistently one of the toughest weekends of the year to find a room in Kalamazoo. The kickoff time had not been announced at the time of writing.

Saturday, Oct. 31: WMU vs. Bowling Green, Family Weekend. WMU Family Weekend falls on Halloween this year, with a noon kickoff scheduled on CBS Sports Network. Visiting parents often book two nights, so rooms fill earlier than they do for a standard home game.

The Broncos also host Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Miami on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Western Michigan football tickets are available at wmubroncos.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX. Buying WMU football tickets through the athletics department is the most reliable option for high-demand weekends.

Parking and the Free Game Day Shuttle

Waldo Stadium sits at 1903 W. Michigan Ave. on WMU’s campus. Public lots open five hours before kickoff, and cars parked earlier may be asked to move or be towed. Parking is $15 per vehicle, and entry is cashless, so bring a card.

The free shuttle is the easiest option. It runs from Lawson Ice Arena to West Michigan Avenue and Stadium Drive, directly across from the stadium, and it runs again after the game. WMU also recommends avoiding Ring Road and Stadium Drive near the stadium, and fans arriving from the west should turn onto Howard Avenue.

Before you reach the gate, load your digital tickets into your phone’s wallet and pack according to the clear bag policy, which allows one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches plus a small clutch. Waldo Stadium has eight entry gates, and Gate 1 is typically the most congested.

Tailgating Rules at Waldo Stadium

Tailgating is permitted from five hours before kickoff until the game begins, and for one hour afterward. It is not allowed during the game or at halftime. Plan your setup around these rules:

• Glass containers are not permitted.
• Kegs, half barrels, and other common alcohol containers are prohibited.
• Couches and upholstered furniture must stay home.
• Large pull-behind grills are not allowed.
• Each vehicle gets one space, and stand-alone tents must sit behind the vehicle.

Hotels Near Waldo Stadium: Staying Downtown at The Kalamazoo House

Many hotels near Waldo Stadium sit along highway corridors. The Kalamazoo House is an 1878 Victorian bed and breakfast in downtown Kalamazoo, a short drive from campus and a short walk from the restaurants, breweries, and theaters where the evening continues after the final whistle.

Each of the 10 guest rooms has a private bathroom, and some include a fireplace or whirlpool tub. Game day starts with a freshly prepared two-course breakfast in the dining room, and the two covered porches, lined with rocking chairs, are a comfortable place to settle in afterward. For an easy tailgate spread, add the house charcuterie box of cured meats, cheeses, nuts, seasonal fruit, and a Kalamazoo-made jam with 48 hours’ notice.

Four parking spaces behind the inn suit small and mid-size vehicles, and larger vehicles can use the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts lot directly across the street.

Homecoming and Family Weekend rooms are usually the first to go, so reserve as soon as your game plans are set. Book your Kalamazoo bed and breakfast directly with The Kalamazoo House for the best available rates.

Waldo Stadium FAQ

Where is Waldo Stadium?
Waldo Stadium is at 1903 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo, on the campus of Western Michigan University, where the Broncos play their home football games.

What is the capacity of Waldo Stadium?
Waldo Stadium seats 30,200, a capacity it has held since 1989.

What conference is Western Michigan football in?
Western Michigan plays in the Mid-American Conference and won the 2025 MAC Championship.

What channel is the Western Michigan football game on?
It varies by game. The Oct. 31 matchup with Bowling Green is scheduled for CBS Sports Network, and broadcast details for Kent State will be announced closer to Oct. 10.

How much is parking at Waldo Stadium?
Public parking is $15 per vehicle, paid by card at lot entry, and the shuttle from Lawson Ice Arena is free.