2013 Hernando Bulls Tailgate Guide
Every season hundreds of thousands of Bulls from all over the globe stampede their way down to Tampa, FL each year to take part in the annual season of tailgating and USF football. This page contains everything a Hernando Bull or a fan of an opposing (and soon to be stomped) team will need to know about tailgating for Bulls games. We will cover all the in's, outs, and tips for making your tailgating experience in Tampa truly legendary.
The below guide is designed to walk guests through a Bulls game day weekend in Tampa, from booking your room to where to go celebrate another Bulls victory, or in the event you are a visiting fan, where to go and drown your sorrows.
Out of Town Visitors - Where to stay? How early should I book my room?
While all Hernando Bulls are considered out of town visitors given that it takes us a little over an hour to drive down to Tampa from Hernando. This section is more or less for fans of opposing teams or for those Bulls that live even further away from Tampa then Hernando County. For those looking for a nice clean and safe place to stay for Bulls games don't fear, Tampa unlike many other college football destinations is also a tourist mecca, and as such has some very nice and clean hotels to choose from. For a complete listing of hotels near the stadium or even better, near USF's Tampa Campus (which is a short 25 car ride from Raymond James Stadium) please visit www.visittampabay.com. It basically all boils down to where you want to stay and what your plans are while in Tampa for the game, for your convenience we have broken these choices out for you into two options... please see below:
Option #1
Raymond James Stadium is next to Tampa International Airport which is a major regional airport and neighbors Pinellas County, which is where all of the good beaches in the Tampa Bay area are located. Thus if you are flying in for the game and then flying back out this might be your best bet. Likewise if you are flying into town for the game and want to check out the beaches this this is the area where you will want to stay. If you are coming down here to watch your team get stomped by the Bulls, or to watch your Bulls stomp a visiting team and want to get a hotel near the beach then please visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.
Our personal suggestion would be Sheppard's which is located on Clearwater Beach and is a hotel, a 5-star all you can eat seafood buffet, and an awesome bar all rolled into one; in a nut shell its 1 stone and 3 birds.
Our personal suggestion would be Sheppard's which is located on Clearwater Beach and is a hotel, a 5-star all you can eat seafood buffet, and an awesome bar all rolled into one; in a nut shell its 1 stone and 3 birds.
Option #2
USF's Tampa Campus is located 25 minutes away from Raymond James Stadium via car, bus, or taxi, and is located right next to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (part African zoo, part roller coaster theme park) and Adventure Island (a seasonal water park that closes down around mid-October). If you are visiting during either the last weekend of September or during the month of October then you are in for an extra treat.
During this time Busch Gardens is transformed into a nightmarish landscape full of zombies, vampires, and other ghoulish creatures as part of its seasonal event Howl-O-Scream. If you are coming down to Tampa for a Bulls game during this time we highly suggest to come down a bit early to attend this event. There is plenty of beer, good food, and tons of stuff to creep you out.
During this time Busch Gardens is transformed into a nightmarish landscape full of zombies, vampires, and other ghoulish creatures as part of its seasonal event Howl-O-Scream. If you are coming down to Tampa for a Bulls game during this time we highly suggest to come down a bit early to attend this event. There is plenty of beer, good food, and tons of stuff to creep you out.
Option #3
The final and third suggestion we are going to give would be to stay in the downtown Tampa / Ybor City area which is full of historic buildings, museums, is the epicenter of Tampa's primary nightlife hot spots, and is the stomping grounds of the 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Downtown Tampa is home to dozens of 5-star hotels and restaurants. In addition the area is home to Ybor City which is a historic ethnic (Cuban) district within the city of Tampa and the more upscale Channelside district.
Ybor City is basically a strip of bars, pubs, night clubs, movie theaters, restaurants, and shops. The Channelside district is located in downtown Tampa and is next door to the St. Pete Times Forum where the Tampa Bay Lightning play. The area consists of restaurants, a couple night clubs, a hooters, bowling alley, and another movie theater.
Downtown Tampa is home to dozens of 5-star hotels and restaurants. In addition the area is home to Ybor City which is a historic ethnic (Cuban) district within the city of Tampa and the more upscale Channelside district.
Ybor City is basically a strip of bars, pubs, night clubs, movie theaters, restaurants, and shops. The Channelside district is located in downtown Tampa and is next door to the St. Pete Times Forum where the Tampa Bay Lightning play. The area consists of restaurants, a couple night clubs, a hooters, bowling alley, and another movie theater.
Where's the Game?
USF unlike many other more established college football programs does not have its own on-campus stadium (OCS) at this time. After all USF only began playing college football in 1997. Instead of an OCS the Bulls share space at Raymond James Stadium with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"RayJay" as its called by us locals is a short 25 minute car ride from USF's campus and is located about 3 minutes from Tampa International Airport.
The stadium is owned by the Hillsborough County tax payers and is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) on their behalf. The stadium was built in 1998, seats up to 75,000, is the current host of the annual Outback Bowl (SEC vs. B1G), used to be the home of the ACC Championship game, and was home to Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XLIII.
"RayJay" as its called by us locals is a short 25 minute car ride from USF's campus and is located about 3 minutes from Tampa International Airport.
The stadium is owned by the Hillsborough County tax payers and is managed by the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) on their behalf. The stadium was built in 1998, seats up to 75,000, is the current host of the annual Outback Bowl (SEC vs. B1G), used to be the home of the ACC Championship game, and was home to Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XLIII.
Where should I park?
On Game day traffic around Raymond James Stadium starts getting busy when the city owned TSA lots open up. For a non-noon Bulls game the lots open up 5 hours prior to kick-off, and for a nooner the lots open up 4 hours prior to kick-off.
Need more then a 4 or 5 hour tailgate? Don't fret there are a number of private lots located around RayJay that are open all day on game day. As a word of advice if you like a more traditional college tailgate then we suggest that you tailgate in one of the private lots around the stadium. To prepare you for game day in Tampa we will include directions to both the TSA lots and the best private lot in town.
Need more then a 4 or 5 hour tailgate? Don't fret there are a number of private lots located around RayJay that are open all day on game day. As a word of advice if you like a more traditional college tailgate then we suggest that you tailgate in one of the private lots around the stadium. To prepare you for game day in Tampa we will include directions to both the TSA lots and the best private lot in town.
TSA / Buccaneer Owned Lots:
If you plan on parking in a TSA controlled lot we recommend getting your tailgate started as soon as they open the gates to get your monies worth. The TSA lots have some restrictive rules that make no sense and they are not open all day. A bit confused... not to worry we have broken down all of the rules and have provided an easy to follow map of the TSA lots below...
Parking Lots Open
Parking Prices
TSA Tailgate Rules Inside Info - Back in 2009 the TSA implemented a series of very restrictive tailgating rules which restrict how early the TSA controlled lots open for a Bulls game. These rules also prohibit "large vessels of alcohol" (i.e. kegs), loud speakers/radio equipment, over night RV parking, throwing objects (i.e. footballs), placing two 10x10 tailgate popup canopy's together, and basically having a good old fashioned college tailgate.
While no one is sure why these rules were established, it has been rumored that these rules were created due to complaints either by Kansas fans (poor losers) following their defeat by the Bulls in '09, or by the Tampa Police Department in response to rowdy and unruly ACC fans in town for the ACC Championship game.
In either event these rules forced many USF tailgating groups out of the TSA lots in 2009, and into private lots around the stadium. Today these rules have begun to get more lax. For example the TSA and the TPD don't enforce the "throwing of objects" or the "loud speakers" bans, but they still enforce everything else.
- For a non-noon game the TSA lots will open five hours prior to kick-off
- For a noon game the TSA lots will open four hours prior to kick-off
- Saving spaces is not permitted.
- Parking attendants will instruct all patrons where to park as they enter the designated lot.
- Please follow parking attendants direction.
- RVs, Buses and Campers No RVs, buses or campers are allowed on stadium property during a events- they must park in Lot 13 or 14. Refer to the stadium Map above for lot locations. Please contact the Buccaneers’ Customer Service at 813-870-2700 for more information.
- Call 813-350-6500 for special event lot opening times.
Parking Prices
- Cars, Trucks, and motorcycles - $15.00
- RV's and Limos - $30.00
- Buses and other large vehicles - $40.00
TSA Tailgate Rules Inside Info - Back in 2009 the TSA implemented a series of very restrictive tailgating rules which restrict how early the TSA controlled lots open for a Bulls game. These rules also prohibit "large vessels of alcohol" (i.e. kegs), loud speakers/radio equipment, over night RV parking, throwing objects (i.e. footballs), placing two 10x10 tailgate popup canopy's together, and basically having a good old fashioned college tailgate.
While no one is sure why these rules were established, it has been rumored that these rules were created due to complaints either by Kansas fans (poor losers) following their defeat by the Bulls in '09, or by the Tampa Police Department in response to rowdy and unruly ACC fans in town for the ACC Championship game.
In either event these rules forced many USF tailgating groups out of the TSA lots in 2009, and into private lots around the stadium. Today these rules have begun to get more lax. For example the TSA and the TPD don't enforce the "throwing of objects" or the "loud speakers" bans, but they still enforce everything else.
Bulls Tailgating Association - Private Lot:
In response to the restrictive "no-fun" rules laid down by the TSA back in 2009 many Bulls tailgating groups fled to non-TSA controlled lots around Raymond James Stadium. The best of these private lots is the Bulls Tailgating Association's lot which is located behind Channel 28 on Woodlawn Avenue. The only issue with this option is that some of the spaces in this lot have been reserved for some of the various tailgating groups which now call this lot home on game day. Don't let that bother you because they still have plenty of open spaces to go around. Just pay attention to where they tell you to park and you will be fine. Another plus of this lot is that it has its own private porto-johns!
Woodlawn Lot Opens:
Parking Prices:
- Generally opens at 9AM for a non-noon game.
- Generally opens at 7AM for a noon game.
- If the lot attendant is not there when you arrive you can pay them when they eventually show up
- Avoid parking along the back wall of the lot, this is where the majority of reserved parking spots are located. To be safe park along the side of the lot that is facing Woodlawn Avenue since this area is generally not reserved.
- Parking attendants will instruct all patrons where to park as they enter the designated lot.
- Please follow parking attendants direction.
- RV's and Buses are not permitted without the permission of the lot owner.
Parking Prices:
- Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles - $15.00
- RV's, Buses, and Limos - N/A
How do I get tickets?
Hopefully, you already have tickets. However in the event you don't then you need to get busy. While Bulls games almost always never sellout, there are certain games that getting a ticket for will be next to impossible. RayJay is one of the most advanced NFL stadiums in the nation and has a max non-super bowl capacity of of 65,000. Just as a FYI, the pirate ship in the North end zone of RayJay is removed when the Super Bowl comes to town, and bleachers are added to both end zones to raise the seating capacity from 65K to 75K.
Generally visitors should follow this rule of thumb when buying tickets to a Bulls games at RayJay...
If we are playing an out of conference (OOC) visitor that is not a major BCS opponent, such as Florida A&M, Ball State, Charleston Southern or Wofford, then you can just walk up and buy tickets the day of without any issues. However if the Bulls are playing against a Big East conference foe or rival (i.e. WV is our main Big East rival) then tickets will be harder and more expensive to get. If the Bulls are playing against a major college football program like the Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, or a highly ranked top 25 visiting team then tickets will be next to impossible to get for under a few $100 bucks.
So basically just use common sense... if the Bulls are playing Florida Atlantic then tickets will be almost free... if we are playing West Virginia, or Notre Dame then you have three options to get tickets for the big game...
Generally visitors should follow this rule of thumb when buying tickets to a Bulls games at RayJay...
If we are playing an out of conference (OOC) visitor that is not a major BCS opponent, such as Florida A&M, Ball State, Charleston Southern or Wofford, then you can just walk up and buy tickets the day of without any issues. However if the Bulls are playing against a Big East conference foe or rival (i.e. WV is our main Big East rival) then tickets will be harder and more expensive to get. If the Bulls are playing against a major college football program like the Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, or a highly ranked top 25 visiting team then tickets will be next to impossible to get for under a few $100 bucks.
So basically just use common sense... if the Bulls are playing Florida Atlantic then tickets will be almost free... if we are playing West Virginia, or Notre Dame then you have three options to get tickets for the big game...
Option #1
Pick up the phone and call the official USF ticket rep of the Hernando Bulls, Mike Stuben. He can be reached 8Am to 5PM, Monday thru Friday at (813) 974-7493. Mike is located on campus down at USF, so if you buy tickets through Mike ask him how you can get your tickets.
You can either arrange to pickup your tickets in person at will-call, have them mailed to you, or have them held on campus at the USF box office.
You can either arrange to pickup your tickets in person at will-call, have them mailed to you, or have them held on campus at the USF box office.
Option #2
If its a big game and our ticket rep can't help you out, and neither can yours, then your left with only option and that is to go on the web and hunt down tickets. The two best sites that seem to have tickets to every sporting event regardless if its sold out or not is www.ticketcity.com or www.stubhub.com.
Both are very reliable online ticket sales companies that are trusted and offer refunds if your tickets are lost or damaged while en route. You want to avoid Craigslist and eBay because there are a ton of scam artists on these sites that literally make a living off of selling fake tickets. Buyer Beware!
Both are very reliable online ticket sales companies that are trusted and offer refunds if your tickets are lost or damaged while en route. You want to avoid Craigslist and eBay because there are a ton of scam artists on these sites that literally make a living off of selling fake tickets. Buyer Beware!
Option #3
The last option, which is not advised at all, would be to take a gamble and try buying tickets from a scalper. This is not suggested because of local ordinances in which you have to be so far from the stadium in order to buy tickets from a scalper legally. Besides risking getting trouble with the law, you also the run the risk of getting taken by con artists and their fake tickets.
One more thing: If you choose to get tickets via a scalper make sure that you are not buying a student ticket. To get admittance with a student ticket, you will need a USF student ID. Don't buy a student ticket unless you are a USF student, or unless the seller is selling his/her ID with the ticket.
One more thing: If you choose to get tickets via a scalper make sure that you are not buying a student ticket. To get admittance with a student ticket, you will need a USF student ID. Don't buy a student ticket unless you are a USF student, or unless the seller is selling his/her ID with the ticket.
Party Options
Since a pregame pub crawl, the night before the game, is something that Hernando Bulls do for every road game we head out on we figured that we would include a section about where to have an awesome Pub Crawl in Tampa for a Bulls game.
For those wishing to venture a bit further away from USF, we suggest that you head down to Ybor City and Channelside. This is where the bulk of the cities nightlife and the areas only "strip" of bars and pubs is located. Word of advice about Ybor City though. Make sure that you park in one of the city parking garages and not in a street lot.
Other notable bars and pubs that you absolutely have to see while in Tampa for the game will be the 1st ever Hooters and Beef O' Brady's, both of which are located in the Tampa Bay area.
Since a pregame pub crawl, the night before the game, is something that Hernando Bulls do for every road game we head out on we figured that we would include a section about where to have an awesome Pub Crawl in Tampa for a Bulls game.
- USF Campus Area: South Florida's campus area is located in the heart of what is known as the Tampa Bay area. It's located roughly 25 minutes away from Raymond James Stadium where the Bulls play, and Tampa International Airport which is right next to RayJay. Below are the best bars and pubs in and around USF's Tampa Campus...
- Mr. Dunderbaks - German Beer Garten
- Peabody's Pub and Billiards
- World of Beers
- Brass Tap at Wiregrass
- Bulls Club Billiards
- Copper Top Pub
For those wishing to venture a bit further away from USF, we suggest that you head down to Ybor City and Channelside. This is where the bulk of the cities nightlife and the areas only "strip" of bars and pubs is located. Word of advice about Ybor City though. Make sure that you park in one of the city parking garages and not in a street lot.
Other notable bars and pubs that you absolutely have to see while in Tampa for the game will be the 1st ever Hooters and Beef O' Brady's, both of which are located in the Tampa Bay area.
- The Original Hooters (This is the 1st EVER Hooters in the world)
- The Original Beef O' Brady's (This is the 1st EVER Beef's in the world)
- Barnacles at the Brandon Town Center (Over 300 tv's + a claw machine filled with live lobsters... catch one you get a free lobster dinner)
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