Elliott T. Bowers Stadium
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Interactive Stadium Map
Tap a seating area or a pin. The field runs north–south. The home side and the new five-level press box are on the west, and visitors sit on the east. Always use the section and gate on your ticket.
Not to scale. Gate and amenity pins are approximate — follow gameday signage.
Pick a seating area or pin
Quick version for first-timers:
- Home fans sit on the west side, which gets shade late in the day.
- Visitors sit on the east side, facing the afternoon sun.
- Students use Gates 1 and 2 in the north end.
- The box office and will call are on the west side, under the press box.
Area Map
Bowers Stadium, the stadium lots, Bearkat Alley, the gameday loop and Huntsville favorites on a real map. Tap any pin or list item for directions, and use “Where am I?” on gameday.
The stadium and Johnson Coliseum pins use Sam Houston’s coordinates. Lot, gate and entrance pins are approximate, and lot assignments can change by game. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
On the map
Gameday Timeline
Run the day like a playbook. Times are relative to kickoff and can change by game.
Parking & the Gameday Loop
Stadium lots open 3 hours before kickoff. Traffic runs in a loop on Bowers Blvd., Sycamore Ave., Bearkat Blvd. and Bobby K. Marks Dr., and Bobby K. Marks is one-way southbound. Official directions ↗
Stadium lots
- North Lot: enter from Bearkat Blvd. Bearkat Alley takes the northwest corner.
- West Lots: between the stadium and Bobby K. Marks Dr.
- Permits are prepaid and digital, have sold out for big games and haven’t been sold on gameday. Scan yours at the lot entrance.
Other parking
- Bobby K. Marks Dr. lots: first come, first served.
- Coliseum area lots: free, between the Intramural Fields and Johnson Coliseum.
- Other campus lots: most surface lots (not garages) have been free on gameday.
🚗 Approach routes
- From Houston (I-45 N): exit 114, right on Montgomery Rd., straight through Sam Houston Ave. to Bowers Blvd.
- From Dallas (I-45 S): exit 115, left across the interstate onto Montgomery Rd.
- From Hwy 19: Bearkat Blvd. exit, back under the underpass, then left on Bowers Blvd.
🚦 Three lot entrances
From the south off Montgomery Rd./Bowers Blvd., and from the northwest and northeast off Bearkat Blvd. There’s no through traffic inside the lots. Approach from the west or north, since eastern approaches often get routed away.
🌙 Weeknight games
The New Mexico State game is Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., so expect campus and I-45 rush-hour traffic on the way in.
Bearkat Alley & Tailgating
Free for students, alumni and fans.
Bearkat Alley
The official tailgate in the northwest stadium lot, behind the north-end scoreboard, with free food from campus groups and giveaways. The gates to the area lock 1 hour before kickoff.
Lot tailgating
- Allowed in the stadium lots once they open, and on the Intramural Fields off Bowers Blvd.
- Bring your own tents, tables, chairs and generators.
- No glass. Dispose of charcoal properly.
- Clean up by 5 a.m. the next day.
Bearkat traditions
The ROTC cannon fires after every Bearkat score, and the Bearkat Marching Band plays pregame. Stop by the Bearkats Hall of Fame in the athletics building.
Food & Drink
Outside drinks aren’t allowed, so plan to buy water inside. Tap a card to see it on the stadium map.
🍽️ Huntsville around the game
Turn on the “Eat” layer on the area map for directions.
Gates, Bags & Accessibility
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. All bags are checked, with wand screening at every gate.
What you can bring
- Clear bags only (check Sam Houston’s current size limits)
- Service animals
Leave it in the car
- Outside food and drink, alcohol and coolers
- Umbrellas, folding chairs and stools
- Flags on poles, noisemakers and laser pointers
- Pets and tobacco (SHSU is tobacco free)
Gates & accessibility
- Gates 1 & 2: students and general entry.
- Gates 3 & 4: home side, by the box office.
- Accessible seating is on the concourse on both sides, and the new west entry has elevators. Call the ticket office ahead.
- Lost and found: concession stands or the main ticket booth.
Bearkat Traditions
Learn the cheer, then listen for the cannon.
Eat ’Em Up, Kats!
The signature Sam Houston spirit call and the one thing to learn before your first game. You’ll hear it at Bearkat Alley, team entrances and big plays.
The Bearkat paw
Fans raise a paw or claw during spirit moments. There’s no official hand-sign instruction, so just follow the student section.
ROTC cannon
It fires after every Bearkat score. Don’t jump.
Bearkat Fight Song
The Bearkat Marching Band plays it in pregame and after scores.
Alma Mater
The more formal school song, part of SHSU’s long-standing traditions.
Hall of Fame
The Bearkats Hall of Fame is in the athletics building. Worth a stop before the gates open.
2026 Home Schedule
Every 2026 Sam Houston home game at Bowers Stadium. Times are Central. Always confirm on GoBearkats.com.
Following the Bearkats on the road?
Sam Houston plays at Missouri State (Tue., Oct. 27), Jacksonville State (Nov. 7) and FIU (Nov. 28). Find every game in the College Gameday Finder.
Where to Stay
Huntsville is compact, so you can stay on campus or along I-45 and keep gameday simple. Book early for Homecoming, Family Weekend and big conference games.
Local Gameday Partners
Huntsville businesses that make a Bearkats gameday better — pre-game bites, post-game drinks and fan deals.
Pre-Game Eats
Featured partner spot available
Post-Game Watch Party
Featured partner spot available
Gameday Stay Deal
Featured partner spot available