Gerald J. Ford Stadium
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Interactive Stadium Map
Tap a seating area or a pin. Ford Stadium’s field runs north–south and sits 25 feet below ground, so half the seats are below street level. The Garry Weber End Zone Complex closes in the south end. Always use the section on your mobile ticket.
Not to scale. Gate and service pins are approximate — follow gameday signage.
Pick a seating area or pin
Quick version for first-timers:
- The afternoon sun sets behind the west stands, so east-side fans look into it late in the day.
- Students and the Mustang Band sit in the southeast corner.
- ADA seating is along the top row of the lower level; Gate 2 is the ADA drop-off.
- There’s no re-entry.
Area Map
Ford Stadium, campus garages, DART, shuttle stops, the Boulevard and Dallas favorites on a real map. Tap any pin or list item for directions, and use “Where am I?” on gameday.
Garage, DART and street pins come from address data. The Fan Zone, Will Call and stadium-side pins are approximate — check SMU’s parking map for your garage. 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, DART & Shuttles
From US-75 (Central Expressway), take the Mockingbird Ln. exit, head west on Mockingbird and turn right on Bishop Blvd. Traffic backs up on Mockingbird after the game, so DART is the easiest way in and out. SMU gameday parking ↗
Gameday parking
- Meadows Parking Center — 5900 Bishop Blvd., south end of the Boulevard.
- Moody Parking Center — 3063 SMU Blvd., north of the stadium.
- Hillcrest Parking Center — 5906 Hillcrest Ave., west side of campus.
🚆 DART
The Red, Orange and Blue lines all stop at SMU/Mockingbird Station, a short walk to Ford Stadium. Park free at a DART Park & Ride instead of on campus.
Energy Square & East Campus
Energy Square Garage (5603 Milton St.) is by Lovers Lane Station — ride DART one stop or take the Mustang Express shuttle. Shuttle stops at SMU Blvd. and the US-75 frontage road, and Binkley Ave. and Airline Rd.
🚫 Don’t park on the street
University Park and Highland Park streets around campus are resident-only on gamedays. Cars without a resident or guest permit may be ticketed.
🚗 Driving tips
- Check SMU’s 2026 football parking map for your garage.
- No RV parking on campus on gamedays.
- Parking questions: (214) 768-4263.
🚕 Rideshare
Expect surge pricing and slow pickups on Mockingbird after the game. Walking to Mockingbird Station first usually helps.
Boulevarding & the Mustang Walk
SMU’s take on tailgating happens on the prettiest street on campus.
Boulevarding
Tents fill the tree-lined Bishop Blvd. and the Main Quad in front of Dallas Hall. Tents can go up early, and the Boulevard becomes pedestrian-only 2½ hours before kickoff.
Mustang Walk
Players, Peruna and the Mustang Band march from Dallas Hall down the Boulevard to Ford Stadium. Line Bishop Blvd. to greet the team.
Fan Zone
The Armstrong Fieldhouse Fan Zone has the pregame shows on the big screen, a bar, food trucks along Binkley Ave. and Peruna’s Pals Kids Zone. Closes 30 minutes before kickoff.
Food & Drink
Every concession stand is cashless — major cards and mobile pay. Tap a card to see it on the stadium map.
🍽️ Dallas around the game
Turn on the “Eat” layer on the area map for directions.
Gates, Bags & Accessibility
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, with extra ticket scanners and metal detectors to speed entry. Ford Stadium has a no re-entry policy.
What you can bring
- Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″
- One-gallon clear freezer bag
- Hand-sized clutch, with or without a strap
- One sealed, unopened bottle of water
Leave it in the car
- Backpacks, purses, diaper bags, fanny packs and camera bags
- Coolers, umbrellas, noisemakers and laser pointers
- Weapons of any kind
- No smoking inside the stadium
Gates & help
- Gates 3 & 4: Will Call, from about 3 hours out.
- Gate 1: satellite ticket office.
- Gate 2: ADA drop-off; golf cart shuttles on request.
- Section 117: Guest Services, lost items and stroller storage.
Mustang Traditions
Pony up — here’s the sign, the mascot and the songs.
Pony Ears
Start with a peace sign, then relax your fingers so they curve like a pony’s ears. Rock them back and forth while the band plays.
Peruna
SMU’s live mascot since 1932, a black Shetland pony with a feisty personality. Peruna leads the Mustang Walk and charges onto the field with the team.
“Peruna”
The fight song, set to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain.” Listen for the band’s buzzing flutter-tongue opening.
Pony Battle Cry
Introduced in 1964. The Mustang Band forms its Diamond M to it at the end of every halftime show.
Varsity
The alma mater, sung at the end of games. The band closes its postgame concert with it.
Doak Walker Plaza
Honors SMU’s 1948 Heisman Trophy winner, the namesake of the award for college football’s best running back.
2026 Ford Stadium Schedule
Every 2026 home game at Ford Stadium. Times are Central; ACC times marked “TBA” are set 6–12 days out. Always confirm on SMUMustangs.com.
Watching away games?
Find SMU watch parties and every Mustangs game in the College Gameday Finder.
Where to Stay
These hotels are on SMU’s visitor list, and the first two are walkable to Ford Stadium. SMU lists visitor discounts at many of them. Full near campus? Stay downtown or Uptown near a DART rail stop and ride to SMU/Mockingbird.
Local Gameday Partners
Dallas businesses that make an SMU 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