The most common question from groups planning their first bus trip to Ohio Stadium is also the most deceptively complicated one: where does the bus actually drop everyone off? The answer isn't "right at the stadium." Woody Hayes Drive — the road that runs directly along the Horseshoe's west side — closes to all vehicle traffic in both directions approximately four hours before kickoff.
Police checkpoints go up around the stadium perimeter, and no vehicle can pass through them without a valid East or West Stadium Parking Permit. Full-size charter buses face an additional hard rule: they are not permitted in Ohio Stadium's parking lots and are turned away with no refund if they exceed roughly 27 feet. None of this is on the ticket stub, and first-timer groups find out the hard way every season.
This guide works through every part of that puzzle — using Ohio State's own published game-day rules, the current traffic and parking setup, and the actual logistics of moving a group to The Shoe — along with which vehicle fits your headcount, what shapes the price, and how concerts at Ohio Stadium change the approach. Partybusincolumbus.com connects your group to a large network of bus companies serving Columbus so you can compare vehicles and pricing in seconds. Fill out one quick form or call 614-448-0069 any time — no account required, quotes come back in under a minute. For the broader picture on Buckeyes game-day group transportation, see the Columbus sporting event transportation page.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Ohio Stadium?
Ohio Stadium holds 102,780 fans — the third-largest stadium in the United States — and all of them are trying to reach the same gates at the same time on a fall Saturday. SR-315, the Olentangy Freeway that serves as the primary approach corridor from the north and south, backs up in both directions well before kickoff. The Woody Hayes Drive closure means the fastest walking route to the gates is already sealed off for non-permit vehicles hours before the first snap.
And for anyone who drove: you need a pre-purchased pass, because single-game parking isn't sold directly through Ohio State — it moves on secondary markets and sells out for big games weeks in advance.
One bus replaces all of it. Your group rides together up SR-315, the drop-off plan is worked out before you ever leave, the post-game pickup is already staged, and nobody draws straws for who stays sober. No one is left staring at a rideshare ETA pushing past 30 minutes on Borror Drive at 11 PM while surge pricing ticks up.
A Columbus charter bus rental or party bus rental means the Buckeyes tailgate starts on the ride over — not in a parking lot after a 20-minute walk from the rideshare zone. Call 614-448-0069 to compare options for your game-day group.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Ohio Stadium
This is the section most group planners don't think to ask about until they're already in Columbus. The Horseshoe is embedded in a dense university campus, and the street network around it is locked down on game days in ways that have no equivalent at a standalone pro stadium. There is no general curbside drop zone at a stadium gate.
What there is: three workable options, each dependent on vehicle size and permit.
Option 1 — Borror Drive rideshare and bus drop-off zone. Ohio State's official game-day guidance designates Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210) as the primary rideshare pickup and drop-off zone on football game days. It's also the closest accessible curb for full-size charter buses without East or West Stadium lot permits.
From Borror Drive, your group walks to the stadium gates — plan for roughly 15–20 minutes depending on pace and crowd density. It's not a short walk, but it's a direct, walkable route, and your bus can stage along Borror Drive during the game for the post-game pickup window.
Option 2 — West Campus Carmack approach and free shuttle. For vehicles that fit standard lot dimensions — roughly 27 feet or shorter, up to about 30 passengers — parking in the Carmack Lots on West Campus (west of SR-315, near Kenny Road) and boarding the complimentary West Campus Shuttle is the smoothest move. The shuttle runs from Carmack Lot 1 to the Neil Avenue Transit Hub, a short walk from Ohio Stadium, free of charge, from six hours before kickoff through one hour after the game ends.
That Transit Hub drop is significantly closer to the gates than the Borror Drive walk. For a minibus or smaller party bus on a game day, this is the approach that handles itself.
Option 3 — Oversized-vehicle parking through the Athletics Ticket Office. Vehicles that don't fit a standard 8.5' x 15' parking space — including most party buses and limos — are directed by Ohio State to the RV parking lot or the Ohio State Fairgrounds rather than the regular stadium lots. Permits and pricing for this kind of parking are arranged directly through the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office (1-800-GOBUCKS) rather than purchased online with standard event parking.
Confirm current availability and rates before your event date on the CampusParc Ohio State Football parking page.
The checkpoint rule that catches groups every season: Vehicles without a valid East or West Stadium Parking Permit cannot pass through the police checkpoints surrounding Ohio Stadium to drop guests near the gates. Per Ohio State's published game-day guidance, the closest legal drop-off for a full-size charter bus without those permits is the Borror Drive rideshare zone near the Schottenstein Center — approximately 15–20 minutes on foot to the stadium. Plan for this before you book, not when you're on Woody Hayes Drive four hours before kickoff finding it closed.
The West Campus Shuttle — Staging in the Carmack Lots
If your vehicle fits under roughly 27 feet, the Carmack Lot approach is one of the smartest game-day stagings at any college football venue in the country. You park in Carmack Lot 1 on West Campus, everyone boards the complimentary shuttle at the Mount Hall Loop pickup, and the shuttle drops the whole group at the Neil Avenue Transit Hub, a short walk from Ohio Stadium — far closer to the gates than the Borror Drive walk. The shuttle runs every few minutes from six hours before kickoff through one hour after the final whistle, so the return trip is just as smooth.
For a minibus or smaller party bus on a game day, this route effectively eliminates the long walk problem entirely.
Ohio Stadium Game Day Parking: What Every Group Needs to Know
All Ohio Stadium parking lots and garages open at 5 a.m. on game day on a first-come, first-served basis — and tailgating equipment cannot be set up before that opening time. Day-of pricing runs $30 for non-proximity lots, $40 for proximity, and $60 for premier spaces. Cash is accepted nowhere; every lot and garage requires credit card or smartphone payment only.
Season permit holders are guaranteed their spot until 90 minutes before kickoff. Single-game parking passes do not go on sale directly through Ohio State — they circulate on secondary markets like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats, and they sell fast on Michigan and Oregon weeks.
The road change that alters every approach: Woody Hayes Drive closes in both directions between Cannon Drive and Tuttle Park Place approximately four hours before kickoff — all vehicles, no exceptions. Cannon Drive is restricted to West Stadium Parking Permit holders and authorized service vehicles only on game days. Southbound SR-315 traffic is directed to exit at Ackerman Road or Lane Avenue to reach the stadium area without hitting closed roads.
For tailgaters in the lots: each vehicle's setup must fit within an 8.5-foot by 15-foot space directly behind the parked vehicle, only liquid propane grills are permitted (charcoal and wood are prohibited), and grill use is banned entirely in parking garages. Review the official Ohio Stadium traffic and parking page for the current map and any event-specific changes before your date.
Getting to Ohio Stadium by Bus: Every Option Compared
Columbus doesn't have a standalone stadium with a simple car-and-park setup — The Horseshoe is embedded in a university campus, which makes the comparison of transportation options more specific than it first looks. Here's an honest look at how each option plays out for a group of more than a few people.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off proximity to gates | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size charter bus (40–56 passengers) | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Borror Drive drop-off, ~15–20 min walk | 40–56 |
| Minibus or party bus (up to ~30 pax, under ~27') | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle | Carmack Lots + free shuttle to Neil Avenue Transit Hub (close to gates), or RV lot/fairgrounds arranged through the Athletics Ticket Office | 15–30 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Borror Drive near Schottenstein Center, same ~15–20 min walk | 1–4 per car |
| COTA public bus | Per-person fare | Only if everyone catches the same route | Campus stops, variable walk to gates | Any, no group control |
| Everyone drives and parks | $30–$60 per car + gas per car | No — caravans split up | Varies by lot; inner lots closest but fill fast | 1–4 per car; each car needs a designated driver |
For one or two people, COTA's fixed bus routes — lines 1, 2, 8, 22, 31, and 102 all serve the Ohio State campus area, running every 15–30 minutes — or a solo rideshare to Borror Drive is often the cleaner call. But the moment your group is more than a few cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of staggered ETAs, separate parking passes, and the post-game designated-driver problem tips decisively toward one bus. That's who the rest of this guide is for.
What Size Bus Does Your Ohio Stadium Group Need?
The lot-size restriction at Ohio Stadium is the single biggest variable in the vehicle decision that doesn't exist at most pro stadiums. A full-size charter bus is the right tool for 40–56 people — but it can't park in the stadium's lots, so the game plan is a Borror Drive drop rather than a park-and-walk. A minibus or smaller party bus under roughly 27 feet opens up the Carmack Lot and West Campus Shuttle route — closer to the gates without a special permit.
Here's how the full vehicle lineup maps to an Ohio Stadium trip.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Eligible for stadium lots? | Best staging option at The Shoe | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Yes, standard lots | Carmack Lots + shuttle to Neil Avenue Transit Hub | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows |
| Party bus (15–30 passengers) | 15–30 | Yes if under ~27' | Carmack Lots + West Campus Shuttle, or RV lot/fairgrounds via Athletics Ticket Office | LED lighting, Bluetooth sound system, flat-panel TVs, bar area |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Yes if under ~27' | Carmack Lots + West Campus Shuttle to Neil Avenue Transit Hub | Reclining seats, powerful A/C, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | No — turned away from lots | Borror Drive drop-off; bus stages nearby during the game | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead bins, WiFi, onboard restrooms, undercarriage luggage bays |
For game-day groups hauling tailgate gear — coolers, folding chairs, bags — the full-size charter bus's undercarriage bays handle all of it, and the Borror Drive drop still beats coordinating 12 separate cars across multiple lots with pre-purchased passes. For groups in the 15-to-30 range who want a closer gate arrival, a party bus or minibus that qualifies for the Carmack Lot and West Campus Shuttle covers the whole day in one vehicle. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note that in your quote request — and the dedicated ADA shuttle from the lot north of St. John Arena to Gate 22 on Ohio Stadium's east side handles the stadium-side transfer.
Ohio Stadium Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices
Partybusincolumbus.com returns quotes in under 30 seconds, and you see pricing before you ever book. The rate moves with vehicle size, total hours reserved (including pregame time and post-game pickup window), your pickup location in Columbus, and the specific date. To give you a planning benchmark using the network's real ranges: a Columbus minibus rental typically runs $200–$250 per hour on weekdays and up to $275 on weekends; a party bus in the 25-passenger range typically runs $275–$375 per hour on a game-day weekend; and a 40-to-56 passenger charter bus typically runs $200–$350 per hour.
These are planning ranges — your actual quote reflects your specific date, itinerary, and headcount, and you can get it in under a minute at 614-448-0069.
The per-person math makes the argument quickly. A full-size charter bus for a 6-hour Michigan game day — pickup, pregame tailgate window, transit, post-game staging — at the mid range for that vehicle size might come to around $1,800–$2,100 total. Split across 50 passengers, that's roughly $36–$42 per person.
That same trip in rideshares runs $15–$25 each way per app, before post-game surge pricing, and someone in every car can't have a beer because they're behind the wheel. One charter bus, one flat number, one prearranged pickup window. For a full breakdown by vehicle type, see the Columbus party bus prices page.
To give you an idea of what a game-day sequence looks like: a 28-person Buckeyes fan group books a minibus for a noon kickoff. Pickup at 9:00 AM from the Short North, at the Carmack Lots by 9:30, on the West Campus Shuttle by 9:45 — more than two hours before kickoff. The group uses the tailgate window, boards the shuttle to the Transit Hub, and the minibus stages in the Carmack Lot during the game.
Post-game shuttle back, on the road by 5:15 PM. A 5-hour rental at that size might run around $1,000–$1,375 — roughly $36–$49 per person, with the entire day's logistics handled in one booking.
Getting to Ohio Stadium: Drive Times, Routes, and Traffic
Ohio Stadium sits at the edge of the OSU campus along the Olentangy River, just west of SR-315. That puts it about 3 miles north of downtown Columbus — a short distance on a Tuesday, a completely different calculation when 100,000 fans are converging from every direction on a fall Saturday. Approximate drive times before event traffic:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Short North / University District | ~1–2 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| Downtown Columbus | ~3 miles | 10–15 minutes |
| Dublin, Ohio | ~15–18 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Grove City / Westland area | ~12–15 miles | 18–25 minutes |
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) | ~22 miles | 25–35 minutes |
Those off-peak numbers become irrelevant on game day. The main SR-315 Olentangy corridor — the primary north-south approach — clogs well before kickoff in both directions. Southbound SR-315 traffic is directed by Ohio State to exit at Ackerman Road or Lane Avenue to avoid the stadium-area closures; the Woody Hayes Drive exits are locked for non-permit vehicles.
For groups coming from Dublin or the northwest suburbs, SR-315 south to Lane Avenue puts you near the West Campus lots and the Carmack Shuttle pickup. For groups coming from the east across I-270, the standard approach is I-270 West to SR-315 North.
Columbus Airport to Ohio Stadium — Out-of-Town Fan Groups
For Buckeyes fans flying into John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) for a game weekend, a charter bus makes the airport-to-stadium leg simple. CMH sits about 22 miles east of Ohio Stadium via I-670 West and SR-315 North — roughly 25–35 minutes off-peak, longer on game day. One bus collects the whole group at baggage claim and runs straight to the Borror Drive drop-off or the hotel, instead of splitting a 35-person alumni group across nine separate rideshares in the arrivals lane.
The "bus from CMH to Ohio Stadium" run is one of the most requested out-of-town trips on game weekends — visiting fans, alumni reunions, and corporate hospitality groups flying in from out of state all run this same leg. For groups needing multi-day vehicle arrangements across a full game weekend, Columbus corporate event transportation covers the longer itinerary.
Ohio Stadium Party Bus and Charter Bus Rentals for Concerts
Ohio Stadium's concert calendar has become one of the more active stadium tour stops in the Midwest, and concert nights here have their own parking approach that differs from football Saturdays. The designated parking facilities for Ohio Stadium concerts include Lane Avenue Garage, Ohio Union South Garage, Arps Garage, and 12th Avenue Garage — all within walking distance of the stadium. West Campus parking remains available with the free shuttle to the Neil Avenue Transit Hub.
For rideshare on concert nights, the designated zones are Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center and, for larger events, the Carmack 1 lot on West Campus, which also functions as the West Campus Shuttle pickup. For the current concert-specific parking map, check the official Ohio Stadium concert parking page before your event date — the plan updates by show.
The next marquee date at The Shoe: Twenty One Pilots — Columbus's own — play their home stadium on October 17, 2026. Ohio Stadium has also hosted major stadium tours in recent seasons, and continues to book a mix of country and rock stadium shows through the spring and summer. For every concert date, parking near the stadium fills early, rideshare surge pricing spikes at show end, and a Columbus concert party bus rental means your group gets dropped, enjoys the show, and gets picked up at an arranged window — no one hunting for a car in a 60,000-person post-show egress.
The Twenty One Pilots date is the one to book furthest in advance — Columbus has some of the deepest demand in the Midwest for a hometown-band show, and the right vehicle for a 30- or 40-person group goes fast. Call 614-448-0069 at least 8–10 weeks ahead for the October date.
Ohio Stadium Bag Policy and Gate Entry Rules
Ohio Stadium's bag policy is stricter than nearly any other venue in the country, and it catches groups off guard every season: all bags of every type are prohibited. Not just non-clear bags — all of them. Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, messenger bags, crossbody bags, string bags, camera bags, and briefcases are all turned away at the gate.
What's permitted: wallets and wristlets no larger than 5" x 8" x 1". The only exception is a medical, dietary, or childcare need — one bag up to approximately 14" x 14" x 4" — allowed at the Band Center entrance between Gates 10 and 12 or the Press Entrance between the Huntington Club and Gate 23. Every person entering Ohio Stadium passes through a walk-through metal detector and may receive a hand-wand inspection.
Review the official Ohio State Department of Public Safety visitor guidance before your event for the current policy — it updates each season.
The practical impact for bus groups: communicate the bag policy to every person in your party before departure. Nothing slows a 40-person entry line like half the group getting turned back to the bus with a backpack. The bus's undercarriage bays are the right place for anything that doesn't fit in a wristlet — bags, backpacks, jackets, and any tailgate gear your group carried.
The bus stages nearby so everyone can stow items at the drop point and walk straight to the gate.
After the Game — Getting Your Group Out of Ohio Stadium
Leaving Ohio Stadium after a night game is where the bus earns its keep most. When 100,000-plus fans exit within 20 minutes of the final whistle, Columbus police run one-way outbound traffic patterns on every street surrounding the stadium until the crowd clears. The Borror Drive rideshare zone fills immediately with walk-ups, and ETAs stretch past 30 minutes while surge pricing climbs.
Fans who drove are locked in the lots, waiting for police to release each egress lane in sequence. Every option that seemed manageable getting there gets harder getting out.
With a bus, none of that belongs to you. Your post-game pickup window is agreed in advance — 30–45 minutes after the final whistle is a realistic buffer for pedestrian clearance — and the bus is already staged on Borror Drive or in the Carmack Lot when your group walks out. One spot, one vehicle, the whole group together, while everyone else is refreshing their rideshare app on a cold Columbus November night.
The bus takes the fastest cleared route back toward SR-315 or I-270, and the group recaps the game on the way home instead of standing on a curb.
Tips for Visiting Ohio Stadium
- Buy parking before game day. Single-game parking passes do not go on sale directly through Ohio State — they move on secondary markets (StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats) and sell out for Michigan, Oregon, and concert dates. Oversized-vehicle parking (RV lot or Ohio State Fairgrounds) is arranged through the Athletics Ticket Office in advance; there is no walk-up option at the gate.
- Arrive at least 3 hours early for big games. Lots open at 5 a.m. and fill from the inside out. For Michigan (November 28, 2026 — The Game) and other high-demand matchups, the campus is at capacity well before the 3-hour mark.
- Know the Woody Hayes Drive closure cold. Closed in both directions from Cannon to Tuttle approximately 4 hours before kickoff. If your hotel is on the east side of campus, use Neil Avenue or High Street corridors — Woody Hayes is not an option.
- Catch the Skull Session. The Ohio State Marching Band's pregame performance at St. John Arena begins roughly four hours before kickoff and is free on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a short walk from both the Borror Drive drop zone and the Transit Hub, and it's one of the best pregame traditions in college football.
- Communicate the bag policy before departure. All bags prohibited. Wallets and wristlets up to 5"x8"x1" only. Send this to every person in your group before the bus leaves — the gate line is not where you want to explain it.
- Book well ahead for Michigan week and the Twenty One Pilots concert. Michigan (November 28, 2026 — The Game) is the single busiest home game for Columbus bus bookings each season. The Twenty One Pilots concert on October 17, 2026 moves fast too. Four to six weeks minimum for regular games, 8–12 weeks for those marquee dates.
What's Coming to Ohio Stadium in 2026
Ohio Stadium runs on Buckeyes football from late August through November, then turns straight into a major concert venue the following spring and summer. The dates that move Columbus bus inventory fastest:
- 2026 Ohio State Buckeyes football — six home games. Sept. 5 vs. Ball State (season opener), Sept. 26 vs. Illinois (the Illibuck rivalry trophy game), Oct. 10 vs. Maryland, Nov. 7 vs. Oregon, Nov. 14 vs. Northwestern, and Nov. 28 vs. Michigan (The Game — the biggest home date of the year). Michigan and Oregon are the two dates to lock in first.
- Twenty One Pilots — October 17, 2026. The Columbus band at their home stadium. Expect this to be the fastest-selling concert date of the fall for Columbus group bus bookings.
For every event on this calendar, the booking advice is the same: lock in early. The right vehicle for a 30- or 40-person group goes first on every major date. Call 614-448-0069 to check availability for your specific event.
Types of Groups That Book Ohio Stadium Bus Rentals
The same Borror Drive drop-off and post-game pickup approach works regardless of who is on board — everyone arrives together, at the agreed time, and the end of the night is already handled. These are the groups that book most often for The Horseshoe:
- Buckeyes fan groups. The classic Ohio Stadium run — pickup from downtown hotels, Short North bars, or a Columbus-area parking lot, drop at Borror Drive, the whole group on one bus instead of in four separate cars navigating road closures.
- Alumni reunion groups. Out-of-town alumni flying into CMH and coordinating a once-a-year game-day trip benefit from one airport pickup and one drop at Borror Drive rather than a dozen rideshares from baggage claim. See Columbus group transportation services for multi-stop game-weekend itineraries.
- Corporate and client hospitality groups. Companies running game-day suites at The Shoe use a charter bus to move clients from downtown Columbus hotels to the stadium drop-off without anyone touching a parking app or navigating Cannon Drive restrictions.
- Concert groups. Twenty One Pilots and other stadium tours — same Borror Drive approach, same prearranged post-show pickup, no surge fare scramble at the end of the night.
- Birthday and celebration groups. A game day that doubles as a Columbus birthday party bus rental, with a party bus that turns the ride to The Shoe into part of the event itself.
Visiting a second venue the same game weekend? The Schottenstein Center guide and the Nationwide Arena guide cover their own drop-off logistics — and multi-stop itineraries across a Columbus game weekend are straightforward to arrange.
Booking Your Columbus Charter Bus Rental for Ohio Stadium
Lining up a bus to Ohio Stadium through Partybusincolumbus.com is straightforward, and a little advance planning — specifically around vehicle size and the drop-off zone — makes the whole day run on its own:
- Request a quote with your group size, pickup location, event date, and how much pregame time you want. Groups over 30 will see Borror Drive as the standard drop zone; under 30 and under 27 feet opens the Carmack Lot and shuttle option.
- Confirm the vehicle and drop-off plan. The quote reflects the right vehicle for your headcount and flags whether your group uses the lot-and-shuttle approach or the Borror Drive drop. Permit requirements for oversized vehicles are noted at booking time.
- Set your post-game pickup window. Arrange the pickup location and time before the game — 30–45 minutes after the final whistle accounts for pedestrian clearance — so the bus is staged and waiting when your group walks out.
Michigan (November 28, 2026 — The Game) and the Oregon matchup (November 7, 2026) are the two 2026 home dates to book earliest — typically 6–8 weeks out for standard groups, 10–12 weeks for larger groups wanting specific vehicle sizes. For the Twenty One Pilots concert on October 17, 2026, anything under 8 weeks of lead time is a real risk on 30+ person groups. Call 614-448-0069 any time — no account required, quotes in under a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus drop off at Ohio Stadium?
For full-size charter buses — roughly 40 or more passengers, exceeding about 27 feet — the closest accessible drop-off on game day is Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210), the official rideshare and bus drop-off zone designated by Ohio State. From there, your group walks approximately 15–20 minutes to the stadium gates. For smaller vehicles under ~27 feet, the Carmack Lots on West Campus plus the free West Campus Shuttle to the Neil Avenue Transit Hub put you significantly closer to the gates.
Party buses and limos that don't fit standard parking spaces are directed to the RV lot or Ohio State Fairgrounds, arranged through the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office (1-800-GOBUCKS); confirm current availability on the CampusParc football parking page.
Can a full-size charter bus park at Ohio Stadium?
No. Per Ohio State's published parking policy, large charter buses exceeding approximately 27 feet are not permitted in the stadium's parking lots and will be turned away with no refund. The standard approach for a full-size charter bus is a Borror Drive drop-off, with the bus staging nearby during the game and returning for the agreed post-game pickup window.
What is the West Campus Shuttle and how does it work for bus groups?
The West Campus Shuttle runs from Carmack Lot 1 — pickup at the Mount Hall Loop — to the Neil Avenue Transit Hub, a short walk from Ohio Stadium. It's free, operates from six hours before kickoff through one hour after the game, and is open to any fan parked in the West Campus lots. For minibuses and smaller party buses that fit standard lot dimensions (under ~27 feet), parking at Carmack and using this shuttle is the closest-to-gates option available without a special permit.
Where do rideshares pick up and drop off for Ohio State games?
Ohio State designates two official rideshare zones: Borror Drive near the Schottenstein Center (primary) and 19th Avenue and Neil Avenue (secondary). Rideshare vehicles cannot access the streets immediately surrounding Ohio Stadium on game days. Request your post-game pickup from one of those two zones — not from the stadium gates.
The same Borror Drive zone serves as the drop-off point for full-size charter buses.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Ohio Stadium?
Pricing moves with vehicle size, total hours, your pickup location in Columbus, and the specific date. To give you a planning range using the network's real rates: a Columbus minibus typically runs $200–$275 per hour; a party bus in the 25-passenger range runs $275–$375 per hour on a game-day weekend; a full-size charter bus runs $200–$350 per hour. Split across a group of 30–56 people, the per-person cost often lands well below what separate rideshares and parking passes add up to.
Call 614-448-0069 for a free quote in under a minute — no obligation.
What is Ohio Stadium's bag policy?
All bags are prohibited — every type, including backpacks, purses, fanny packs, camera bags, and messenger bags. Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5"x8"x1" are allowed. One medical, dietary, or childcare bag (up to approximately 14"x14"x4") is permitted at the Band Center entrance between Gates 10 and 12 or the Press Entrance near Gate 23.
Tell every person in your group before departure. The bus's undercarriage bays handle anything that doesn't fit in a wristlet. For current policy details, see the official Ohio State DPS visitor guidance.
What road closures affect Ohio Stadium on game day?
Woody Hayes Drive closes in both directions between Cannon Drive and Tuttle Park Place approximately four hours before kickoff — all vehicles, no exceptions. Cannon Drive is restricted to West Stadium Parking Permit holders and authorized service vehicles. SR-315 southbound traffic is directed to exit at Ackerman Road or Lane Avenue.
Closure details can shift by event, so check the official Ohio Stadium traffic and parking page before your date.
What time do Ohio Stadium parking lots open?
All lots and garages open at 5 a.m. on game day, first-come, first-served. Tailgating setup is prohibited before 5 a.m. Pricing: $30 non-proximity, $40 proximity, $60 premier.
All payments are credit card or smartphone only — no cash accepted anywhere on the property.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Ohio Stadium?
For regular home games (Ball State, Maryland, Illinois, Northwestern), 3–4 weeks is workable for most vehicle sizes. For Michigan (The Game) and the Twenty One Pilots concert, book 8–12 weeks out — vehicle supply at the 25-to-40 passenger size tightens fast on those dates. Call 614-448-0069 right now to check what's available for your date.
Are ADA-accessible vehicles available for Ohio Stadium trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note your accessibility needs when you request a quote. At the stadium, ADA parking is located north of St. John Arena ($30 per vehicle with a valid disability credential), and a dedicated ADA shuttle runs from that lot to Gate 22 on Ohio Stadium's east side — same operating hours as the West Campus Shuttle.
Book Your Ohio Stadium Bus Today
Whether it's a 50-person charter bus for Michigan week, a minibus locking in the Carmack Lot and West Campus Shuttle approach for a noon kickoff, or a party bus for the Twenty One Pilots show at The Shoe — the right vehicle for your Ohio Stadium trip is one call or one quick form away. Partybusincolumbus.com connects your group to a large network of bus companies serving Columbus, with free quotes in under a minute, no account required, and support available any time at 614-448-0069. Your group drops at Borror Drive while everyone else figures out parking, and the bus is staged and waiting when you walk out after the game.


