• Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts access private forums and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!

Aug. 31 is my first U of M game!

CFBtraveler

CFBtraveler

Member
Good day Grizzlies! I'm on a circuitous path to Missoula for Labor Day weekend (ultimately driving from Calgary to Baton Rouge) and I'm fortunate to have set the route of the journey to include the Missouri State at Montana game that Saturday night. To simplify my request on here, for opening night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I was hoping to...

"e-meet" a few fans in advance of the game, learn the Griz tailgating situation and maybe even score a tailgating invite or a campus walking tour.

If you care to know a bit more about me...
53 year old former space shuttle engineer (and ISS flight controller)
currently living in Louisiana but spending the dog days of summer in Calgary and Banff
huge college football fan - I think I've been to games in 67 stadiums
went on a 29 game CFB road-trip in 2011
currently in technical sales for fire departments (and occasionally SWAT)
made it to my 50th state on my 50th birthday
1998 LSU Mechanical Engineering
(further study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U)

Thanks in advance, for any tips, invites, suggestions, etc. I'll obviously be looking to buy a game ticket as well.

Geaux Grizzlies
🐅
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good day Grizzlies! I'm on a circuitous path to Missoula for Labor Day weekend (ultimately driving from Calgary to Baton Rouge) and I'm fortunate to have set the route of the journey to include the Missouri State at Montana game that Saturday night. To simplify my request on here, for opening night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I was hoping to...

"e-meet" a few fans in advance of the game, learn the Griz tailgating situation and maybe even score a tailgating invite or a campus walking tour.

If you care to know a bit more about me...
53 year old former space shuttle engineer (and ISS flight controller)
currently living in Louisiana but spending the dog days of summer in Calgary and Banff
huge college football fan - I think I've been to games in 67 stadiums
went on a 29 game CFB road-trip in 2011
currently in technical sales for fire departments (and occasionally SWAT)
made it to my 50th state on my 50th birthday
1998 LSU Mechanical Engineering
(further study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U)

Thanks in advance, for any tips, invites, suggestions, etc. I'll obviously be looking to buy a game ticket as well.

Geaux Grizzlies
🐅
Click to expand...
7 from our tailgate crew traveled to Baton Rouge last November for the LSU / Florida game. Met a ton of welcoming Tiger fans (including some family members of the Slap Yo Mama franchise) at various tailgates.
Consider yourself invited to our tailgate. We’re presently located in the corner of Lot F and are easily identified by our Griz and Johns Hopkins flags.
Geaux Griz, Geaux Tigers!!!
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good day Grizzlies! I'm on a circuitous path to Missoula for Labor Day weekend (ultimately driving from Calgary to Baton Rouge) and I'm fortunate to have set the route of the journey to include the Missouri State at Montana game that Saturday night. To simplify my request on here, for opening night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I was hoping to...

"e-meet" a few fans in advance of the game, learn the Griz tailgating situation and maybe even score a tailgating invite or a campus walking tour.

If you care to know a bit more about me...
53 year old former space shuttle engineer (and ISS flight controller)
currently living in Louisiana but spending the dog days of summer in Calgary and Banff
huge college football fan - I think I've been to games in 67 stadiums
went on a 29 game CFB road-trip in 2011
currently in technical sales for fire departments (and occasionally SWAT)
made it to my 50th state on my 50th birthday
1998 LSU Mechanical Engineering
(further study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U)

Thanks in advance, for any tips, invites, suggestions, etc. I'll obviously be looking to buy a game ticket as well.

Geaux Grizzlies
🐅
Click to expand...
Fantastic!

You are going to have a great time. We have a thread somewhere here that will introduce you to Griz gameday...

I will try to find it.
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good day Grizzlies! I'm on a circuitous path to Missoula for Labor Day weekend (ultimately driving from Calgary to Baton Rouge) and I'm fortunate to have set the route of the journey to include the Missouri State at Montana game that Saturday night. To simplify my request on here, for opening night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I was hoping to...

"e-meet" a few fans in advance of the game, learn the Griz tailgating situation and maybe even score a tailgating invite or a campus walking tour.

If you care to know a bit more about me...
53 year old former space shuttle engineer (and ISS flight controller)
currently living in Louisiana but spending the dog days of summer in Calgary and Banff
huge college football fan - I think I've been to games in 67 stadiums
went on a 29 game CFB road-trip in 2011
currently in technical sales for fire departments (and occasionally SWAT)
made it to my 50th state on my 50th birthday
1998 LSU Mechanical Engineering
(further study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U)

Thanks in advance, for any tips, invites, suggestions, etc. I'll obviously be looking to buy a game ticket as well.

Geaux Grizzlies
🐅
Click to expand...
How many tickets are you looking for? Single game tickets are available at griztix.com. or you could put a request on the Griz Tickets portion of this forum. There's not a bad seat in the house and you will be warmly welcomed by all! See you there! Geaux Griz!
 
Opening day tickets are going fast but still available. Depending on how many you need will limit where in the stadium they are. As Mikey mentioned ... not a bad seat in the house and you'll have a great time. Lots of tailgating at the stadium and you'll have a great time meeting and talking to everyone. Highly recommend you stop by downtown either on Friday or after (or before since its a night game) the game. You'll run into lots of football fans ... a good starting point is Reds; lots of fans, cold beer and screens to see all the ongoing sports action.
 
As a general rule, I think you could wander into any tailgate, introduce yourself and anticipate cold beers and life-long friendships. Montanan's are great, but GRIZ Nation is one big family. Enjoy
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good day Grizzlies! I'm on a circuitous path to Missoula for Labor Day weekend (ultimately driving from Calgary to Baton Rouge) and I'm fortunate to have set the route of the journey to include the Missouri State at Montana game that Saturday night. To simplify my request on here, for opening night at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I was hoping to...

"e-meet" a few fans in advance of the game, learn the Griz tailgating situation and maybe even score a tailgating invite or a campus walking tour.

If you care to know a bit more about me...
53 year old former space shuttle engineer (and ISS flight controller)
currently living in Louisiana but spending the dog days of summer in Calgary and Banff
huge college football fan - I think I've been to games in 67 stadiums
went on a 29 game CFB road-trip in 2011
currently in technical sales for fire departments (and occasionally SWAT)
made it to my 50th state on my 50th birthday
1998 LSU Mechanical Engineering
(further study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical U)

Thanks in advance, for any tips, invites, suggestions, etc. I'll obviously be looking to buy a game ticket as well.

Geaux Grizzlies
🐅
Click to expand...
grizfan95

Thread 'Official Beginner's Guide to Griz Game Day Experience'

Throughout my time on this board I have regularly seen a new topic posted each fall where a visiting fan (or a Griz fan having not attended a game prior or for some time) posts on the board asking for advice. Instead of rehashing this over and over, I have looked through all prior posts and condensed the best suggestions into this one post.

Hopefully, in the future, we can then just direct people to this thread. Feel free to add your own suggestions, but this way, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time for a new thread as we can just direct people to this one.

Here it goes...

Click above for a thread on game day experience. I am sure others will help update the info in the thread as required. Enjoy the Mecca of FCS football.
 
Thank you all for the helpful replies and the invitation(s). I'm writing it all down.

To answer a few questions and comments:
I'm SOLO at game b/c wife is flying down for LSU - Southern Cal (LV) w/ her family, plus I'm visiting a customer in Denver and a trade show in KCMO. Besides all that, I'd rather be in beautiful Montana than broiling Las Vegas for Labor Day anyway.

So, my new Griz friends... I'm seeking one (1) game ticket for the opener.

Starting at Reds sounds perfect. I'm waking up in Columbia Falls early and may go for one last hike in Glacier NP, then drive the 2.5 - 3 hours south and maybe go straight to Reds or to my AirBnB.

K/O is 7pm I think so that should easily give me 4-5 hours to walk around campus and meet some friendly tailgates.

Thanks again guys/gals. I'll be checking back here regularly.
 
North End Zone is the most rabid fan section. I sit in the last row of this section and don't feel like I'm too high up to enjoy the action. South End Zone is the one to skip. Anywhere but there is great. It being Labor Day weekend means many Missoulians are out of town enjoying the last days of summer on a lake or river. Should be no problem scoring a single ticket for yourself.
 
Watch the speed limits in Columbia Falls. The Gunsight Saloon has good music most nights and is probably within walking distance from wherever you are staying. Decent breakfast at Montana Coffee Traders (also takeaway sandwiches for hiking). Old school breakfast at the Night Owl, good chicken behind it at the Backroom.
 
Good morning Grizzlies! FYI.. I'm holding a can of bear spray/deterrent for my Banff hike tomorrow morning (Moraine Lake).
Nothing personal 😄

TWO WEEKS TO GAMEDAY! Yes I'm excited!

I read the 'beginners guide' in full and props to the author. Very, very well done. A couple follow-ups...

Scalping was mentioned as an option for finding a single ticket. That was a 2017 thread though, and paper-tickets are becoming less and less viable in the intervening seven years.

So question... if I bounce around the tailgates for a few hours and mention needing to buy a single, are my chances decent? Or perhaps a reseller near the stadium? Or the box office?

So far, the ticket page on here is more "needing" than "selling", at least for Game One 8/31.

In that regard, I'm definitely attending the one or two tailgates that specifically invited me in this thread, as well as in a DM sent through here. Thanks again for the kindness.

A slight discrepancy I'm curious about... one reply here mentions tailgates commencing two hours pre-game and another states that due to 7pm kick, expect an earlier start for the party. Any clearer info announced?

Thank you all, and see y'all soon!
JP
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good morning Grizzlies! FYI.. I'm holding a can of bear spray/deterrent for my Banff hike tomorrow morning (Moraine Lake).
Nothing personal 😄

TWO WEEKS TO GAMEDAY! Yes I'm excited!

I read the 'beginners guide' in full and props to the author. Very, very well done. A couple follow-ups...

Scalping was mentioned as an option for finding a single ticket. That was a 2017 thread though, and paper-tickets are becoming less and less viable in the intervening seven years.

So question... if I bounce around the tailgates for a few hours and mention needing to buy a single, are my chances decent? Or perhaps a reseller near the stadium? Or the box office?

So far, the ticket page on here is more "needing" than "selling", at least for Game One 8/31.

In that regard, I'm definitely attending the one or two tailgates that specifically invited me in this thread, as well as in a DM sent through here. Thanks again for the kindness.

A slight discrepancy I'm curious about... one reply here mentions tailgates commencing two hours pre-game and another states that due to 7pm kick, expect an earlier start for the party. Any clearer info announced?

Thank you all, and see y'all soon!
JP
Click to expand...
All the ticketing is digital now, so I would suggest buying your ticket in advance otherwise you may find yourself alone in the tailgates while everyone else goes in to watch the game. You can get tickets at https://www.umt.edu/griztix/ There's still a lot of tickets available in the South end zone, but that is the least desirable place to sit in the stadium. There are single tickets available elsewhere.

The discrepancy between tailgate times is due to the difference between the "official" start time allowed by UM (2 hours prior to kickoff) and when people will actually be set up and start tailgating. I'm sure some people with regular tailgates can chime in and let you know what time they plan to be set up and ready to go. (I'm never there that early but my understanding is that people do set up and start tailgating a bit earlier than the official start time and as long as it's not egregious, I don't think anyone says anything.)

Also, I know it's noted in the thread, but make sure you are paying attention to the clear bag policy. Only clear bags of a certain size are allowed, and large bags are prohibited even if they're clear. At one game I saw someone almost have a meltdown because they had a large clear backpack but they were told it was over the size limit and would not be allowed. And then there's always people who show up with regular old backpacks or purses. Not that I'm accusing you of carrying a purse or anything. Haha. In general the security folks are very nice about it but they still won't let you take it in.
 
Last edited:
Agree with what Mom has to say... a couple other notes:

-game tickets can have a printed option and some of the season ticket holders do that so they can get rid of them prior to game time. Corner of Campus drive and S. Van Buren in the tailgate area are usually where you see lots of options. Its just over the bridge you'll have to walk across to get to the tailgates if you arrive from the Broadway St. side. I believe someone told you to stop at the PressBox so its the bridge to the game that's just past that parking lot. Great way to enter the game and tailgate area!

-Download the ticket app so if someone has a digital ticket they aren't using you can have them send it to you... you'll need a ticket account to receive it.

-Lots of single tickets still available all over the stadium, North End zone is a trip for sure but single still seem to be available on the east side... would suggest you get close to the North End Zone to get the noise experience.

-Tailgating will officially start at 5PM however Downtown (walking distance, shuttle busses) and the Press Box will start really early. If you start downtown I suggest either the Mo Club or Reds (or both).
 
CFBtraveler said:
Good morning Grizzlies! FYI.. I'm holding a can of bear spray/deterrent for my Banff hike tomorrow morning (Moraine Lake).
Nothing personal 😄

TWO WEEKS TO GAMEDAY! Yes I'm excited!

I read the 'beginners guide' in full and props to the author. Very, very well done. A couple follow-ups...

Scalping was mentioned as an option for finding a single ticket. That was a 2017 thread though, and paper-tickets are becoming less and less viable in the intervening seven years.

So question... if I bounce around the tailgates for a few hours and mention needing to buy a single, are my chances decent? Or perhaps a reseller near the stadium? Or the box office?

So far, the ticket page on here is more "needing" than "selling", at least for Game One 8/31.

In that regard, I'm definitely attending the one or two tailgates that specifically invited me in this thread, as well as in a DM sent through here. Thanks again for the kindness.

A slight discrepancy I'm curious about... one reply here mentions tailgates commencing two hours pre-game and another states that due to 7pm kick, expect an earlier start for the party. Any clearer info announced?

Thank you all, and see y'all soon!
JP
Click to expand...
I have 1 ticket available for that game. It's on the west side in Section 102, Row 24, Seat 5. This is on about the 3 yard line from the North End Zone. It has the seat back and I am asking $50. It's a print at home paper ticket, so I'll have to meet you somewhere for the exchange. PM me if you are interested. If I don't hear from you in a couple days, I'll put it out for general interest.
 
UPDATE:
I made it to/through Glacier NP and exiting at Apgar in next half hour, then dinner/lodging at Columbia Falls tonight.

Thank you to a bunch of y'all for help above and in PMs. I'll be on campus early, in a faded purple LSU hat and be looking to make more friends and find y'all from above replies.

BTW, I've been to 50 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and ~38 countries and I can honestly say I might have seen the most breathtaking view of my entire life TODAY. Montana should be immensely proud of the magnificent Glacier National Park!

Thanks for letting me preach (or ramble).
Geaux Griz!

P.S. any Griz AM radio station talking football this evening?
 
CFBtraveler said:
UPDATE:
I made it to/through Glacier NP and exiting at Apgar in next half hour, then dinner/lodging at Columbia Falls tonight.

Thank you to a bunch of y'all for help above and in PMs. I'll be on campus early, in a faded purple LSU hat and be looking to make more friends and find y'all from above replies.

BTW, I've been to 50 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and ~38 countries and I can honestly say I might have seen the most breathtaking view of my entire life TODAY. Montana should be immensely proud of the magnificent Glacier National Park!

Thanks for letting me preach (or ramble).
Geaux Griz!

P.S. any Griz AM radio station talking football this evening?
Click to expand...
Maybe 1450 am
 
If you wanna listen to all things Griz there are many places to listen to:

Griz Fan Podcast (my personal fav). These guys are all locals in Missoula and they get some pretty high profile former players on and Riley Corcoran who is the radio voice of the Griz. You can find this on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else.

Nuanez Now on ESPN Radio Missoula (also on Apple/Spotify)

In the Flathead Valley (near Kalispell, CFalls, Whitefish, and Bigfork, 1180 AM KOFI (known as coffee radio to the locals) which has some Griz sports updates every so often.

I CANNOT stress this enough. GET A TICKET IN THE NORTH ENDZONE. You will not regret it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top