Your IU Football Weekend Starts Here
The local guide to staying, tailgating, eating and making the most of game day in Bloomington.
Whether you’re coming back to B-Town, visiting for the first time, or planning a weekend with your favorite Hoosiers, we’ve gathered everything you need in one place.
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Find the perfect Bloomington stay for gameday!
Looking for a Bloomington rental for the school year?
Locally owned and operated in Bloomington, Indiana
2026 IU Football Home Schedule
Plan your Bloomington weekends early—game-day rentals and parking can fill quickly.
September 5th
North Texas @ IU
Kick-Off at Noon
September 12th
Howard
Kick-Off at Noon
September 19th
Western Kentucky
Kick-Off at 4:00 PM
September 25th
Northwestern
Kick-Off at 8:00 PM
October 17th
Ohio State
Time TBA
October 31st
Minnesota
Time TBA
November 14th
USC
Time TBA
November 28th
Purdue
Time TBA
Find Your Game-Day Home Base
Skip the hotel rooms. Stay together, tailgate together, and make the most of your Bloomington weekend. Whether you're bringing the whole family or your college crew, we've got the perfect home base for game day.
Wake up just minutes from Memorial Stadium and spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying the weekend. Walk to the stadium, grab dinner downtown, and come back to a comfortable home where everyone can stay together.
Featured Property
The Clubhouse
🏟️ Walk to the Stadiums
🚗 Private Parking
🛏️ Sleeps 6
🍻 Custom Bar
♨️ Private Hot Tub
Stay Close to the Action
Hotels split everyone into separate rooms. Our homes keep everyone together—from morning coffee before kickoff to late-night conversations after the game.
Perfect for alumni reunions, family weekends, parents' weekends, bachelor parties and football trips with friends.
Featured Property
The Nancy
👨👩👧👦 Sleeps 10
♨️ Private Hot Tub
🔥 Outdoor Fireplace
🏡 Covered Patio
🚗 Easy Parking
🏈 Perfect for Large Groups
Bring the Whole Crew
Game day doesn't end when the clock hits zero.
Relax in the hot tub, watch the late games, fire up the grill or challenge your friends in the game room before heading downtown for the evening.
Featured Property
The Varsity Club
🏀 IU-Inspired Design
🍺 Entertainment Spaces
🏟️ Walk to the Stadiums
🛏️ Sleeps 8
♨️ Private Hot Tub
🏈 Built for Football Weekends
Keep the Tailgate Going
Parking & Tailgating
Buy Parking Before Game Day
IU football parking generally requires an advance parking pass. Popular weekends can sell out, so make this one of the first things you reserve after securing your tickets and lodging.
View Official IU Parking Information →
Tailgate Like a Local
Popular tailgating areas surround Memorial Stadium and the grass fields south of 17th Street. Space becomes limited quickly, especially for major conference games.
Bloomington traffic changes considerably on football weekends. Give yourself extra time, expect delays near the stadium, and plan to arrive well before kickoff.
What to Bring:
A folding table and chairs
A portable phone charger
Trash bags
Layers for changing Indiana weather
Plenty of water
Your parking pass and game tickets downloaded in advance
True Rentals Tip: Decide who is responsible for parking, food and cleanup before game day. Your tailgate will be much more fun when nobody is trying to coordinate everything from the car.
Eat & Drink Like a Local
Sink the Biz at Nick's English Hut
The Bloomington tradition everyone should experience.
No trip to Bloomington is complete without stopping at Nick's. Order a drink, gather your friends, and try your luck at Sink the Biz—the iconic table game that's been part of IU culture for decades. Even if you're just watching, it's one of the most fun game-day atmospheres in town.
Don't miss: Sink the Biz • Stromboli • Patio on football weekends
📍 423 E Kirkwood Ave
Wings at BuffaLouie's
The post-game classic.
Ask almost any IU alum where to grab wings, and BuffaLouie's will be near the top of the list. It's casual, lively, and exactly what you want after spending the afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Order: Famous Buffalo Wings • Cheese Fries • Burgers
📍 114 S Indiana Ave
Mother Bear's Pizza
A Bloomington institution.
Whether you're feeding a big group back at your rental or grabbing dinner after the game, Mother Bear's is a must. It's been serving Bloomington for decades and is one of those places alumni come back to every visit.
Order: House Special Pizza • Breadsticks
📍 Original Campus Location
Upland Brewing Co.
Local beer, outdoor patio, and a relaxed atmosphere.
One of Bloomington's best places to unwind after the game. Upland offers a great selection of Indiana-brewed beers, plenty of outdoor seating, and food that's perfect for groups.
Bonus: The patio is doggo friendly!
Try: Dragonfly IPA • Seasonal beers • Pretzel & Beer Cheese
📍 350 W 11th St
Brunch at Uptown Café
The perfect way to wrap up the weekend.
Before heading home, grab brunch at Uptown Café. It's a Bloomington favorite known for Cajun-inspired dishes, great coffee, and one of the best brunch menus in town.
Bonus: Super family friendly!
Order: Eggs Benedict • The Best Waffle EVER • Espresso Martinis
📍 102 E Kirkwood Ave
Whether you're grabbing breakfast before kickoff, celebrating a Hoosier win, or looking for a late-night bite after the game, these are the Bloomington favorites we find ourselves recommending again and again.
