Tallahassee and FSU Police Departments offer tips for a safe, enjoyable game day experience

Coming to the game? Plan your route before you cheer on the Seminoles!
Coming to the game? Plan your route before you cheer on the Seminoles!

The Tallahassee and Florida State Police Departments are working diligently to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of the 80,000-plus visitors who come to enjoy the home football games. In preparation for upcoming FSU and FAMU football games, they are reminding fans of the changes in the traffic pattern around the downtown area, which took effect last year.

TRAFFIC INSTRUCTIONS: Fans are encouraged to use the following roadways to gain access to parking on and around FSU’s campus.

  • From the north, use Stadium Drive or Macomb Street to Pensacola Street.
  • From the east, use Pensacola or Gaines streets.
  • From the west, use Pensacola or Tennessee streets to Stadium Drive.
  • From the south, use Lake Bradford Road.

On several weekends during the season, there are home games at both universities and vehicle traffic will be heavy. Everyone is advised to add extra time for travel to ensure early arrival to the game and plan for some delays. Traffic will be especially heavy in the South Monroe Street, Gaines Street, Lake Bradford Road and Orange Avenue areas.

The traffic signals along West Pensacola Street will be set to “flash” pre-game to give priority to westbound traffic traveling along that route toward Doak Campbell Stadium. TPD will be on post two hours prior to the game. TPD will also take control of the lights and intersections once all personnel are on post.

Seminole Booster parking lots are:

12, 13, 17, 19, 25 – 29
7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23
5, 8, 15
1 – 6
Warrior
Tomahawk
Silver Chief
Golden Chief

If you are parking in Seminole Booster lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 or 14, please approach the stadium from the east via West Pensacola Street. If you are parking in Booster lots 1, 2, 3, 4 or 18, please approach the stadium from the east via Gaines Street. If you are parking in Booster lots 25 or 13, the most direct route would be to take West Tennessee Street to Woodward Avenue to access these lots. All non-Booster traffic is encouraged to use either Tennessee Street or Lake Bradford Road and look for general parking directions using the free SeminoleSafe App (see below for more information about the app).

To get our visitors home as quickly as possible, West Pensacola Street will flow in an eastbound direction after the game. All lanes of West Pensacola Street will flow one-way away from the stadium, as will St. Augustine Street, in an effort to reduce the traffic congestion. After the game, all traffic signals along St. Augustine Street will be flashing to give priority to vehicles traveling eastbound, away from the stadium.

Please see the attached maps for further details regarding inbound and outbound traffic patterns for the games.

THE SPIRIT EXPRESS SHUTTLE: This bus service, operated by the City of Tallahassee/Star Metro, originates at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and can still be boarded there, however, the shuttle route has changed. Jefferson Street is now closed to traffic, as the Spirit Express will use it during game time. The shuttle will be dropping passengers off on Varsity Drive just north of Jefferson Street. Sidewalk access is recommended to the stadium after exiting the bus.

Tickets for the shuttle will be on sale at the Tucker Center ticket office and riders will be provided with an armband. Service begins two hours prior to kickoff. Accessible shuttles from Garage Number 5 are $5 per rider. Fares collected on the shuttles require correct change. No open containers or coolers are allowed on Spirit Express buses or accessible shuttles. Service ends one hour after the end of each game. For rides back to the Tucker Center after the game, riders must present their armbands to the driver for boarding.

COLLABORATION: The City of Tallahassee and Florida State University meet on numerous occasions throughout the course of the football season. The following are several initiatives for the games:

  • Tallahassee Police Department will provide coordination with all traffic lights along Pensacola, Saint Augustine, Madison and Duval streets.
  • A gate has been installed on the corner of Varsity Drive and St. Augustine Street for Lot 14 (Intramural Fields). This will allow for better pedestrian access.
  • More signage at multiple locations. Banners will be hung along Pensacola Street, as well as additional signs placed along all the routes.
  • Tallahassee Police Department will be on post two hours prior to the game. TPD will also take control of the lights and intersections once all personnel are on post.
  • Fans are encouraged to arrive early and plan for some delays. Please follow directions of law enforcement while traveling to and from the game.

The SeminoleSafe App: This is your official mobile safety tool from Florida State University. You can refer to the SeminoleSafe App for real-time updates and additional information you need to know for home football games from direct turn–by–turn directions to your designated Booster or general parking lot, clear bag policy and instructions, prohibited items inside the stadium and real-time weather data on campus.