Homecoming Tailgate

Saturday, Nov. 15

The men and women's basketball teams will host Homecoming games at the Winthrop Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 15. Men’s basketball will tip off against Mercer University at 2 p.m. Women’s basketball will tip off against Queens University at 4:30 p.m. Game tickets will be available for purchase beginning Nov. 1. See details below for what to expect for tailgating at the Winthrop Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 15. Visit the FAQ page and tailgating policy for more information.

Purchase Your 2025 Tailgate Spot Here!

Tailgating time

  • Tailgating will be available from 10:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, rain or shine.
    • Cars will not be allowed in the Coliseum parking lot until 10:30 a.m.
  • Those who have purchased a tailgate spot can drop off their tents and grills on Friday, Nov. 14 between 4-8 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum. The area will be secured overnight on Nov. 14, but before being allowed to drop off your tailgating items, a waiver must be signed acknowledging that Winthrop University has no liability for items left at the Coliseum overnight. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please arrive at the Winthrop Coliseum between 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14. The Winthrop University Police Department will be onsite at the Coliseum to distribute waivers and receive signatures. On Saturday, Nov. 15, vehicles will not be allowed to be driven on the grass areas due to pedestrian safety issues, which means grills will not be allowed to be towed in past the 10:30 a.m. start time.
    • Please note, taking advantage of the Friday setup requires signature on the Homecoming Setup Waiver, which acknowledges that tailgate setup is being done at your own risk.

Parking for tailgate and games

  • Parking will be cash only, $20 per vehicle.
  • Each tailgate spot purchased includes a single parking pass for one vehicle.
  • Parking attendants will collect the parking fee until 4 p.m. and direct participants to parking lots and/or the tailgating areas.
  • The Winthrop golf van will transport patrons to the Coliseum from main campus. The pick-up and drop-off location is at the end of Scholars Walk by Kinard in front of Byrnes Auditorium. Pick-up and drop-off times will be every 30 minutes beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the last stop at 7 p.m. A sign will be on site to for pick-up and drop-off. View the shuttle route here.

Location of tailgating and reservations

  • Tailgating spots will be available for purchase from Thursday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Nov. 2.
  • The tailgate spot fee is nonrefundable and spots are nontransferrable.
  • Purchase for all tailgating spots will be on a first come, first served basis. Tailgating spots will be available for purchase through Sunday, Nov. 2. Families or groups wishing to tailgate are encouraged to purchase their spot(s) in advance of Homecoming and Reunion Weekend to ensure availability.
  • There will be two separate designated tailgating areas—Alumni/Family Zone and Student/Alumni Zone—for those wishing to use tents or gather anywhere other than the South Lot. Please refer to the tailgate map below and the following descriptions to consider which section will be most desirable before you purchase.
    • Standard 30’x40’ spots in the Alumni/Family Zone
      • $100 per spot
      • Suitable for multiple families or a single family with plenty of room to play and adjacent to the Alumni Association Kids Zone.
      • DJ's are not allowed in these spots.
      • Limit two spots per purchase.
      • Spots F1-F8 on the tailgate map.
    • Standard 30’x40’ spots in the Student/Alumni Zone
      • $100 per spot
      • Suitable for single groups.
      • DJ's are not allowed in these spots.
      • Limit two spots per purchase.
      • Spots S1-S17 on the tailgate map.
    • XL 80’x 40’ spots in the Student/Alumni Zone
      • $225 per spot
      • Suitable for large/combined groups.
      • DJ's are allowed in these spots
      • Limit one spot per purchase.
      • Spots A-F on the tailgate map.
  • There will be a drop-off area for tailgating in the softball parking lot for those individuals who purchase a tailgating spot.
  • Tailgating from individual vehicles without the use of tents will be allowed in the South parking lot only. No tents may be set up in the South parking lot. This will help ensure less crowded, safer conditions and the ability of emergency vehicles to reach all areas where students and alumni will gather.
  • We expect the tailgating spots to sell out, so it is important to purchase your spot before the day of the event. Tailgate spots will not be available for purchase after Sunday, Nov. 2.
  • Tailgating is rain or shine. Tailgating spots are prepaid, and refunds will not be issued.

Tailgating policy, outside noise policy and additional information

  • See the tailgating policy on the Winthrop website for additional information about conduct and prohibited activities.
  • Music and DJ's must comply to Winthrop's outside noise policy. Non explicit lyrics must be played.
  • Additional information can also be found on the FAQ page.
  • Attendees must remove their own trash from their tailgating space—whether in the parking lots or in the designated tailgating areas. If excess trash and/or other items are left in reserved spaces, the individual reserving the space may be fined. After clean up and before leaving the area, time stamp a photo of your reserved spot for your records in case you are charged a fine. Trash receptacles will be provided but bringing your own trash bags is strongly encouraged.
  • There will be an information tent where attendees can request assistance relating to parking, tailgating, group or individual behavior, etc.
  • Law enforcement and emergency medical personnel will be on site for the duration of tailgating and the game. Citations will be written and participants may be asked to leave if officers observe illegal activity.

Eagles Nest Beer Garden, powered by the YOCO Brew Trail

Visit the Eagles Nest Beer Garden, powered by the YOCO Brew Trail, featuring rotating beers from breweries in York County. The Eagles Nest Beer Garden will open at 1 p.m. and located above Section 105 on the concourse of the Winthrop Coliseum and accessible during tailgate via the outside doors to the Coliseum.

2025 Tailgate Map 

2025 Tailgate Map