Capacity: 61,000
Home Teams: Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA College Football)
Home to the Kentucky Wildcats football team of the University of Kentucky, Kroger Field has dominated the skyline of the small college town of Lexington ever since it was opened in 1973. The venue has since been modified and expanded to provide more seating for the many fans that crowd into its stands for Wildcats home games. Students, alumni, faculty, and plenty of other fans travel to Lexington from far and wide to enjoy the exciting buildup of pep rallies and tailgating, followed by lining the so-called Cat Walk, where players and coaches walk to the stadium amidst crowds of cheering supporters. When it’s game time, fans wearing the blue and white of the team head into Kroger Field to raise their voices to cheer on the Wildcats, belting out the words of “On, On, U of K” and “Kentucky Fight” along with the Wildcat Marching Band. Through most of their history, the Wildcats have needed all the support they can get, as they have struggled to make their mark in the very competitive Southeastern Conference, having only won 2 conference titles (and 1 claimed national title, in 1950), as well as 12 Bowl games (they are a respectable 12-10 in Bowl games). Nevertheless, the fans are fiercely loyal to their team, who always strive to put on a show no matter how stiff the opposition is. While Kroger Field is primarily used for Wildcats home games, the venue is also known for hosting high school football championships. 2022 marked the first time a major concert was hosted at Kroger Field (featuring Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson), with more possibly to come in the future. Those turning up to the stadium hungry will find many tempting options on offer, including Nathan’s Taqueria, LaRosa’s Pizza, Chick Fil-A, and City Barbecue, along with plenty of cold beer. For Wildcats merchandise, check out any of the kiosks and shops inside Kroger Field or around campus.
Kroger Field is a sizable venue with many different seating options for fans to choose from. Those looking to experience the game in luxurious comfort can apply for premium seating areas such as luxury suites or Woodford Reserve Club seats. All premium seats provide superb views of on-field action along with first-class service and amenities. To experience the game with its most passionate fans, however, plunge yourself right into the thick of the crowd in one of hte large general admission seating areas. To find the best tickets for all the most affordable seats to Kentucky Wildcats games at Kroger Field, check TicketX listings and use our handy seating chart to evaluate different seating options (prices/locations).
Visitors can access Kroger Field via public transportation or driving their own vehicle.
A single local bus does run close to Kroger Field, but for game days, the most useful transportation service for fans is the Lextran shuttle, which runs from various locations around town to the stadium. Routes and schedules can be found on the Lextran website. If staying close to the venue, cycling or walking to the stadium could be an option (or catching a taxi or ride-share).
Arlington, Kentucky, is a small city with minimal traffic most of the time, but the streets and parking lots fill up on game days, so make sure to arrive early and carefully plan your route in advance. Simple driving directions and maps (these also indicate which roads are closed on game days) can be found on the University of Kentucky’s website.
Many of the parking lots close to Kroger Field are reserved for season ticket holders, there is plenty of parking for other visitors as long as you know where to look. It is important to understand that some parking lots are permit-only whereas other areas do not require a permit. Visit the University of Kentucky’s website for parking information (including permit/non-permit areas) and maps.
Parking for Wildcats games at Kroger Field generally costs $10-20 in parking lots near the stadium. Lots further from the ground are even cheaper (and some free parking apparently exists too). Visit the University of Kentucky’s website for more information on parking lots and parking prices.