Starkville, Mississippi, August 26, 2025
News Summary
Mississippi State University has revamped its tailgating policies for the upcoming football season by introducing new designated zones. Public tailgating will be moved from The Junction to peripheral areas, while a premium tailgating partner, Southern Tradition Tailgating, will take over the popular gathering spot. An exclusive area for students will also be created. These changes aim to enhance safety and improve the overall gameday atmosphere for attendees.
Starkville, Mississippi: MSU Announces New Tailgating Zones for 2025 Football Season
Mississippi State University (MSU) has made a significant change to its tailgating policies by announcing new tailgating zones for the 2025 football season. The most noticeable alteration will be the elimination of public tailgating in The Junction, a popular gathering area. The Junction will now be reallocated exclusively to Southern Tradition Tailgating, a premium tailgating partner that serves MSU as well as several other universities.
Tailgating packages with Southern Tradition start at $3,500 per season and include amenities such as tents, TVs, receivers, furniture, and setup labor. In addition to this premium offering, an exclusive student tailgating area will be created around the amphitheater, responding to requests from student body leaders for a designated space conducive to their gameday environment.
Public tailgating will now be relegated to peripheral areas around the university, specifically at locations including the Cullis Depot, Lee Boulevard by the Student Media Center, near the Newell Grissom volleyball gym, and along Creelman Street towards Allen Hall. These areas will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Logistics and Timeframes
Fans looking to hold a spot in public tailgating areas can place their equipment starting at 5 a.m. on the day before games. However, actual tent setups are restricted to commence on Fridays at 4 p.m. Despite the changes, MSU anticipates that the total area available for public tailgating will remain equivalent to what has previously been offered.
Safety and Family-Friendly Atmosphere
The decision to revamp the tailgating zones was largely influenced by safety complaints from attendees and a desire to foster a more family-friendly atmosphere at gameday events. Notably, an altercation during the 2023 MSU-Kentucky game led to several arrests, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures. MSU’s Vice President for Strategic Communications highlighted that establishing consistent tailgating areas would increase accountability for behavior and further improve safety.
As part of the new regulations, non-MSU amplified music and the use of large speakers will be prohibited to maintain a more welcoming environment in the tailgating areas. MSU plans to closely monitor the tailgating conditions during the season and is open to making any necessary adjustments to the protocols.
Changes to Hailstate Tailgate
The university has also announced that the MSU-sponsored Hailstate Tailgate event will not take place in 2025 due to construction around Dorman Hall and traffic management challenges on Creelman Street. However, there are possibilities for its return in future seasons depending on changes in the athletic department’s plans.
Summary of Tailgating Changes at MSU
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Public Tailgating | Restricted to specific peripheral areas on a first-come, first-served basis |
| Exclusive Student Area | Designated space created around the amphitheater |
| Southern Tradition Tailgating | Premium packages starting at $3,500 |
| Equipment Placement | Can begin at 5 a.m. the day before games; tent setup from Friday at 4 p.m. |
| Amplified Music | Prohibited in tailgating areas |
| Hailstate Tailgate | Cancelled for 2025; possible return in future seasons |
FAQ
What is the main change to tailgating at MSU for the 2025 football season?
The main change is the removal of public tailgating from The Junction, which will now exclusively feature Southern Tradition Tailgating.
What are the new locations for public tailgating?
Public tailgating will be allowed in peripheral areas around the Cullis Depot, Lee Boulevard by the Student Media Center, near the Newell Grissom volleyball gym, and along Creelman Street towards Allen Hall.
Is there a designated area for student tailgating?
Yes, an exclusive student tailgating area will be created around the amphitheater.
When can fans begin to set up for tailgating?
Fans can place equipment starting at 5 a.m. the day prior to games, but actual tent setups can only start on Fridays at 4 p.m.
Will Hailstate Tailgate take place in 2025?
No, the Hailstate Tailgate will not be held in 2025 due to ongoing construction and traffic management issues. It may return in future seasons.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Tailgating Zones Coming to Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University Updates Tailgating Policies
Tupelo Welcomes Back Mississippi State Bulldogs
Additional Resources
- DJournal: MSU Unveils Football Tailgating Changes
- CDispatch: MSU Removes Public Tailgating from The Junction
- StyleBlueprint: Mississippi State Football SEC
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Football Safety Regulations
- Ticketmaster Blog: Gameday – Ole Miss Rebels
- Wikipedia: Mississippi State University
- Google Search: Mississippi State University Football Tailgating
- Google Scholar: Mississippi State Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mississippi State University
- Google News: Mississippi State University Football
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
