Planning to go to the Orange Bowl? Here’s what you need to know
The Michigan Wolverines and Georgia Bulldogs will play in the Orange Bowl on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in a College Football Playoff semifinal game, with the winner advancing to the national championship.
Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game is sold out (although tickets are available on the secondary market).
Are you planning to go to the game? If so, here’s what you need to know before heading to the stadium.
When do parking lots open?
Hard Rock Stadium parking lots open five hours before the game, so you can arrive as early as 2:30 p.m. if you have a colored parking pass (black, orange, blue, maroon, purple, silver and yellow).
You must have a physical parking pass to enter the Hard Rock Stadium inner lots on game day — that’s every colored lot except yellow. Mobile parking passes are valid for yellow lots only.
What if I’m driving to the stadium and don’t have a parking pass?
There are five free parking lots within a mile and a half of Hard Rock Stadium. Those five:
▪ Calder Casino (21001 NW 27th Ave.)
▪ Lot 19, just south of Calder Casino on the west side of Northwest 27th Avenue.
▪ Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex (3000 NW 199th St.)
▪ Norwood Elementary School (19810 NW 14th Court)
▪ Lot 22, just south of the Walmart on Northwest 27th Avenue.
Spots at those parking lots can be reserved online at https://www.orangebowl.org/thegame/info/parking/
There is no tailgating allowed at any of these five lots.
What if I’m taking a ride share to the game?
Ride shares like Uber and Lyft will pick up and drop off people at Lot 22.
What are the COVID-19 protocols for the Orange Bowl?
The Orange Bowl is following the protocols put in place by Hard Rock Stadium for Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes games, which recommends that attendees wear masks while in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, and encourages social distancing when possible.
However, the stadium’s COVID-19 updates page also notes that “based on trends and regulatory guidance, we will continue making adjustments to these measures, which may change at any time without notice.”
What am I allowed to bring into Hard Rock Stadium?
According to the Orange Bowl website, the following types of bags are allowed to be carried inside the stadium on game day:
▪ One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches and 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
▪ In addition to the clear bags noted above, fans may also carry in a small clutch bag or purse approximately the size of a hand.
Exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at Gate E designated for this purpose.
Diapers and wipes can be carried in a clear bag.
What are fans not allowed to bring?
The following items are prohibited to be brought into the stadium by fans, according to the Orange Bowl website:
▪ Alcohol
▪ Bags and purses outside of what is outlined above
▪ Bottles, cans, thermoses, coolers, hard containers, umbrellas, strollers, poles, brooms, noise makers, laser pointers and selfie sticks
▪ Any other item(s) deemed dangerous or inappropriate
▪ Cameras with lenses exceeding 8 inches
▪ Food
▪ Unmanned aircraft systems, radio controlled model aircraft and other devices that can be operated in airspace (a drone, for example).
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 12:10 PM.
.JPG)