Boston College Tailgating
The Boston College Eagles football team is based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Baldwin the Eagle joins the team at the 44,000-seat Alumni Stadium. Find out more about RVing to Boston College for a game or two.
Event information
Located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Boston College is about 6 miles away from the city. The private Jesuit university has a student population of about 10,000, which is much smaller than other schools in their conference. Originally, the Eagles played at the old Alumni Stadium, built in 1915, but they soon moved out to play at the much bigger Fenway Park, the legendary home field of the Boston Red Sox.
After the Red Sox banned football at their stadium, the school decided to build a new Alumni Stadium. The new Alumni Stadium was built in 156 days in 1957 and seated 22,000 people. The stadium has been renovated twice since then and now seats 44,000. The school’s mascot is Baldwin the Eagle, a jovial, costumed eagle.
The Eagles are part of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Before joining the ACC in 2005, the Boston College Eagles were a member of the Big East Conference where they won a conference championship on their last year in the conference. After joining the ACC, the Eagles have won the Atlantic Division at least three times. Since 2010, Boston College has made seven bowl game appearances, of which they have won one.
In line with the school's spirit, the Ice Hockey team has brought at least five national championships to Boston College, and they have won their conference over a dozen times. The school participates in a total of 29 varsity sports. The football, ice hockey, softball, basketball, and soccer teams are among the most successful and popular.
Tickets
Single-game tickets can fluctuate from season to season, and the price can increase when the Boston College Eagles compete against big rivals or high-ranked opponents. Fans can expect to pay around $30 per ticket on average. As for ice hockey, you can expect to pay between $10 and $30, though that can depend on the visiting opponent.
Explore Boston College Tailgating RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Alumni Stadium is located inside the campus grounds, and it is about 20 minutes away from Downtown Boston. You may encounter I-90 or MA-9 if you’re driving from the west or east, especially Boston. Motorists will likely take I-95 if coming from the north or south. Tolls are common within the vicinity of Boston, so remember to have some cash on hand. The nearest big city is Providence, Rhode Island, which is about two hours south of Boston.
Parking areas
Boston College explicitly prohibits RVs from parking on their campus or satellite parking lots. If you bring a tow vehicle, however, you can park at one of the single-game lots. Some smaller campervans would also be appropriate for these lots if the vehicle is likely to fit into one parking space. There are three single-game lots, but they are not near the stadium. The Hammond Pond parking lot costs $40 to park in, and it is two miles away from the stadium. Some parking options may vary depending on the sporting event that you plan to attend.
Public Transportation
Since the single-game parking lots are not within a reasonable walking distance of the stadium, Boston College provides free shuttles to all guests. The shuttles start making their rounds about three hours before the game, and they continue to operate until two hours after the game. There is also an ADA-accessible shuttle that is equipped to transport passengers in wheelchairs.
Where to stay
Onsite
Before you head out to the game, make arrangements and book a stay at a local RV park or campground near Boston. RVs are not allowed to park anywhere on Boston College grounds, but the community, school spirit, history, and natural features easily make up for not being able to sleep on campus.
Nearby
Boston/Cape Cod KOA, for example, is about an hour south of the stadium, and they provide guests with electricity hookups, Wi-Fi, a dog park, and other unique amenities.
Nature lovers, on the other hand, may want to consider staying at Wompatuck State Park, which is about a 50-minute drive from the stadium and offers showers, hookups, and plenty of outdoor activities.
Getting around
If you do park at one of the single-game satellite parking lots, look for a shuttle to transport you to the game. Fans can also walk if you don’t mind the two-mile hike through the community. Elevators at Alumni Stadium help maroon and gold fans get to their seats without breaking a sweat.
What to pack
Clothing
The clothing you pack will depend a lot on the season, and make sure to glance at the weather forecast before rummaging through your closet. As a rule of thumb, pack light, comfortable clothing for warm to cool weather at the start of the season, and pack warmer clothing closer to November and December as the football season progresses. Also, don’t forget to bring your Eagle-emblazoned Boston College apparel.
Gear
Tailgating lots are reserved for fans who own season tickets and have donated a certain amount to Boston College’s Flynn Fund. While you may not be able to park or host your own tailgate at these donor parking lots, you can still show up to the tailgate parties, but you must have a valid game ticket to enter. Bring comfortable shoes, a portable charger to keep your devices juiced, and an empty stomach if you plan to join in the food festivities.
Health & Safety
Attending the tailgate parties is always a fun occasion, but remember to take note of game day guidelines as well as any local considerations in this historic community. Keep an eye on children to prevent them from wandering off or getting too close to open flames and other dangers. Bring a portable first-aid kit if you can, and any necessary medications.
Where to eat
Cooking
You don’t need to host a tailgate to cook outdoors. Grab your grill and whip up some food at your campground, but make a trip to the local grocery store first. The Boston area is so close to the ocean that seafood is a local favorite, and dishes like lobster rolls and clam chowder are extremely popular. Include maroon and gold-tinted foods in your spread and see what your Eagles crew thinks.
Restaurants
There are many good eateries in the Boston area, and many of them are Italian. Boston has a big Italian-American population and they are proud of their food. Local eateries are known to offer Boston staples with that homemade taste you won’t find anywhere else. A handful of restaurants can be found near the BC campus, but a larger selection is available closer to the downtown area.
Vendors
Fans can purchase Boston College merchandise and apparel at several Boston College Bookstore locations throughout the stadium. There are a total of seven locations, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right shirt or hoodie. All concession stands and merchandise stores accept credit and debit cards.
Safety
Security
The security team at Alumni Stadium prohibits backpacks and any large bags from entering the venue. Other items such as cameras, laser pointer, noisemakers, weapons, and umbrellas are not permitted. Re-entry is not allowed at most of the Boston College athletic venues. Massachusettes sits central to many locations throughout New England and the State of New York, consider what other areas you might want to explore, like Green Mountain National Forest, and check for local guidelines in those areas.
Weather
Boston summers are humid and warm, with average high temperatures peaking at 82 degrees. The start of football season is generally mild and pleasant. October and November tend to be chilly and often wet, so this is a good time to include a maroon and gold hoodie and even a good coat in your travel gear. After December, the average low drops to below freezing, so consider hand and feet warmers for game day. Annually, the average snowfall depth in Boston is about 48 inches.
Medical
Head to the first-aid room at Alumni Stadium if you’re not feeling well and in need of medical attention. There is only one first-aid room at the stadium which you can find inside Gate E. The first-aid room is staffed multiple trained EMTs. There are also several mobile EMT teams that are located throughout the stadium. Call 911 or head to the hospital in the case of a serious medical emergency.
