Thursday email
Menu

Wildcats at home

UK game days in Lexington

The University of Kentucky home football games at Kroger Field and men’s basketball games at Rupp Arena that UK has dated, with how parking and the shuttle work and a few family stops close by.

UK Athletics schedules checked

Quick answers

Where do I park for a UK football game?

UK sells single-game reserved parking at the William T. Young Library lots at Woodland and Columbia avenues for $50 per vehicle, card only. Parking Structure 1 and the Yellow/Red lot are unavailable in 2026.

Source: ukathletics.com, checked .

What bag can I bring to Kroger Field?

One clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic bag, plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches.

Source: ukathletics.com, checked .

Where do I park for basketball at Rupp Arena?

Game-day parking is first come, first served in Central Bank Center's West High Street lots, and UK says a parking fee applies at most Rupp Arena events. Doors open 90 minutes before tipoff.

Source: ukathletics.com, checked .

What bag can I bring to Rupp Arena?

Any bag must meet UK Athletics' clear bag policy, and every bag is searched before tickets are scanned.

Source: ukathletics.com, checked .

Football at Kroger Field

Home games left this season. When UK still lists a kickoff as TBA, we say so and leave the time off.

A UK football weekend: the next home game, parking, where to eat and the morning after.

Men’s basketball at Rupp Arena

The next 10 of 20 home games we have checked. The full list is on UK’s schedule.

Parking and shuttles

Here is what UK and Lextran post about parking and the shuttle. For road closures, check our big-day traffic guide and the city’s traffic ticker.

Ticket questions before game day go to the UK Ticket Office at 800-928-2287, open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Football

For 2026 football, UK lists single-game parking at the William T. Young Library lots at Woodland and Columbia avenues for $50 per vehicle, card only. Parking Structure 1 and the Yellow/Red lot are unavailable in 2026. Each fan may bring one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear bag, plus a clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. On game day the Kroger Field ticket office, between gates 9 and 10, opens four hours before kickoff and closes after halftime.

Lextran runs a Downtown Shuttle and a Campus Shuttle for UK home football games. The fare is $1 each way, paid on the bus in exact change, and Lextran passes, transfers, UK IDs and discounted fares are not accepted. Service starts three hours before the scheduled kickoff, drops to one bus per loop from 30 minutes after kickoff, picks back up at the start of the fourth quarter and ends one hour after the game. The stadium stop is in front of University Flats on University Drive.

UK parking checked ; Lextran checked .

Basketball

For UK men’s basketball, the West High Street lots open at noon whatever the tipoff time, and UK says a parking fee applies at most Rupp Arena events. The non-reserved ADA lot at Gate 1 costs $27 per vehicle, card only, and needs a valid state-issued disabled hang tag. UK’s temporary ticket desk in the High Street lobby opens 90 minutes before tipoff.

Checked .

Family stops near the venues

Places from our own listings close to campus and downtown, with what we last checked about each one. Look at hours before you build a game day around them.

The Arboretum

A public garden for a self-guided outdoor break. Grounds admission is free; paid areas and special programs have separate terms.

Grounds close at dusk. Visitor parking is free while visiting, with a home-football-day closure. Check official notices before setting off.

University of Kentucky Art Museum

An art museum at the Singletary Center with free admission and changing exhibitions. Check current opening hours before heading to campus.

Saturday hours are noon–5 pm; the museum is closed Sundays. Official pages differ on Tuesday opening, so confirm weekday hours, access, and parking directly.

Lexington Children’s Museum

An indoor museum centered on learning through play. The museum describes its focus as children up to age 10; check its visitor information for your family’s needs.

Published Saturday hours are 10 am–5 pm and Sunday hours are 1–5 pm. General admission is $10 per guest aged 2+. Parking and other costs are separate. Confirm notices, entry and individual access needs before leaving.

Put it on your calendar

UK posts start times but not finish times, and our calendar only carries dates with both, so this feed has no games in it. To add games to your calendar, use the Add To Calendar button on UK’s football schedule or basketball schedule.

A starting point, not a ticket.

Kickoff and tipoff times, parking prices and shuttle rules can change. Check UK’s pages the day of the game.

Send a correction