Tailgating ahead of the NM State Aggie game Saturday? Here's what you should know.

Leah Romero, Las Cruces Sun-News
·2 min read
Greg Gonzales grills burgers and hotdogs before the NMSU-UTEP game at NMSU in Las Cruces on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021.
Greg Gonzales grills burgers and hotdogs before the NMSU-UTEP game at NMSU in Las Cruces on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021.

LAS CRUCES – Heading to the Aggie Memorial Stadium this weekend for the first game of the year? Here are a few tailgating do’s and don’ts.

The New Mexico State Aggies start the 2022 football season playing against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack Saturday. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. (the late start is due to the game being televised on ESPN2), but everyone knows the fun starts a few hours earlier outside the stadium.

Fans, students and alumni historically pack the tailgating parking lots each year. This weekend again be packed — athletics officials are predicting close to sellout of the 30,000-seat stadium. NMSU police released tailgating regulations on social media this week. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

Tailgating lots

  • General public tailgating is permitted in several free and pass-controlled parking areas including:

  • Lot 29 (North Pan American Center parking lot)

  • Lot 30 (Family and RV Tailgate Lot) – the northern section of this lot is designated for alcohol-free tailgating

  • Lot 105 (North of the Tennis Center)

  • Lot 33 (AAC Lot A)

  • Lot 38 (AAC Lot B)

  • Lot 39 (Softball Lot)

  • Lot 40 (Baseball Lot)

  • Lot 83 (paved lot east of Greek Complex)

  • Lot 86 (dirt lot east of Greek Complex)

  • Lot 87 (Fulton East Lot)

  • Lot 88 (Fulton West Lot)

  • Grass areas in and around these lots

On game day, tailgating is allowed from two hours before the game to an hour after. Tailgating is not allowed during the game. Parking is first-come, first-served. People can park their RVs ahead of time starting at 11 a.m. on Fridays before game day.

Student tailgating

Students and student organizations are allowed to tailgate in a particular field within the Pat & Lou Sisbarro Community Park, east of Aggie Memorial Stadium. Student IDs and event passes will be checked before people are allowed admission into the area. Alcohol is allowed in this section, but those consuming must be 21 or older.

  • Space is first-come, first-served and is available for claiming five hours before kickoff

  • Tailgating is allowed three hours ahead of the game up until 30 minutes before kickoff

  • Tailgating is also allowed for two hours after the game, but not during the game

  • No hard liquor is allowed in this area, only beer and wine

Food and beverages

  • No glass containers

  • Coolers and ice chests are subject to search

  • Kegs and party balls are prohibited

  • Alcohol cannot be taken into the stadium

  • Grilling using electric and propane/butane grills is allowed in all areas unless noted otherwise

  • Fire extinguishers or water buckets are required when grilling

Seating is limited, so if you haven't purchased your tickets yet, check out availability online at nmstatesports.com/sports.

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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Tailgating ahead of the NM State Aggie game Saturday? Here's what you should know.