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This is a guide to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home stadium (Raymond James Stadium). Going to a NFL game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – Buying from Vivid Seats allows you to avoid ticket lines at the stadium and Vivid Seats shows you your view from the seats prior to purchase. Click here to view Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Buccaneers Game
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ticket Information
- Raymond James Stadium Gate Information
- Best Place to Park at Raymond James Stadium
- Does Raymond James Stadium Take Cash?
- How Long are Tampa Bay Buccaneers Games?
- Where is the Buccaneers Team Store?
What to Bring to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game?
If you are going to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Small Clutch Bag – Raymond James Stadium has a “No Bag Policy” but you can bring in a small clutch bag if it s 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches or smaller.
- Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Tampa Bay Buccaneers parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Weather and Sun Protection – Raymond James Stadium is an open-air stadium, which means you will need to be prepared to face the elements when you go to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is a good idea.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
Can You Bring a Bag Into Raymond James Stadium?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, NFL stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. There are strict regulations regarding the types of bags allowed inside a stadium. Raymond James Stadium has a “No Bag Policy”, except for small clutch bag that has to be under 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches (source).
They do have lockers on site if you bring a back to the gates and want to store it with them during the game instead of walking back to your car.
Can You Bring a Blanket Into Raymond James Stadium?
Yes, you can bring a blanket into Tampa Bay Buccaneers games at Raymond James Stadium (source). However, most stadiums ask that you make sure items such as a blanket are used in a manner that do not bother those sitting in seats next to you.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ticket Information
Buying Buccaneers Tickets
Yes, you can buy Buccaneers tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, because NFL game usually sellout, it is very difficult to buy tickets at the stadium on gameday. Buying in advance is almost always necessary.
You can buy your tickets directly from the team’s website, but once the game is sold-out, you will need to use the secondary ticket market, where you can buy Buccaneers tickets that are being re-sold. For these types of tickets, I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase.
- Click here to view Buccaneers tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
If you wish to speak to the ticket office in person, the Buccaneers Ticket Office on gamedays is located in the South Plaza between gates C and D on the south side of the stadium (view). As you approach the south side of the stadium, you should see a line of ticket windows just behind Buc’s Beach.
For non-event days, it is best to contact the ticket office via phone. To read more, visit our article about purchasing Buccaneers tickets at the stadium.
Raymond James Stadium Gate Information
Raymond James Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for Tampa Bay Buccaneers games (source). Members of the Hall of Fame Club and those will suite tickets are allowed in 2.5 hours prior to kickoff. Gates A, B, C, and D are used for general admission, with an East and West VIP gate. To read more about which entry gates might be best for you, visit our Raymond James Stadium Gate Guide.
Best Place to Park at Raymond James Stadium for Buccaneers Games
Most of the general parking is in the north, but there is general parking on the east and west sides of the stadium. With that said, even the general parking areas will sell prepaid parking passes, which means they will likely be sold out on game days. The two biggest lots that are usually available on game day for drive up parking are Raymond James Stadium Lot 13 and Raymond James Stadium Lot HCC.
- Buy Prepaid Parking if Possible – Buying a parking permit in advance can help you avoid the hassle of buying at the stadium, and allows you to reserve a spot in a parking lot that makes the most sense for you. It’s also worth noting that certain lots require pre-purchased permits.
- For General Parking, come in from the North – There really isn’t much parking at all in the south. The parking lots that are in the south are prepaid only, so you would need a pass. Also, the two biggest general parking lots are in the north (Raymond James Stadium Lot 13 and Raymond James Stadium Lot HCC).
- Al Lopez Park -There is extra parking in Al Lopez Park on the day of the game that is for general parking and many times will have open spots even if other parking is sold out. If you get to the game early, you can also find free parking spaces here.
The Raymond James Stadium General Parking Lots are the largest lots that offer a combination of drive up parking and prepaid parking. Below is a list of the main Raymond James Stadium General Lots:
- Raymond James Stadium Lot HCC
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 1
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 3D
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 6D
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 8
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 9
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 12
- Raymond James Stadium Lot 13
- Raymond James Stadium Steinbrenner Field
Typically, most of the Raymond James Stadium General Parking Lots will sellout prior to game day. Lots 13 and HCC will typically still have space available where you can use a credit card to pay for any available parking. Keep in mind that none of the Raymond James General Parking Lots have ADA parking, you will find those in the Preferred A and C Lots.
To read more about lots and options, visit our Tampa Bay Buccaneers Parking Guide.
How Long Do Tampa Bay Buccaneers Games Last?
You can expect a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to 3.5 hours (or longer) depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average length of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game was 3 hours and 7 minutes.
In 2021, the longest Tampa Bay Buccaneers game lasted 3 hours and 32 minutes, and the shortest Tampa Bay Buccaneers game lasted 2 hours and 53 minutes. The main takeaway is most Tampa Bay Buccaneers games last slightly over 3 hours, but there are exceptions both ways.
To read more, visit our article about the length of football games.
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference Gamelogs
Where is the Buccaneers Team Store?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Store is located on the west side of Raymond James Stadium just off of Dale Mabry Highway and Tampa Bay Boulevard. You can get to the Buccaneers Team Store through Raymond James Stadium Gate D.
If you are shopping for Buccaneers fan gear, you can also do that online. This is where you can view Buccaneers gear available at NFLShop.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). If you want to read more about the different types of Buccaneers fan jerseys, visit our Buccaneers jersey guide.
Does Raymond James Stadium Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Raymond James Stadium does not accept cash inside the stadium. Guests can pay for items using valid debit or credit cards, or mobile wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay (source). There are also reverse ATM’s in the stadium to turn cash into prepaid cards.
Raymond James Stadium Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Raymond James Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the team or Raymond James Stadium staff. Contact information is below:
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – Buying from Vivid Seats allows you to avoid ticket lines at the stadium and Vivid Seats shows you your view from the seats prior to purchase. Click here to view Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).