What Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fans Need To Know For Visiting Raymond James Stadium

After a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams in last year’s playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for revenge this season. With much of their offense still intact from the past two seasons and a new coach leading the charge, the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to make another run for the Lombardi Trophy.

There’s little chance Bucs fans will be able to place a wager on their favorite team in Florida this season. Sports betting in the Sunshine State remains in limbo until lawsuits are resolved after a brief launch last year.

The good news is the Buccaneers have nine home games this year. The bad news is one of them, Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, is in Munich, Germany.

For the other eight, here’s everything you need to know to attend a game at Raymond James Stadium this season.

Getting to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game

The Bucs play their home games at Raymond James Stadium. It’s located at 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, just north of downtown Tampa.

There are multiple ways to get to the stadium:

• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft drivers are required to drop you off and pick you up at the northeast corner of the stadium.
• Buses, taxis, limos: They’ll drop you off and pick you up in a designated drop-off and pickup area at Steinbrenner Field, which is across Dale Mabry from the stadium. Once you’re out of the car, you’ll follow the crowds to a pedestrian bridge that crosses over Dale Mabry and takes you to the stadium. Multiple buses run to and from the stadium on game day, and fares start at $2 for a one-way trip. Try Line 7 or Line 10 to Line 45.
• Bike riders: There are fenced-in bike storage areas at dock areas A, B, C and D. The stadium is not responsible for stolen bicycles.
• Guests with disabilities: Fans with disabilities can be dropped off at entrances close to the gate where their seat is. Guest services booths can store wheelchairs.

If you’re flying into the game, Raymond James Stadium is around a 40-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk from Tampa International Airport.

Where to stay when visiting Raymond James Stadium

There are a variety of modest-priced hotels and inns around Raymond James. If you’re looking for hotels that are more upscale and/or located near nightlife, there are several main areas to check out:

• Downtown: The Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, Embassy Suites, Tampa Marriott and Westin Tampa Waterfront are all excellent choices because of their waterside location. For dining, American Social, Cafe Dufrain and Columbia Cafe are solid waterfront choices.
• Westshore: Embassy Suites Tampa Airport and The Westshore Grand are right across the street from Westshore Plaza, one of Tampa’s two big malls. There are plenty of places to eat, and transportation to the stadium is easy via the 45 bus.
• International Plaza: International Plaza is Tampa’s upscale mall and has multiple bars and restaurants. There are plenty of lodging options around the mall, but the Renaissance Tampa is the top choice. It’s located on the mall property and is right next to the Plaza’s best restaurants.
• Causeway: Two hotels, the Westin and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, offer great water views and a more upscale experience. Stop by Whiskey Joe’s for dinner and drinks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 home schedule

Best seats and games

The seats that offer the best view of the game are sections 235, 236, 210 and 211. These are club-level seats at the 50-yard line. They’re up high enough to where you’ll have an unobstructed view of the action but not so far away that you’re in the cheap seats. These tickets will cost you, though, as resale prices range from $700 to $950.

The best games of the season are the first two home games: Sept. 25 against the Packers and Oct. 2 against the Chiefs. The only seating available for both games is in the Krewe’s Nest, a new end-zone seating area with prices starting around $315.

Promotions

The Buccaneers have a variety of promos you can sign up for in advance of this season’s games. Some of the highlights include:

Brew With a Buc: Win two tickets to the Bucs’ home game against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 18.

Flyaway Sweepstakes: Enter to win airfare, transportation and a hotel stay to Tampa Bay’s Nov. 13 game against the Seahawks in Munich.

To stay up to date on the promotions and events happening at the game you want to attend, sign up for the Bucs Bulletin newsletter.

Parking

There are 18 different parking lots for fans, rideshares and buses. Parking is first-come, first-served, but you can purchase parking in advance for $50. Parking lots open three to five hours before kickoff.

Day-of parking prices are as follows:

• Red lots (closest to the stadium): $50 plus tax
• Orange lots: $40 plus tax
• ADA lots (northwest corner of stadium): $40 plus tax
• Pewter lots: $45 plus tax
• RV lot: $87 plus tax

Tailgating

You can tailgate in the stadium parking lots three to five hours before the game.

Fans also have the option of buying tickets to the Buccaneers’ official game day tailgating party. Tickets are $125 for the general public and $100 for season ticket holders. Spots are limited and include:

• Entrance to the party up to three hours before the game
• All-inclusive drinks: soda, water, beer, wine and premium spirits
• Food, with grilled options, menus that change every game, and desserts and snacks
• Music and games

Final takeaways

• Raymond James Stadium is easily accessible by public transportation and rideshare.
• Westshore, International Plaza and downtown are top options for hotels and dining.
• The seats with the best view are located in the club section at the 50-yard-line, but the new Krewe’s Nest seats under the south scoreboard offer good value.
• Parking prices range from $40 to $50 for cars and are $87 for RVs. You can buy parking in advance for $50.
• The stadium allows tailgating in the parking lot, and the team runs a tailgating party with unlimited food and drink for $100-$125.