Whether you prefer to watch college football from stadium seats or on TV, there’s plenty to eat, see and do in the days leading up to the Valero Alamo Bowl on Friday.
» No. 24 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Washington State
» 8 p.m. Friday
» Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
» Get tickets
This year, Iowa State Cyclones (Big 12) take on the Washington State Cougars in the Alamodome. Expect the respective fanbases to be perhaps a little more lively than others in recent years.
“The amount of interest from (these fans) is unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 10 years,” said Rick Hill, VP of Marketing and Communications for the Alamo Bowl. “They fill the hotels and stay out late.”
Washington State last played at the Alamo Bowl in 1994, while Iowa State will make its first appearance this year. Event officials estimate out-of-state fans will make up more than two-thirds of total Alamo Bowl ticket sales.
If you’re looking to take in the Alamo Bowl sites and sounds, here’s what you need to know:
Tickets
As of Wednesday morning, general admission tickets at Ticketmaster start at $25, and are also available via third-party vendors like Ticketmaster and StubHub.
Getting there
VIA will offer roundtrip Park & Ride services from Crossroads Park & Ride (151 Crossroads Blvd.), Blossom Athletic Center (12002 Jones Maltsberger Road) and Madla Park & Ride (1584 Cantrell Drive). Purchase a $5 roundtrip ticket using cash, credit or the VIA goMobile app. The VIA Prímo (Route 100) will also detour to serve the Robert Thompson Transit Center at the Alamodome starting three hours before kickoff and ending one hour after the game.
Lyft is offering discounted rides to and from the Alamo Bowl and official events at the following locations: Alamodome, Marriott Rivercenter, Sunset Station, the San Antonio International Airport and La Villita. Enter code ALAMOBOWL18. (Limited availability).
For more parking and travel info, click here. For questions about parking, or to purchase a parking pass, call (210) 704-6387.
Rules
Some prohibited items are obvious (weapons), while others maybe not so much (helium balloons). There’s also a whole list of bags you can’t bring into the dome, including purses and clear backpacks. View the complete list here (scroll to “What items are prohibited in the stadium?”).
The schedule
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26
Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally
5 p.m. at the Arneson River Theatre
Get ready to cheer, clap and show your team spirit—or, watch others show theirs—during Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Pep Rally, held at the Arneson River Theater. The teams and cheerleaders will make a grand entrance on river barges, while the pep bands will play to see whose fans can cheer loudest. “Our signature (event) is the Pep Rally on the River Walk,” Hill said. “It’s something no other city can offer. … There’s a reason ESPN airs the pep rally segment every year.”
THURSDAY, DEC. 27
La Villita Village Tailgate
11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Maverick Plaza
This car-free tailgate will be filled with barbecue, an interactive video game truck and live music by the Bobby Joe Harlow Band.
Cyclone Spirit Rally
12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Henry B. González Convention Center (Halls 2 and 3)
Be part of the official Iowa State pep rally, complete with the Cyclone cheerleaders, school band and a visit from the teams.
Bowl Bash
7 p.m. at Marriott Rivercenter
Fans can attend this party before the big game that’s complete with gourmet food stations, open bars, fan activities, live music and casino games. Limited number of tickets are sold. Call (210) 704-6391 or click here for more info.
FRIDAY, DEC. 28
Tailgate Town
The Alamodome parking lots will open for tailgating at 10 a.m. All Alamodome parking passes must be purchased ahead of time, but the public is invited to walk and rideshare to the event, meet with other fans and enjoy samples of Kiolbassa sausage.
Fan Zone
2-8 p.m. Sunset Station
Test your football skills, get your face painted, buy some merch, or get your food or drink on before the game kicks off at 8 p.m.
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