Irish Express Gameday Experience FAQ 

Can I buy a teen ticket if I am an adult but not drinking?  

• Yes, there are options for passengers not consuming alcohol. Under-21 passengers select “Teen/Minor,” adults choose “No Beverage.” “No Beverage” is separate to prevent unauthorized passing of drinks. 

Where is the tailgate located at Notre Dame?  

• It’s at the Boy Scouts of America field, 1340 S. Bend Avenue. 

Where does the bus depart from in Chicago?  

• The Irish Express departs from Punch Bowl Social at 310 N. Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607. 

What hotels are near Punch Bowl Social?  

• Several hotels are nearby. For group discount and bundled pricing, consider the Hyatt Regency Chicago. 

What drinks are offered on the Irish Express?  

• A variety including Titos, Jim Beam, Tanqueray, Bacardi, Coors, Miller Lite, MicroBrew IPA, White Claws, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Gingerale, soda tonic, water. 

What food is provided on the way back?  

• A Chick-fil-A sandwich is provided on the return journey. 

What is your refund policy?  

• Cancellations/changes >45 days get full refund. 11-45 days, credit for future purchase. <10 days, not refundable but transferable to another customer. 

How long is the walk from the tailgate to the stadium?  

• About a 10-minute walk from the Boy Scouts lot. 

When does the Irish Express leave Punch Bowl Social?  

• 8 am CT for a 3:30 ET kickoff, 1 pm CT for a 7:30 ET game. 

Does a 35-passenger private bus have 35 open seats on it?  

• Yes, all buses are marketed with the available seats. 

Is there parking at Punch Bowl Social?  

• No, but there are nearby garages at 315 N Peoria St and 333 N Green St. 

Can I bring non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments on the bus?  

• Yes, non-alcoholic beverages and small snacks are allowed. 

Can I leave personal items on the bus?  

• Yes, but it’s unmonitored and at your own risk. 

What time can my private charter pick us up?  

• Vehicles with beverages have up to 11 hours, without beverages up to 12 hours of service. 

Can I customize my bus’s drink menu?  

• Yes, customization is possible. Use the provided link to select beverage additions. 

Why is there a limit to the drinks that I can order?  

• Limited due to bus space constraints. 

How can groups sit together on the Irish Express?  

• Provide a group name or purchase under a single name. 

Is there a military discount?  

• A 5% military veteran discount is available for Irish Express. 

ND Tailgate Lots FAQ 

Tailgate Start and End Times  

• Lots open at 8 am, cleanup starts at kickoff regardless of game time. 

Tailgate Setup Location  

• University determines location, usually west side of Joyce lot and south side of stadium lot. 

Party Zone Tailgate Start Time  

• Starts 3 hours before kickoff. 

Tailgating During the Game  

• Must cease at kickoff as per Notre Dame’s policy. 

Not Allowed at Notre Dame  

• Restrictions on advertising, branding, signage, selling equipment. 

Vehicle Removal After Reserving Spot  

• Once set up, vehicles can’t be removed. 

Overnight Parking for Spot Reservation  

• Not allowed; overnight parking results in towing. 

Flexible Parking Times  

• Flexibility until 9:30 am, then university guides to a spot. 

Tailgate Setup Time  

• Tailgate setup varies but allow up to 40 minutes. 

Serviced Parking Lots  

• We can service Joyce, Stayer, Stadium, and North lots. 

Bartender in the Lot  

• Not allowed in tailgate lots. 

Drop-Off Instructions  

• Rideshare drop-off TBD; typically at entry points. 

Handling Leftover Food and Beverages  

• University policy mandates cleanup at kickoff. 

Capacity of a 120-Quart Cooler  

• Holds about 100 cans with ice. 

Pick-Up Packages

Equipment Pick-Up Flexibility  

• With notice, equipment pick-up times can be adjusted. 

Equipment Pickup and Drop Off Times  

• Pick up: Friday: noon-6 pm
• Drop-Off: Sunday: 9 am-12 pm. 

ND Lawn FAQ 

When do tailgates start in the lawn?  

• 9 am for afternoon games, 12 pm for night games. 

Can we have a bartender in the lawn?  

• No bartenders or alcohol service allowed. 

Where can I get dropped off?  

• Drop off at concierge tent in front of Johnson Family Hall. 

Leftover Food and Beverages  

• University policy mandates cleanup at kickoff. 

21 Plus in the Tailgate Lawn?  

• 21+ allowed, open liquor not permitted.  

Catering FAQ 

 What time is my catering delivered?  

• Day games: 10 AM-11:30 AM, night games: 11 AM-12:30 PM or 2 PM-3 PM. 

Can I bring my own catering?  

• Yes, you can bring your own catering. 

Does my package include utensils, napkins, etc.?  

• All packages include necessary supplies. 

What comes with the chafing dish setup?  

• Wire rack, bottom pan, two 6-hr sternos, lighter, water, food. 

What are the descriptions of the sauces Mission BBQ serves?  

• Various flavors, including Memphis Belle, Smoky Mountain, Texas Twang, Tupelo Honey Heat, KC Classic, Bay-B-Que. 

Custom Events FAQ 

 What is the minimum spend for custom events on 12/24 and 12/31?

• $7,500. 

Arena Club FAQ 

 What time does the Arena Club open?  

• 3 hours before kickoff, closes at kickoff. 

Can I leave personal belongings at the tailgate during the game?  

• No, venue closes at kickoff. 

Is there a shuttle to the stadium?  

• Yes, complimentary shuttle from Arena Club to stadium. 

Parking Availability  

• Guests can purchase parking pass for Sailing lot from us. 

Shuttle Drop-Off Location  

• North of the stadium. 

Wisconsin FAQ 

 Where will my tailgate be located?  

• 1124 Regent St, Madison, WI, 53715

Tailgate Setup Time  

• 8 AM for 11 AM games
• 9:30 AM for 1:30 PM+ games. 

Catering Delivery Time  

• 9 AM for 11 AM games, flexible for others. 

Indiana FAQ 

 What time does tailgating start?  

• Tailgating start time is determined by the university. Typically, lots open 5 hours prior to kickoff. All tailgates must conclude at kickoff. While IU fans often tailgate during the game, we ensure breakdowns occur once the game begins. 

Catering and Beverage Delivery Time  

• Catering and beverage delivery times are subject to vendor availability. Generally, catering is delivered around 4 hours prior to kickoff. 

Guest Drop-Off Location  

• Customers are required to have a vehicle at their tailgate. Drop-off locations do not apply in this context. 

Bringing Your Own Catering and Beverage  

• Yes, you can bring your own catering and beverages to enhance your tailgating experience. 

Vehicle Parking at Tailgate  

• Yes, parking your vehicle at the tailgate is required. 

Beverage FAQ 

 What time is my alcohol delivered? (Tailgate Lawn)  

• All alcohol packages are delivered to the beverage tent in the tailgate lawn. After signing for the package, our staff will assist in stocking coolers. Beverages become available once the venue opens. 

What time is my alcohol delivered? (Tailgate Lots) 

• All alcohol packages are delivered to the beverage tent located at the GDYW operations base, situated on the south side of the stadium or the Joyce Lot (TBD). Upon package sign-off, our staff helps stock coolers. Beverages become accessible when the venue opens. 

Can I bring my own beverages?  

• Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own beverages to enhance your tailgating experience. 

No Vehicle at Tailgate – Leftovers Handling  

• If you don’t have a vehicle at your tailgate, GDYW handles the breakdown at kickoff, and all leftovers are disposed of. We recommend avoiding over-purchasing alcohol, keeping in mind your tailgate’s needs. 

Hotel FAQ 

 Can we go down in rate compared to the Hyatt?  

• Yes, we can match any rate that is listed on their website unless it is a different promo code. 

What is the code for the hotel discount?  

• Call us to get the code for the hotel discount! Maximize your savings with these handy hotel discounts!