On a home Saturday in Madison, the whole city wears red and walks the same direction. If you live in UW student apartments on State Street, you join the flow at your front door. No car, no bus, no plan beyond shoes. Here’s how a Badger game day goes from Theory Madison.
Why are UW student apartments on State Street good for game day?
Because everything is on foot. Camp Randall Stadium is southwest of campus. From State Street, you walk through the heart of the university to get there, and the walk is part of the day.
Theory Madison is at 664 State Street. Check the Wisconsin Athletics schedule for home dates. Then here’s the plan.
Earlier in the week
Check your ticket. Student tickets are sold as a season package and live on your phone. Make sure yours is loaded.
Talk to your roommates about guests. Friends from other schools love a Madison game weekend. Ask the office about overnight guests and visitor parking. Downtown parking is tight and ramps fill early, so tell guests to arrive Friday or take a bus in.
Check kickoff. An 11 a.m. game is a Madison specialty. It means an early morning.
Saturday morning
Eat first. A real breakfast at home. For an early kickoff, that’s the difference between a good day and a short one.
Dress in red and in layers. October in Wisconsin can be sixty degrees or thirty. By November, bring a hat, gloves and something to sit on. Metal bleachers are cold.
Read the bag policy. Carry your student ID, phone and not much more.
The walk over
Head west through campus. You’ll pass house parties, tailgates and thousands of people in red. Regent Street, near the stadium, is the center of it.
Badger Bash at Union South is the university’s own tailgate, with the marching band playing before the game. It’s free and a good stop if you want the atmosphere without a host.
Leave early. The student section fills late by tradition, but you’ll want to be in your seat for kickoff at least once.
What is “Jump Around”?
Between the third and fourth quarters, the stadium plays “Jump Around” and eighty thousand people do exactly that. The upper deck moves. It’s the thing everyone has heard about, and it’s as good as they say.
Do not leave before it. Do not be in line for food.
And the Fifth Quarter?
After the game ends, stay in your seat. The UW Marching Band comes back onto the field and plays for another twenty minutes while the crowd sings and dances along. It’s called the Fifth Quarter. Win or lose, it happens.
I think it’s the best part of the day, and half the visiting fans stay for it too.
No ticket?
Host a watch party. On State Street, you’re surrounded by the energy anyway. Put the game on, make brats and cheese curds and open the windows.
In a heavy exam week, this is the wise choice. You get the game and your afternoon.
After the game
Walk home with the crowd. State Street will be packed and restaurants will have long waits. Eat at home or go later.
If you go out that night, stay with your group. Living on State Street means the walk back is short. Do it with a friend anyway.
Sunday
Guests leave. Laundry, trash, notes. The libraries are quiet on the Sunday after a home game, and midterms are never far off in October.
What’s left this season?
Check the schedule for the remaining home dates and homecoming. Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. The clocks fall back the next morning, Sunday, November 1. November games are properly cold. Layer up and bring hand warmers.
The last regular-season game is usually the rivalry with Minnesota for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Check where it’s played.
If game days have you thinking about next year, the floor plans page shows what’s available at Theory Madison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk to Camp Randall from State Street?
Yes. The stadium is southwest of campus, a walk through the university from State Street.
What is the Fifth Quarter?
It’s the UW Marching Band’s post-game show on the field after every home game.
Where is Theory Madison?
Theory Madison is at 664 State St, Madison, WI 53703.
Key Takeaways
- Residents of UW student apartments on State Street can walk to Camp Randall.
- Eat breakfast and dress in layers, especially for early kickoffs.
- Be in your seat for “Jump Around” and stay for the Fifth Quarter.
- Sort out guest parking early; downtown ramps fill fast.