Raymond James Stadium Game Day Guide
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Tampa, FL
Know Before You Go
Essential details checked against official venue information.
- Bag policy
Raymond James Stadium has a no-bag policy; each guest may carry one clutch no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches, and it does not need to be clear.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Larger bags are prohibited even when clear; contact Guest Services in advance for medically necessary items.
- Bag storage
Paid storage lockers for rejected bags and personal items are along Tom McEwen Boulevard, just southeast of Suzuki Marine Gate.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- The venue confirms a small rental fee but does not publish the amount.
- Gate opening
Main stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for Buccaneers games, while club gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Mobile tickets
Buccaneers tickets use a live mobile barcode in the Buccaneers or Ticketmaster app; screenshots and printed tickets are not accepted.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Retrieve the ticket before arrival, transfer tickets to guests in advance when practical, and visit the stadium box office for game-day device or access problems.
- Re-entry
Re-entry is prohibited except for a medical emergency; speak with a Tampa Sports Authority supervisor at the gate before leaving.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Prohibited items
Raymond James Stadium prohibits weapons, fireworks, food and drinks, bottles and cans, coolers, umbrellas, strollers, drones, noisemakers, large or professional cameras, and non-compliant bags.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Review the complete official list before leaving home because event-specific admission policies may add restrictions.
- First aid
First-aid stations are near Ramp C, Sections 143 and 120 on the main concourse, and Sections 344 and 319 on the upper concourse.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Paramedics are also positioned on east and west concourse walkways and at both end zones.
- Nursing and lactation
Nursing rooms are on the main concourse at Quads B and D near Sections 143-144 and 118-119, plus club locations near Sections 216-217 and 241-242.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Family restrooms
Ten keyed family restrooms are available across the main, club, and upper concourses, and baby-changing stations are in every restroom.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Ask the adjacent Guest Services booth for a key; the family restroom near Section 128 has an adult changing table.
- Tickets for children
Every guest needs a ticket for a Buccaneers game, regardless of age.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Guest services
Guest Services booths are on the main and upper concourses, in club lobbies and lounges, and outside in the South Plaza, Ford Gate, and Gate B areas.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- For an event-day issue, text the problem and location to 813-680-2827 or call 813-350-6501.
- Service animals
Task-trained service animals are permitted on stadium property; emotional-support, comfort, companion, and other animals are prohibited.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Smoking and vaping
Smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other tobacco use are prohibited inside Raymond James Stadium.
Applies to: Tampa Bay Buccaneers games
- Guests who wish to smoke must do so before entering, and general re-entry is not permitted.
Game Day Timeline
What the day looks like at Raymond James Stadium, hour by hour.
Lots Open for Tailgating
Stadium lots and surrounding areas open for tailgating. The pirate-themed party begins, flags, skull decorations, and the smell of grilled Cuban sandwiches fill the air.
Tailgate Scene Peaks
The lots are packed with fans grilling Cuban sandwiches, grouper, and pulled pork. Cigar City Jai Alai IPA flows freely. Pirate costumes and Bucs flags are everywhere.
Gates Open
Stadium gates open. Head inside to explore the concourse and get a close look at the pirate ship from the north end zone seating areas.
Player Warmups
Players take the field for warmups. The 100-level end zone sections near the pirate ship offer close-up views. Captain Fear, the Bucs mascot, rallies the crowd.
Find Your Seats
Grab a Cuban sandwich and settle in. The pirate ship crew prepares for the first cannon blast. The stadium energy builds as kickoff approaches.
Game Time, Fire the Cannons!
The cannons blast from the pirate ship on every Bucs score. The crowd erupts. Tampa Bay's game-day atmosphere is unlike anything else in football.
Exit Strategy
Dale Mabry Highway traffic can be heavy. Consider tailgating post-game while traffic clears. Rideshare zones are along Himes Avenue.
Tips & Fan Reports
If you have club tickets the gates open an hour before the regular gates. Go early, check out the team store, grab food and drinks before the rush. The club level AC is a lifesaver for early season games.
Park at the lots on Dale Mabry south of the stadium. They are cheaper and you avoid the worst of the postgame traffic.
Hydrate constantly, Florida heat and humidity can sneak up on you, especially with alcohol. Drink water between beers.
September and October games are brutal in the sun. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and drink water constantly. Tampa heat and humidity are no joke.
Watch for afternoon thunderstorms in September and October, they're brief but can be intense. Pack a rain poncho.
The pirate ship in the north end zone fires real cannons on touchdowns and big plays. It startles you the first time even when you know it is coming.
Sunscreen is absolutely essential, Tampa's subtropical sun is intense, even in late-season games. Bring a hat and sunglasses too.
Weather
Raymond James Stadium is open air, so these are the conditions you sit in.
Across the NFL season the warmest month is September, with an average high of 90°F, and the coldest is January, when the average low is 53°F. September is the wettest month at 6.1 inches and November the driest at 1.4 inches.
That January low ranks 31st coldest of the 32 NFL venues, and September here ranks 2nd wettest.
September
6.1 inchesOctober
2.3 inchesNovember
1.4 inchesDecember
2.6 inchesJanuary
2.6 inchesTampa Bay Buccaneers Clear Bag Policy
Most venues require a clear bag. Get an approved one before you travel.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Game day timeline
Gate opening time checked against the venue's own gate-opening policy: Main stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for Buccaneers games, while club gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
- Venue policies
Raymond James Stadium A-Z, accessibility, policy, mobile-ticket, and Buccaneers gameday pages reviewed for visitor-facing policies.