Oklahoma Sooners Football: Game Day Guide

Friday

Get your game day weekend prepped by booking the perfect accommodations. The Noun Hotel, Norman’s unique luxury hotel located just off Campus Corner, offers fun game day packages and an on-site restaurant and bar. Another great option is the Embassy Suites, located just off I-35, providing guests with a quick route to campus and qulity amenities. Visiting football fans can also choose to stay at the Montford Inn, a Prairie-style inn just a few blocks north of campus with canopied king beds, outdoor hot tubs and a gourmet breakfast served daily.
Before Saturday, you’ll want to find the right wardrobe to blend in with the sea of crimson and cream that overtakes Norman during football season. You’ll find a vast selection of officially-licensed apparel at stores like Balfour of Norman and The Apothem, as well as more unique designs at specialty shops like Opolis Clothing and Human Interaction. Those looking for a boutique look might have luck at Campus Corner shops such as Blush, which carries stylish outfits and accessories that are perfect for game day.

For dinner, get a broader look at Norman by venturing beyond Campus Corner. Among the most beloved restaurants by Sooner Nation, The Mont serves a diverse food and drink menu, highlighted by the iconic frozen sangria drink known affectionately as the Sooner Swirl. Another Norman staple, Midway Grocery & Deli is a favorite among fans, players and coaches, including the legendary Barry Switzer, who dines there regularly enough to have a sandwich named after him. After you’ve eaten, the only thing left to do is settle in and get ready for Saturday’s festivities.

Game Day

Whether it’s an early kick-off or a night game under the lights, Campus Corner comes alive well before the game time. There’s a dining option for almost anything you’re craving nearby. Delicious Tex-Mex can be found Fuzzy’s or Yo! Pablo, with the latter also serving as a great spot to watch the game or cut loose after. If you’re in a burger mood, try out one of the specialty burgers at O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille that have been feeding Norman residents for decades. Tea Café provides some of the best Asian cuisine anywhere in town (just ask former Sooners legend Kyler Murray, who referenced the restaurant in his Heisman Trophy-winning acceptance speech).

Game day tailgating is an important ritual for OU fans, and spots to set up can be found all over. Lindsey Street on the south side of the stadium and East Brooks Street off the northeast corner are prime location choices. If you hear the school’s fight song, “Boomer Sooner” ringing out on Asp Avenue while your on the street or one of the bar balconies, you might catch the Pride of Oklahoma as they march through Campus Corner playing their instruments before kick-off. Not heading into the game? No problem! Post up on Asp and watch the game on the massive screen that’s set up for everyone to enjoy.

After the game, there are plenty of spots to celebrate a Sooners victory, or try and forget a loss. Logie’s on the Corner is one of Campus Corner’s most popular watering holes, with plenty of seating, two large bars, a dance floor and a second-story balcony bar that overlooks the action on Campus Corner. Just around the corner, you’ll find The Porch, another two-story bar with the second featuring the titular porch that faces Boyd Street and provides one of the best views of campus you’ll find. On the other side of Campus Corner, Sideline Bar & Grill is a fan-favorite and features a massive wrap-around bar and dance floor on the inside and an expansive back patio outside.

Sunday

The game might be behind you, but there’s still plenty to do and see in Norman the day after. If your stomach’s rumbling when you wake up, swing by The Diner, the famous breakfast spot that was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” No trip to Oklahoma is complete without a little barbecue, and spots like Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ offer mouthwatering favorites like ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Rudy’s Bar-B-Q is another great spot for barbecue and on Monday’s hosts the “Coaches Show,” hosted by the voice of the Sooners Toby Rowland and former player Gabe Ikard and frequent guests from the Oklahoma coaching staff.

Take in some history and culture at The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, a free and family-friendly institution full of interactive exhibits that tell the story of the state going back millions of years. On the north side of campus, you’ll get another distinct museum experience at the Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, which features paintings and sculptures from around the world that span centuries including French Impressionism, 20th century American paintings and sculptures, Native American art and additional rotating displays. Hitting all these spots in one weekend can be tough, so you’ll just have to come back for the next game day to see everything and try it all.