College Football event guide

Iron Bowl: Alabama vs Auburn

This is the hardest ticket in the state and it lands on a holiday travel weekend. Lock lodging the moment the schedule is published, then buy seats.

Fan Field Guide Editorial Team / Editorial · Updated August 2026

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The basics

What this event actually is

When

Thanksgiving weekend, alternating between Tuscaloosa and Auburn

Where

Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Coverage

National broadcast windows, with the time set roughly two weeks ahead

Planning

How to plan the trip

The order that saves the most money and the most stress.

  • Lock the date first. Kickoff windows move, dates rarely do.
  • Book refundable lodging before buying tickets, because rooms sell out faster than seats.
  • Compare seat locations, not just price. Shade, wind and aisle access matter more than a few rows.
  • Confirm the venue bag policy and payment rules before you leave the hotel.
  • Plan the exit. Rideshare pickup zones are usually several blocks from the gates.
BookSeats: Your Seat Is Waiting. Fan travel experiences.
The venue

Bryant-Denny Stadium

Capacity 100,077Opened 1929Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A six-figure bowl in the middle of campus with the upper decks stacked steeply over both sidelines.

  • September kickoffs are hot and humid; the west side keeps shade later in the day.
  • Campus closes to traffic hours before kickoff. Park once and walk.
Teams

Programs involved

Watching

If you are staying home

National broadcast windows, with the time set roughly two weeks ahead. Our conference viewing guide breaks down which package carries which window, including the streaming options that cover games not on national television.

How to watch guide