Tailgating - Policies and Policy Governance

1. Policy

Issued: 8/15/2017
Last Revised: 9/9/2021
Last Reviewed: 8/19/2025

Applies to: This Policy applies broadly to the entire University community, including students who are registered or enrolled in University classes or in one of the University’s degree or non-degree programs (“Students”); all full-time and part-time faculty (“Faculty”); all non-faculty University employees, including University Staff, Keck Medicine employees, professional research staff, and post-doctoral fellows (“Staff”); and contractors, vendors, visitors, guests, or other individuals who are participating in or seeking to participate in the University’s education program or activities (“Third Parties”).

2. Policy Purpose

This policy provides direction regarding tailgating before a football game on the University Park Campus.

3. Scope and Application

This policy applies to anyone on the USC University Park Campus on a football game day within the approved tailgating window.

4. Definitions

Term	Definition
University-Sponsored	Any Event or Tailgate that is supported by a university academic department or administrative unit using university resources, whether or not it occurs on university premises. This includes RSO tailgates that utilize university funds or resources.
UEPA	University Event Permit Application, which must be submitted and approved in advance for certain Events in accordance with this policy and the university events policy.

5. Policy Details

Tailgating before a football game is part of the rich heritage that makes Trojan Game Day special. This policy provides guidelines to help ensure a safe, family-friendly game day environment, and applies only to USC’s University Park Campus – not the Coliseum or other facilities. Tailgating, as well as open containers, are strictly prohibited at USC Village. 

The university reserves the right to determine what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable on its private property. USC’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and other university officials are authorized to enforce university policies and may, at their discretion, restrict or prohibit access to university property. Individuals or groups who do not comply with this policy or relevant laws may have their campus tailgating privileges revoked by the appropriate university officials and may be removed from university property, among other possible remedies. 

A Tailgate Permit is required for ALL tailgating on campus. 

Individuals must register for a tailgate permit at least three weeks prior to Game Day in order to avoid late registration fees. Tailgate permits are available online.  

All tailgaters on the University Park Campus – individuals or groups – must comply with the USC Fan Code of Conduct, as well as the following: 

General 

Tailgating on campus is restricted to Saturday football game days only; tailgating on campus for weekday games is presumed prohibited. However, this will be reviewed yearly, on a case-by-case basis, and notice will be given if tailgating on campus for a weekday will be permitted for a specific Game Day.

Tailgates on campus can begin no earlier than 6 hours prior to kickoff and must end no later than the scheduled kickoff

Only University-Sponsored tailgates may sell admission to their tailgates and products, including but not limited to food, beverages, alcohol, game tickets and merchandise

Note that this requires the Tailgate Permit and UEPA

Signage or tents with a commercial name or location are prohibited

Areas of campus may be reserved for specific university needs or events and will not be available for all game days

Setting up, marking off, or holding a tailgate space on game day without a tailgate permit is prohibited

Tailgating is prohibited in any indoor space without prior approval

Tailgating and open containers are strictly prohibited at USC Village

Public Safety 

Climbing on fountains or statues or playing in or on them is prohibited

Bounce houses are prohibited

Personal use of golf carts is prohibited

Drones are prohibited

Cars and catering/delivery trucks may not drive within center campus perimeter for load-in, during the tailgate, or for load-out

Alcohol 

All groups serving alcoholic beverages must comply with all university alcohol guidelines (also see USC Drug Free policy).

Playing of games that involve consumption of alcohol or use of alcohol-related paraphernalia are prohibited, including but not limited to beer pong, flip cup, shot gunning, etc.

Glass containers are prohibited – all beverages must be in aluminum or plastic containers

Any keg or other common source container requires a Tailgate Permit

Barbecue Grills 

An ABC fire extinguisher is required when using a BBQ or grill (ABC fire extinguishers are able to extinguish many types of fires)

Grills must be at least 15 feet away from any permanent or temporary structure

Grilling under tents or canopies is prohibited

Propane containers must be secured to the grill or in a crate

Tabletop portable propane/butane cooking devices, fire pits and smokers are prohibited

Grilling in parking structures is prohibited

Coals must be fully extinguished and cold, then placed into the appropriate aluminum cans or a clean noncombustible container for disposal

Electrical/Generator 

Note that use of electrical outlets in or on USC facilities is prohibited unless rights were purchased as part of a Tailgate Permit. 

Generators must be at least 15 feet away from any permanent or temporary structure

All electrical connections must be U.L. approved (indicating they meet required safety standards)

All electrical cords must be taped down

Tents (including canopies)

Tents may not obstruct sidewalks, walkways, or fire lanes

Tents must be placed at least 10 feet away from buildings

Tents must be secured

No tent poles or stakes may be driven into the ground and tents cannot be anchored to buildings

Waste 

Trash, recycling and compost must be disposed of in proper receptacles

Groups are responsible for returning their area back to its original state before departing campus

Sound 

Amplified sound that can be heard further than five feet away from the amplifying unit, or registering more than 80 decibels, is prohibited, including but not limited to radio station vans, live bands, DJs, televisions, wireless or wired sound systems, small battery-powered devices, or other portable sounds systems, etc.

Tailgates on Homecoming registered with the Alumni Association are a) exempt from the prohibition on DJs, live bands and sound systems and b) the amplification is permitted up to 80 decibels, five feet outside the event space.

Parking 