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| - Camp Randall is a majestic landmark of college sports. I am fortunate to live in the city that hosts this stadium. Even better the Badgers have been one of college's best football teams in recent years.
I went yesterday with my son. We were able to score great tickets from StubHub for about $50 each because they were playing a college team that most people haven't heard of (Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles). As expected, the Badgers rolled. Enough about the Badgers, though -- this is all about Camp Randall.
The stadium is massive. It holds more than 80,000 people. It is the 41st largest stadium in the world (according to WIKI) and holds just a few hundred less than Lambeau Field. You walk in Camp Randall - it's awe-inspiring.
Most of the seats are uncomfortable aluminum benches. However, if you score good tickets, you can get padded seats with back support (which we were fortunate enough to have).
Before the game, you get to check out the offenses practicing sets and then the Badger Band get the crowd riled up (they're great and highly regarded, BTW). The crowd is all decked out in cardinal and white (mostly cardinal) and really into the game. Even without booze at the stadium (there's plenty of booze to be had outside the stadium), this is one of the most lively crowds you'll experience -- from waves, cheering, vocalizations and (of course) the "Jump Around" tradition in the 4th Quarter. It's so much fun! They do not need big giveaways or t-shirt guns to get us Sconnies amped.
The concessions are a little bare-boned, but you can get water and soda between $4-$5 (not bad in today's market) and brats, hot dogs and subs for around that same price point.
If you live in Wisconsin or are in Wisconsin during the football season, there is no other place to go for such and experience and not have to mortgage your home for. If you live in Madison and don't visit, even if you do not care for football, you're totally missing out.
Tip: For the real experience of Badgers football, pig out at Mickies Dairy Bar (across the street) pregame - disregard health and eat their pancakes, scrambler or corned beef hash to satisfy any food needs before observing/participating in Badgers football.
Note: Protective parents beware. This is a college stadium. The students section has traditions of loud cursing chants -- bring your "earmuffs".
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