Rent a Bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium: The Complete S.B. Ballard Stadium Transportation Guide

Most group transportation guides start with drop-off. This one starts with three things that blindside first-timers at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium: every parking garage on ODU's campus tops out at 11 feet or less on upper floors, 49th Street closes to general traffic on game days, and the surface tailgate lots ringing the stadium require an Old Dominion Athletic Foundation membership pass — not a credit card, a membership. The stadium sits at 5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529, with 21,944 seats on an active university campus in northern Norfolk, and the rules governing how a group gets in, parks, and tailgates are built around season-ticket holders who have had ODAF hang tags mailed to them — not around a 40-person fan group rolling in from Virginia Beach on a fall Saturday.

A Norfolk charter bus rental cuts through most of that complexity in one move. Your group crosses the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel once, together, on a schedule you set — instead of eight separate cars all threading the same HRBT traffic window and then trying to locate each other in a campus garage. Here is how it actually works.

Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium?

S.B. Ballard Stadium is not built like an NFL venue with surrounding surface lots you can buy into at the gate. It is an on-campus stadium surrounded by university parking infrastructure designed for commuters, faculty, and ODAF members. Free public parking exists, but it is in the Chartway Arena garages at 43rd and 45th Streets — several blocks south of the stadium, which means a walk in both directions.

Premium surface tailgate lots closer to the gates require the ODAF pass. And if your group includes anyone coming from Hampton, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel is part of the equation — and it moves at its own pace on event days, with no reliable way to predict whether the HRBT adds 10 minutes or 45.

On a bus, those variables collapse into one. One pickup point, one HRBT crossing, one arrival at the stadium entrance. Nobody circles the Chartway Arena garages while kickoff approaches.

Nobody misses the Monarch March — the team's pregame procession through Kaufman Mall — because they were stuck at the toll plaza. For groups with gear heading to Kaufman Mall or a reserved ODAF tailgate space, a full-size 40-56 passenger charter bus with deep undercarriage bays carries everything in one load. For a smaller group focused on the game itself, a minibus rental in Norfolk is the right size, more maneuverable on campus streets, and in a different price bracket.

Either way, the ride home after the Monarchs game is already handled — no scrambling for surge-priced rideshares at 9:30 PM in northern Norfolk. Fill out the quick form on this site or call 757-524-8568 to compare options from a large network of bus companies serving the Hampton Roads region.

Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

The stadium faces Hampton Boulevard. The east-side arched entrance and the west entry gate with the pregame plaza are both accessible from the Hampton Blvd corridor, making it the natural drop point for any group arriving by bus or van. Hampton Boulevard stays open on game days as the primary campus artery — it is the approach road, the campus spine, and the address all at once.

The complication is 49th Street: per ODU's official game day parking page, 49th Street closes to general vehicle access on game days, and the 49th Street Stadium Garage (Red Garage) is accessible only from Bluestone Avenue during events. A first-timer who programs the stadium address, navigates to Hampton Blvd, and then tries to turn right onto 49th Street to reach the Red Garage will find the road blocked — which adds a frantic reroute at the worst possible moment.

A party bus or charter bus drops your group at the stadium entrance off Hampton Boulevard and then routes to Lot 43 on Powhatan Avenue for parking (see the section below on where the bus parks). Your group walks directly in. For the exact approach and staging on your specific game date — particularly the November 13 Thursday night ESPN game against Troy, when game-day volume lands on top of weeknight commuter traffic on Hampton Blvd — confirm the current approach route with the support team at 757-524-8568 when you get your quote.

It is also worth reviewing ODU's official game day fan information page before arrival to see if any campus road adjustments have been posted for your date.

Where Charter Buses Park at S.B. Ballard Stadium

This is the detail no general parking guide covers: none of the five parking garages on ODU's campus can accommodate a standard charter bus. Per ODU's official garage page, the clearance heights run as follows — Garage A (43rd & Elkhorn): 7'1" throughout; Garage B (43rd & Bluestone): 8'2" ground floor, 7'1" upper; Garage C (Constant Center 43rd): 8'2" ground floor, 6'9" upper; Garage D (Constant Center 45th): 11'3" ground floor, 8'2" upper; Garage E (49th Street Stadium/Red Garage): 8'6" ground floor, 7'2" upper. A full-size charter bus stands roughly 13'6".

The tallest garage on campus — Garage D at 11'3" on the ground floor — still falls two feet short. The Red Garage, which is closest to the stadium entrance, clears 8'6" at grade. A charter bus going to that garage is turned away at the entrance ramp.

Per ODU's visitor parking page, Lot 43, near the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Powhatan Avenue, is designated for buses and large vans. To reach it, take Hampton Blvd to 43rd Street heading west, then right on Powhatan Ave. The lot sits on the southern edge of campus; the stadium sits at the northern edge near Hampton Blvd and 49th Street. Budget your post-game pickup window around that geography — the bus stages at Lot 43, not in a garage next to the gate.

Minibuses running under 11'3" may fit in Garage D at the Constant Center 45th Street location, giving mid-size groups a parking option closer to the stadium. For full-size coaches, Lot 43 is the answer.

Getting to S.B. Ballard Stadium: Routes, Traffic and Timing

Every route to S.B. Ballard Stadium ends on Hampton Boulevard heading north. From downtown Norfolk, that is a short, mostly straight shot up Hampton Blvd from Brambleton Avenue. From Virginia Beach or Hampton/Newport News, the route involves the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel — and the HRBT is the single biggest timing variable in the region.

Off-peak, the I-64 crossing runs about 18 minutes. On a fall Saturday afternoon heading toward a 6 PM kickoff, the same crossing can stretch to 45 minutes or more. There is no reliable alternative for groups coming from the east.

The I-564 spur off Exit 276 on I-64 is the exit ODU's own directions specify: take Exit 276, merge onto I-564 West toward Naval Base/Old Dominion University, stay right for Terminal Boulevard, continue through two traffic lights, and turn left onto Hampton Blvd. Follow Hampton Blvd north approximately 3 miles to 49th Street. That is the address. On a game day, build in additional time from Exit 276 onward — the Hampton Blvd corridor fills from both directions as the stadium approaches.

For a group crossing the HRBT from Virginia Beach, a realistic game-day plan for a 6 PM kickoff has the bus departing by 3:30 PM, allowing 90 minutes for HRBT traffic and on-campus navigation before settling in at Kaufman Mall for the pregame fan fest that opens at 2 PM. The November 13 Thursday night kickoff at 7:30 PM against Troy on ESPN is a different kind of timing challenge: the HRBT and Hampton Blvd will carry full Thursday evening commuter traffic alongside game-day volume, so a 5:00 PM departure from Virginia Beach for a 7:30 PM kickoff is the more comfortable call.

Tailgating at S.B. Ballard Stadium: What Your Group Needs to Know

ODU's tailgating setup divides into two distinct tracks, and first-timers frequently discover the wrong one after they arrive. The surface lots surrounding the stadium — designated by color (Black, Blue, Silver, Pink, Gold, Burgundy, Beige, Gray, Purple, Brown, White) — are reserved for ODAF members who hold current football season tickets. Per the ODAF's official parking page, hang tags are mailed to eligible members, and lot allocation is based on your ODAF membership donation level.

You cannot buy your way into these lots at the gate. No ODAF pass, no surface lot.

For everyone else — which covers most groups renting a bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium — the destination is Kaufman Mall. The four-acre campus green space between Hampton Boulevard and Webb Student Center along 47th-49th Streets opens four hours before kickoff with food trucks, a kids zone, live music, and interactive activations. Per ODU's official fan information page, roughly two hours and fifteen minutes before kickoff, the football team makes its way through Kaufman Mall on the Monarch March to the stadium — worth positioning for.

Full-service tent tailgate packages are available directly on Kaufman Mall through ODU's tailgate packages page, starting at $800 per game for groups of up to 15, with setup and breakdown handled by the venue.

For ODAF members with hang tags, the rules in ODU's official parking and tailgating policy are clear and enforced:

• Tailgating opens four hours before kickoff and is prohibited during halftime and throughout the game. All fans must leave the lots within two hours after the game ends.
• Grills must be elevated at least one foot above the pavement. Gas grills are limited to 10-gallon propane tanks per vehicle; charcoal disposal goes in the designated fire-retardant receptacles only.
• No gas generators, no pegging tents in lots, no household furniture (sofas, recliners) — and no bicycles, scooters, or skateboards in the tailgate areas.
• RVs use the White Lot near the Sailing Center and may check in five hours before kickoff.
• Animals are prohibited except certified service animals.

One practical note for groups arriving by charter bus: gear going to a surface tailgate lot rides in the undercarriage bays, which handles the load cleanly. The bus drops your group and equipment at the lot edge, the group sets up in the designated ODAF space, and the bus stages at Lot 43 on Powhatan Ave with a pickup window you set before kickoff.

S.B. Ballard Stadium Transportation Options Compared

This is a bus-comparison site, but here is an honest look at how the main options stack up for a group heading to an ODU Monarchs game:

For one or two people coming from downtown Norfolk, HRT Route 4 (Downtown Norfolk to ODU area) or Route 2 along Hampton Boulevard are reasonable, budget-conscious options — check current schedules at the Hampton Roads Transit website before your trip. For a group of 20 or more crossing the HRBT from Virginia Beach or Hampton, the case for a single bus is straightforward: one crossing, one arrival, no post-game rideshare surge on a Thursday night in Norfolk when every app in Hampton Roads is charging peak rates.

What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for an ODU Monarchs Game?

Headcount and gear are the two deciding factors for a Norfolk bus rental to S.B. Ballard Stadium. A Norfolk sporting event party bus rental that fits your actual numbers saves money and maneuvers more cleanly on campus roads than a coach you didn't need to fill. Here is how the lineup breaks down:

For groups running under 35 people without a mountain of tailgate gear, a minibus rental in Norfolk is the smarter fit — more maneuverable on campus roads and potentially able to use Garage D near the stadium rather than staging at Lot 43. For groups hauling folding chairs, tents, and a full Kaufman Mall setup, the charter bus with undercarriage bays is the only vehicle where everything travels in one load with everyone on board. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note your needs when requesting your quote.

Rent a Bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium: Pricing and What Shapes Your Quote

Party bus and charter bus rental prices for an ODU football game in Norfolk depend on your vehicle, your total block of hours, your pickup location, and the date. A Thursday night game like the November 13 Troy matchup on ESPN runs a different demand profile than a Saturday afternoon game. To give you a planning idea from the network of bus companies serving the Norfolk area:

These are planning ranges — your final price moves with your specific date, route, headcount, and total block time. That figure comes from the quote form, not from a table. What does not move is the per-person math: a 40-person group on a $2,200 charter bus works out to $55 per person, which includes the parking solution and the HRBT timing problem that a caravan of ten separate cars does not.

Check the Norfolk party bus prices page for a full breakdown by vehicle type, or call 757-524-8568 any time for a free quote with no obligation — pricing for your specific trip comes back in under a minute.

A Game-Day Example

To give you an idea: a 28-person fan group traveling from Virginia Beach to the October 25 App State home game rents a 28-passenger party bus. Pickup at 2:30 PM in Virginia Beach, allowing 90 minutes for the HRBT crossing before a 4:00 PM arrival at Kaufman Mall — four hours before kickoff, in time for the food trucks and pregame atmosphere. The Monarch March comes through Kaufman Mall roughly 45 minutes before kickoff; the bus stages at Lot 43 on Powhatan Ave. A 7-hour block at that size on a Saturday might run $1,925–$2,625 — roughly $69–$94 per person, with the HRBT crossed once as a group instead of seven cars threading the same window independently.

The 2025 ODU Monarchs Football Home Schedule at S.B. Ballard Stadium

ODU's Monarchs play six home games at Kornblau Field in the 2025 season, per the official ODU Athletics schedule announcement:

• September 6 — ODU vs. North Carolina Central, 6:00 PM (ESPN+)
• September 27 — ODU vs. Liberty
• October 4 — ODU vs. Coastal Carolina (Family Weekend)
• October 25 — ODU vs. App State
• November 13 — ODU vs. Troy, 7:30 PM (ESPN — Thursday night)
• November 29 — ODU vs. Georgia State (regular season finale)

Two of those dates deserve extra planning notes for bus groups. The November 13 Troy game at 7:30 PM on ESPN is a Thursday — which means full weeknight commuter traffic on Hampton Boulevard and the HRBT running concurrent with game-day arrivals. Groups crossing from Virginia Beach should plan a departure window earlier than they would for a Saturday afternoon.

The November 29 season finale against Georgia State pulls alumni and family travel in late November; evening temperatures will be significantly cooler than September, so factor that into your post-game wait time and how long everyone will want to stand outside. For both, earlier booking is the smarter call — vehicle availability around marquee Monarchs dates tightens as the season progresses.

Stadium Guidelines Before You Go

From ODU's official stadium guidelines page, here is what your whole group needs to have straight before walking through the gates at Kornblau Field:

• Clear bag policy in effect at all entrances. All bags are inspected before entry. One clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag per person is permitted. Backpacks, non-clear bags, and large bags are prohibited. The ODU Village Bookstore sells compliant clear bags if anyone needs one on game day.
• No outside food, drinks, glass bottles, aluminum cans, coolers, or water bottles. Aramark operates all in-stadium concessions on a cashless basis — card or mobile pay only. Nothing from outside comes in.
• Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for most fans. The South Gate opens two hours before kickoff for Suite and Loge holders. The Priority Automotive Club entrance opens 90 minutes out alongside general admission gates.
• No re-entry after exit. Once your group goes through the gates, that's it — make sure everyone retrieves anything they need from the bus before walking in.
• Noise makers are prohibited inside the stadium: cowbells, horns, whistles, drums, and megaphones are not permitted. Thunder sticks, balloons, fan clappers, and rollabanas are approved.
• No umbrellas, beach balls, or inflatables inside the stadium.
• ADA accessible seating is available in sections E101, E105, E106, W114, W117, N121, N122, E205–E208, W211–W212, W217, Loge, and Suites. ADA parking occupies the first level of the Red Garage at 49th Street and Bluestone Avenue (accessed from Bluestone Ave on game days). Contact the ODU Box Office at (757) 683-4444 for accessibility coordination in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Renting a Charter Bus or Party Bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium

Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

The stadium's main entry points face Hampton Boulevard — the east arched entrance and the west entry gate with the pregame plaza are both accessible from the Hampton Blvd corridor, and a party bus or charter bus can drop your group at the stadium entrance along this route. The key constraint to know: 49th Street closes to general traffic on game days. Any approach that relies on turning off Hampton Blvd onto 49th Street finds the road blocked.

The Red Garage on 49th Street is reached from Bluestone Avenue only on game days. Drop your group on Hampton Blvd at the stadium entrance, and route the bus to Lot 43 on Powhatan Ave from there. Confirm the exact approach for your specific game date when you book.

Where does a charter bus park at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Lot 43 near the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Powhatan Avenue is ODU's designated lot for buses and large vans, per ODU's visitor parking page. Full-size charter buses — which typically stand around 13'6" — cannot enter any of the five ODU parking garages on campus. The 49th Street Stadium Garage (Red Garage, closest to the stadium) clears only 8'6" at grade; the tallest garage on campus, Garage D at the Constant Center 45th Street location, tops out at 11'3" on the ground floor.

Lot 43 is the charter bus answer. To reach it: Hampton Blvd to 43rd Street west, then right on Powhatan Ave.

Can I tailgate with a bus group at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Yes, but in two different ways depending on access. Groups with ODAF hang tags can use the surface lots surrounding the stadium — tailgating opens four hours before kickoff, no glass, grills elevated one foot above pavement, and no tailgating during the game or after the two-hour post-game window. Groups without ODAF passes use Kaufman Mall, the public fan festival that opens four hours before kickoff with food trucks, kids zone, and live music — plus full-service tailgate packages available to purchase through ODU's tailgate packages page.

For the full set of surface lot rules, see ODU's official parking and tailgating page.

How far is S.B. Ballard Stadium from downtown Norfolk?

About 5 miles north via Hampton Boulevard — roughly 12 to 18 minutes off-peak. The downtown Norfolk to ODU run is one of the shorter segments in the region. From Virginia Beach, it's closer to 25 miles via I-264 W and I-64 W, and the HRBT adds the variable: plan 30 to 45 minutes off-peak, and substantially more on a fall Saturday afternoon.

From Hampton or Newport News across the HRBT on I-64, it's roughly 18 miles — and the same HRBT caveat applies coming from that direction.

How much does a party bus or charter bus rental cost for an ODU football game?

Planning ranges from the network: a 15-35 passenger minibus runs $200–$275/hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs $275–$375/hour on weekends; a 40-56 passenger charter bus runs $200–$350/hour on weekends. Your specific quote depends on vehicle, hours, and pickup location. Fill out the form or call 757-524-8568 — pricing for your trip comes back in under a minute.

The Norfolk party bus prices page has a full breakdown by vehicle type.

What is the bag policy at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Clear bag policy is in effect at all entry gates. One clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag per person is permitted. Backpacks and non-clear bags are not allowed.

The ODU Village Bookstore stocks compliant bags. All outside food, outside beverages, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and coolers are prohibited inside the stadium. Aramark runs cashless concessions inside — bring a card or use mobile pay.

Full details are on ODU's official stadium guidelines page.

Is there public transit to S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Hampton Roads Transit Route 2 runs along Hampton Boulevard and connects to the Tide light rail at the EVMS/Fort Norfolk station; Route 4 runs between the ODU campus area and Downtown Norfolk. For current schedules and any special event service, check the Hampton Roads Transit website before your trip. ODU's Monarch Transit shuttle service is for ODU students, faculty, and staff with valid ODU ID cards and does not operate as public event-day transportation.

A private Norfolk party bus or charter bus rental is the only option that picks your whole group up at one point and drops them at the stadium entrance with no transfers involved.

How early should I book a bus for an ODU Monarchs home game?

For most regular-season home games at S.B. Ballard Stadium, two to four weeks of lead time works. The November 13 Thursday night ESPN game against Troy is the highest-profile date on the 2025 home schedule and will see stronger demand for group transportation in the Norfolk area — book that one earlier. For all dates, earlier is always better for vehicle options and price.

Call 757-524-8568 any time or use the online form for a free quote with no account required and no obligation.

Are ADA-accessible buses available for games at S.B. Ballard Stadium?

Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note your accessibility needs when submitting your quote request and the right vehicle can be arranged. At the stadium, ADA parking is on the first level of the Red Garage at 49th Street and Bluestone Avenue (accessed from Bluestone Ave on game days), and ADA accessible seating is available in sections E101, E105, E106, W114, W117, N121, N122, E205–E208, W211–W212, and W217.

Contact the ODU Box Office at (757) 683-4444 for in-stadium accessibility coordination before your visit.

Book Your Bus to S.B. Ballard Stadium Today

Partybusnorfolk.net makes it simple to compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, Sprinter vans, and Sprinter limos from a large network of bus companies serving Norfolk and the broader Hampton Roads region. Whether it is a Virginia Beach group crossing the HRBT for a Saturday afternoon Monarchs game, a Hampton group making the Liberty matchup a full-day event, or an alumni group coming in for the November season finale, the right vehicle for your headcount and game day is one form or one call away. Fill out the quick quote form on this site or call 757-524-8568 any time — free quote, no account required, and you have pricing in under a minute.

Also planning a trip to Harbor Park for a Norfolk Tides game or Norfolk Scope Arena for the Admirals? Those guides cover their own drop-off and parking specifics for the downtown venues.