Ohio Stadium Accessibility (ADA) Information
Ohio Stadium provides accommodations for those with disabilities, including elevators, accessible seating, and accessible restrooms that will allow for an enjoyable game day experience. Accessible seating is located on all levels of Ohio Stadium in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Ohio State far exceeds required parking spaces and disability seats that are made available to fans. We are committed to making events at Ohio Stadium accessible to all fans!
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES
All entrances at Ohio Stadium are accessible for guests with disabilities, except for the North Rotunda which requires guests to traverse down stairs to get to the main concourse. Please enter the gate nearest your ticketed section, with the following exceptions:
- If you are seated in sections 1A, 3A, 3AA, 5A, or 5AA please enter through gate 7.
- If you are seated in sections 2A, 4A, 4AA, 6A, or 6AA please enter through gate 8.
ANIMALS: PETS, SERVICE ANIMALS, ESAS
Animals, except trained service dogs or miniature horses, are not permitted into Ohio Stadium.
Service Dogs in Training are recognized by the Ohio Revised Code and are permitted into Ohio Stadium. Service dogs in training must have a liability insurance policy provided by the non-profit agency sponsoring the training and be under control. Typically, puppy rearing (under six months of age) focused on socialization and general obedience training is not considered Service Animal Training.
Emotional Support Animals may be permitted into Ohio State facilities as a reasonable accommodation. Requests must be reviewed by the University ADA Coordinator’s Office. Guests wishing to make a request for an Emotional Support Animal to an event should complete this Disability Needs Request Form at least two week prior to the event.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES
Assistive Listening Devices are available at no charge. ALDs can be checked out from the main Guest Services location at Ohio Stadium near section 5A. The Covelli Center and the Schottenstein Center are also equipped with ALD systems, visit the nearest Guest Services location or speak to a nearby Redcoat for assistance.
A driver’s license, credit card or some other acceptable form of picture identification is required as a deposit when checking out the device.
CLOSED CAPTIONING
Closed captioning will appear when there’s live spoken audio (e.g., PA announcements) or when there’s a live feature on the video boards that includes spoken audio.
Upon request, select TVs in the stadium can be changed from the in-house feed to the network broadcast, which may provide additional captioning.
CONCESSIONS
Guest with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring food into the stadium in single serving containers. Guests must enter through the Band Entrance (near Gate 10) or the Press Entrance (near Gate 23) to have their food items inspected. You can check out our concession locator guide to find information on gluten free, vegetarian or vegan options. If you have additional food & beverage questions, please complete this Disability Needs Request Form.
DIRECTIONS FOR GUESTS WHO HAVE ACCESSIBLE TICKETS
Once inside the stadium, please utilize these directions to locate your seat:
Main Stadium (sections 1-29)
- AA-Deck Sections: All AA-deck seat locations are accessible by entering the section where your seat is located. The top row, at the concourse level is where these seats are located.
- Club Level Sections: Please use the elevators located between gates 19 and 23. Staff will direct you to the Club (CL) level of the stadium. Once inside the Club, two accessible ramps will take you to the Club Level ADA sections.
- D-Deck Sections: Please use the elevators located between gates 19 and 23. The ADA row is at the D-Deck concourse level.
South Stands (sections 31 – 39)
- AA-Deck Sections: All AA-deck seat locations are accessible by entering the section where your seat is located. The top row, at the concourse level is where these seats are located.
- A-Deck and B-Deck Sections: Please use the elevators underneath the south stands between gates 37 and 38 and take it to the 2nd or 3rd level. Once on that level, the seats will be located in the section on your ticket.
ENTERING & LEAVING OHIO STADIUM
All Ohio Stadium gates are located on accessible routes with one exception, the North Rotunda. The North Rotunda is generally never open to public entry for guests. Guests should enter through the gate listed on their ticket as this will be the closest entry to your seat.
ELEVATOR ACCESS
Any guest may use the elevators to access the decks they need. No special pass is required in order to use these public elevators. Elevators are located in the following areas of Ohio Stadium:
- Four elevators are located on the west side of the stadium between gates 17-23 which provide access to the Club Levels, and to seating on D-Deck. These elevators do not access C-Deck.
- Two elevators are located near section 7 that access B and C decks.
- Two elevators are located near section 10 that access B and C decks.
- One elevator is located in the south stadium near gate 39 and only provides access to seats in south stadium A and B levels.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Access to outlets is extremely limited at Ohio Stadium. If you require access to power, please complete this Disability Needs Request Form.
FIRST AID
First aid stations are located throughout Ohio Stadium at 16A, 17A, 12B, 23C, 24C and 32A. These stations are staffed with Columbus Fire paramedics and American Red Cross volunteers two hours prior to kickoff and will remain open for 30 minutes after the game. Over the counter medications such as Tylenol and Advil are available at most Team Shop locations.
MEDICAL BAGS/NO BAG POLICY
Guests entering with medical, dietary, or childcare needs must enter through the Band Center doors (between Gate 10 & 12) or at the Press Entrance (between the Huntington Club and Gate 23) to have their bag inspected. All guests will pass through a metal detector upon entry to Ohio Stadium and their items and person will be inspected. One bag will be permitted for the guest in need - there is no specific size requirement for your medical needs but keep in mind it will be searched thoroughly. No written proof of medical need is required – you just need to declare the need at one of those two designated gates. One bag is permitted for these needs:
Dietary needs (single serving snacks/foods for medical needs, single serving dietary beverages, etc.)
Medical needs (medications, medical equipment, or medical supplies, etc.)
Childcare needs (diapers, formula/breastmilk, baby food, ice packs, baby bottles, breast pumps and supplies, etc.)
MOBILTY DEVICES
Mobility devices, including but not limited to canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, scooters, etc. are permitted into Ohio Stadium. Guests may enter through any gate with a mobility device. The North Rotunda has stairs to get down to the main A-Deck concourse – please consider using another gate if you need to access A-Deck.
Storage of larger devices in the seating stands may difficult (unless you specifically have wheelchair accessible seats). Some items like crutches or canes could be stored under your bench seat. Larger devices may need to be stored elsewhere. Generally, first aid rooms have space to store items like walkers, rollators, and wheelchairs. You can stop by any First Aid Room and ask to store the item if you are not able to keep it in your possession at your seat. Be sure to mark your items with your name and phone number.
Do not leave or abandon your item in a public space – you risk having the item lost or stolen. The Ohio State University, the American Red Cross, and the Columbus Fire Department are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
MOBILE/DIGITAL TICKET ASSISTANCE
If you rely on assistive technology like Voice Over or Talkback for access to your mobile device, you will encounter difficulty using mobile ticketing. To request an accessible alternative please complete the Disability Needs Form.
Guests who require traditional printed tickets due to use of assistive technology or who do not have access to a smart phone may pick up tickets at the Athletics Ticket Office located in the Northeast Corner of the Schottenstein Center beginning 48 hours prior to the event or at the facility where the event takes place on event day. Will Call will be made available at the facility where the event takes place beginning 90 minutes hours prior to the start of the event (except for home football games). Will Call will be available at Gate 5 at Ohio Stadium beginning 3 hours prior to the start of each home football game.
Tickets must be picked up by the original ticket holder unless a will call name change request is made by the original account holder via email to athletic.tix@osu.edu. Only one alternate pick up name is allowed. The Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office will not release tickets if the photo on the ID does not appear to match the individual retrieving the tickets. OSU Student ticket holders may not change the pickup name on any student ticket order. Detailed instructions and screenshots on how to access mobile tickets may be found in the Digital Ticketing Guide.
NEW/NURSING MOTHERS
A New/Nursing Mother’s Room is available at Ohio Stadium! Guests may visit the Nursing Mother’s Room located near the North Rotunda. The space is located at the top of the A concourse stairs, on the western side of the North Rotunda. A bathroom is available in this space, next to the Nursing Mother’s Room. Parents/Nursing Mother’s are permitted to bring in supplies/equipment/bags during the event. Guests entering with medical, dietary, or childcare needs must enter through the Steinbrenner Band Center Entrance (glass doors between Gates 10 & 12) or at the Press Entrance (glass doors between the Huntington Club and Gate 23) to have their items inspected.
DISABILITY PARKING
Interactive Google Disability Parking Map
Disability Parking is located in the surface lots north of St. John Arena and in the Lane Avenue Garage. Guests should approach these two areas from Lane Avenue. Disability parking is $25 per vehicle and can be paid by credit card or smartphone payments at the entry to the lot. No cash is accepted in any lot or garage on gamedays. A current state issued disability placard (temporary or permanent placard and from any state is allowed), along with the vehicle's registration, and the person who owns the placard must be in the vehicle to enter the parking area (police officers may validate the ownership of the placard at any time and issue citations to those violating Ohio law regarding usage of ADA placards.)
An complimentary accessible shuttle will transport guests from the Disability parking lots north of St. John Arena to the east side of Ohio Stadium near Gate 22/26. This shuttle will operate from six hours prior to kickoff/show start until one hour after the game/concert. The shuttle stop at St. John Arena is inside the handicap parking lot and located at the east end north of Converse Hall (ROTC building). The stop at Ohio Stadium is located just outside Gate 22 for football games and Gate 12 for concerts. The ADA shuttle buses are unable to make additional stops at other locations around campus. The shuttles are equipped with wheelchair lifts – two wheelchairs can be secured inside each shuttle bus for a trip. You are not required to have parked in the Disability Lot/Garage in order to board or utilize the ADA shuttles to the stadium.
Guests parked in the Disability Lots are permitted to setup tailgates. Trailers, storage units, and tailgating activities may not take up vacant parking spaces, vehicle unloading spaces, crosswalks, or interfere with traffic flow within a parking lot. Drive lanes in parking lots must be maintained at all times. Parking permit holders are responsible for the functions they host in their parking spaces. Vehicle and tailgate must fit within the 8.5' x 15' space provided.
Due to security measures in place around the stadium, vehicles without East and West Stadium Parking Permits are not able to pass through police checkpoints to drop off guests near the stadium. However, you may be able to drop off along Lane Avenue near St. John Arena (traffic can be very heavy at times) and then board the ADA shuttle to Ohio Stadium.
DROP OFF AT OHIO STADIUM
Due to security measures in place around the stadium, vehicles without East and West Stadium Parking Permits are not able to pass through police checkpoints to drop off guests near the stadium. However, you may be able to drop off along Lane Avenue near St. John Arena (traffic can be very heavy at times) and then board the ADA shuttle to Ohio Stadium.
METAL DETECTOR SCREENING
Generally, all persons may pass through the Walk Through Medical Detectors. The walk through metal detectors comply with regulations relating to pacemakers, defibrillators, or other vital support systems; and pregnant women. The electromagnetic field emitted by CEIA (manufacturer of Ohio Stadium’s metal detectors) devices is extremely weak, with amplitude comparable with that of the earth magnetic field.
However, CEIA cannot exclude that this screening device may affect personal medical electronic devices, depending on their functionality or their restrictions on use. Any recommendation or directive issued by medical personnel or medical equipment manufacturers relating to electromagnetic fields must therefore be implemented. If you are unable to pass through the metal detector, let the event staff know and they will perform an alternative screening using a hand-held metal detector wand. If you are not able to be screened by a handheld metal detector, a full pat down screening will be conducted. If you are not able to undergo a pat down security screening, entry will be denied into Ohio Stadium.
PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS
All guests, including personal care attendants, must have a ticket to enter Ohio Stadium.
RESTROOMS/ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS
- Accessible restrooms are located near sections 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 28A, 33A, 34A, 37A, 38A, 3B, 12B, 28B, 7C, 10C, 11C, 13C, 14C, 15C, 19C, 20C, 23C, 28C, 29C, 17D, 19D, 25D.
- Family restrooms are located near sections 9A, 11A, 12A, 16A, 20A, 17A, 23A, 33A, 37A, 38A, 23C, 24C, 19D, and 32A
SEATBACKS/SEAT CUSHIONS
Seat cushions are permitted that are foam and do not have back supports, zippers, or storage slots.
Seatbacks are permitted for those with a doctor’s note and are 16? wide or less. Seatbacks may not have metal framing or clamp to a seat. Guests with a doctor’s note must enter through Band Center doors (between Gate 10 & 12) or at the Press Entrance (between the Huntington Club and Gate 23) to have their chairback and note inspected.
SENSORY NEEDS
Ohio Stadium, the Schottenstein Center, and the Covelli Center are certified as Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity! Our event staff go through sensory inclusion training on an annual basis, and we have Sensory Bags available at each Guest Services location. Sensory Bags contain fidget devices, noise cancelling headphones, and communication cards. Guest Services locations include near Gate 13, Gate 14 and near sections 5A, 38A, 2B, 5C and 6C. Unfortunately, Ohio Stadium does not have a Sensory Room available to guests.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
If you are in need of an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for an event, please let us know by complete this Disability Needs Request Form at least two weeks in advance.
SKULL SESSION ACCESSIBILITY
Seating inside St. John Arena for Skull Session is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no tickets for the event. There are four entrances to St. John Arena located in each corner of the arena. Disability Seating (wheelchair accessible) is available in sections 13A, 14A, 15A. These seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis too. Folding chairs are available in the wheelchair accessible seating for those arriving without a wheelchair or need to transfer from a wheelchair to a seat. Accessible seating is not available in the mezzanine or balcony levels of the arena.
ACCESSIBLE TICKET EXCHANGE
If you have not purchased tickets to your desired event yet, you can visit Ticketmaster.com to make that purchase. To search for accessible tickets when tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster.com, click on FILTERS on the right side of the event, scroll down to and click on the toggle for SHOW ACCESSIBLE TICKETS, then scroll down to and click on APPLY FILTERS. Due to the limited number of accessible seats, up to three companions may be seated with the individual who needs ADA seating, based on availability at that time.
If you have purchased to an event already and need to exchange, guests requiring disability seating should complete a Disability Needs Request Form at least two weeks in advance to initiate a tickets exchange. You are able to exchange your tickets for tickets that meet your and/or your guest’s disability related needs. In order to exchange multiple tickets, your tickets/seats must be together. We are unable to exchange sets of tickets that are not already side by side. Guests may exchange for up to three companion seats, pending availability at the time of the exchange.
Given the excitement and crowds on game days/concerts, we encourage you to make the exchange of regular tickets in advance of the show when possible. Exchanges can be made in advance by contacting the Ohio State Ticket Office by phone, live chat, or email or completing the Disability Needs Request Form. You may also visit the ticket office at the Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210) during normal business hours. Please note that tickets are issued digitally, and the ticket office staff will work with you to exchange your digital tickets for accessible seats.
If you cannot make the physical exchange in person in advance, then on event day, you can visit the Ohio Stadium Ticket Office near Gate 5 to make the ticket exchange, pending availability of tickets at that time. Guests should call 614-292-2624 for further details about the exchange process.
WHEELCHAIR ESCORT SERVICE
Ohio Stadium does offer a complimentary wheelchair service inside our facility. Once you enter a gate to Ohio Stadium, you can summon a nearby Redcoat or Usher and ask for a wheelchair escort. A staff member will pickup the person needing the escort at the gate and take them to their seat. At the end of the game/concert or when you wish to leave, simply ask a nearby Usher for a wheelchair pickup. A staff member will take you from your seat to a gate.
Our wheelchair staff members are unable to go outside Ohio Stadium to pickup or drop off guests. Guests will not be able to remain in the wheelchairs for the duration of the event. Ohio Stadium does not have a rental wheelchair service for guests.
WHEELCHAIR/WALKER STORAGE
Generally, first aid rooms have space to store items like walkers, rollators, and wheelchairs. You can stop by any First Aid Room and ask to store the item if you are not able to keep it in your possession at your seat. Be sure to mark your items with your name and phone number.
Do not leave or abandon your item in a public space – you risk having the item lost or stolen. The Ohio State University, the American Red Cross, and the Columbus Fire Department are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
If information on this page leaves you with questions about access or you wish to request accommodations for a disability, click on the Disability Needs Form link here to request more information. You can also contact Evan Derr at derr.51@osu.edu; or contact the University ADA Coordinator at ADA-OSU@osu.edu; 614-292-6207 (v) or 614-688-8605 (tty). Early requests are encouraged. Depending on your particular needs, two weeks’ notice will generally allow us to accommodate your request.
