Upcoming Maryland Terrapins Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Maryland football: from ACC founder to the Big Ten
The Maryland Terrapins play home football games at SECU Stadium on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, a few miles outside Washington, D.C. Home games run on Saturdays from late August or early September through late November, and Maryland has played in the Big Ten Conference since 2014.
The program fielded its first team in 1892, as Maryland Agricultural College. Under Jim Tatum, the Terps went 10–1 in 1953 and were named national champions as the only undefeated, untied team of the regular season; that title is the one the school claims. Maryland was a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953 and won nine ACC championships, including three straight from 1974 to 1976, three straight under Bobby Ross (1983–1985) and an outright title in 2001 under Ralph Friedgen that sent the team to the Orange Bowl.
The best-known game in Maryland history happened on the road. At Miami in 1984, the Terps trailed 31–0 at halftime before backup quarterback Frank Reich threw four touchdown passes in a 42–40 win, then the largest comeback in major college football history. Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy White and quarterback Boomer Esiason both finished in the top ten of Heisman voting as Terps.
Where to sit at SECU Stadium
SECU Stadium opened in 1950 as Byrd Stadium, was renamed Maryland Stadium in 2015, and took its current name under a 10-year naming deal announced in 2022. The layout is easy to read once you know the four sides:
- South side: Tyser Tower, the five-story press box and suite structure, rebuilt in a 2007–2009 expansion with 63 suites and mezzanine seating.
- North side: a 12,000-seat upper deck added in 1995, above the lower bowl.
- East end: the Gossett Football Team House and the original video board area.
- West end: a larger video board installed in 2021, and the main west gate on Stadium Drive.
Sideline vs. end zone
The field runs east to west, so the sidelines face north and south. Lower and middle rows of either sideline between the 30-yard lines are the best seats for following the game. The 2007–2009 project lowered the field to improve sightlines, which helps the lower rows. The north upper deck gives a full overhead view of the field, but its top rows are a long way from the action. End-zone seats are generally the least expensive.
Sun and shade
Because the field runs east to west, fans on the north side face south toward the sun during a day game, while fans on the south side, below Tyser Tower, have the sun at their backs. For an early-September noon kickoff in the Washington humidity, that difference matters; for a night game it disappears.
Stadium seat rentals are available on the concourse behind Sections 8 and 19. Portable seats wider than 18 inches or with armrests are not allowed.
Rivalries and the Maryland games that draw the biggest crowds
Maryland's schedule changed sharply when it left the ACC for the Big Ten in 2014, and so did its marquee home games.
- Penn State: a long, lopsided border series that Penn State has dominated. Maryland's stadium attendance record, 58,973 with temporary seating, came against Penn State in 1975.
- Rutgers: the Big Ten protects Maryland–Rutgers as an annual matchup through at least 2028, pairing the conference's two East Coast newcomers.
- Navy: the in-state Crab Bowl, revived in 2005 after a 40-year break, with a trophy awarded since 2010. It is played only when the schools schedule it.
- Virginia and West Virginia: regional rivals from the ACC era and before, now occasional non-conference games.
For buyers, the biggest crowds and the strongest resale demand come with visits from Big Ten powers such as Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State, whose fans travel to College Park in large numbers. Early-season non-conference games are usually the easiest tickets to find.
Gameday in College Park: Terp Alley, Testudo and tailgating
Maryland's gameday centers on the west side of the stadium.
- Terp Alley: about two hours before kickoff, team buses arrive at the Stadium Drive traffic circle outside the west gate, and the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band, the spirit squad and fans greet the players as they walk into the stadium. Family activities set up on Legacy Plaza nearby.
- Testudo: the diamondback terrapin has been the school's mascot since 1933. A bronze Testudo statue stands at the stadium, and under Ralph Friedgen players touched it on their walk to the locker room.
- Maryland Pride uniforms: since 2011, Maryland has worn uniforms built on the state flag's red, white, gold and black.
Campus lots open, and tailgating is allowed, six hours before kickoff. Tents are limited to 10 by 10 feet and cannot be staked, open flames are banned in garages, and kegs and other common containers are prohibited on campus. Parking permits are single use, so leaving the lot means losing your space.
How Maryland football tickets work
Maryland sells season tickets and single-game tickets through its athletics ticket office, with athletics donors receiving seating priority. Students get tickets through a separate student system under a published annual student ticket policy. Tickets are mobile.
Demand at SECU Stadium varies more by opponent than at most Big Ten stadiums, so many Maryland games are relatively accessible. The exceptions are the visits from Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State, when visiting fans compete for seats and resale prices climb. Those are the games to buy early. For non-conference games and lower-profile Big Ten opponents, demand is usually lighter and prices tend to soften as kickoff nears. GoodSeats orders include free shipping and no digital transfer fees.
Getting to SECU Stadium and what to bring
SECU Stadium is at 90 Stadium Drive in College Park. By car, the usual route is the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) to exit 25B, south on U.S. 1, then west on Route 193 to Stadium Drive. Gameday traffic on Route 1 and the Beltway can be heavy, so leave extra time.
The Metro is a practical alternative for fans coming from Washington or the suburbs. The College Park–University of Maryland station on the Green Line sits about a mile southeast of the center of campus, and the university's Shuttle-UM buses serve the station.
As of the 2026 season, Maryland prohibits bags that are not clear or are larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, along with umbrellas, outside food and drink, artificial noisemakers and video cameras. There is no re-entry once you leave the stadium. Check the Maryland football gameday page for the current policy before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Maryland Terrapins play home football games?
Maryland plays at SECU Stadium on the University of Maryland campus in College Park. The stadium opened in 1950 as Byrd Stadium and was renamed SECU Stadium in 2022.
How many people does SECU Stadium hold?
Sources differ. The stadium's history lists a capacity of about 54,000 after its 2007–2009 expansion, while other references cite 51,802. The attendance record is 58,973, set with temporary seating in 1975.
Can you take the Metro to Maryland football games?
Yes. The College Park–University of Maryland station on the Green Line is about a mile southeast of the center of campus, and Shuttle-UM buses serve the station.
When did Maryland join the Big Ten?
Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014 after 61 seasons in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which it helped found in 1953.
What bags are allowed at SECU Stadium?
As of the 2026 season, bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, and there is no re-entry. Check Maryland Athletics for the current policy before you go.