Iron Bowl
2026

Complete Guide: Attending the Iron Bowl 2026

Getting to Bryant-Denny Stadium

Bryant-Denny Stadium is located at 920 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 on the southwestern edge of the University of Alabama campus. Game day traffic is intense, so plan accordingly:

• Driving: I-20/59 provides direct access to Tuscaloosa from Birmingham (55 miles). Exit at McFarland Boulevard or Lurleen Wallace Boulevard for stadium access.
• Parking: Campus lots require permits; arrive early for the best spots. Off-campus parking is available throughout Tuscaloosa with shuttle services to the stadium.
• Shuttles: Game day shuttles run from various locations around Tuscaloosa and begin approximately four hours before kickoff.
• Rideshare: Designated drop-off zones are available near the stadium, but expect surge pricing and delays near kickoff.

Tailgating in Tuscaloosa

Tailgating is an essential part of the Iron Bowl experience. Popular locations include:

• The Quad: The iconic heart of campus transforms into a sea of tents and grills on game day
• Ferguson Lawn: Adjacent to the stadium with excellent atmosphere
• University Boulevard (The Strip): Bars and restaurants create a lively pregame scene

Tailgating typically begins four hours before kickoff and ends when the game starts. Alabama enforces a smoke-free policy across campus.

Seating at Bryant-Denny Stadium

With 100,077 seats spread across multiple levels, Bryant-Denny offers options for every budget:

• Lower Bowl: Closest to the action with intense atmosphere; premium pricing
• Upper Decks: Excellent sightlines of the entire field; more affordable options
• End Zones: Budget-friendly with full views of scoring plays
• Club Seats: Premium seating with access to climate-controlled lounges
• Skyboxes: 81 private suites offering the ultimate game day experience

Quick Reference: Iron Bowl 2026

• Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
• Kickoff: Time TBA (typically 2:30 PM CT on CBS or 6:30 PM CT on ABC)
• Venue: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
• Capacity: 100,077
• Series Record: Alabama leads 51-37-1
• Alabama Streak: 6 consecutive wins (2020-2025)
• Last Auburn Win in Tuscaloosa: 2010 (28-27)
• 2025 Result: Alabama 27, Auburn 20

How to Buy Iron Bowl 2026 Tickets

1. Browse available inventory from verified sellers in the listings above
2. Select your preferred section—lower bowl, upper deck, or end zone
3. Review all-in pricing—displayed prices include all fees with no hidden charges
4. Complete secure checkout with buyer protection guarantee
5. Receive electronic tickets delivered before game day

What Is the Iron Bowl?

The Iron Bowl is the annual football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. First played in 1893, it is one of college football's oldest and most intense rivalries. The name originated from the game's long history in Birmingham, Alabama—once known as the "Iron City" for its steel industry—where the game was played at Legion Field from 1948 to 1998. The rivalry splits the state of Alabama down the middle, with families and friendships often divided between Crimson and Orange.

Historic Iron Bowl Moments

The Iron Bowl has produced some of college football's most legendary moments:

• 1972 – Punt, Bama, Punt: Auburn blocked two punts for touchdowns in the final minutes to stun No. 2 Alabama 17-16.
• 1985 – Bo Over the Top: Auburn's Bo Jackson leaped over the goal line for a game-winning touchdown in his Heisman Trophy season.
• 2010 – Cam's Comeback: Cam Newton led Auburn from 24 points down to beat Alabama 28-27 at Bryant-Denny on the way to a national championship.
• 2013 – The Kick Six: Chris Davis returned a missed 57-yard field goal 109 yards for a touchdown as time expired, giving Auburn a 34-28 victory in one of college football's most iconic plays.
• 2021 – Young's Heroics: Bryce Young threw four touchdown passes as Alabama rallied from 10 down to beat Auburn 24-22 in four overtimes.
• 2023 – Gravedigger: Facing fourth-and-31 with 43 seconds left, Alabama converted a miraculous 31-yard completion to set up the game-tying field goal, eventually winning 27-24.
• 2025 – DeBoer's Gamble: Kalen DeBoer went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Auburn 6 with under four minutes remaining, and Ty Simpson's touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton lifted Alabama to a 27-20 victory.

Both Programs in 2026

Alabama Crimson Tide

Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters his third season looking to maintain Alabama's championship standard. The Crimson Tide's 2026 schedule includes home games against Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, plus a trip to LSU—making the Iron Bowl a crucial season finale. DeBoer won 10 games in each of his first two seasons and reached the 2025 SEC Championship Game. His 2-0 record against Auburn represents the best start against the Tigers for any Alabama coach since Gene Stallings.

Auburn Tigers

Head coach Alex Golesh takes over a program seeking its first winning season since 2020. The 41-year-old offensive mastermind built USF into a 9-win program with explosive offense and now brings that approach to the Plains. Golesh's 2026 SEC schedule includes home games against Florida, LSU, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, with road trips to Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Alabama. The Iron Bowl will cap Golesh's inaugural season at Auburn.

The SEC's New Nine-Game Schedule

The 2026 season marks the first year of the SEC's new nine-game conference schedule. Under this format, each school plays three annual opponents plus six rotating opponents. Alabama and Auburn remain protected annual opponents—ensuring the Iron Bowl continues every season. The expanded schedule also means every SEC team will play every other team at least once every two years and home-and-away every four years, creating more opportunities for marquee matchups.

Follow Both Programs

• Alabama Football: rolltide.com
• Auburn Football: auburntigers.com
• SEC Sports: secsports.com
• Alabama Twitter: @AlabamaFTBL
• Auburn Twitter: @AuburnFootball

Why Buy Iron Bowl Tickets Through BigStub?

The Iron Bowl is one of college football's most in-demand tickets every year. When primary tickets sell out, BigStub connects fans with verified sellers offering authentic tickets at competitive, all-in prices. With over 20 years in business and the highest Trustpilot ratings among ticket resellers, every purchase includes buyer protection and verified seller authentication—so you can focus on the game, not the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions: Iron Bowl 2026

When is the Iron Bowl 2026?

The Iron Bowl 2026 will be played on Saturday, November 28, 2026 at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The SEC announced this date as part of its 2026 schedule release on December 11, 2025. Kickoff time is typically around 2:30 PM CT on CBS or 6:30 PM CT on ABC, with the exact time announced closer to game day.

What is the Iron Bowl?

The Iron Bowl is the annual college football rivalry game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. First played in 1893, it is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in college football. The name comes from the game's long history at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, known as the "Iron City" for its steel industry. The game splits the state of Alabama, with most residents identifying as either Alabama or Auburn fans.

Where is the Iron Bowl 2026?

The Iron Bowl 2026 will be played at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. The stadium has a capacity of 100,077 and is one of the largest on-campus venues in college football. The Iron Bowl alternates between Tuscaloosa and Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium each year.

What is the all-time record in the Iron Bowl?

Alabama leads the all-time Iron Bowl series 51-37-1. The Crimson Tide has won six consecutive games against Auburn since 2020. Alabama has been particularly dominant at home, where Auburn hasn't won since Cam Newton's legendary 28-27 comeback victory in 2010.

Who won the 2025 Iron Bowl?

Alabama won the 2025 Iron Bowl 27-20 at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Crimson Tide led 17-0 early before Auburn rallied to tie the game at 20. With under four minutes remaining, coach Kalen DeBoer went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Auburn 6-yard line instead of kicking a field goal. Quarterback Ty Simpson found Isaiah Horton for a touchdown to secure the victory and clinch Alabama's spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Who is Alabama's head coach?

Kalen DeBoer is Alabama's head coach, entering his third season in 2026. He was hired from Washington after the 2023 season to replace Nick Saban. DeBoer has won 10 games in each of his first two seasons and is 2-0 against Auburn, becoming the first Alabama coach to win his first two Iron Bowls since Gene Stallings in 1990-91.

Who is Auburn's head coach?

Alex Golesh is Auburn's head coach, hired from South Florida on November 30, 2025. The 41-year-old offensive innovator transformed USF from a 1-11 program into a 9-3 contender with one of the nation's best offenses. The 2026 Iron Bowl will be his first as Auburn's head coach. He previously served as Tennessee's offensive coordinator under Josh Heupel.

How much are Iron Bowl tickets?

Iron Bowl ticket prices vary based on section, row, and market demand. The game is consistently one of college football's most expensive regular-season tickets due to limited supply and intense demand from both fanbases. Verified resale platforms display all-in pricing that includes all fees with no hidden charges.

How do I get to Bryant-Denny Stadium?

Bryant-Denny Stadium is located on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, approximately 55 miles southwest of Birmingham via I-20/59. Exit at McFarland Boulevard or Lurleen Wallace Boulevard for stadium access. Campus parking requires permits; off-campus parking with shuttle service is available throughout Tuscaloosa.

What time do gates open at Bryant-Denny?

Gates at Bryant-Denny Stadium typically open two hours before kickoff. Given the intense game day atmosphere and limited parking, plan to arrive early. Tailgating begins approximately four hours before kickoff at locations including The Quad and Ferguson Lawn.

When did Auburn last win at Bryant-Denny Stadium?

Auburn last won at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010, when Cam Newton led a legendary 28-27 comeback victory. The Tigers trailed 24-0 at halftime before Newton led 28 unanswered points to win the game on their way to a national championship. Auburn has lost every trip to Tuscaloosa since then.

Why is it called the Iron Bowl?

The Iron Bowl gets its name from Birmingham, Alabama, where the game was played at Legion Field from 1948 to 1998. Birmingham was known as the "Iron City" or "Pittsburgh of the South" due to its extensive steel and iron industry. Though the game now alternates between campus sites, the historic name remains.

What is Saban Field?

In September 2024, the University of Alabama renamed the playing surface at Bryant-Denny Stadium to "Saban Field" in honor of Nick Saban, who coached the Crimson Tide from 2007 to 2023. During his tenure, Saban won six national championships and nine SEC titles, establishing Alabama as college football's dominant program.

Why should I buy from a ticket reseller?

Verified ticket resellers provide access to sold-out events and premium seating options unavailable through primary sellers. Trusted platforms like BigStub offer buyer protection, verified seller authentication, and all-in pricing with no hidden fees—backed by over 20 years of industry experience and the highest Trustpilot ratings among ticket sellers.

Can I tailgate at Bryant-Denny Stadium?

Yes, tailgating is a cherished tradition at Alabama football games. Popular spots include The Quad (the iconic heart of campus), Ferguson Lawn (adjacent to the stadium), and University Boulevard ("The Strip"). Tailgating typically begins four hours before kickoff and ends when the game starts. The university maintains a smoke-free policy across campus.