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Football season is upon us, and fans of the South Florida Bulls and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are filled with excitement for the upcoming games. Fall concerts have also started to ramp up, and music lovers are anxious for the return of in-person events. As travelers begin to make their plans for one of the upcoming events at Raymond James Stadium, it’s important to find the right hotel to meet your needs.

Whether you are planning a weekend filled with football fun and tailgating adventures or you’re anticipating the upcoming concert tour of your favorite artist, Uptown Suites has laid out all the must-know information for your trip to Tampa. Check out this complete guide to the best hotel near Raymond James Stadium, rules for tailgating before the game, the current policies at the stadium and some helpful information about visiting the Tampa Bay area.

 

A photo of the front of Uptown Suites in Tampa.Hotels Near Raymond James Stadium

If you’re looking for the best hotel near Raymond James Stadium, look no further than Uptown Suites. Not only do we provide an extraordinary extended-stay experience, but our hotel amenities are first-class compared to other South Florida hotels.

When you stay at Uptown Suites in Tampa you will enjoy free Wi-Fi at no additional charge, more space, an in-room kitchen for meal-time convenience and big savings! Staying at Uptown Suites for a weekend is often far cheaper than staying at any standard hotel in the area for just one night! Best of all, we’re just a short drive from Raymond James Stadium.

Uptown Suites is ready to welcome you with excellent amenities and an inviting atmosphere. We are a pet-friendly hotel with an extensive list of property features including a 24-hour gym, free hotel parking, on-site EV charging stations (included with your stay) and smart HDTVs in every suite loaded with premium cable channels like SHOWTIME®.

What more could you need? Book your stay at our Raymond James Stadium hotel today!

 

A group of fans tailgating outside of Raymond James Stadium.Tailgating at Raymond James Stadium

Tailgating is allowed within the Raymond James Stadium parking lots. Here are some other rules and regulations the stadium has in place for tailgating:

  1. Saving parking spaces is prohibited.
  2. Kegs and large vessels are prohibited.
  3. Fans may occupy only one 10’x 24’ parking space directly behind their vehicle.
  4. Blocking other parking spots, walkways, driving lanes, etc. is prohibited.
  5. No tents larger than 10’x10’ are allowed without prior approval or licensing.
  6. The combining of tents is not allowed.
  7. Tailgating must end at kickoff.
  8. Use of amplified sound systems/external speakers at loud levels and/or with inappropriate language is prohibited.
  9. Overnight parking is not allowed.

As you are preparing for an upcoming tailgate party, check out these tailgate party tips to ensure the ultimate pre-game celebrations.

 

A group of four friends enjoying a concert at Raymond James Stadium. Policies at Raymond James Stadium

For the safety of fans and employees at the Raymond James Stadium their policies are as follows:

  1. No bags are allowed into the stadium for any event. Storage lockers are available for rent at Gate C. If you need an exception due to medical necessity, requests must be submitted online 72 hours before the event.
  2. Small clutches or purses the size of a hand or 4.5” by 6.5” are permitted, one per fan.
  3. Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to, aerosol/spray bottles of sunscreen, cameras longer than 12”, camera bags, outside food or beverages, fanny packs, coolers, artificial noisemakers, seat cushions, e-cigarettes or tobacco in any form, umbrellas and weapons.
  4. Service animals are allowed, but all other animals are prohibited.
  5. Allowed items into the stadium include, but are not limited to, banners/flags without poles, binoculars, blankets/towels (unrolled and unfolded), empty spray bottles, ponchos (if worn, carried over the arm or in original package), small handheld radios or TVs and sunscreen lotion.
  6. In compliance with current CDC guidelines, masks are recommended for unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals.

Find the complete list of Raymond James Stadium policies and procedures here.

 

Visiting the Tampa Bay Area

If you are visiting Tampa Bay for the first time, navigating around the city can be challenging. We recommend traveling to and from the stadium using an Uber or Lyft. Price estimators show a one-way trip from Uptown Suites’ Tampa hotel to Raymond James Stadium will cost around $25. The cost for parking at the stadium starts at $26.88 if purchased in advance, but the price increases if purchased the day of and the exact cost for each event varies.

If you aren’t planning to tailgate at the game, ride-sharing is the easiest and safest transportation option. The drive from our Tampa Bay hotel to Raymond James Stadium is 14 miles.

Beautiful lights on the Tamps RiverwalkOther Things To Do In Tampa

To make your stay even more enjoyable, here are a few of the top local attractions in Tampa:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Since you’re in the area, add on an extra day of fun at the family-friendly amusement park and zoo, Busch Gardens. Ticket prices for this wonderous park start at $84.99 when purchased 3 days in advance. Get your tickets here! Busch Gardens is a 21-minute drive from Uptown Suites.

Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa Riverwalk is a must-visit stop while you’re in town for a game or concert! This 2.6-mile trail overlooks the gorgeous Hillsborough River. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy along the riverwalk as well! The Tampa Riverwalk is a 15-minute drive from Uptown Suites.

Dinosaur World

Not just a place for kids, all ages can enjoy what Dinosaur World has to offer. Get up-close and personal with over 150 life-size dinosaurs in their natural surroundings. You can also explore all the interactive exhibits that teach you all about what life was like when dinosaurs ruled the world! Dinosaur World is a 20-minute drive from Uptown Suites.