Mississippi State Bulldogs Football vs. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Football — Hotels & Tickets

Grab a scratch-made pizza or gourmet burger on the patio here before kickoff — it's the Cotton District's go-to for a cold beer within earshot of the tailgates.

A local burger institution steps from the stadium — get there early on gameday because the line stretches out the door once the Junction fills up.

If you want a proper sit-down meal before the game, book Tyler's exposed-brick dining room downtown for the most inventive plates in town.

A Starkville staple since the '90s with NY-and-Chicago-style pizza and live regional music — it opens at noon on home-game Saturdays, so it's where fans land to relive the game over a pitcher.

Post-game the crowd shifts here to dance it out — it's been Starkville's go-to live-music room since 1994, with 800-capacity shows most Thursday through Saturday nights.

Starkville's best-kept secret for a nightcap — this hidden cocktail bar behind Restaurant Tyler pours one of the largest bourbon selections in Mississippi, so let the bartenders build you something.

This is the premier tailgate — thousands of tents packed in front of the stadium with no cars or traffic, and the Dawg Walk cuts through about 2 hours before kick, so arrive early and just wander tent to tent.

Reserve your spot online ahead of time — public advance parking opens 8 a.m. Friday at hailstate.com/tickets, so don't gamble on gameday walk-ups.

Enter through the gate printed on your ticket and give yourself buffer — center-campus roads close 4 hours before kickoff, and all lots must be cleared by 7 a.m. the next morning.

Mississippi State is the only SEC school with an exception to ring cowbells — and local etiquette says you never buy your own first bell (it's bad luck), it has to be gifted, so make friends in the Junction.

A Starkville barbecue institution since 1985 — settle in among the memorabilia-covered walls for slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, and Mississippi farm-raised catfish.