Game day in Lubbock starts well before kickoff for a group making the drive from Midland. It starts with 117 miles of West Texas highway — US-87 north through Big Spring, across the high plains, and straight into the University Avenue crawl that kicks in the moment 60,000-plus fans start converging on the Texas Tech campus. By the time you're circling for one of the $25 day-of public parking spots and hiking a half-mile to the gate, you've burned more energy than the first quarter warrants.
One charter bus or party bus rental from Midland rewrites that entire scenario: your group loads up at one address, rides together for the two-hour run north, and steps off near Gate 3A on the stadium's north side — while everyone else is still looking for a lot.
One quick note on the name: Jones AT&T Stadium was officially renamed Galaxy Stadium in July 2026, when Galaxy Digital — a data-center and digital assets company based in West Texas — secured a 15-year naming rights deal. You'll see both names used through the 2026 season transition. The address is still 2526 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79409, the gates are unchanged, the parking layout is unchanged, and every logistical detail in this guide applies to the newly named venue.
This guide uses "Jones AT&T Stadium" because that's the name most fans searching for transportation information still recognize. For a full picture of group sporting event transportation from Midland, see the Midland sporting event transportation page.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Jones AT&T Stadium from Midland?
The Midland-to-Lubbock drive itself is not the hard part. US-87 through Big Spring is clean West Texas highway, and on a normal afternoon you're rolling into Lubbock in under two hours. The hard part is what happens when you get there.
University Avenue — the main arterial that runs along the east side of the Texas Tech campus — backs up badly on home game days as the city absorbs a crowd that has sold out the stadium three consecutive years. Day-of public parking lots near the soccer complex run $25 per vehicle but fill on high-demand games if you're not there early. Raider Park, the 11-floor garage just off Marsha Sharp Freeway and University Avenue, runs $55 per vehicle with credit card only.
Neither of those options changes the fact that nine cars from Midland means nine separate parking spots to find, nine separate post-game exits to coordinate, and at least nine people who cannot fully enjoy the game the same way everyone else can.
A Midland party bus or charter bus rental compresses all of that into a single booking. Your group meets at one Midland pickup point, the bus handles the 117-mile US-87 run, and the vehicle drops everyone at the north side of the stadium near Gate 3A — while individual cars are still working through the University Avenue approach. After the game, when the crowd pours out onto Drive of Champions and pedestrian traffic fills the campus grid, your bus is already staged nearby.
There's no rideshare surge to wait through and no group that got split across three different lots. The return trip to Midland begins the moment your last group member boards.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Jones AT&T Stadium
The question every group coordinator asks first: where does the bus actually drop us off? At Jones AT&T Stadium, the confirmed shuttle and bus drop-off corridor is along 4th Street near Gate 3A, on the north side of the stadium. That is also the approach Citibus uses for its official Park & Ride service — per Texas Tech's published gameday information, Citibus routes fans via Marsha Sharp Freeway and drops them on the north sidewalk of the stadium between Gates 3 and 4.
A private charter bus or party bus from Midland uses the same north-side staging area: your group gets off directly at that corridor and walks straight to the gates, with no remote lot and no connecting shuttle in between.
Knowing the gate layout keeps your group from splitting up at the wrong corner after the bus drops:
- Gates 1, 2, and 3 — west side of the stadium, along Drive of Champions
- Gates 3A and 4A — north side, near 4th Street; the confirmed bus and shuttle drop-off corridor
- Gates 4, 5, and 6 — east side, along University Avenue
- Gates 8, 9, 10, and 11 — south side, South End Zone Building (premium and south-section access)
West-side ticket holders walk directly to Gates 1 through 3 from the 4th Street drop. North-gate sections are right there. East-side and south-side ticket holders will walk a few minutes along the north sidewalk.
Sort out your ticket sections before you leave Midland so everyone knows exactly which direction to head when the bus stops — it makes the drop-off clean and fast for a large group.
The bus drops your group at 4th Street near Gate 3A — the north side of the stadium, steps from the gates. That's the stadium's own published shuttle and bus corridor, not a remote lot with a shuttle transfer on the other end.
Charter Bus Parking at Jones AT&T Stadium
For a private charter bus or party bus group, staging and parking coordination is handled through your booking at the time you reserve — the exact positioning for your game date is confirmed then. Here is what published information shows about the surrounding lot structure so your group knows the landscape.
Raider Park is the 11-floor Texas Tech garage west of the University Avenue and Marsha Sharp Freeway intersection. It offers more than 1,000 covered spaces and is accessible to personal vehicles at $55 per car on game day, credit card only. The garage's structure is not designed for full-size charter buses.
Day-of public lots west of United Supermarkets Arena and north of the John Walker Soccer Complex run $25 per vehicle on game day. Red Raider Club member lots — the closest options to the stadium — require an active RRC membership (contribution tiers run from $200 to $15,000 annually) and an advance permit purchased through the Red Raider Club. The Red Raider Club tickets and parking page has the current membership and permit structure.
One detail that affects your post-game timing: Drive of Champions, the main western approach road that runs along the stadium's west side, transitions to a one-way flow heading east and west toward University Avenue and Flint Avenue immediately after the game. Texas Tech implemented this to improve post-game vehicle throughput. Your bus accounts for this in its staging and exits once pedestrian clearance begins.
Before your game, check the official Texas Tech football parking page and the TTU Transportation & Parking Services page for any event-specific routing updates.
Jones AT&T Stadium Transportation: Every Option Compared
A private bus is not automatically the right answer for every group size. Here's an honest breakdown of what a Midland group heading to Jones AT&T Stadium is actually choosing between, scored on what matters for a 117-mile roundtrip.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Parking situation | Post-game | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One rate, split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one drop | Bus stages nearby; no personal lot needed | Bus waits; picks up at drop point | 15–56 |
| Citibus Park & Ride | $6/person roundtrip + $25/car lot | Only if everyone takes the same shuttle | Park at John Walker Soccer Complex area ($25/car) | Shuttle runs ~1 hr after game, then drive home | Pairs or small groups already in Lubbock |
| Drive and park (day-of public lot) | $25/car + gas for 234-mile RT | No — multiple cars, scattered arrivals | $25/car, fills on big games | One-way Drive of Champions; congestion | 1–4 per car |
| Raider Park garage | $55/car, credit card only | No | Good coverage; closest day-of garage option | Dense post-game garage exit | 1–2 per car |
| Rideshare | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple pickup ETAs | N/A | Surge pricing and long waits after final whistle | 1–4 per car |
For one or two people already staying in Lubbock, the Citibus Park & Ride at $6/person roundtrip is a legitimate, affordable option — park the car for $25, ride the shuttle in and out. The moment your party grows past four or five people making the Midland-to-Lubbock round trip, though, the coordination cost of multiple cars, multiple parking spots in a lot that fills on high-demand days, and the two-hour drive back at night tips the calculation toward a single vehicle. That's the group the rest of this guide is written for.
The Citibus Park & Ride Option
Texas Tech's official Citibus Park & Ride runs roundtrip for $6 per person, paid through the Go Pass app — cash is not accepted. Service begins three hours before kickoff and continues until one hour after the game. The main pickup point is north of the John Walker Soccer Complex at Texas Tech Parkway and 10th Street.
ADA-accessible pickup is located northwest of the Health Sciences Center at Texas Tech Parkway and 5th Street. Citibus routes via Marsha Sharp Freeway and drops fans on the north sidewalk of the stadium between Gates 3 and 4 — the same confirmed corridor used by private shuttle buses. For 2026 schedules and current Go Pass instructions, check the official Citibus Park & Ride page on the Texas Tech athletics site before your game.
The 117-Mile Drive from Midland to Jones AT&T Stadium
The route from Midland is straightforward: US-87 north out of the Midland-Odessa metro, through Big Spring at roughly the halfway mark (~60 miles in), then north across the high plains into Lubbock. There are no major highway changes — it's a clean, mostly flat corridor the whole way. The baseline drive time runs 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes in normal conditions, covering 117 to 118 miles.
Game day traffic does not start on US-87. It starts at the Lubbock city limits, where the road feeds into the local grid and traffic thickens near the Texas Tech campus. University Avenue, which runs along the east side of the stadium, is the main congestion corridor — 60,000-plus fans arriving from every direction at once compresses it predictably in the hour before kickoff.
The standard advice is to plan for arrival two to two-and-a-half hours before kickoff if you're driving personal vehicles; arriving an hour out means scrambling for whatever parking remains. A charter bus from Midland builds that arrival window into the departure time automatically, and the north-side drop on 4th Street bypasses the University Avenue bottleneck entirely for the final approach.
Post-game: Drive of Champions goes one-way out toward University Avenue and Flint Avenue after the final whistle. Everyone in a personal car sits in that managed flow before they can even start the 117-mile trip home. A bus staged nearby is already in position when your group exits — the return leg to Midland begins from the same north-side corridor where you arrived.
Jones AT&T Stadium Party Bus & Charter Bus Rentals: Which Size Fits Your Group?
Midlandpartybuscompany.com connects Midland groups to a large network of bus companies with a wide range of vehicle sizes — so your group rides in the right vehicle without paying for empty seats or cramming past capacity. Here's how the full vehicle lineup maps to a Jones AT&T Stadium trip from Midland.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Storage | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Moderate — bags and gear | Small fan groups, VIP groups, suite holders | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Onboard, lighter items | Fan groups who want the road-trip energy built in | Color-changing LED lighting, premium Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead plus underfloor | Mid-size groups; good maneuverability on campus streets | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, corporate outings, season-ticket holder parties | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
The call comes down to headcount and what you need on a two-hour highway run. For 15 to 35 fans, a minibus navigates the campus street grid more efficiently than a full-size coach and gets everyone to the Gate 3A drop without the 56-passenger footprint. For larger groups — or for a group that wants undercarriage space for tailgate supplies alongside the ride — a charter bus handles the US-87 stretch in full comfort with onboard restrooms, which matters on a 117-mile haul with limited convenient stops through Big Spring.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; note it when you request your quote.
Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices for the Drive from Midland to Jones AT&T Stadium
Midlandpartybuscompany.com shows online quotes in under 30 seconds — pricing before you commit, no account required. The rate varies by vehicle size, total hours, date, and mileage from Midland. Here are the planning ranges through the network to give you a sense of what to budget:
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly | Weekend hourly | Daily rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter Van | $200–$275/hr | $225–$375/hr | $1,400–$2,750/day |
| 14-Passenger Sprinter Limo | $200–$325/hr | $225–$350/hr | $1,550–$3,150/day |
| 15-Passenger Party Bus | $200–$350/hr | $250–$350/hr | $1,400–$2,850/day |
| 20-Passenger Party Bus | $250–$350/hr | $275–$350/hr | $1,950–$2,800/day |
| 25-Passenger Party Bus | $250–$350/hr | $275–$375/hr | $1,850–$2,900/day |
| 30-Passenger Party Bus | $300–$375/hr | $325–$425/hr | $2,350–$3,050/day |
| 40-Passenger Party Bus | $300–$350/hr | $325–$500/hr | $2,300–$3,500/day |
| 50-Passenger Party Bus | $300–$450/hr | $325–$500/hr | $2,150–$4,050/day |
| 15–35 Passenger Minibus | $200–$250/hr | $200–$275/hr | $1,100–$2,150/day |
| 40–56 Passenger Charter Bus | $200–$350/hr | $200–$350/hr | $1,350–$2,850/day |
These are planning ranges — the real number moves with your specific date, itinerary, vehicle, and mileage from Midland. A Saturday Big 12 home game prices differently from a Wednesday night non-conference opener. To get pricing for your exact trip in about a minute, call 432-247-0930 or use the online quote form.
No obligation, no account needed. Check the Midland party bus prices page for more on rate ranges by vehicle type.
To give you an idea of per-head math: a 32-person fan group from Midland books a 40-passenger party bus for an October home game. Pickup from Midland at noon, drop at Jones AT&T Stadium by 2:00 PM for a 5:00 PM kickoff. Post-game pickup at 8:30 PM, back in Midland around 10:30 PM.
That's a roughly 10-hour block. A weekend day rate in the $2,300–$3,500 range works out to about $72–$109 per person across 32 seats. Compare that to eight cars each needing $25 day-of parking and 234 miles roundtrip in gas — the bus math narrows fast, and the coordination headache disappears entirely.
Tailgating Before the Red Raiders Game
The pregame scene at Texas Tech centers on Raider Alley, located at the historic Engineering Key in the heart of campus. Raider Alley opens to the public four hours before kickoff and features live music (Texas Tech has booked Grammy-nominated artists for the opener), the Goin' Band from Raiderland, pep rallies, and fan activities. Citibus also runs a dedicated shuttle from the game-day parking lots specifically to Raider Alley, so groups parked in the public lots can hit the pregame scene before heading in.
A charter bus group drops on 4th Street with enough time to walk through Raider Alley before gates open.
A few tailgate rules published by Texas Tech Athletics that every group should know before arriving:
- Tents are capped at 10×10. No oversized canopy setups in the tailgate areas; the 10-by-10 limit is enforced across campus lots.
- The venue is fully cashless. Concessions, merchandise, and in-stadium purchases all require a card or mobile payment. Day-of parking payments at lot booths also go through card only. Plan accordingly.
- No re-entry once you're inside. Make sure your group is ready before going through the gates — there's no stepping out and back in.
- The tortilla toss is limited to the opening kickoff. Big 12 conference rules now restrict the iconic Texas Tech tradition to kickoff only, with penalties applying after that. It's one of the stadium's best-known moments — know the rule so no one in your group gets caught out mid-game.
Stadium Policies Every Bus Group Should Know
Jones AT&T Stadium enforces a clear bag policy for all events. Each fan may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ — or a one-gallon clear plastic zip-lock bag. A small clutch no larger than a hand is permitted alongside the clear bag.
Backpacks, fanny packs, and any non-clear bag are prohibited. Medically necessary items are allowed after inspection. One factory-sealed water bottle of 20 oz or less is allowed per person; other outside food and drinks are not.
Umbrellas are prohibited. For the current version of the policy — which Texas Tech updates each season — check the official Texas Tech clear bag policy page before your game.
The full 2025 season fan information, including ticketing technology, cashless reminders, and stadium entry procedures, is documented on the Texas Tech 2025 fan information page. Texas Tech typically publishes a fresh version each August before the new season, so check back as the 2026 season approaches for any policy updates.
Jones AT&T Stadium in 2026: Home Games, the Galaxy Stadium Renaming, and When to Book
Texas Tech enters the 2026 season as defending Big 12 champions — and that changes the demand picture for every home game. The stadium has sold out three consecutive seasons, and with a conference title banner going up, 2026 home games are drawing attention from across the region. The Red Raiders open under their new Galaxy Stadium name on September 5 against Abilene Christian, then host Houston on September 18 (Big 12), Sam Houston on September 26, Arizona State on October 17 (Big 12), Arizona on October 31 (Big 12), West Virginia on November 7 (Big 12), and close the home slate with a TCU game on November 26 (Big 12, Thanksgiving week).
The full schedule is on the Texas Tech football schedule page.
For Midland groups, the Big 12 conference games in October and November book fastest. The Arizona State matchup on October 17 and the TCU game on November 26 are marquee dates that draw strong demand from across the Permian Basin and beyond. Book at least four to six weeks ahead for a standard Big 12 home game from Midland — for the Arizona State, West Virginia, and TCU games, eight to twelve weeks is a safer window.
The bigger your group, the earlier you need to act: larger vehicles in the network book out before smaller ones on peak game days. Call 432-247-0930 as soon as your date is confirmed to check what's available.
Defending Big 12 champions, three straight sell-outs, and a stadium with a new name. Every one of the 2026 home games is a high-demand date. The vehicles that fit 30, 40, and 56 people go first.
Get your group's trip locked in early.
Types of Groups That Rent a Bus to Jones AT&T Stadium from Midland
The same north-side drop-off and 117-mile West Texas trip works for every kind of group making the Jones AT&T Stadium run — everyone arrives together, the logistics are handled, and nobody is stuck navigating campus by themselves. Here's who requests it most through Midlandpartybuscompany.com:
Fan groups and season-ticket holder parties. Large Red Raider fan groups from the Permian Basin who hold tickets to multiple home games and want the Midland-to-Lubbock trip itself to feel like part of the game day. A charter bus from Midland handles the US-87 run, drops the group at Gate 3A, and stages for the return — no coordinating seven or eight separate cars from the same parking lot, no post-game caravanning back down the high plains at night.
Corporate and suite groups. Companies in the Midland oil and gas sector and other West Texas industries that entertain clients at Texas Tech games. A minibus or charter bus moves the client group from a single Midland address to the stadium's north-side drop without anyone navigating one-way campus streets or the post-game Drive of Champions flow on their own.
See the Midland corporate event transportation page for more on business group logistics.
Alumni groups returning to Lubbock. Texas Tech alumni based in the Permian Basin heading back for homecoming, rivalry games, or reunion weekends. These groups often build a full Saturday around the trip — Raider Alley four hours before kickoff, the game, dinner near campus, then the bus back to Midland.
If your group is spending the night, the Lubbock party bus page covers getting around the city after the game.
Milestone celebration groups. A Red Raiders home game makes a legitimate backdrop for a milestone birthday or group celebration — and a party bus from Midland puts the LED lighting, the premium sound system, and the whole group in the same vehicle for the full West Texas run north.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Jones AT&T Stadium
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Jones AT&T Stadium?
The confirmed drop-off corridor is along 4th Street near Gate 3A on the north side of the stadium. Citibus uses the same north-side approach via Marsha Sharp Freeway, dropping fans on the north sidewalk between Gates 3 and 4. A private charter bus or party bus from Midland uses the same staging area, putting your group directly on the north sidewalk — steps from the west and north gates, without a remote lot or a shuttle transfer between you and the stadium.
The exact drop confirmation for your specific game date is sorted out when you reserve.
Where do charter buses park at Jones AT&T Stadium?
Oversized vehicle staging is coordinated at booking for the specific game date — the approach route and staging position are confirmed then, not discovered at a closed gate. For context: Raider Park garage ($55/car) is a personal-vehicle structure and not suited to full-size coaches. Day-of public lots near the soccer complex run $25/car for personal vehicles.
Your bus stages in the north-side area and positions for the postgame pickup. Before your visit, check the official Texas Tech football parking page for any event-specific updates.
How far is Midland from Jones AT&T Stadium?
About 117–118 miles via US-87 north through Big Spring — roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 5 minutes without game-day traffic. On home game days, build in extra time once you're in Lubbock: University Avenue backs up as the crowd converges on campus. A charter bus from Midland typically departs 2.5 to 3 hours before kickoff to allow for the drive and arrival before gates open.
How much does parking cost at Jones AT&T Stadium?
Day-of public lots near the John Walker Soccer Complex and United Supermarkets Arena run $25 per vehicle. The Raider Park garage — the closest day-of covered option — runs $55 per vehicle, credit card only. Red Raider Club member lots require an advance permit and an active RRC membership, structured through the Red Raider Club.
When your group arrives by charter bus, no personal parking is needed — the bus handles staging for the entire group.
What is the Citibus Park & Ride and how does it work?
Citibus runs roundtrip game-day shuttle service for $6 per person via the Go Pass app — no cash accepted. Shuttles begin three hours before kickoff and run until one hour after the game. The main pickup is north of the John Walker Soccer Complex at Texas Tech Parkway and 10th Street; ADA-accessible pickup is at Texas Tech Parkway and 5th Street (northwest of the Health Sciences Center).
Citibus routes via Marsha Sharp Freeway and drops fans on the north sidewalk between Gates 3 and 4. It's the right call for a small group already parked in Lubbock. For a Midland group making the full 117-mile run, a private charter bus handles the whole trip in one booking with no separate parking step.
See the Citibus Park & Ride page for current 2026 schedules.
What is the clear bag policy at Jones AT&T Stadium?
Each fan may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ (or a one-gallon clear zip-lock), plus a small clutch no larger than a hand. Backpacks, fanny packs, and non-clear bags are prohibited. One factory-sealed water bottle of 20 oz or less is allowed per person.
Umbrellas are not permitted. Check the Texas Tech clear bag policy page for the current version before your game.
Is Jones AT&T Stadium cashless?
Yes. All transactions inside the venue — concessions, merchandise, in-seat orders — require a card or mobile payment. No cash is accepted.
Day-of parking payments are also card-only. Brief your group before the trip so nobody is caught without a card at the concession stand.
Can we tailgate at Jones AT&T Stadium?
Yes. Raider Alley at the Engineering Key opens four hours before kickoff and is free and open to the public, featuring live music, the Goin' Band, and fan activities. Tailgate tents are limited to 10×10.
No re-entry is permitted once your group is inside the stadium. The tortilla toss — one of the most photographed traditions in college football — is now limited to the opening kickoff per Big 12 rules, with penalties after that.
How early should we book a charter bus or party bus from Midland for Jones AT&T Stadium?
For a standard Big 12 home game, four to six weeks ahead is a solid window. For marquee matchups — homecoming, rivalry games, late-season conference implications — eight to twelve weeks gives you the best vehicle selection. Texas Tech has sold out three consecutive seasons, and game-day transportation demand from the Permian Basin follows that pattern.
Call 432-247-0930 as soon as your date is confirmed. The earlier the call, the better the options.
Is Jones AT&T Stadium still called that?
The stadium was officially renamed Galaxy Stadium in July 2026, after Texas Tech signed a 15-year naming rights deal with Galaxy Digital. The address (2526 Mac Davis Lane), the gates, the parking, and the game-day setup are all unchanged. Both names circulate through the 2026 season as signage and references transition.
Navigation systems may use either name, so 2526 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79409 is the reliable address for any mapping app.
How do I get a quote for a charter bus or party bus from Midland to Jones AT&T Stadium?
Use the quick online form at Midlandpartybuscompany.com and get pricing in under 30 seconds — no account required, no obligation. Or call 432-247-0930 any time; a support team is available to walk through vehicle options, confirm the Midland route, and put together a package for your group size and game date. Either way, you'll have a quote in about a minute.
Book Your Jones AT&T Stadium Bus Rental Today
The perfect West Texas road trip is one booking away. Whether it's 15 fans in a minibus or a full crowd in a 56-seat charter bus, Midlandpartybuscompany.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Midland — vehicles across every size, rate, and configuration, with pricing in seconds. Texas Tech is the defending Big 12 champion.
The home schedule fills fast. Call 432-247-0930 or use the online quote form now to check availability for your game date. The drive from Midland is 117 miles.
The quote takes about a minute.
