Sports lovers looking to make game-day memories are in luck — Oregon’s two biggest college towns shine in the fall. Red-brick buildings, tree-lined campuses and the excited buzz of students back to school make autumn the perfect time to visit Oregon’s flagship universities. Here’s how to discover fan favorites in and outside the stadiums in Eugene and Corvallis.
Beginner’s Guide to Game Day
Want to look like a local? Brush up on stadium traditions. In Eugene the mascot — simply known as The Duck — rides into Autzen Stadium on the back of a Harley-Davidson and does push-ups each time the Ducks score. Come ready to sing and dance, too. University of Oregon fans sing along when “Shout” plays at the end of every third quarter. The song famously appeared in “Animal House,” filmed on campus in 1978.
In Corvallis prepare for the Turnover Chainsaw. Oregon State University mascot Benny Beaver wields a fake chainsaw, and an ear-splitting chainsaw sound effect plays each time the opponent approaches a third down. Toy chainsaws are on the “approved items” list for entry into Reser Stadium, so fans frequently bring their own. Outside the stadium, look for the bright-orange Beaver Classic food truck. Staffed by OSU Food Science majors, it serves student-made ice cream and grilled cheese.
Tailgating before the game is an epic tradition in and of itself. Duck fans flock to the Moshofsky Center, which hosts up to 5,000 fans before and after each home game — one of the largest indoor tailgate gatherings in the country. Just north of Autzen, fans can park in one of several privately managed tailgating lots that open six hours before kickoff. Get your UO gear at The Duck Store, with locations at at Autzen Stadium,on campus and at Eugene’s largest mall, Valley River Center.
In Corvallis tailgating options include setting up at city parks near campus or on-campus parties at Truax Indoor Center and CH2M Hill Alumni Center. The alumni center parties are free to the public and include family activities and performances by OSU’s marching band, a Corvallis institution since 1890. Buy Oregon State University swag on campus at The Beaver Store, or grab some Beavers merch when you stop by a Fred Meyer grocery store for pregame supplies.
Where to Eat, Play and Stay in Corvallis
When you’re not at a game, wander Oregon State’s leafy 520-acre campus, home to so many trees that it’s an accredited campus arboretum. On weekdays visit the campus Welcome Center to see woolly mammoth bones that were unearthed during a 2016 stadium renovation. Take in a show or exhibit at PRAx, an on-campus arts venue where performance, visual art and research cross-pollinate. Stroll 1 mile to downtown Corvallis, tucked against the Willamette River. Food, art and music take over First Avenue every Wednesday and Saturday, April through November, at the Corvallis Farmers Market.
For postgame grub, try American Dream Pizza, with locations adjacent to campus and downtown; the yeasty crust is made with a third-generation family recipe. Enjoy wings or an old-school patty melt while you talk sports with the locals at The Angry Beaver, a pub overflowing with OSU sports memorabilia. Just 3 miles south of campus, 4 Spirits Distillery and its neighbor, Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room, both feature patios where you can gaze at the Coast Range while sipping a craft beer or cocktail.
Book lodging in advance; hotels fill up fast on home-game weekends. Several options put you within walking distance of game day, including the Hilton Garden Inn across from Reser. Downtown hotels like whimsically retro Hotel Corvallis or the riverfront Courtyard Corvallis are also an easy walk. Donovan’s Place offers guesthouses on a Christmas tree farm 2 miles west of campus.
Experience Eugene’s Sports History and Green Spaces
Known in sporty circles as TrackTown USA, Eugene earned its nickname as the birthplace of Nike and the location of several illustrious track and field events. Discover on-campus sites like Hayward Hall — a 4,000-square-foot interactive track and field museum — and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, where you can see archeological treasures like the world’s oldest shoes. Downtown, stroll through the 5th Street Public Market, a collection of Oregon-centric shops and restaurants.
Off campus, journey into Eugene’s green spaces, anchored by Skinner Butte to the north and Spencer Butte to the south, with panoramic views of Oregon’s Cascades. Paddle the Alton Baker canoe canal, or bike and run on 12 miles of riverside paths.
For people-watching plus great food and drink, visit the Whiteaker neighborhood, where breweries, wineries and distilleries are clustered with eclectic food trucks and restaurants. Share craft brews with fellow fans at Oakshire Brewing Public House, and discuss the game over blackberry pie or chocolate cake at Sweet Life Patisserie. Closer to campus, the Wild Duck Cafe is bedecked with Ducks memorabilia, as is green-and-yellow-painted Track Town Pizza, where you can watch games in the dining room or stop in as you’re walking to the nearby stadium.
Keep the sporty vibe going and stay at The Graduate, a hotel decked out in University of Oregon colors and memorabilia. The pet-friendly Hayward Inn — featuring a pool and a restaurant — and the wellness-centric EVEN Hotel are options close to Autzen Stadium.
If You Go:
- Corvallis and Eugene are both located south of Portland along Interstate 5 in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Plan ahead for game-day slowdowns on the freeway, especially when the Ducks and Beavers both have home games.
- Car-free options for game-day travel include daily airport shuttle service from the Portland airport to Corvallis; or the 99Vine bus, which includes stops at the Eugene airport, the UO and OSU campuses, several destinations in North Willamette Valley wine country, and Portland’s Union Station. In fall 2026, Amtrak Cascades debuts new rail cars with upgraded amenities on the line that connects Seattle, Portland and Eugene.
- Check official rules for Reser Stadium in Corvallis or Autzen Stadium in Eugene for details on parking, game-day shuttles and tailgating.
