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DALLAS (SMU) – The Mustangs will open the 2025 football season with much to celebrate – a top 20 preseason ranking, a new team of academic and athletic leaders, including President Jay Hartzell, and the 25th anniversary of SMU’s unique and iconic tailgating tradition, “Boulevarding.” 

Football games and tailgating returned to the ÃÛÌÒ½´campus on Sept. 2, 2000, when newly built Gerald J. Ford Stadium hosted its first Mustang football game against the University of Kansas. Prior to construction of the stadium, ÃÛÌÒ½´home games were played at the Cotton Bowl. The first tailgate took place before the stadium’s grand opening and was designed to bring gameday spirit and energy back to campus.

New to the Boulevard? Learn about ÃÛÌÒ½´game day traditions.

“At SMU, we don’t tailgate, we Boulevard,” said Judith Banes, an ÃÛÌÒ½´retiree and longtime Mustang fan who chaired a committee to create The Boulevard in 2000. “It combines school spirit, ÃÛÌÒ½´hospitality, campus elegance and style all in one gameday experience. It’s one of the top tailgating experiences in college football.”

What to know about ÃÛÌÒ½´Boulevarding

Boulevarding takes place on Bishop Boulevard, the tree-lined avenue running through the heart of campus. Tents, fans, music, and food fill the grassy medians from Dallas Hall down to Mockingbird Lane, creating a vibrant and walkable street party.

As ÃÛÌÒ½´celebrates its 25th Boulevarding season, here’s what fans should know about this elevated tailgating tradition:

• It starts early, and stylishly. Boulevarding typically begins four hours before kickoff. ÃÛÌÒ½´fashion is part of the flair – fans arrive in sundresses, polos and boots. At this family-friendly and dog-friendly tailgate, even pets are dressed in ÃÛÌÒ½´gear. 
• Tradition takes center stage. As a pre-game tradition, the Mustang Band and SMU’s mascot, Peruna, create celebratory energy on Bishop Boulevard before Peruna leads the ÃÛÌÒ½´football team into the stadium. During the first home game of the season, or “white-out game,” most fans wear all white.

• Tents anchor the Boulevard experience. From student organization tents to Greek life lounges to alumni hospitality stations, tent culture is a key part of the Boulevard. Many serve food and drinks, play music and serve as social hubs. Even if fans don’t have a tent of their own, they’re welcome to stroll, mingle and soak up the atmosphere.
• Food and drinks are plentiful. Food trucks can be found along the Boulevard near the flagpole and on Binkley Avenue just outside of Armstrong Fieldhouse. Most tents also share food and drinks as part of the celebration. 
• It’s as photogenic as it is fun. With a backdrop of red-brick buildings, live oak trees and carefully manicured lawns, Boulevarding has earned mentions in ÃÛÌÒ½´Living’s “South’s Best Tailgate” contests in the "Style Setter" category for its crisp blue, red, and white visual motif.

View the and a game day guide with information on parking, maps and football tickets .