A Sports Fan's Guide to Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence is a city that breathes sports, and it’s no mystery why! The city is home to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, a program that boasts one of the most storied histories in college basketball and a football resurgence that has transformed Saturdays at the stadium into a regional pilgrimage. From the hallowed hardwood of Allen Fieldhouse to the historic limestone of Memorial Stadium, the "River City" is a bucket-list destination for any true athletics enthusiast. No matter who you root for, one thing is certain: no one wants to struggle with transportation on game day. That’s where Charter Bus Lawrence comes in. We specialize in comfortable and stress-free group travel, and our big motorcoaches lets us connect every fan group with the perfect ride. So whether you’re planning a tailgate with your alumni association or an outing with your youth basketball team, you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out, scroll through your social feed with the onboard WiFi, watch hype videos over the TVs, and enjoy the ride to these top sports venues in Lawrence:

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Witness History at Allen Fieldhouse

Allen Fieldhouse is one of the nation’s most popular destinations—and for good reason. It is widely considered the "St. James Park" of college basketball, bringing in thousands of Jayhawk fans and sports history buffs alike every year. While much of the original 1955 construction still remains, providing that unmatched "Phog" atmosphere, the stadium grounds include the Booth Family Hall of Athletics: a museum adjacent to the arena that hosts interactive exhibits and the original 13 "Rules of Basketball" written by James Naismith. Planning a get-together with your favorite sports fans? Make it one they won’t soon forget and host it near the Fieldhouse! While the arena itself is a temple for the game, the surrounding University of Kansas campus offers rentable venues for private events—including corporate meetings at the nearby Adams Alumni Center. These spaces can accommodate groups of various sizes and provide the perfect backdrop for a pre-game rally. The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is available all year round, typically open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days. Your group can see highlights such as the championship trophies, legendary jerseys, and the retired floor sections from past Final Four appearances. Groups of 10 or more should coordinate their visit in advance to ensure smooth entry during the busy basketball season. Parking near Allen Fieldhouse and in the surrounding West District is notoriously difficult on game days. The garage at 1501 Irving Hill Rd fills up hours before tip-off, and local residential streets have strict permit enforcement. We recommend saving your fans the hassle of getting to the game by renting a private shuttle service. The drivers utilize the designated commercial drop-off zone at the intersection of Naismith Drive and 15th Street, allowing your group to unload mere steps from the entrance while avoiding the gridlock on Iowa Street.

Address: 1651 Naismith Dr, Lawrence, KS 66044

Oversized vehicle parking is strictly prohibited in the immediate Fieldhouse lots. We transport your group to the Naismith Drive loop, then stage our buses at the designated overflow lot near the Rock Chalk Park complex or the Park & Ride lot on Clinton Parkway, returning for pick-up exactly 15 minutes after the final buzzer.

Saturday Traditions at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium

Located at the base of Mount Oread, this historic venue is where you can watch the Kansas Jayhawks football team battle Big 12 rivals. Built in 1921, it is one of the oldest stadiums in the country, offering a unique "bowl" experience that overlooks the beautiful KU campus and the Kansas River valley. As for concessions, the stadium offers classic Midwestern fare—locally sourced bratwurst, kettle corn, and plenty of refreshments. If your group of spectators wants to experience the local flavor before the game, "The Hill" offers one of the best tailgating scenes in college football. Hundreds of fans gather on the grassy slopes north of the stadium to grill and celebrate before heading into the gates. Have some time to kill before kickoff? Take a stroll through the nearby Spencer Museum of Art or walk up to the Campanile, the iconic bell tower that serves as a memorial to WWII veterans. For sports fans, a walk through the hall of fame displays within the Anderson Family Football Complex provides a deep dive into the program's evolution and its most famous alumni, like Gale Sayers.

Address: 1101 Maine St, Lawrence, KS 66044

Game day traffic patterns on Fambrough Drive (formerly 11th Street) are heavily restricted. Our charter buses utilize the Gate 1 commercial drop-off loop, allowing your group to bypass the congestion on Mississippi Street. Unlike rideshares that get stuck in the general traffic flow, we coordinate with KU Parking & Transit to ensure a seamless exit via 9th Street after the game.

Excellence at Rock Chalk Park

If you’re a fan of track and field, soccer, or softball, you probably don't need us to tell you why this place is significant. Since its completion in 2014, Rock Chalk Park has become a premier destination for regional and national competitions. The facility houses the Kansas Relays, an event that has seen world-class athletes compete in Lawrence for nearly a century. Before or after the competition, consider spending some time at the Lawrence Sports Pavilion, the massive recreation center adjacent to the track. There, fans can find indoor courts, turf fields, and fitness areas that serve as a hub for the Lawrence community. The park features the Bill Alley Throwing Complex and a world-class IAAF Class I certified track. While the park doesn't offer daily public "backstage" tours, the interactive displays near the ticket offices showcase the records broken on these very grounds. If you are bringing a school group or a youth team, the open layout makes it one of the best ways to turn a tournament visit into an inspirational learning experience. Those planning to visit Rock Chalk Park should keep in mind that it is located on the far west side of Lawrence, near George Williams Way. While it is easily accessible from K-10 or I-70, it is several miles from the downtown hotels and the main KU campus. If you’re traveling with a large group and don’t want to worry about navigating the suburban outskirts or finding space for multiple vehicles in the shared lots, we recommend renting a charter bus. Charter Bus Lawrence can even connect you with a bus rental that offers enough undercarriage storage for all your team’s track spikes, soccer balls, or softball gear.

Address: 6100 Rock Chalk Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66049

Rock Chalk Park offers ample bus parking in the designated stalls at the rear of the West Lot. We recommend approaching via the 6th Street (Hwy 40) exit to avoid the neighborhood school zones during weekday events.

Rally for Your Favorite Lawrence Sporting Event!

Whether you’re a fan group going to cheer on the Jayhawks at the Fieldhouse or an afterschool group excited to see a track meet at Rock Chalk Park, your travels to Lawrence's top sports venues will be much easier with a bus rental! Let Charter Bus Lawrence connect your fans to a clean and modern motorcoach, and rest easy knowing everyone will arrive right on time and all together, no matter what. Give us a call at 785-402-1910 whenever you’re ready to learn more about charter bus rentals in Lawrence, and we’ll offer you a free and personalized quote with no obligation to book!

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawrence Sports Transportation

Where do charter buses drop off at Allen Fieldhouse?

Our charter buses utilize the designated commercial drop-off loop on Naismith Drive, near the south entrance of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. This allows your group to bypass the main fan parking congestion on 15th Street. We coordinate with local traffic control to stage specific pick-up windows so your group can exit quickly after the "Rock Chalk Chant" concludes.

Is there oversized vehicle parking at the Kansas Football stadium?

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium does not offer onsite parking for oversized vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the gates. We transport your group to the Maine Street entrance, then stage our buses at the nearby downtown overflow lots or the East Hills Business Park area, returning to the designated pick-up zone immediately following the game.

How do we get a large group to the Kansas Relays?

For events at Rock Chalk Park, we recommend approaching via the W 6th Street corridor to George Williams Way. We drop your athletes and spectators off at the main plaza entrance. Buses are then required to park in the designated oversized stalls in the far West Lot to keep the primary traffic lanes clear for emergency vehicles and local shuttle loops.

Can we bring tailgating gear on the bus for KU games?

Absolutely. When you book a full-size 56-passenger motorcoach, you have access to expansive undercarriage storage bays. These are perfect for tents, coolers, chairs, and grills for your tailgate on "The Hill." We recommend loading all heavy equipment in the lower bays to keep the cabin aisles clear for passenger safety.

What is the best route for a bus to take into Lawrence on game days?

To avoid the height restrictions and narrow turns in the Old West Lawrence neighborhood, we typically route our buses via the South Lawrence Trafficway (K-10) or the West Lawrence I-70 exit. This avoids the bottleneck on Massachusetts Street and ensures a smoother ride for passengers heading toward the University district.