Sunflower Showdown is contested each season between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is one of the most anticipated of the season with the winner taking home state supremacy and the Governor’s Cup. One of the contentious points in the rivalry occurred in 1980 when the Jayhawks forfeited the 1980 meeting due to an ineligible player. To this day the Jayhawks count it as a win whereas the Wildcats count it as a loss. If you want to go the biggest Jayhawks game of the year, then book your ticket to the Sunflower Showdown.
Jayhawks Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
While KU is widely known as a basketball school, tailgating on Campanile Hill and the downtown area still offers a fun game day experience. Located just south of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Campanile Hill is where a vast majority of the tailgating at Kansas University takes place. The motto around KU seems to be “win or lose we booze” so Lawrence on game days is alive with fans, partying, and having fun.
The cool thing about tailgating at Kansas is that from Campanile Hill you can see the inside of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. This can come in handy if you’re sitting in the student section and want to get a good seat as you can watch the stands fill up while enjoying tailgating. It also means tailgating doesn’t have to end when the game starts as you can continue to tailgate without missing any of the action.
Lawrence also offers a good bar scene along Massachusetts Street, which means there are plenty of options for pregame entertainment. Regardless of whether you tailgate at the top of Campanile Hill or hit up the bars along Massachusetts Street, you’ll have a great time in Lawrence.
The Hall of Athletics is a great display of Kansas Jayhawks athletic history. From championship ring collections to trophies, this is a must see for any college sports fan. It is an excellent way to experience the rich tradition of the Jayhawks. The best part about the Hall of Athletics is it’s free!
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was built with Campanile Hill overlooking it to the south. The hill was the reason the south end zone was left uncovered by seats and is a popular location for tailgaters. Make the trek up Campanile Hill to get an excellent view of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The morning of the homecoming game at the University of Kansas includes a pancake tailgate in the Alumni Center parking lot. Tickets are only $5 and the event lasts for three hours so before a day of heavy tailgating begins, be sure to get some Jayhawk pancakes.
Before every Kansas football game you can catch the Jayhawks band march down the hill and run into the stadium. The scene is a sight to be hold and an excellent way to get pumped up before the game.
Jayhawk fans 21 and older can drink and participate in a designated area three hours before game time as well as during halftime. The funds and donations collected at the Proud to be a Jayhawk tailgate are dispersed throughout Lawrence and Kansas University, so you can feel good about drinking on game day.
Filled with restaurants, shops, and street performers, Massachusetts Street has something for everyone in Lawrence. When stopping here, make sure you give yourself enough time to explore the many unique places this six-block strip has to offer. On game day, whether it be basketball or football, the bars and restaurants are packed with fans cheering on the beloved Jayhawks.
Hospitality on the HillOn the top of Campanile Hill are tailgate tents that can be booked for Jayhawks games. At these tents, Kansas University offers catering with options such as a BBQ buffet, a grilled buffet, deli sandwich bar, or a choice of three breakfast buffet options. If you’re looking to tailgate, but don’t want to cook yourself then Hospitality on the Hill is the thing for you.
Proud to be a Jayhawk TailgateJayhawk fans 21 and older can drink and participate in a designated area three hours before game time as well as during halftime. The funds and donations collected at the Proud to be a Jayhawk tailgate are dispersed throughout Lawrence and Kansas University, so you can feel good about drinking on game day.
Massachusetts StreetFilled with restaurants, shops, and street performers, Massachusetts Street has something for everyone in Lawrence. When stopping here, make sure you give yourself enough time to explore the many unique places this six-block strip has to offer. On game day, whether it be basketball or football, the bars and restaurants are packed with fans cheering on the beloved Jayhawks.
Campanile HillDavid Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was built with Campanile Hill overlooking it to the south. The hill was the reason the south end zone was left uncovered by seats and is a popular location for tailgaters. Make the trek up Campanile Hill to get an excellent view of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Jayhawks Stadium Guide
In Game
There are few better places to be on a fall Saturday than a Kansas Jayhawks game where you’ll be able to enjoy the crisp fall weather and the beautiful sight of Lawrence in the fall. Located on the KU campus, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is also a treat to visitors as you’ll be able to experience one of the more historical stadiums in college football as David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium traces its origin back to 1921. You’ll have a great time in Kansas as Lawrence provides a quintessential college town atmosphere that really adds to the great game day experience that can be found in Lawrence.
Kansas fans may be basketball fans first and foremost, but that doesn’t mean they don’t support the Jayhawks football team as well. The fans here come out in strong numbers to support their team and as a result, sell out David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium often. If in Lawrence on game day you wouldn’t be able to throw a dart without hitting a Jayhawks fan as the whole town is clad in blue and crimson.
Come prepared to chant Rock Chalk and wave the wheat and you’ll fit in wonderfully at Kansas. The beauty of Lawrence and the Jayhawks faithful are sure to make your trip to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium one to remember.
KU has its personal version of the traditional wave at sporting events. Their version is known waving the wheat and features fans lifting their arms in the air and slowly waving them back and forth, which is reminiscent of Kansas wheat swaying in the prairies.
The Ring of Honor located at the top of the northern bowl of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium honors the all-time greats who have donned the Jayhawks uniforms. It is a great honor to be a part of, and some of the members include Gale Sayers, John Riggins, and Bobby Douglass.
Fight Songs
I'm a Jayhawk
Talk about the Sooners, Cowboys and the Bears, Aggies and the Tiger and his tail. Talk about the Wildcats, and the Cyclone boys, But I’m the bird to make ‘em weep and wail.
Chorus: ’Cause I’m a Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jayhawk, Up at Lawrence on the Kaw ’Cause I’m a Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jayhawk, With a sis-boom, hip hoorah, Got a bill that’s big enough To twist a Tiger’s tail, Rope some ‘Horns and listen To the Red Raiders wail ’Cause I’m a Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jayhawk, Riding on a Kansas gale.
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