Wildcats Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Mark Stoops

Team Mascot: Wildcat, Scratch

Year Opened: 1973

Capacity: 61000

City / State: Lexington / Kentucky

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Governor's Cup

Rival Team: Louisville Cardinals

Louisville and Kentucky play each year for the Governor’s Cup. The two schools first met in 1912 when the Wildcats shutout the Cardinals 41-0. The Governor's Cup however, did not become a regular rivalry until 1994 when the trophy was introduced. The Wildcats hold the all-time series 14-13 and will look to maintain the lead when these two teams meet later this year.

Kentucky vs Tennessee

Rival Team: Tennessee Volunteers

Kentucky and Tennessee have played each other 108 times over 114 years with Tennessee winning 75 games to 24 wins by Kentucky. Like many big college rivalries, Kentucky and Tennessee had their own trophy. a wooden beer barrel painted half blue and half orange. The trophy was awarded to the winner of the game every year from 1925 to 1997. The Barrel was introduced in 1925 by a group of former Kentucky students who wanted to create a material sign of supremacy over their rivalry. It was rolled onto the field that year with the words "Ice Water" painted on it to avoid any outcries over a beer keg symbolizing a college rivalry.

Wildcats Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Kentucky is widely known as a basketball school, which means many people have a lot of misconceptions about what the tailgating scene at Commonwealth Stadium. They think that football is an afterthought here in the Bluegrass State, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here in Lexington.

Kentucky fans love to tailgate before watching the Wildcats take the field and will start setting up at noon the day before so that they can get in as much tailgating as possible on Saturday. You’ll want to make sure to get to Commonwealth Stadium early to ensure you get a good spot.

The majority of tailgating at Kentucky games takes place around the pop up tents like a lot of SEC schools. The parking lots around Commonwealth Stadium will be filled with blue and white tents filled with Kentucky fans who are for the most part very friendly and welcoming. If you want to make friends, just bring a bottle of Kentucky bourbon and join right in on the fun.

One of the beauties of Kentucky is the weather. The warm months are still warm, and the cold months usually only go as low as 30 degrees. You know what they say, good weather means better tailgating!

Another staple of any tailgate is great food, and Kentucky is no exception. Kentucky is famous for its great tasting barbecue, and everyone puts their twist on it family, so when it’s time to eat you know it’ll be a memorable experience.

One of the unique foods at Kentucky tailgates is burgoo. This Kentucky favorite is a spicy stew served with cornbread. One of the most interesting things about it is that it is usually made with squirrel, or opossum, or whatever they can get their hands on. It is the hands down hit of every tailgate!

Kentucky provides an excellent the college game day experience equipped with good food, great bourbon and wild and wacky fans. These diehards will go all out to show their pride for the home team, coloring the parking lots and stands all blue to show that this is Big Blue Nation!

Traditions

Blue

Make sure to check out Kentucky’s live mascot, Blue, is a Bobcat (“Wildcat” generally refers to Bobcats.) who lives in Salato Wildlife Education Center. Sadly, Blue does not come out for any of the games because bobcats are very shy animals and don’t do well with big crowds.

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CatWalk

A great Fan tradition that has been going on for a long time is called the “CatWalk”. Fans make a preceding for the players to walk from the field house where the bus drops them off to Commonwealth stadium. The approximately 200 yard walk is lined up with UK fans the entire way, start to finish, that's commitment right there.

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Rubbing Patterson's Foot

If you want to give the Wildcats a little bit of extra luck before the game then stop by the statue of President Patterson. They say it’s good luck if you rub President Patterson’s foot, so it’s worth a shot to try and give the Wildcats any edge you can.

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Wildcat Alumni Plaza Wildcat

There is a beautifully made sculpture of a wildcat in the center of the Wildcat Alumni Plaza. It represents the dignity, strength, and vigilance in which the University of Kentucky family takes great pride. A must-see!

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Wildcat Refuge

Fans of all ages, especially the younger Wildcats, will enjoy playing at the Wildcat Refuge, located outside the southwest corner of Commonwealth Stadium. There are five enormous inflatable games that are available about three hours before kickoff. In addition to the inflatable games, there will be autograph sessions with UK sports teams, face painting, and an autograph tent with the mascot!

Where to tailgate

Wildcats Stadium Guide

In Game

The home of the Kentucky Wildcats is Commonwealth Stadium which was built in 1973, making it the newest stadium in the SEC. The Stadium had an original capacity of 57,800 but has since been expanded to seat 67,942. The home of the Wildcats is named after the official state name, “Commonwealth of Kentucky” and the field is named C.M. Newton Field in honor of retired UK athletic director and baseball/basketball player C.M. Newton.

Kentucky University is widely known as a basketball school, but that doesn’t stop over 70,000 fans coming to Commonwealth Stadium to cheer on the Wildcats in big games. The fans will get loud and proud in support of their team and one time stormed the field and tore down the goalposts after an overtime victory against Auburn on October 4th, 1997.

There is a lot of passion and tradition among the fans when it comes to Kentucky football, which can be seen in the singing of“My Old Kentucky Home” before kickoff. The Wildcats have been fairly mediocre lately, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from showing up as you’ll be cheering and chanting with the Wildcat faithful as Kentucky moves the ball down the field.

If you want to experience the best atmosphere, Commonwealth Stadium has to offer then you’ll want to come when the Wildcats are facing SEC opposition. The place is absolutely rocking especially if the Wildcats make it to the fourth quarter with a chance to upend one of the best teams in the country like LSU, Auburn, or Alabama.

You’ll have a great time in the Bluegrass State cheering along with Wildcat fans as they try and will their team to victory against some of the stiffest competition in the country.

Things to check out

Wildcat Marching Band

The Wildcat Marching Band puts on an excellent game day show that is sure to get any college football fan out of their seat. The band plays a great mix of contemporary jazz as well as classic songs. Although they’re probably most well known for playing Kentucky favorites like On, on, U of K, Kentucky Fight, and My Old Kentucky Home.

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The Wildcat & Scratch

The Wildcat and Scratch are the two costumed mascots at the UK.These two love to entertain and pump up the crowd at Wildcat games. The Wildcat dates back all the way to 1976 and Scratch provides a youthful and kid-friendly persona who is great for fans of all ages.

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Fight Songs

  1. On, on, U of K

    On, on, U of K, we are right for the fight today,
    Hold that ball and hit that line;
    Ev’ry Wildcat star will shine;
    We’ll fight, fight, fight, for the blue and white
    As we roll to that goal, Varsity,
    And we’ll kick, pass and run, ’till the battle is won,  And we’ll bring home the victory.
    (Repeat Verse)

  2. Alma Mater

    Hail Kentucky, Alma Mater!
    Loyal sons and daughters sing;
    sound her praise with voice united;
    to the breeze her colors fling.
    To the blue and white be true;
    badge triumphant age on age.
    Blue the sky that o’er us bends;
    white Kentucky’s stainless page.

  3. Kentucky Fight

    (Normal Verse) Kentucky! We will beat the foe! Kentucky! Onward we will go! Kentucky! We all hail to thee,
    and victors we will be today!
    Rah! Rah! Rah! (Repeat Verse, Then Yell)
    “U-K”
    Kentucky! Hit that line real hard! Kentucky! Fight for ev’ry yard!
    And you’ll win for the Blue and White!
    So yea! you Wildcats
    fight! fight! fight!  (Repeat Verse, Then Yell)
    “U-K”

     

  4. My Old Kentucky Home

    Played before every Kentucky home game

    The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky Home, ‘Tis summer, the people are gay; The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom While the birds make music all the day.
    The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
    All merry, all happy and bright; By ‘n’ by hard times comes a knocking at the door,
    Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night!
    Weep no more my lady
    Oh weep no more today;
    We will sing one song
    For My Old Kentucky Home For My Old Kentucky Home, far away.

Wildcats Bars & Restaurants

  1. Dudley’s On Short

    Wine

    Refined, bi-level spot in the circa-1889 Northern Bank Building with inspired American fare & wines.

    259 W Short St #125, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  2. Bluegrass Tavern

    Bluegrass Tavern

    We have more KY Bourbons than anyone....period.

    115 Cheapside, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

    859-389-6664

    Bar website

    american - $

  3. Paddock Bar and Patio

    Paddock Bar and Patio

    Divey, dicey, smiley, funny, , bourbon laced accepting, , pool playing, jukebox laying, beer dipping, bar...

    319 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-270-4589

    Bar website

    american - $

  4. James E Pepper Distillery

    cocktail drink

    Moonshine in historic downtown Athens is the home of the famous Moonshine Mason drink.

    1228 Manchester St, Lexington, KY 40504, USA

    859-533-5328

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. West Sixth Brewing

    West Sixth Brewing

    A taproom and beer garden where the beer list is never the same but that is always local.

    501 W 6th St, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-705-0915

    Bar website

    american - $

  6. Charlie Brown’s Restaurant

    Charlie Browns Restaurant

    A Lexington and Chevy Chase tradition for over 30 years!

    816 Euclid Ave, Lexington, KY 40502, USA

    859-269-5701

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Pazzo’s Pizza Pub

    Pazzos Pizza Pub

    Pazzo’s is a sprawling 300-seat pizza pub right across from the University of Kentucky.

    385 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-255-5125

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  8. Tin Roof

    Tin Roof beer

    The tasty food, fun, eclectic environment, community of Regulars and friendly Crew have established the Roof as the place to be for musicians and non-musicians alike.

    303 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-317-9111

    Bar website

    american - $

  9. Bigg Blue Martini

    Bigg Blue Martini

    Bigg Blue Martini has become a well established, Kentucky-favorite martini bar for its amazing atmosphere and drinks.

    369 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

    859-281-3773

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Two Keys Tavern

    Two Keys Tavern

    A great place to watch a UK game, hang out with friends and drink cold beers!

    333 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-254-5000

    Bar website

    american - $

  11. Lynagh’s Irish Pub

    Lynaghs Irish Pub

    Lynagh's, located just off UK Campus, has been a staple of Lexington dining, nightlife, and entertainment for over 35 years.

    384 Woodland Ave, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-255-1292

    Bar website

    american - $

  12. Winchell’s Restaurant and Bar

    Winchells Restaurant and Bar

    Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, along with a huge variety of specials. Add 30 flat screen TV’s, and you have a recipe for the perfect place to watch your favorite team.

    348 Southland Dr, Lexington, KY 40503, USA

    859-278-9424

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  13. Windy Corner Market

    Windy Corner Market

    Windy Corner’s menu features Po-Boy sandwiches, burgers, salads, seafood, breakfast, bakery goodies, soft-serve ice cream and more.

    4595 Bryan Station Rd, Lexington, KY 40516, USA

    859-294-9338

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. Alfalfa Restaurant

    breakfast Suzis Place

    Keeping it local, keeping Lexington nourished, and keeping it weird!

    141 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

    859-253-0014

    Bar website

    american - $$

  15. Josie’s

    Josies

    The "best breakfast in Chevy Chase"

    821 Chevy Chase Pl, Lexington, KY 40502, USA

    859-523-8328

    Bar website

    american - $$

  16. Ramsey’s Diner

    Ramseys Diner

    Ramsey’s has a full selection of sandwiches, salads and serves breakfast all day. Ramsey’s has been noted as having the best hot brown in the Bluegrass.

    151 W Zandale Dr, Lexington, KY 40503, USA

    859-259-2708

    Bar website

    american - $$

  17. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

    Cheddars Scratch Kitchen

    It’s the right way, not the easy way, because it tastes better that way.

    3604 Walden Dr, Lexington, KY 40517, USA

    859-272-0891

    Bar website

    american - $$

  18. Spalding’s Bakery

    Spaldings Bakery

    Spalding's offers filled doughnuts, cake doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, brownies, cakes, and cupcakes that'll keep you wanting more!

    760 Winchester Rd, Lexington, KY 40505, USA

    859-252-3737

    Bar website

    cafe - $

  19. Malone’s

    Malones

    Known for USDA Prime Beef, an extensive wine list and a relaxed atmosphere, Malone’s is the perfect place for a business luncheon or family celebration.

    3347 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY 40502, USA

    859-335-6500

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$$

  20. Wallace Station Deli and Bakery

    Wallace Station Deli and Bakery

    Wallace Station is a scenic stop for homemade sandwiches, soups, salads, an irresistible bakery case and breakfast.

    3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, KY 40383, USA

    859-846-5161

    Bar website

    american - $$

  21. Tolly-Ho

    Tolley Ho

    Tolly-Ho is the 24/7 hangout in the heart of the campus area. From Burgers, Cheese Fries, and Shakes to Omelets, French Toast and Hashbrowns, Tolly-Ho has something for everyone.

    606 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508, USA

    859-253-2007

    Bar website

    american - $

  22. Sidebar Grill

    burger BoomHouse Restaurant

    Awesome ambience and amazingly good food!

    147 N Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507, USA

    859-225-8883

    Bar website

    american - $