Ole Miss Rebels Tailgate | Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Guide

Rebels Overview

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Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Lane Kiffin

Team Mascot: Tony the Landshark

Year Opened: 1915

Capacity: 64038

City / State: University / Mississippi

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

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Egg Bowl

Rival Team: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Every year the Rebels play their archrivals Mississippi State for the Golden Egg. This rivalry began when Mississippi State had to protect their goal posts with wooden chairs from Ole Miss fans. These two teams clash every year for the grand prize of being the coveted Egg Bowl victor. Ole Miss holds the edge in the all-time series 62-43-6 and will look to extend their lead when these two teams meet next.

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Magnolia Bowl

Rival Team: LSU Tigers

The traditional SEC rivalry between Louisiana State University and Ole Miss is referred to as the Magnolia Bowl and is most often the second to last regular season game for both schools. Throughout the fifties and sixties, each matchup seemed to hold a conference or even national title implications, and the rivalry is still going strong between these two programs.

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Ole Miss vs Alabama

Rival Team: Alabama Crimson tide

Ole Miss, and Alabama, are both founding members of the SEC meaning these two have a long history of duking it out on the gridiron. Alabama has a large lead in the all-time series 48-11-2, but the Rebels have won the last two meetings.

Rebels Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Tailgating is a huge part of what makes Ole Miss a special place to be on game days. Unlike most schools where tailgating is scattered all around campus, at Ole Miss everyone comes out to tailgate in one centralized location called The Grove.

The Grove consists of 10 acres of land, but it still doesn’t fail to fill up entirely on game day. Here you’ll find a sea of tents with over 60,000 people grilling, drinking, and having a good time as they celebrate a Rebels game day. The Grove has a family reunion feel, so you’ll feel right at home here.

Fitting for their name, the Rebels do things much differently in Ole Miss. There is an heir of class found at the Grove that you won’t find many other places throughout college football. You won’t find any drunken slobs here in coveralls like you would at Iowa or Wisconsin, as men usually come to the tailgates dressed in full on suits with the beautiful blazers, bow ties, and all of the red, white, and blue you can ask for. The ladies come in their nicest sun dresses, and make sure to show off their pearls. So if you are at Ole Miss, you better be prepared with your best outfit because they don’t mess around over there.

It’s not just the way that people dress that sets tailgating at The Grove apart from other schools, as what you’ll find inside the tents are often much fancier than you’ll find elsewhere as well. At The Grove, you’ll find tents equipped with fountains and chandeliers, which adds a touch of class to an activity that is often not seen as being high class.

You’ll also find that The Grove has strict rules that also help create the superb atmosphere of The Grove, such as all drinks must be in blue or red cups rather than beer cans or bottles. There are also restrictions on how loud generators can be and propane tanks are banned. These rules seem they could stifle tailgating, however at The Grove they do the exact opposite as they enrich the tailgate experience by creating a more friendly environment for everyone.

Another beauty about Ole Miss is their southern hospitality! The Rebels will welcome anybody in with an open hand; you will feel right at home. Whether you are from the opposing team, or just looking to have a good time, you are always welcome under a Rebel tent or a second helping of the famous Mississippi Mud Cake.

Lastly, The Grove is great because here at Ole Miss the players walk right through the heart of The Grove on their way to the stadium. The players walk down The Walk of Champions right to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium giving fans the chance to cheer them on before they take the field.

If you can only tailgate at one place in your lifetime than there is no better place to do so than The Grove at Ole Miss. At Ole Miss they say, “Ole Miss never loses a party” and you’ll certainly feel like a winner when attending a tailgate party at the Grove.

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Ole Miss Rebels fans tailgating before football game

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Traditions

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Walk of Champions Arch

This arch at the Walk of Champions in The Grove is the entrance to one of the most famous tailgate destinations in all of America. Make sure and stop by this famous landmark and get a picture to commemorate your time at Ole Miss.

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Walk of Champions

Back in 1983, Billy Brewer was hired as head coach of the Rebels. He wanted to find a way his players could take part in the game day excitement experienced by fans in the Grove, so he created this Ole Miss tradition in the process. Roughly three decades later, this walk through the Grove is still going strong and become a vital part of Ole Miss game day tradition.

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Dress Your Best

Men typically come to the tailgates dressed in suits with the beautiful blazers, bow ties, and all of the red, white, and blue you can ask for. The ladies come in their nicest sun dresses, and make sure to show off their pearls. So if you are at Ole Miss, you better be prepared with your best outfit because they don’t mess around over there.

Watch video

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The Grove

The legendary staple of Ole Miss tailgating is The Grove, an enormous 10-acres in the heart of Oxford shaded by beautiful oaks, elms, and magnolias. The fight for a spot is so competitive people will get that when the grounds officially open for tailgate set-up (9 pm the Friday before each home game) you’ll witness a red and blue frenzy as fans scramble to claim their spots for the tailgate.

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Manning Indoor Practice Facility

If you want to see where things happen behind the scenes of Ole Miss football then try and find a way to get a tour of the Manning Indoor Practice Facility. This state of the art facility features an underground tunnel that links it to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and is also home to all the football team’s operations including meeting facilities, training facilities, and locker rooms.

Where to tailgate

The GroveThe legendary staple of Ole Miss tailgating is The Grove, an enormous 10-acres in the heart of Oxford shaded by beautiful oaks, elms, and magnolias. The fight for a spot is so competitive people will get that when the grounds officially open for tailgate set-up (9 pm the Friday before each home game) you’ll witness a red and blue frenzy as fans scramble to claim their spots for the tailgate.
The Walk of ChampionsThe Walk of Champions serves as the main street of The Grove and is where you’ll find the players walk through The Grove before the game. You’ll also want to stop by and snag a picture with the “Walk of Champions” Arch.

Rebels Stadium Guide

In Game

The Ole Miss Rebels play at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, which is one of the oldest stadiums in the country having opened in 1915. When the stadium opened, it was named for Judge William Hemingway, a professor of law and chairman of the university’s committee on athletics. On October 12, 1982, saw the addition of legendary Ole Miss coach Johnny Vaught’s name to the stadium. The stadium is a staple of the Ole Miss tradition and is dear to the Rebels’ hearts.

Inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium you’ll find 62,657 Rowdy Rebel fans screaming and cheering as the Rebels take the field. The fans at Ole Miss come out loud and ready to cheer as they’re fully behind their team before they even take the field.. Rebel’s fans also won’t hesitate to boo opposing teams as they enter the field. However, it is all in good fun as Ole Miss fans are very hospitable to opposing fans.

There is no mistaking that Vaught-Hemingway is home to a SEC football program and a school where football is king as the intense pregame atmosphere carries on throughout the game. Students remain standing for the entire game on Saturdays, and positive plays are greeted with stadium-shaking celebrations.

One of the most famous celebrations is the Hotty Toddy celebration. It is a staple piece in Ole Miss history for over 100 years. When it first made its appearance, it became an instant classic. Beginning with the biggest question a Rebels fan could ask on game day, “Are you READY?”, Any Rebels fan within earshot knows what comes next. The gameday experience at Ole Miss is very inclusive and no matter who you are rooting for, you are bound to have a great time.

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Things to check out

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Scoreboard

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is home to the eighth largest scoreboard in the NCAA. This scoreboard stands at 48 feet by 84 feet and provides high definite replays that give fans a great picture of what happened on the field.

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The Pride of the South

The Pride of the South Band at Ole Miss puts on a great game day performance that’ll make you not want to leave your seat during halftime. This 300+ member band gets the crowd pumped up at the most important parts of the game, so you’ll feel their presence when attending a game at Ole Miss.

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Rebel Black Bear

Rebel Black Bear was chosen as the new Ole Miss mascot in 2010. This giant anthropomorphic bear can be seen roaming the sidelines and cheering on the Rebels during games. Look for Rebel Black Bear to entertain fans with his in-game antics.

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Locking the Vaught

At the beginning of each game, students and fans lock arms to signify the locking of the opponent into the stadium. It causes quite the stir and intimidates the opponent before they enter the stadium and again at the beginning of the third quarter.

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Fight Songs

Dixie

I wish I was in the land of cotton,
old times there are not forgotten, Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
In Dixie Land where I was born in,
early on a frosty mornin’,
Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land.
Then I wish I was in Dixie, hooray! hooray!
In Dixie Land I’ll take my stand to live and die in Dixie,
Away, away, away down South in Dixie,
Away, away, away down South in Dixie.
Forward Rebels

Forward Rebels, march to fame, Hit that line and win this game, We know that you’ll fight it through,
For your colors Red and Blue Rah, Rah, Rah. Rebels you’re the Southland’s pride,
Take that ball and hit your stride,
Don’t stop ’till the victory’s won,
For your Ole Miss. Fight, fight for your Ole Miss.
University of Mississippi Alma Mater

Way down south in Mississippi, There’s a spot that ever calls, Where amongst the hills enfolded, Stand old Alma Mater’s Halls. Where the trees lift high their branches,
To the whispering Southern breeze, There Ole Miss is calling, calling, To our hearts fond memories.
Hotty Toddy

Heighty! Tighty!
Gosh A Mighty!
Who in the hell are we?
Rim! Ram! Flim! Flam!
Ole Miss, by Damn

Rebels Bars & Restaurants

The Grove

A place where football is religion, everybody's pumped up for the game and food is just great!

1848 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

Bar website

american - $$
Proud Larry’s

Proud Larry's is Oxford's home for great food and the best live music.

211 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-236-0050

Bar website

american - $$
The Blind Pig Pub

The Blind Pig Pub and Deli, conveniently located on Oxford Square, is more than a sandwich place. It also is known for its live music featuring local acts.

105 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-234-5119

Bar website

american - $$
Funkys Pizza and Daiquiri Bar

Enjoy the best pizzas in town from traditional pepperoni to the tastes of the Delta on your pizzas: BBQ, Crawfish and more.

1012 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-259-2881

Bar website

pizza - $$
The Library

With 12 taps to enjoy draft beer and a menu that will fill your appetite, the Sports Bar is a place for all to have a great time...especially when the Rebels win! 21 to enter.

120 S 11th St, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-234-1411

Bar website

sportsbar - $$
B’s Bbq

Amazingly delicious food and great service!

825 College Hill Rd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-236-7090

Bar website

bbq - $
Big Bad Breakfast

Whether it's the house-cured Tabasco/Brown Sugar Bacon or the Anson Mills Steel Cut Oatmeal, you'll be talking about coming back before you've left the table!

719 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-236-2666

Bar website

american - $$
Taylor Grocery & Restaurant

If you are craving for great Southern food, this is the place to be!

Depot St, Taylor, MS 38673, USA

662-236-1716

Bar website

american - $$
Snackbar

We've married French Bistro with North Mississippi Cafe resulting in the Bubba Brasserie cuisine.

721 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-236-6363

Bar website

american - $$$
Bouré

Delicious Southern food and has an extensive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

110 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-234-1968

Bar website

american - $$
Handy Andy

Excellent service and their barbeque is to die for!

800 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-234-4621

Bar website

bbq - $
City Grocery

Exposed brick walls and heart pine plank floor augment the candle light and white linen staging some the most inventive and interesting food in the South.

152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-232-8080

Bar website

american - $$$
Ajax Diner

Ajax has been named "Best Downhome Soul Food” by Mississippi Magazine three years in a row, in addition to the magazine's "Best Cornbread" and "Best Plate Lunch" titles.

118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655, USA

662-232-8880

Bar website

american - $$