If you have ever been on the streets of Madison on a Wisconsin football game day, it is unmistakable to see Badger fans already preparing hours before kickoff.
Football game days at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are about more than just football. From tailgating to everybody’s favorite celebration “Jump Around,” the culture surrounding Camp Randall extends far beyond the team’s performance — it brings students, alumni and the Wisconsin community together.
Here’s what separates regular game days from those at UW-Madison.
Tailgating
By morning, the city is filled with cardinal red and white as thousands of fans gather in dirt and gravel parking lots and crowded pubs in anticipation of the game.
The Wisconsin Union hosts the official UW-Madison football tailgates — The Badger Bash — at Union South two and a half hours before every kickoff. The beloved tradition started in 1972, offering food, drinks and games. You can also sing along to the marching band as they play signature Wisconsin songs —“On, Wisconsin,” “If You Want To Be A Badger” and many more.
Fans can also engage in a friendly game of cornhole — or bags if you are from the midwest.
If seeing people with Bucky Badger tattoos on game days makes you want to get one too, the Badger Bash is the place to be.
Madison is also renowned for its gameday bar scene. State Street and Regent Street are filled with many bars that are usually full on Saturdays, no matter the time. Whether you are going pre-game or post-kickoff, expect large crowds in red and white, music and drinks.
Halftime Performance
Once the first half action has ended, it's time for the band’s spotlight. Performing a new theme every game, the band plays a medley of songs while creating formations on the field for fans to see.
Last homecoming, the band chose the theme “Celebrating Popular Music: Through the Decades”.
Varsity
Varsity has been sung for over a century, giving graduates a time to honor their alma mater and undergraduates a time to link arms with your neighbors, known and unknown, and form a connection with peers at the end of halftime.
In 1934, Wisconsin band director Ray Dvorak started the arm swing that goes along with the song.
The student section celebrates as the loudspeaker plays "Jump Around" during Wisconsin's 36-9 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
Jump Around
Regardless of whether the Badgers are winning or trailing by 20 points, the second the four opening notes to “Jump Around” by House of Pain sound, the entire stadium gets on their feet to “jump up, jump up and get down”.
Ryan Sondrup, an injured tight-end and marketing intern for Wisconsin Athletics in 1998, collaborated with teammate Erik Waisanen to create a stadium playlist. They tested out the song on a jukebox at Wando’s and instantly knew it had to be played at Camp Randall.
The song was first played at the end of the third quarter on Oct. 10, 1998, in the homecoming game against Purdue. The “students exploded like popcorn” and the infectious energy from the fans propelled the Badgers to a 31-24 win.
The tradition was voted No. 6 in Best College Sports Tradition by USA Today, but we all know it should be No. 1.
Student Section
Badger games are incomplete without the student section.
When the Big 10 intro plays right before kickoff, boo every school that is not Wisconsin, especially the Minnesota Gophers, as loud as you can.
From the light-hearted rivalry started as a part of the University run student section race to Bucky’s push ups, Sections K through P are always boisterous.
During the second quarter, the student section divides in half in a colorful call-and-response that The Daily Cardinal will let you experience for the first time yourself.
Watch out for Bucky’s push ups by section M and O when we score.
Songs
Learning the words to “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Sweet Caroline” is crucial so you don’t stick out as the only person that doesn’t know it in your section.
The tradition to sing The Foundations’ classic started after the song was used in the hit 1998 movie “There’s Something About Mary,” and instantly became a Camp Randall favorite.
Even after the music abruptly cuts off, fans continue to sing-along.
Fifth Quarter
If you didn’t get enough of the band in the halftime performance, stick around after the game for a 45-minute post-game party where fans sing and dance — win or lose.
Similar to the Badger Bash, the band plays well-known songs like “Hey Baby,” “The Chicken Dance” and “You’ve Said it All”.
Experiencing these traditions at Camp Randall is a rite of passage for any UW-Madison student.
Memorize this guide, wear your Badger Red and come along to watch Wisconsin play Michigan State on Oct. 3.
Staff Writer
