The rivalry between Harvard and Yale is the third most played rivalry in Division I college football and is one of the best rivalries in college sports. Sports Illustrated named the rivalry the sixth-best in college sports and no matter what the sport or contest there are always bragging rights on the line between the two Ivy League schools. Harvard and Yale flat out hate each other, and it's no different on the gridiron. The Bulldogs hold a 66-59-8 lead in the rivalry, but you won’t want to miss it when the Crimson take on Yale.

Harvard Crimson vs Penn Quakers

Rival Team: Penn Quakers

The Harvard-Penn rivalry dates back to 1881, and it’s always one of the best games of the season. The two teams are usually two of the best teams in the Ivy League with the Crimson and Quakers winning 29 of the last 34 Ivy League Championships. Watch the Crimson try to extend their 48-37-2 lead in the all-time series when Penn comes to Harvard Stadium.

Harvard Crimson vs Princeton Tigers

Rival Team: Princeton Tigers

Harvard-Princeton is part of the Big Three academic, athletic, and social rivalry between Harvard, Princeton, and Yale and is a must-see for any alumni or student from either school. The rivalry on the gridiron began in 1877, and since then the Tigers have taken a 55-47-7 lead in the all-time series, but the Crimson won the most recent meeting 23-20. Don’t miss it when the Crimson take on the Tigers as you’ll be in for a good one.

Harvard Crimson Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Typically tailgating at Harvard starts two hours before kickoff and is somewhat relaxed compared to what you’ll see at most schools. At your average Crimson game, you’ll see alumni having a few drinks with former classmates and enjoying some grilled food. However, if you want to experience an all out tailgate party at Harvard, then make sure to tailgate before The Game.

Tailgaters get an extra hour to tailgate when Yale comes to town, and The Game is one of the biggest days of the year meaning alumni from all over come out to cheer on the Crimson. You’ll experience a much more lively atmosphere when attending a Harvard-Yale game, so if you can only attend one game a season, then make sure it’s The Game.

The students love to go especially hard for The Game, and there is nothing better than seeing the Crimson take on their archrivals Yale, making a Harvard-Yale game tailgate an unforgettable experience.

Traditions

Stadium Architecture

Harvard Stadium is the first vertical structure to feature reinforced concrete and is quite the sight to behold for any fan. The stadium features some unique architecture and is quite cool to see, so take a moment before the game to take it all in.

Where to tailgate

Gate 8, 14, 16, 20

If you want to tailgate at your car, then make sure to park in Gate 8, 14, 16, or 20. Tailgating is permitted in these lots, so just show up with your cooler, grill, tent, table, and chairs, and you’ll be all set for a fun day of tailgating with friends and family.

Reserved Tailgating

Those of you looking to hold a large event will want to look into the reserved tailgating at Harvard. The university offers several packages, so no matter how big your group you’ll find the perfect tailgating package

Harvard Crimson Stadium Guide

In Game

If you’re a big college football fan, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to catch a game at historic Harvard Stadium. Harvard Stadium not only was the first stadium to feature reinforced concrete it also played a large part in shaping the game as it is today. In the early 1900s, football was almost outlawed due to its dangerous nature before uniform rules were established. During the drafting of the rules, it was proposed that the width of the field be expanded to give players more room. Harvard had just built Harvard Stadium and as a result, could not accommodate a larger field, so instead the committee decided to legalize the forward pass and standardize the field dimensions to those of Harvard Stadium.

In addition to the history, you’ll also enjoy the pageantry on display when attending a Crimson game. Harvard-Yale games are especially full of traditions making every visit by the Bulldogs a must-see. If you can only attend one Harvard game a year, then make sure it’s The Game between Harvard and Yale.

Finally, enjoy cheering on the Crimson with fellow Harvard fans. While it may not look like it at first glance, the Crimson have plenty of diehard fans who love to come out and cheer on their team. The diehards at Harvard are just like those anywhere and love to talk ball, so don’t hesitate to start up a conversation with your neighbor.

You’ll have an excellent time taking in a game at historic Harvard Stadium, so plan your trip to see the Crimson play today.

Things to check out

Dedication Plaque and 50th Anniversary Plaque

Take some time before the game to see the dedication plaque and 50th anniversary plaque. Both plaques are fun to check out for any Harvard or college football fans, so don’t miss them during your visit to Harvard Stadium.

Little Red Flag

Keep an eye out for the Little Red Flag when attending The Game. The flag is waved by Harvard’s “most loyal fan” after each score against Yale and is a must-see part of any Harvard-Yale game.

Harvard-Yale Pranks

If attending a Harvard-Yale game, then look out and enjoy any pranks that may take place during the game. The two schools have a long history of pranking each other over the years, and nearby MIT has even gotten into the action over the years as well.

Marching Band

The marching band is a big part of any Harvard football game as they provide the majority of the atmosphere at Harvard Stadium. The band plays a variety of school songs and pop songs, so enjoy their performance during the game.

Student Section

No one gets behind the Crimson like the student section. No matter what the score, the student section will be on their feet and cheering on the team making them one of the best parts of any Crimson game.

Cheer and Dance Squads

Don’t miss the performances of the Harvard cheer and dance squads during your trip to Harvard Stadium. The spirit squads put on impressive routines and will keep you entertained during stoppages in play, so make sure to enjoy the show.

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