Fargodome - North Dakota State Bison
Updated: Nov 1
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Fargodome 1800 N University Dr Fargo, ND 58102
Year Opened: 1993
Capacity: 18,700
Bigger on the Inside
One of the newest programs in FBS, the North Dakota State Bison joined the bowl-eligible league in 2026, competing in the Mountain West Conference. Their home venue since 1993, Fargodome has been the site of many FCS playoff runs, and provides a stellar atmosphere for college football; this stadium doesn’t have moments of silence – they have moments of thunder.
The indoor venue may not look like much on the outside, or perhaps even on the inside, but the energy inside the building is incredible. Combine a great tailgating scene outside the stadium with a raucous fan base, as well as all the bells and whistles you might find at a Power 4 school, and you have got yourself one heck of a home field advantage. The Bison have achieved a 0.874 win percentage in Fargodome since it opened, higher than Michigan, Ohio State, and even the Alabama Crimson Tide. And while they were in the FCS for most of that time, there is no doubt they will continue to excel as this program moves into what’s next.
Food & Beverage 5
There are a slew of concession options inside Fargodome, and as much variety as anyone could ask for. Each of the four sides has a stand or two that offer the same basic items such as hot dogs, nachos (with regular chips or Doritos as the base), pretzels, popcorn, and the like. But in addition, there are specialty stands on each side as well – you may have to walk around to find the food item you crave. For example, there is a stand offering chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches near one corner, a stand offering Philly cheesesteaks on another side, a burger joint somewhere else, and even a full bar selling a variety of beer as well as mixed drinks. You will also find Domino’s pizza locations, Cold Stone stands, Maui Wowi locations, Dippin’ Dots kiosks, and cinnamon-glazed nut stands, as well as a few grab-and-go areas selling beer, bottled water, soda, and snacks such as chips and packaged candy.
Some of the prices tend to be high, like $15 for Philly cheesesteak, but there are reasonable options as well, such as $5 for a hot dog or $7 for Cold Stone. So you should be able to find plenty of choices to help you stay on budget, if needed.
Atmosphere 5
It sounds cliche to say they pull out all the stops at North Dakota State football games, but at Fargodome they actually do! The fun begins with tailgating outside; if you park on the west side you’ll literally have to walk through a sea of gold and green tents to get to the venue (more on this later). Then, once you get inside, there are lights and festivities galore.
The NDSU Gold Star Marching Band starts things off with a performance prior to kickoff, including music and their signature formations of a gold star, spelling out N-D-S-U, and the Bison logo. The band actually earned a real gold star from the U.S. Army in 1923 for their band excellence, so their name is not just marketing. The band also has green and gold LED lights on their uniforms, so part of their performance is done with the stadium darkened.
The band is followed by fireworks and an intro video, after which the team runs through spurts of flame as they come onto the field, accompanied by the song Thunderstruck. There are also flags waved by the pep squad, and the NDSU mascot makes an appearance with the kickoff kid of the game, who delivers the game ball to the referees. Fireworks are also set off again every time the Bison score – I am surprised they are allowed to do it, but mega impressed. The noise from the fireworks is also really loud, making it all the more exciting to see them.
You would not expect the crowd noise to be as loud as it is all game long, given the size of the facility, although being indoors probably helps. It also doesn’t hurt that almost every fan in the place is rocking gold NDSU gear, and hammering their inflatable thunder sticks, especially during kickoffs and on third downs. During breaks in the action the staff also plays loud, modern dance-type music, keeping the fans engaged and moving all game long.
Neighborhood 5
I have visited over 350 different football stadiums, and I can honestly say I have never seen a neighborhood around a sports arena quite like this one. There is a Candlewood Suites literally in the parking lot of Fargodome, and you can see a Buffalo Wild Wings across the way (easily walkable from the facility). The Fargo airport is also right across the street – I am not sure you could technically walk to it given the security fencing, but you could certainly watch the planes take off and land if you were standing outside the stadium.
There are also other hotels within sight of Fargodome, and a few other restaurants close by as well. Herd and Horns is a massive Bison-themed sports bar just down the street, known for burgers and craft beer, while Labby’s is famous for its pizza. There is so much right by the stadium that if you wanted to, you could fly into Fargo airport on Thursday or Friday before the game, and literally never have to leave the vicinity of the stadium all weekend long.
Fans 4
While Fargodome might not quite fill up on game day, this really is a great fan base. The fans outside tailgating are super friendly, and always willing to offer you a drink or some food as you walk through the tent city, even while gently heckling you for wearing the wrong school colors. There are people everywhere on the west side of the facility, playing cornhole, grilling out, sipping a cold one, and just having fun and soaking up the NDSU game day atmosphere.
Inside the stadium, almost every fan is dressed in gold, and their inflatable thunder sticks are banging constantly, creating a huge roar inside the stadium. These fans also know the rules of the game, and will absolutely let the refs have it when they miss a call or make a bad one.
Access 4
I mentioned earlier that Fargo airport is just across the street. In addition, I-29 goes right by the airport and Fargodome, making it simple to get here from either the north or the south. There is plenty of parking right around the facility as well (costing only $10 per car), so even if you are running late you should still be able to find a spot within a very short walk.
Once inside, there are plenty of concession stands, so there aren’t any lines to speak of when it comes to getting food and drinks. There are also several grab-and-go concession areas set up inside, which help keep the lines down too. The only potential negative when it comes to access is that the bathroom lines tend to stack up all of a sudden at the end of each quarter, but even those lines move very quickly, clearing the logjam in a few minutes. You are also able to walk all the way around the concourse to get to your seat, which is not always the case at sports stadiums and arenas these days.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets start at over $50 for conference games at Fargodome, which may seem a bit on the high side if you are still thinking about NDSU as an FCS school. In reality, however, $50 is probably lower than average for FBS football. I think seeing a game here is worth that price, although I am not sure I would pay more than the minimum – the venue is small enough, and the sightlines are great from anywhere, so I don’t think you need to spend more for a “better seat”.
Extras 4
There is an escalator on the east side which you might assume takes you to the upper deck – it actually takes you up to the football offices, where you can walk through the NDSU Hall of Fame, and take a look at all the trophies and other awards this program has won. The Bison have won 18 National Championships in their football history so far, with eight before they joined FCS and 10 since, with all the latter in the past 15 years (including threepeating and fivepeating during that span). You will see these accolades represented all over the concourse; it is no wonder this program was ready to make the jump to FBS.
One other pro tip – there are several bathrooms at the top of the escalator, including three family restrooms and a mother’s room. No one realizes those are there, so if the lines are too long downstairs you could always try this option.
Final Thoughts
An absolute powerhouse on the FCS stage for the last 15 years, North Dakota State is now ready to test their mettle against the best college football has to offer; their home field, Fargodome, also has a top-notch atmosphere. This is definitely a team, and a stadium, worth checking out as you make your own way across the college football landscape – Horns Up All the Time!
