Friday Night Football: Know Before You Go

Friday nights under the lights are among the most cherished traditions in our community. When our student-athletes take the field, they carry the pride of this town with them, and it is our honor to welcome every family, neighbor, and visiting guest to share in that experience.
We know that ongoing construction on campus and the upcoming Labor Day Festival closures make getting here a little more involved this year. We are grateful for your patience, your flexibility, and your care for one another. The information below is designed to help everyone travel safely, park with ease, and enjoy the evening while keeping our students, our neighbors, and our community protected.
 

What's Different This Year
To help you plan, here are the key changes for this game:

• On-site parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage carpooling and arriving early.
• Festival road closures begin Friday, September 4 near the historic downtown. Please use the recommended route below.
• Construction has modified some normal traffic patterns and campus access points.

Getting Here: Recommended Route
Our event is held at Canal Winchester High School, 300 Washington St, Canal Winchester. In coordination with the City and our event partners, we recommend the following route to avoid construction and festival-related closures:

• Exit Route 33 at Gender Road (please do not exit at High Street)
• Turn right onto Gender Road
• Continue south on Gender to Dietz Drive and turn left
• Dietz ends at Washington Street; the stadium will be on your left

Please note the following roads will be closed beginning Friday, September 4, for the 2026 Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival:

• South High Street (Waterloo Street to Columbus Street) closes at 9 a.m.
• North High Street (Mound Street to Waterloo Street) closes at 5 p.m.
• Waterloo Street (Trine Street to Elm Street) closes at 5 p.m.

Although these closures most directly affect the historic downtown, we recommend allowing extra time. Detours will be posted, and additional festival information is available at www.cwlaborday.org. Please follow the directions of law enforcement and traffic staff, and allow extra time during the hour before kickoff.

Parking
Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and construction has reduced some of our usual spaces. Parking is available in the school parking lot; once it reaches capacity, spectators will be directed to park on streets near the stadium and walk to the entry gate. We strongly encourage carpooling and arriving early.
Please park only in designated event spaces, not in fire lanes, emergency routes, construction zones, driveways, or private property. Vehicles in restricted areas may be towed at the owner's expense. Accessible parking is available in designated spots, though limited.
Because on-site space is tight, nearby streets may see increased traffic and parking activity on game nights. We ask everyone to be considerate of our neighbors; please do not block driveways, intersections, sidewalks, or mailboxes, and do not park on private property without permission. We are grateful to our community for their patience and support as we work through these temporary changes together.

Tickets
Tickets for Canal Winchester Athletics events can be purchased in advance online through HomeTown Ticketing or at the gate with cash. Please visit our district website at www.cwschools.org/athletics/athletic-tickets to purchase tickets and for the most current pricing and event information.

Game-Day Logistics and Expectations

Stadium Entry

• Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and close at the end of halftime; no entry after that time, and no re-entry once you leave.
• We are using a two-gate entry approach for this event: a Home Gate and a Visitors Gate, each clearly labeled on the stadium fence. Please enter through the gate designated for your seating side.
• For everyone's safety, all guests must pass through weapon-detection screening; please plan for a brief wait during peak arrival times.
• Bags, backpacks, and large purses are not permitted inside the stadium; please leave them at home or in your vehicle.
• Students in grades K–5 must be accompanied by an adult; grades 6–8 must be accompanied by an adult and present a student ID. All Canal Winchester Middle and High School students must present their school ID before entering the stadium. High school students from visiting schools must present a school ID from one of the competing schools (or check in with their school administrators at the gate if their school does not issue IDs). Adults should be prepared to show a government-issued photo ID if requested. 

During the Game

• Please sit in your designated home or visitor seating area and enjoy the game from the bleachers.
• Concessions and restrooms are clearly marked on the stadium map.
• Law enforcement, administrators, and event staff will be on hand throughout the evening, and parking areas are continuously monitored.
• Any behavior that compromises the safety or enjoyment of the event may result in removal from the facility.

Departing After the Game

• After the final whistle, please exit the stadium and parking areas promptly and follow the directions of traffic staff as you leave.
• Construction, festival closures, and limited parking may slow departure. Thank you for your patience and for remaining considerate of our neighbors.

Our Commitment to You
Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. District administrators, school safety personnel, event staff, and law enforcement will work together before, during, and after the game to ensure a secure, organized, and welcoming environment for everyone.
We are grateful for the community that makes Canal Winchester special. Your cooperation, patience, and pride are what make these Friday nights an experience our student-athletes will remember for years. We look forward to seeing you under the lights.
If you have any questions about game-day logistics, parking, accessibility, or tickets, please contact the Canal Winchester Athletics Office at (614) 833-2155 or email the Director of Athletics, Jacob Ramsey, at jramsey1@cwls.us.