Shaded Seats at Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Gerald J. Ford Stadium is the home field for the SMU Mustangs. It is known for its modern design and great gameday atmosphere. Dallas has a hot and sunny climate, particularly in the early months of football season and unlike Texas’s NFL stadiums there is no roof to protect fans from the sun and the elements. Mustangs fans can refer to this guide along with the seating chart to locate shaded seats at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Gerald J. Ford Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Gerald J. Ford Stadium:

• South End Zone: Limited shade in the Garry Weber End Zone Complex
• West Sideline: Mid-afternoon shade on the Mustangs’ home side

And the seats in the sun at Gerald J. Ford Stadium are mainly:

• East Sideline: Sun soaked on the away team’s side
• North End Zone: Sunny for most of the day

Mustangs games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium usually kick off at 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM or 6:00 PM, with a few other start times occasionally mixed in. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

Gerald J. Ford Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Gerald J. Ford Stadium is oriented north to south. By noon, the sun is high in the sky over the southeast corner near the end zone. Over the course of the afternoon, it curves and dips behind the west side of the stadium, where it eventually sets. This configuration generally makes the west side of the stadium the “shade side,” while the east side is the sunniest.

The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Gerald J. Ford Stadium Games

Constructed in 2000, Gerald J. Ford Stadium is one of the newest stadiums in college football. It’s unique because the stadium capacity is quite a bit smaller than that of many of the big-conference schools nearby, giving fans an up-close view of the action. It’s also a stadium in the heart of Texas with no roof, retractable or fixed, leaving fans exposed to the harsh sun for much of the football season.

When the Mustangs kick off in the morning, the sun is high, and shade is extremely limited. Gerald J. Ford Stadium is highly exposed to the sun, with no roof, canopy, or overhang to protect fans in the middle of the day. Your only real hope for shade when there’s a morning kickoff is in a suite or in the club seats behind the south end zone. Seats attached to the Garry Weber End Zone Complex in Sections 229-235 offer the best chance for shade. The complex itself creates a physical barrier between the sun and the seats. For the best chance at shade for the entire game, choose a seat as far back from the field as possible.

The sunniest seats are everywhere else. Nearly every seat in Sections 100-128 and 200-228 is sun-soaked for the entirety of a morning game. Suites on the west sideline are one of the only places to escape the sun if you’re willing and able to splurge.

Bring your best sun protection for an early afternoon game because almost every single seat is in the sun.
Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon and Evening Gerald J. Ford Stadium Games

When the Mustangs are scheduled for a game at 2:30 PM or later, shade is more plentiful and a bit easier to find. Shade seekers should focus on the west (home) sideline. The press box and suites are located on this side of the stadium, which is helpful for those looking for shade, as it creates a barrier between the sun and the stands.

For a 2:30 PM kickoff, the greatest shade is in sections directly adjacent to the press box and suites. Sections 201-207 become shaded first. Over the course of the game, shade will expand to cover west side Sections 200-208 and 100-108 as well. As the afternoon turns to evening, the shade line will cross the field and begin covering seats on the east side, from those closest to the field to those farthest away. 100-level seats will get shaded first, and 200-level seats will stay sunny the longest. Seats behind the north end zone will be mostly sunny for a 2:30 PM kickoff but shaded for a 6:00 PM or later kickoff.

By late afternoon seats on the west side of the stadium (where the photo is taken) are shaded while seats on the east side (across the field) stay sunny the longest.
Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire

Ready to buy shaded seats at Gerald J. Ford Stadium?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see the upcoming game list for Gerald J. Ford Stadium.