Duke Softball A-Z Game Day Guide

Below are the accessibility services available at Smith Family Stadium. If you have any special needs or questions prior to game day, please contact the Duke Athletics disabilities coordinators at (919) 668-6213.

Accessible Entrance: The accessible entrance is located at the right field gate along the sidewalk from Brodie Gym Drive. This entrance provides access to the stadium concourse above the grandstand. Directional signage will be available on game day.
Accessible Parking & Drop-Off Location: Accessible parking and drop-off/pick-up are available in the Bivins Lot, located above Smith Family Stadium on Brodie Gym Drive next to the Bivins Building. ADA parking placards or license plates are required.
Accessible Restrooms: A gender-neutral accessible family restroom is located on the stadium concourse behind the press box. Additional men’s and women’s accessible restrooms are located adjacent to the stadium on the Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium concourse. An additional gender-neutral accessible family restroom is available on the ground level behind the grandstand behind home plate.
Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive listening devices are not currently available at Smith Family Stadium.
Emergency Evacuation: In the event of an emergency, Duke Athletics staff will assist guests with disabilities. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with accessible exits upon arrival and follow all PA announcements and staff instructions.
Lactation Room: A lactation room is available upon request. Guests requiring access should contact the match manager or a Duke Athletics staff member for assistance.
Seating for Guests with Disabilities: Accessible seating is available at the top of the grandstand along the first- and third-base lines. Space is provided for wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Companion seating is available adjacent to accessible seating areas.
Wheelchairs & Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices are permitted throughout Smith Family Stadium. Devices must not obstruct aisles, walkways, or emergency exits.

It is strictly prohibited to bring alcohol into Smith Family Stadium. Individuals found in violation of this policy are subject to ejection from the facility.

Duke Athletics follows a consistent animal policy across all venues, including Smith Family Stadium:

Service Animals: Trained service animals are welcome at Smith Family Stadium. A service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Service animals must be under control at all times and leashed or tethered unless doing so interferes with the task the animal is trained to perform. Service animals must not display aggressive behavior, bark, growl, or disrupt the environment unless trained to do so for a specific task. Current rabies vaccination tags or proof of vaccination must be provided upon request. Any violation of these guidelines may result in the service animal being excluded from the facility.
Service Animals in Training: In North Carolina, service animals in training have the same access rights as trained service animals. Service animals in training must wear identifiable gear such as a collar, leash, harness, or cape and have current rabies vaccination tags or proof of vaccination available upon request. The handler or trainer is responsible for any damage caused by the animal. Animals must be housebroken and adhere to the same behavioral guidelines as trained service animals. Violations will result in the service animal in training being excluded from the facility.
Emotional Support Animals: Emotional support animals, therapy animals and companion animals are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are not permitted inside Smith Family Stadium.
Personal Pets: Personal pets are not permitted inside Smith Family Stadium. The only exceptions are service animals and service animals in training, as defined above.

There are no ATMs located at Smith Family Stadium. Guests should plan accordingly prior to arrival.

Purses, small bags, strollers and backpacks are permitted at events in Smith Family Stadium. Duffel bags and large bags greater than 14” x 14” x 8” are not permitted. Reasonable exceptions may be made for medical or childcare needs.

All bags and personal items are subject to search upon entry. Duke University reserves the right to deny any item or individual from entering the venue. There is no area available to check or store prohibited items.

For the safety of all guests, bags or items may not be left unattended outside the venue. Unattended items will be handled in a manner deemed appropriate by venue officials, which may include disposal. Duke University and Duke Athletics are not responsible for lost or unattended items.

Banners and signs are permitted inside Smith Family Stadium. Duke University reserves the right to prohibit or require the removal of any banner or sign that obstructs the view of other guests, obscures stadium signage, may be considered an advertisement, or is determined to be obscene, vulgar, indecent, inappropriate or derogatory.

Hand-held still cameras are permitted for personal use only at Smith Family Stadium. Cameras with lenses longer than four (4) inches are not permitted. Video cameras may be used during warm-ups and between innings but are prohibited from filming live game action.

In case of an emergency, contact the nearest Duke Athletics staff member or call Duke Police at (919) 684-2444. Durham Police should be contacted by dialing 911 for off-campus emergencies.

Report Suspicious Activity

If you observe any unusual, suspicious or concerning activity, report it immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer or event staff member.

Emergency Vehicles

Emergency vehicles may be present in and around Smith Family Stadium. Do not block fire lanes, exits or emergency access routes. Any vehicles or objects obstructing these areas will be removed. Vehicles are subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

Severe Weather

As an outdoor venue, Smith Family Stadium is subject to weather conditions. Duke Game Operations will monitor weather throughout the event. In the event of severe weather, guests should follow all PA announcements and instructions from Duke Athletics staff.

Accessibility Assistance

Duke Athletics staff will assist guests with disabilities during an emergency or evacuation upon request. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with accessible exits upon arrival.

Emergency Exits

Right Field Concourse Gate (Accessible) – Primary accessible entrance and exit from the concourse level
Home Plate Concourse Stairwell – Located behind the press box and family restroom
Third Base Concourse Stairwell – Located on the third-base side of the concourse
Third Base Field-Level Gate (Accessible) – Located behind the third-base dugout and equipment sheds

Guests should identify the nearest exit and an alternate exit upon arrival and pre-determine a meeting location inside and outside the venue in the event of separation.

All gates to Smith Family Stadium will open one (1) hour prior to the scheduled start of the game. All guests entering the stadium are subject to security screening, including bag searches.

General public entrances are located at the right field gate off Brodie Gym Drive, as well as stairwell entrances located behind home plate and along the third-base line. The right field gate is the primary accessible entrance to the stadium.

Guests may leave and re-enter Smith Family Stadium at any time with a valid ticket or credential, subject to game day policies and security procedures.

Outside food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are not permitted inside Smith Family Stadium. Exceptions may be made for medical or childcare needs. Guests are encouraged to dispose of trash and recycling in the appropriate receptacles throughout the venue.

Concessions operated by Blue Devil Concessions are available for select games at Smith Family Stadium. Concession stands are located on the stadium concourse along the first-base line and in the right field grass area near the right field gate entrance.

Concessions purchases at Smith Family Stadium are cashless. Credit and debit cards are accepted.

Duke Athletics expects all guests to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times before, during and after the game. Guests are expected to treat other guests, student-athletes, coaches, officials and staff with courtesy and respect.

To help ensure a safe, family-friendly environment at Smith Family Stadium, guests are expected to refrain from the following behaviors:

Interfering with another guest’s ability to enjoy the event
Using or displaying foul, abusive or threatening language or gestures
Appearing intoxicated or in a diminished capacity
Entering the playing field or restricted access areas
Throwing objects onto the field or within the venue
Engaging in disorderly or disruptive behavior

Guests who observe behavior that does not meet these expectations should contact the nearest Duke Athletics staff member for assistance. Violators are subject to removal from the facility and possible arrest.

Guests may also report game day issues or concerns by contacting Duke Game Operations on X at @Duke_GAMEDAY.

Duke Game Operations monitors weather conditions before and during events at Smith Family Stadium. As an outdoor venue, games may be delayed, suspended or canceled due to severe weather.

Evacuation of Smith Family Stadium will occur if severe weather is expected to approach within an eight (8) mile radius of the venue. In the event of an evacuation, announcements will be made via the public address system and guests should exit the stadium promptly and calmly.

The safest location during severe weather is inside a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Guests without access to a vehicle should follow instructions from Duke Athletics staff, who will direct them to an appropriate shelter location.

Smith Family Stadium will remain closed until the severe weather threat has cleared the eight (8) mile radius. Play will resume only after conditions are deemed safe following consultation between game officials and Duke Game Operations.

If an item is lost or found during an event at Smith Family Stadium, please report it to the nearest Duke Athletics staff member or the game manager.

Items turned in during the event will be handled by Duke Athletics Game Operations. Items not claimed by the end of the game will be available for pickup the next business day.

To inquire about lost items, contact Duke Athletic Facilities & Game Operations at (919) 668-5658 or email duaa-gameops@duke.edu.

Unclaimed items will be retained for 30 days following the event. After this period, any remaining items will be discarded.

Access to the press box, media areas and scorer’s table at Smith Family Stadium is restricted to approved personnel only.

Media members, photographers and videographers must contact Duke Athletics Communications at least two (2) days prior to the event to request credentials or reserve workspace.

Media credentials must be visible at all times while inside restricted areas. Unauthorized access to media-only spaces is prohibited.

Merchandise sales at Smith Family Stadium are limited to select events. When available, merchandise stands are located on the third-base side of the stadium concourse and open when gates open.

The Johnson Family Team Store is located on West Campus in the Scott Family Athletics Performance Center, adjacent to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

For store hours and additional information, visit dukestores.duke.edu.

Game day parking for events at Smith Family Stadium is available only in designated university parking lots. Guests are reminded not to park in nearby shopping center lots or residential areas, as vehicles may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.

General Public Parking

Free public parking is available in the 705 Broad St., Lot and the R1 Lot on Hillsborough Road (GPS address: 2180 Hillsborough Road). The R1 Lot is approximately an eight-minute walk to Smith Family Stadium, with sidewalks and crosswalks available along the designated pedestrian route.

Accessible Parking and Drop-Off

Accessible parking and drop-off/pick-up are available in the Bivins Lot, located above Smith Family Stadium on Brodie Gym Drive next to the Bivins Building. A state-issued ADA placard or license plate is required for accessible parking.

Tailgating

Tailgating is permitted in designated grass areas around Smith Family Stadium and in the R1 Lot. Vehicles may not be parked in grass areas at any time. Guests are responsible for removing all trash and recycling upon departure.

Parking Disclaimer

Duke University assumes no responsibility for loss due to fire, theft, collision or other damage to vehicles or contents. Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk. Guests are encouraged to lock their vehicles.

Parking Emergency Information

In case of an emergency, contact Duke Police at (919) 684-2444 for on-campus assistance or dial 911 for off-campus emergencies. Duke Police will serve as the primary responder on campus.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests at Smith Family Stadium, the following items are prohibited from entering the venue:

Alcoholic beverages
Glass containers
Coolers, hard-sided containers or ice chests
Large bags or duffel bags greater than 14” x 14” x 8”
Laser pointers
Fireworks or explosive devices
Weapons of any kind
Noise-making devices not related to the event
Skateboards, scooters or bicycles
Any item deemed dangerous or inappropriate by Duke Athletics staff

All guests and personal items are subject to inspection upon entry. Duke University reserves the right to prohibit or remove any item at its discretion. There is no area available to check or store prohibited items.

Restrooms at Smith Family Stadium are located on the stadium concourse behind the press box. Additional men’s and women’s restrooms are available adjacent to the stadium on the Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium concourse.

A gender-neutral accessible family restroom is located on the stadium concourse behind the press box. An additional gender-neutral accessible family restroom is available on the ground level behind the grandstand behind home plate.

Restrooms are accessible for guests with disabilities. Guests requiring assistance should contact the nearest Duke Athletics staff member.

Guests attending events at Smith Family Stadium assume all risks associated with watching a live sporting event, including the possibility of being struck by bats, balls or other objects entering the seating or standing areas.

Protective netting is installed behind home plate and extends down the first- and third-base lines. Guests seated in areas without protective netting should remain alert at all times to on-field activity.

Duke University and Duke Athletics are not responsible for injuries or damages resulting from objects leaving the field of play. Guests are encouraged to use caution and remain attentive throughout the event.

Seating at Smith Family Stadium includes both grandstand and grass seating areas. Guests are encouraged to remain in their ticketed seating areas and follow instructions from Duke Athletics staff.

Grandstand Seating

Grandstand seating is located behind home plate and along the first- and third-base lines. Chair-back seats are available in select sections. Accessible seating is located at the top of the grandstand.

Grass Seating Areas

General admission grass seating is available in designated areas along the right field line and beyond the outfield fence. Guests seated in grass areas should remain aware of live play at all times.

Duke Athletics reserves the right to relocate guests as necessary for safety, operational or weather-related reasons.

Fans are encouraged to check GoDuke.com for the most up-to-date broadcast information prior to each game. Streaming or transmitting any game action from a mobile device to any social media platform is strictly prohibited.

Strollers are permitted at Smith Family Stadium. Strollers must be collapsible and may not obstruct aisles, walkways, entry points or emergency exits.

Duke Athletics staff may request that strollers be parked in designated areas or relocated if they interfere with stadium operations or guest safety.

All Duke Softball home games at Smith Family Stadium are ticketed events. All tickets will be scanned upon entry at the stadium gates.

Fans are encouraged to visit GoDuke.com/Tickets for the most current ticket information prior to arrival. Additional assistance is available through the Duke Ticket Office.

Duke University is a tobacco-free campus. The use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, is prohibited at Smith Family Stadium and throughout campus.

Umbrellas are permitted at Smith Family Stadium. Guests using umbrellas should be considerate of other guests and avoid obstructing sightlines.