The Badgers are getting ready to take on the Oregon Ducks! If you’re headed to Eugene for the BADGER HUDDLE® and the big game, here’s your guide to what to know — and what to do — before, during, and after kickoff.
Say it wrong, and you’ll be Ore-gone.
Think you’ve got Oregon pronunciation down? Think again.
Wisconsinites might be used to saying Or-uh-gahn, like the town south of Madison. But in the Pacific Northwest, it’s Or-uh-gun.
Just Do It.
Although Nike was born in Eugene, their world headquarters are closer to Portland (about two hours north). Still, you can see why Eugene proudly wears its “TracktownUSA” title by visiting:
- The University of Oregon’s world-class track and field facility Hayward Field.
- The Nike shoe collection housed in a hotel lobby.
- The memorial to Steve “Pre” Prefontaine, the legendary runner who helped put Eugene on the running map.
“A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors”
Judge for yourself if the city lives up to its motto.
- Stroll or bike ride along the scenic Willamette River.
- The UW has Back to School and Oregon has Animal House. Take a tour that highlights all the famous spots from the 1978 movie filmed on campus.
- Explore Eugene’s vibrant street-art scene with a self-guided mural tour, part of a global community arts initiative.
- Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History to get a well-rounded look into Oregon’s past and present. Located right on campus, you’ll find everything from the world’s oldest shoe to a giant sabretooth salmon.
On Game Day
Before you even reach the stadium, you’ll need to take part in a local tradition: “the walk.” Oregon fans make the scenic trek across the Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer Bridge, which connects campus to Autzen Stadium.
Once the game starts, you’ll notice plenty of Oregon traditions, but a few might feel surprisingly familiar to Badger fans:
- Their mascot, “the Duck,” will lead the team onto the field atop a Harley–Davidson motorcycle.
- Like Bucky, the Duck pumps out push-ups after every point-scoring drive.
- You won’t be “Jumping Around” this game, but you will be surrounded by fans dancing to “Shout” by Otis Day and the Knights before the fourth quarter. The tradition nods to the iconic scene from Animal House, a film which also inspired many a Madison toga party.
Eat, Drink, and Be Berry
A trip to the Pacific Northwest wouldn’t be complete without trying the local fare.
- Agate Alley — a neighborhood favorite serving up Latin-Asian fusion dishes and creative cocktails in a laid-back setting.
- Eugene Saturday Market — the oldest open-air crafts market in the U.S., where you can browse artisan goods, enjoy live music, and sample global flavors at the international food court. Oregon’s famous berry season may be over, but you’ll still find jarred preserves and berry treats to take home.
- Fisherman’s Market — a go-to spot for fresh, boat-to-plate seafood and classic coastal comfort food.
- Morning Glory Café — Eugene’s oldest vegetarian restaurant and a beloved brunch destination with something for everyone.
- Oregon Wine L.A.B. — an urban winery and tasting room where you can sip your way through local artisan brands from across the region.
- Rennie’s Landing — a campus dive bar staple since 1981, perfect for a casual drink and a dose of Duck spirit.
- For a sweet treat: Try truffles filled with Oregon wines at Euphoria Chocolate Company, or grab a scoop at Prince Puckler’s, a local favorite known for unique flavors like Mandarin Chocolate (think reverse Orange Custard Chip) and Oregon Chai. They may not beat Babcock, but they’re worth a try.
We were inspired by the University of Oregon Alumni Association’s pregame itinerary from when they played in Madison. What do you think of their picks?