Oregon Ducks Soccer With Kids: What Eugene Parents Need to Know

A Ducks game with kids doesn’t have to mean a packed Saturday at Autzen.

We took our girls to an Oregon women’s soccer game at Papé Field to find out whether one of UO’s smaller sports might actually be an easier way for families to experience Ducks game day.

And on paper, soccer already checks a lot of parent-friendly boxes: kids 12 and younger are free, regular tickets are inexpensive and parking at Papé Field is free.

But the real question was whether it actually felt easy once we had kids in tow.

We had the best time! The girls enjoyed being able to bounce in the kids zone and of course, Puddles was there walking all around for easy access for the kids!

JUMP TO

Tickets Getting There With Kids Know Before You Go Parent Notes Quick Take

Oregon Soccer Is Surprisingly Affordable for Families

Here’s the part that may surprise parents who automatically associate Ducks games with expensive tickets:

Kids 12 and younger attend Oregon soccer games FREE. They do not need tickets!

Regular soccer tickets are currently $5.

Macaroni KID Eugene families also currently have access to a special Oregon Athletics offer that drops paid soccer tickets to $2 when purchased through our promotional link.

GET $2 OREGON SOCCER TICKETS

The promotional price must be used through the special link. Tickets can also be purchased at Papé Field, but the Macaroni KID promotional pricing does not apply at the ticket booth.

Ticket pricing and promotions can change, so check current information before attending.

Getting to Papé Field With Kids

Papé Field
2727 Leo Harris Parkway
Eugene, Oregon

Parking

Parking at Papé Field is free, with parking directly in front of the venue.

What it was actually like: Gravel lot, but easy walk to the venue.

Getting Inside

Papé Field has one main entrance where tickets are scanned.

Mobile tickets are handled through Oregon Athletics’ Ticketmaster-integrated system.

What it was actually like: You scan your ticket, we didn't purchase them on site. There was a small line when we got there as everyone was scanning their tickets. Pro tip: Have your tickets opened and ready to scan to make it quicker.

What an Oregon Soccer Game Was Actually Like With Kids

When we first walked into Papé Field, you could feel that Oregon energy. The field is RIGHT there in front of yo.

The first thing Eleanor noticed was the turf. She commented about they were on turf vs grass but she was so excited.

Amelia immediately started asking for the bounce house, as we saw it from the parking lot.

And the thing I noticed as a parent was the seat backs! If you get there early, all seats are generally admission and some have the setbacks for a more comfortable experience.

There is no bad seat at Pape Field. We got there early and were able to sit in the middle section with the seat backs. This was much more comfortable than the traditional bleacher seats. We were right by the center line. Which also meant we had a Birds Eye view of the athletes coming out on the field. They were so close! When we got up to stand by the sideline you could practically touch them. We were able to watch the warmup, which was about all the girls wanted to watch at the beginning. We took the girls over to the kids zone where they jumped and played a majority of the first half of the game.

When they were back in the seats for the second half, when they got antsy, they were able to walk around and they enjoyed talking with Puddles. Fun side note: we watched Puddles put a child in the trash can so watch out lol. The crowd was great without the overwhelming loud/tons of people at Autzen. At the end of the game the players come by and high five fans who are standing at the field. My girls want to go back mostly because of the bounce house, but I like to think they geninuelly enjoyed themselves.

Eleanor’s verdict: “I LOVE SOCCER!!”

Amelia’s verdict: “I saw the duck!”

Our Game Had a Kid Zone — But Not Every Game Will

The game we attended was also a special Youth Day, so Oregon Athletics had a Kid Zone on the west side of Papé Field.

That included a bounce house, with a parent waiver required before kids could participate.

What our kids thought: this was the best thing ever. They played connect 4, Tetris and enjoyed bouncing for quite some time.

GOOD TO KNOW
The Kid Zone was a promotion for the game we attended. It is not something families should assume will be offered at every Oregon soccer match. Check the current game-day promotions when choosing a game.

What Parents Should Know About Papé Field

Bathrooms

They have mens, women's and families. These were easily accessible.

Seating

Not a bad seat. If you get there early the middle sections have seat back for a more comfortable experience.

Concessions

They had typical concession foods, my kids favorite was the popcorn.

Outside Food + Water

Outside food and water are allowed in.

Shade + Weather

We were in the shade, but the kids zone was located in the sun

Noise

Fun energy, a lot lower than at Autzen stadium, but not to loud for younger kids

Time Commitment

We showed up an hour early when gates opened for the best seats. Each half lasts 45minutes, with a 15min break in the middle.

Best Ages

You know your kids best. If they can sit still or you don't mind walking around any age.

Could Soccer Be the Best First Ducks Game for Kids?

There’s something fun about giving kids the Oregon Athletics experience without feeling like every Ducks outing needs to involve a huge stadium, expensive tickets and an entire day of planning.

At Papé Field, kids can see Division I athletes compete up close while still getting the school spirit and game-day atmosphere that makes college sports fun.

And for young girls, there’s something pretty cool about sitting in the stands and watching women compete at this level.

My two girls loved meeting the athletes. They very much looked up to them and cannot wait to go back to another game.

For our family, this was the perfect introduction to ducks soccer. The energy was up, the duck was walking around and the girls had plenty of space to safely walk around.

MACARONI KID PARENT NOTES

Team: Oregon Women’s Soccer

Venue: Papé Field

Kids 12 and under: FREE

Regular paid admission: $5 at time of publication

Macaroni KID ticket offer: $2 paid tickets through our special link at time of publication

Parking: FREE, directly in front of Papé Field

Bathrooms: Easy access

Concessions: Located in the front

Seating: All general admission, get there early for the best seats

Shade: Seats are in the shade but the kids zone was located in the sun

Noise level: Loud, but not to bad

What to bring: Sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks if you aren't buying concessions

Best ages: 2+

Time needed: 3hours

Special kid activities: Vary by game

One thing I wish I knew before going: That every seat was generally admission with seat back!

QUICK TAKE

If you want to introduce your kids to Ducks athletics without jumping straight into the crowds, expense and time commitment of football, Oregon women’s soccer is a great idea! Its fun to cheer on the ducks without the crowds that football draws.

For us, the best part was Puddles walking around!

The one thing I’d tell another parent before heading to Papé Field is bring sunscreen for the kids zone.

Would we go back? Absolutely! The girls had a great time!

Check Oregon Athletics for the current women’s soccer schedule and game-day promotions before you go.