Game days for Florida football teams are truly unique. The academically focused UF campus becomes a loud, chaotic, Gator-til-I-die environment. Every corner of the campus becomes an exciting and unforgettable experience for fans who come to the game on Saturdays.
Freshmen will have the opportunity to attend Gators game days for the first time this fall.
Florida will play its season opener against the Miami Hurricanes on August 31 at 3:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Before you go inside, make sure you pack a bag that meets stadium requirements. Bags must be clear and cannot exceed size requirements of 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. You can fill your bag with essentials like your phone, wallet, keys, and GatorID.
Student tickets will be loaded to student accounts at 9 a.m. the Friday before each home game. Tickets are available through the Florida Gators app, and you can save them to your Apple Wallet to avoid any potential WiFi connectivity issues before you arrive at the gates.
One of the most difficult aspects of finding your seat is getting through the correct gate. Your ticket will tell you which of the 18 gates is the best way to get to your assigned seat.
Florida’s campus will be teeming with tailgating events hosted by student organizations throughout campus and in tents near the stadium. Most tailgating events begin about three to four hours before kickoff.
Don’t worry if you have to arrive at the stadium more than an hour early if you skip the pre-match festivities: Gates usually open 90 minutes before kick-off. Just getting into the stadium takes about 30 minutes. Finding your seat, getting food from the kiosks, pushing through the crowds – add another half hour to your comfortable seat and wait for the game to start.
The entrances to gates one to four are located directly on Gale Lemerand Drive. On the north side of the stadium you will find gates six to nine. Student gates 12 to 15 are located on the east side of the stadium. Gates 16 to 18 are located on Stadium Road on the south side.
Once you’re seated, there are a few game traditions that every Gator must participate in.
The UF marching band performs a halftime show at every game. The performance pays homage to a new theme each week.
Two of Gator Nation’s most notable traditions take place between the third and fourth quarters.
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The first time this happened was in 1920. UF fans linked arms and sang “We Are the Boys” together. In old-fashioned camaraderie, the crowd roared the lyrics while swaying from left to right.
Immediately afterwards, the Swamp sings Tom Petty’s sports anthem “I Won’t Back Down.” This six-year-old tradition honors the late Gainesville native at every UF home game.
Your first Gator game day can be full of unforgettable moments that you’ll remember for years to come. It’s impossible to fully prepare for the experience, but following a few of these tips can help you organize your day.
Contact Krisha Sanghavi at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @krishasang.
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Krisha Sanghavi is a third-year student studying public relations and business. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on Miami sports teams and spending time with her friends.
