Excitement is building on campus as the University prepares for the 2024 football season. In addition to new head football coach Kalen DeBoer, here are some other things to be on the lookout for if you’re attending a home game this season.
New Name for the Field
As announced earlier this summer, The University of Alabama will recognize seven-time national champion head football coach Nick Saban by naming the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in his honor during halftime of the Tide’s game against South Florida on Saturday, Sept. 7.
New Times for Events
Coach DeBoer and the team will make the Walk of Champions two-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff. The Million Dollar Band will lead the Elephant Stomp from the Quad to the stadium one hour before the game.
Gates will open two hours before kickoff.
Like last season, a 360-degree security perimeter will be in place around Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans should access the stadium through any of the security checkpoints and then walk to their gate. Fans are reminded that only clear bags are allowed inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Visit RollTide.com for a list of prohibited items.
New Pregame Experience
The Vector Security Champions Lane is a 60,000-square-foot area just outside of Bryant-Denny Stadium sure to help make any game day a good one.
The area holds a 1,200-square-foot concert stage featuring a DJ and live band performances before each game. This year, country music superstar Lauren Alaina is scheduled to perform before the Georgia game on Sept. 28, while Easton Corbin will perform before the Missouri game on Oct. 26.
Upgrades for 2024 include a new shaded seating area directly in front of the concert stage, a 32-foot two-story air-conditioned spectator suite with prime viewing of the stage and Walk of Champions, and a new entrance on University Boulevard.
The area also features four giant LED videoboards for fans to watch other college football games in action, food trucks, interactive displays and meet-and-greet opportunities with current and former University of Alabama athletes. The Legends Lounge beer garden is available for fans over 21 with no cover charge.
Find the schedule for each home game by visiting ChampionsLane.com.
Parking and Roadblocks
Campus parking lots are filling up fast. Season passes have already sold out, but fans can still purchase single-game passes by visiting UAGameday.com. Crimson Ride shuttles will run from the parking lots to the Quad from 7 a.m. until 90 minutes after each game. The website also lists other parking options, including areas where faculty, staff and students with valid UA hangtags can park on game days.
Like last season, roadblocks for streets in the interior of campus will go into effect four hours before each kickoff. For the Sept. 7 game, roadblocks will go into effect at noon.
Tailgating
Fans can tailgate for free on the west side of the Quad. Drop-off for tailgating supplies on Colonial Drive is on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon for games that kickoff after 2:30 p.m. Drop-off times will be adjusted for earlier games so check UAGameday.com for the latest information.
Again, this season fans will find food trucks on the east side of the Quad along Sixth Avenue, and a nursing mother’s area on the southeast corner of the Quad.
Cashless
Bryant-Denny Stadium is now a cashless facility. There are no ATMs inside the stadium, and fans will not be able to use cash to purchase prepaid fan cards as they have in the past.
Student Tickets
Student tickets are loaded onto ACT Cards the Sunday prior to each home football game. Students can view, swap, transfer or donate tickets and/or get on the ticket waitlist by logging into MyTickets, which can be found on the homepage of myBama. Students can download the Tide Loyalty Points app and stay for four quarters to earn points.
Gameday Information
Fans can find the latest information by visiting UAGameday.com or using the UA Gameday app, which can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices.
An information tent will be set up on the Quad for all home games. Fans can also call or text the UA Gameday Message Center at 205-767-3073 if they have questions on game days. Inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, contact the Stadium Guest Services Center with any questions or concerns by calling or texting 205-348-5620.
Game day information, including traffic and weather updates, can also be heard in Tuscaloosa on 92.5 FM UA Info Radio.