Football Game Day Initiatives

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With the start of the 2016 Florida football season just days away, the University Athletic Association would like to inform fans of several initiatives in place for the upcoming season. The season kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against UMass.

FLORIDA vs. UMASS PROMOTIONS

The Head Ball Coach Returns
Former Heisman Trophy winner and legendary head coach Steve Spurrier will be on hand to be honored as we kick off the 2016 season. Steve Spurrier-Florida Field will be unveiled in front of a packed house.

Refresh your memory on the highlights of Spurrier's legendary career with the Steve Spurrier Digital Guide, presented by UF Health.

Rowdy Town (Student Tailgate)
The Rowdy Town Football Student Tailgate, sponsored by Cabana Beach, will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Reitz North Lawn prior to the UMass game. Students at the tailgate can watch other games around the country, play tailgate games and enjoy free food and drinks for the first 150 students. Rowdy Reptiles can check in to earn 10 points to use toward great prizes.

Due to construction at the O'Connell Center, the student tailgate will only take place for the opening game.

Gigapixel Panorama
Just prior to the game, Gigapixel will take an ultra-high res 360 degree photo from midfield. Following the game, fans will have a chance to find and tag themselves in the photo. Gigapixel will also have a panoramic print available for purchase.

NEW FOR 2016

University Avenue Road Closure
Public safety officials with the City of Gainesville and University of Florida are expected to ensure the safety of all Gainesville-area residents and visitors, especially on UF Football Game Days. Beginning with the home football game against UMass on September 3, officials are making changes to the traffic flow of West University Avenue to ensure the highest level of safety to everyone in the area. The complete release with maps is available via the full release from GPD.

Beginning three hours before kickoff, West University Avenue will be CLOSED between Gale Lemerand Drive and NW 17th Street. Fans with credentials to enter the O'Connell Center parking lot or the North Lawn will be able to access those areas from the west on University Avenue. The road will remain closed until approximately two hours following the end of the game.

Clear Bag Policy
In the interest of fan safety, the University of Florida Athletic Association has implemented a new clear bag policy for the 2016 football season.

Approved Bags (Click Image to Enlarge)

Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12"x6"x12"
A logo no larger than 4.5"x 3.4" can be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag.
One-gallon clear, re-sealable plastic storage bag
Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5"x6.5", approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap
Medically necessary items (after proper inspection)

For the opening game, Florida Dairy Farmers and Comfort Temp will be passing out a limited quantity of approved clear bags at BUBBA Burger Gators Fan Fest, outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, south of the current construction area.

Also new for the 2016 season:
Personal seatbacks will not be permitted inside the stadium. Seat cushions that are no larger than 16", do not have pockets, and do not have a back are permitted.

Fans will still be able to utilize Gator Seatbacks while inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Football season ticket holders can purchase a seatback for the entire season, while non-season ticket holders can rent a seatback the day of the game.

For information about Gator Seatbacks, please visit UFGatorSeats.com or call 1-866-910-9287. For day of game rentals, Gator Seatbacks are available at kiosks located at Gates 3, 7, 16, and 18.

Charging Stations
In various locations throughout the stadium fans will be able to plug in and recharge their mobile devices courtesy of the Gators new charging stations.

SEASON LONG INITIATIVES

Welcome Back Gators
The 2016 will see many champion Gators back in The Swamp to be honored in front of the Gator Nation.

UMass: Steve Spurrier will be welcomed home to Gainesville
Kentucky: The 2006-07 Back-to-Back National Championship Basketball teams
LSU: Gators that took part in Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be invited back to Gainesville to be honored
Missouri: The 2006 Championship Football team will celebrate its 10-year anniversary
South Carolina: The 1991 SEC Championship Football team, the first conference champion in school history, will celebrate its 25th anniversary

Gator Walk
Scheduled for 5:05 p.m. for the first game, the Gators will be dropped off at the corner of University and Gale Lemerand Drive and make their way into the North end of the stadium. Come join the band, cheerleaders, mascots and dazzlers to welcome the Gators as they prepare to kick off the 2016 season!

#FloridaFriday and College Colors Day
Fans are encouraged to wear their Orange & Blue this Friday (and every Friday!) to show their support for the Gators.

Fireworks
All home night games will have fireworks as the team runs out and after the Gators score.

Heat Initiatives
With high temperatures expected during the early part of the season, heat initiatives will be in place for the first three home games including misting stations located throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, free cups of ice and cooling busses outside Gates 2 and 13. Stop by the Comfort Temp Chill Zone at Alligator Alley - West concourse between Gates 1 and 4 – to cool down. There will also be 5,000 cooling towels distributed at Fan Fest prior to the game. Florida Lottery will have 20,000 hand fans to pass out at select gates.

Empty Water Bottle
Fans are permitted to bring one (1) commercially branded (i.e. Aquafina) EMPTY plastic water bottle, no larger than 20 oz. There are several water bottle filling stations inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Non-disposable water bottles, sport bottles, Nalgene-type bottles, cans, heavy plastic, glass bottles, and thermoses are NOT permitted in the Stadium. There are 12 water bottle refill stations throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

BUBBA Burger Gator Fan Fest
Begins at 4 PM outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, south of the current construction area. Various corporate partner will provide games & giveaways for fans.
For the opening game, Florida Dairy Farmers and Comfort Temp will be passing out a limited quantity of approved clear bags at BUBBA Burger Gators Fan Fest, outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, south of the current construction area.

Refillable Cup
Season ticket holders can purchase a refillable 22 oz cup for $8 per game. The cups are available at all concession stands that offer fountain drinks.

Free Drinks and Popcorn in Premium Areas
Fans sitting in the Evans Champions Club or Holloway Touchdown Terrace can now add free soda and popcorn to the list of their game day amenities. These items will be available throughout each home game from a designated stand in each premium area. (NOTE: free beverages will not be in souvenir cups).

Complimentary Sunscreen
There will be free sunscreen for fans attending football games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium available at the Guest Service Kiosks at Gates 2, 7 and 16.

Experience Seat Upgrade
The UAA has partnered with a company called Experience. The UAA will be using Experience's Seat Upgrade Technology to enhance the fan experience for its football games this season. With the Experience Seat Upgrade App, Gators fans will be able to complete a simple purchase for a better seat than what they are currently sitting in at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The process is simple and the transaction takes place prior to gameday exclusively through the app.

Gators Text for Tix
The Gator Ticket Office and ReplyBuy have entered into a partnership that will enable Gator fans to instantly purchase tickets and merchandise with a quick text message. The program, referred to as Gators Text for Tix, will allow fans that sign up to receive exclusive access to limited, last-minute tickets and Gator merchandise.

Happy Birthday and First Gator Game Pins
Available for all fans at Gator Guest Services booths located around the stadium.

University Preparedness and Guidelines on Zika
The University of Florida continues to monitor the spread of the Zika virus, working closely with local and state Department of Health officials. The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Follow the CDC guidelines which include using EPA-registered insect repellant when outdoors and wearing protective clothing. On campus, UF is working to reduce mosquitoes including treatment of standing water bodies. For more information including preparedness tips and guidelines, visit zika.ufl.edu.

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