GAINESVILLE, Fla. –
The Florida football team concludes spring camp tonight with the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by
Sunniland. This is the second straight year the game is on Friday night.
Fans get in free (
official Facebook event) and the game will be televised on the SEC Network. For complete broadcast information,
click here.
Prior to kickoff, the BUBBA Burger Fan Fest will be held on the North Lawn outside the stadium. Back by popular demand in the Fan Fest this year will be The Swamp Wing Cook-Off (see below for more details).
Fans wanting a little extra from their trip to the Swamp can get pre-game field access or walk the field following the game through
Gator Upgrades.
In addition, the No. 7-ranked Gators baseball team opens their three-game series with Tennessee on Friday at 5 p.m. at McKethan Stadium. The series continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to enjoy food trucks around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and outside of McKethan Stadium while attending both events.
To cap the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, on Friday night, fans can enjoy a fireworks show from the South end of the stadium after the conclusion of the spring game.
Marcell Harris and the Gators will walk down the east sideline following the game to interact with the fans and sign autographs before they head to the locker room.
For complete information on all the planned activities, see the information below.
GATES
Gates 1-4, 7, 12, 15 and 18 will open at 6 p.m. The Skybox lobby and Evans Champions Club lobby will open at 6 p.m. for fans with a ticket to the luxury areas.
PARKING
Due to UF classes being in session on Friday, April 7, on-campus parking options will be limited until normal parking restrictions are lifted. Fans should adhere to, and be aware of, posted
parking restrictions and times of enforcement, if they choose to park on campus. The following options are available for fans coming to the baseball game or spring game.
Flavet Field will be available for fans to park starting at 2:30 p.m.
The
O'Connell Center parking garage will be available for fans to park on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 3:30 p.m. until full. Fans must enter off the SW 2nd Avenue entrance only into the O'Connell Center parking lot to get into the parking garage.
FREE parking shuttles will start at 3:30 p.m. from the large
Commuter parking lot on Gale Lemerand Drive. It will make two stops: (1) By Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center on Stadium Rd. for the Orange & Blue game and (2) in front of the Lemerand Athletic Center on Stadium Rd. by the right field entrance gate to baseball. The shuttle will run continuously until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the event that ends last.
The main, flat portion of the O'Connell Center parking lot will be reserved parking only.
HONORARY COACHES
The UAA offered two opportunities for fans to serve as honorary coaches at the Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland. Shane Bias and Alexis Pastore were the winners and will serve as
honorary coaches for the Orange and Blue teams, respectively.
Below is a list of what comes with being selected as an honorary coach.
- Honorary Coaches will be outfitted in Florida's Coaches' Gear
- Participation in GatorWalk
- On the field during warm-ups
- Pregame photo with Coach McElwain
- Run out of the South Endzone tunnel with the team
- Join captains on field for coin toss
- Remain on the sidelines during the game
Fans can find more info about being an honorary coach of the game
here.
GATOR UPGRADES
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase any or both unique opportunities surrounding the Orange & Blue Debut through
Gator Upgrades: (1) Pre-Game Field Access or (2) Post-Game Field Access.
- Fans will be able to stand on the east sidelines during the team's pre-game warm-ups prior to kickoff.
- Fans will have the chance to walk the on part of Florida Field and take photos following the conclusion of the game after the team has cleared the field.
- Fans can wish friends and family happy birthday or anniversary on the videoboard
TOURS OF EVANS CHAMPIONS CLUB
Fans interested in premium seating areas will have an opportunity to tour the
Evans Champions Club prior to the spring game. Group tours will begin at 3:30 p.m. Email
premium@gators.ufl.edu for more information or to RSVP.
BUBBA Burger FAN FEST
Booths and activities will be set up on the North End Zone lawn and will be open to fans beginning at 4 p.m.
GATOR WALK
Scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. on the north end of the stadium.
The Gators enter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium following Gator Walk.
FLAG FOOTBALL
University of Florida students had the opportunity to enter a flag football tournament that took place last Saturday inside Florida's Indoor Practice Facility.
All 16 teams must be comprised of UF students. The finals will be played on
Steve Spurrier-Florida Field inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium prior to the start of the Orange & Blue Debut, which is presented by Sunniland.
SWAMP WING COOK-OFF
For the second-straight year, 15 lucky Gators will have the opportunity to showcase their cooking talents during the Swamp Wing Cook-Off. Contestants will be provided 50 wings to cook, however they choose with a chance to win cash prizes for:
- Best Overall Wing ($600 for first place, $300 for second, $150 for third)
- Best Traditional/Wet Wing ($300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third)
- Best Dry Rub Wing ($300 for first place, $200 for second, $100 for third)
Fans should head to the North Endzone lawn to check out the cook-off and see our three celebrity judges.
FIREWORKS
Following the conclusion of the spring game, there will be a fireworks show from the South End of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
(Note: The start of the fireworks show will be delayed if the baseball game is still being played across the street. The show will start once the game ends.)
Here's a look at the fireworks show from the 2016 Orange & Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland.
SEASON TICKETS
Florida football season ticket holders are on sale now for the 2017 season.
The quickest and most efficient way to buy them is online by visiting
"My Account" on floridagators.com. If you'd prefer to speak with someone directly, you can call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683 or visit the Ticket Office on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Details can also be found at
FloridaGators.com/tickets.
