Opening Night: Exactech Arena at the O'Connell Center

With the Gators' home opener at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Wednesday night, fans will notice a lot of changes and a few things that won't change.

Here are – we hope – the answers to most of your questions about what to expect Wednesday night and throughout this season in the Gators' beautiful new home.

Tickets are available for opening night, starting at $15.

Entertainment & Promotions

The renovation included a new center-hung scoreboard, four new corner video boards and chairback seating throughout the entire arena.
UF Alum & country music star Easton Corbin will sing the national anthem on Wednesday.
America's Got Talent contestant & fan favorite Red Panda Acrobat will perform at halftime.
Steve Spurrier will sign copies of his book at Alligator Alley (see details below).
Piesanos post-game layups for kids 6th grade & under.
All fans can donate an unwrapped toy to the Salvation Army.

Gates open 90 minutes before tip.
Fans can enter through Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium at Gate 1, as well as Gate 3 or Gate 4. Students will still enter through Gate 3.

See map at bottom or view a printable PDF version.
Outer concourse connecting all throughout the arena.
Nine new concession stands.

Fan favorite Red Panda will perform at halftime.
New restrooms – There are changing stations in each restroom, as well as the addition of seven family/gender neutral restrooms located throughout the concourse
Two Sport Shop locations inside the main entrance.
Elevators inside Gates 1 & 4 and a guest service area.

The shuttle will run as it did last year, from the commuter lot bus stop on Gale Lemerand to the bus stop outside of Gate 2, and will be reversed following the game.
Pickup will begin 2 hours before tip-off, and return drop-off will run for 60 minutes after the game.
Fans can also park at the Garage 5 parking lot, and get picked up at the stop in the commuter lot.

Open for Wednesday's home opener and each Saturday game, located between gates 3 & 4 on the main concourse level. Opens 90 minutes before tip.