ESPN College GameDay comes to Gainesville in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever.
ESPN College GameDay: What You Need to Know
Friday, February 27, 2026 | Men's Basketball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — ESPN's College GameDay Covered by State Farm will return to the O'Connell Center on Saturday, Feb. 28, starting at 10 a.m., ahead of the matchup between No. 7 Florida men's basketball (22-6, 13-2 SEC) and No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks (21-7, 11-4 SEC) at 8:30 p.m., presented by Florida Dairy Farmers.
Timeline for February 28
College GameDay Show Details
College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes
College GameDay Entry Procedures for Students
For safety and fairness, the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association (UAA), and the University Police Department have set the following procedures:
Following a normal game protocol, the first 500 students in line will receive a numbered wristband.
After the College GameDay show, students must exit Gate 3 and reclaim their place in line outside.
Know Before You Go – Arkansas Game
Giveaways & Promotions – Arkansas Game
Ticket Information
This Weekend on Campus
Saturday, February 28
Sunday, March 1
Timeline for February 28
- 8:30 a.m. – Doors open for UF students at Gate 3 (see below for student entry details)
- 8:45 a.m. – Doors open for general public at Gate 1
- 10 a.m. – College GameDay live from the O'Connell Center (free admission)
- The show will last approximately 2 hours, and the arena will be cleared upon conclusion.
- 7:30 p.m. – Doors open to students and general public for Florida vs. Arkansas
- 8:30 p.m. – Tipoff for Florida vs. Arkansas
College GameDay Show Details
- Admission: Free for all UF students and the general public. No tickets required.
- Seating: Available in sections 07-17 and 109-115.
- Parking: First-come, first-served in and Garage 107, located next to the arena. Parking opens at 7:30 AM.
- Concessions: Limited concessions available before and during the show.
- Entry Procedures: Normal O'Connell Center screening and prohibited item policies will be in effect.
College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes
- Free Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuits for first 400 UF Students in line outside Gate 3.
- Jimmy Johns Activation outside Gate 3.
- Free Mi Apa for the first 300 UF at 1:00 PM for students in line outside Gate 3 after College Gameday Concludes.
- Commemorative College GameDay Poster for the first 1,000 fans.
- Enter to win giveaways including two tickets to Arkansas and a 2025 National Championship Team Signed Ball.
- Sign making station on-site courtesy of State Farm, with poster board and markers provided.
- Fans may also bring their own signs to the show.
- All signs will be reviewed, and inappropriate signs will be confiscated.
- No vulgarity, commercial (branded, .com., .net, .org), political, or religious signs allowed.
- Complimentary State Farm rollabanas and net hats (while supplies last).
- Half-court shot contest: One lucky fan will have the chance to win $19,000.
College GameDay Entry Procedures for Students
For safety and fairness, the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association (UAA), and the University Police Department have set the following procedures:
- Students may begin lining up outside Gate 3 on Friday
- Camping outside Gate 3 on Friday night is permitted as an official university activity. Per University regulations (2.016 – Camping, Fishing & Hunting on Campus Prohibited), please note that camping is prohibited on university property unless it is an official university activity.
- The University, UAA, and O'Connell Center are not responsible for unattended items.
Following a normal game protocol, the first 500 students in line will receive a numbered wristband.
- After 500 wristbands are distributed, remaining students will receive a physical ticket stub with a queuing zone number (starting with Zone 1).
After the College GameDay show, students must exit Gate 3 and reclaim their place in line outside.
- All students must return by 1 p.m. to keep their spot in line for the game.
- Students who attend ESPN College GameDay and return by 1 p.m. will enter first.
- Students who did not attend College GameDay will be placed in a separate queue, with entry based on availability.
Know Before You Go – Arkansas Game
- Arrive Early: Avoid Lines, gates open at 7:30 p.m. for both UF students (Gate 3) and the general public gates (Gates 1 & 4).
- Men's Basketball Gameday Parking Info
- Sold Out Game: Only verified resale tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.
- Mobile Tickets: Fans should add tickets and parking passes to their digital wallet before arriving for faster access.
- Student Entry: All active UF students must enter through Gate 3 with a free, claimed season pass. Click here to claim your pass. Possession of a pass does not guarantee entry; admission is first-come, first-served.
- Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN (TV) and Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Radio).
- Florida Basketball Game Day Guide
- Got game day questions? Ask Albert!
Giveaways & Promotions – Arkansas Game
- Air brush t-shirts for 1,000 students in line.
- Alligator Alley (Practice Court - Between Gates 3 & 4): Meet & greet with Gators Spirit Squad,
Florida Dairy Farmers shirts for the first 1,000 fans. Interactive games, activities, and other
giveaways while supplies last before the game
Ticket Information
- Arkansas is Sold Out. Limited tickets are still available for Mississippi State (March 3). Fans can get tickets or place deposits for the 2026-27 season at FloridaGators.com/tickets.
- Student Tickets: Beginning at 7:30 p.m., UF students must enter Exactech Arena via Gate 3 (Southwest side). Entry is first-come, first-served, and capacity will be capped.
- Verified Resale Tickets: Only available through Ticketmaster.com. Avoid unverified resellers. Click here for tips on verifying tickets.
- Will Call: Located at the Exactech Arena Ticket Office (north of Gate 1, near the Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium).
This Weekend on Campus
Saturday, February 28
- Women's Tennis vs. Oklahoma - 1 p.m. | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Sunday, March 1
- Men's Tennis vs. South Carolina – Noon | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Inside Gators Basketball with Todd Golden presented by UF Health 2-27-26
Friday, February 27
Inside Gators Basketball with Todd Golden presented by UF Health
Friday, February 27
Florida Men's Basketball | Head Coach Todd Golden Postgame Press Conference | Texas
Thursday, February 26
Florida Men's Basketball Highlights | Texas Highlights 2-25-26
Thursday, February 26
