The UCF Knights football team launches its season – and a new era under head coach Scott Frost – with a home opener against South Carolina State at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy the game – and all the fun activities before kickoff.
New Clear Bag Policy
UCF has implemented a clear bag policy at the stadium to provide a safer environment and expedite the entry process. Fans are encouraged not to bring any bags, but if they do, only these are allowed:
Check here for more information.
New Experiences
Frost and his coaching staff won’t be the only new things at the stadium on game day. First, at 4:45 p.m., is Knight Walk, when the team marches through IOA Plaza on their way to the stadium.
Fans will want to be inside the stadium by 6:30 p.m. for the unveiling of a bigger and better high-definition video board and sound system. Then, following the National Anthem, turn your eyes skyward for a flyover by a massive U.S. Air Force HC-130. And if that’s not enough: There will be fireworks before the game and after every Knights touchdown.
Tickets
Season ticket packages and single-game tickets are going fast but still available. Call 407-UCF-1000.
Tailgating
This season, prime tailgating spots on Memory Mall are again available by reservation to students and alumni. And there are 330 spaces available this year – 80 more than in 2015. Memory Mall spots are available only through the Knights on the Mall online reservation system. All spaces are already reserved for Saturday’s game. For the rest of the season, the reservation system will open at 6 p.m. on the Sunday before each home game. The spots go fast, so be ready.
Only Memory Mall requires reservations. Knights fans are welcome to tailgate without reservations in any other allowed areas on campus, and all fans are still welcome to enjoy the food trucks and other activities on Memory Mall.
For pregame fun, the UCF Tailgate Concert Series presented by FM 96.9 The Game and iHeartRadio debuts Saturday on IOA Plaza with a free concert by the Gin Blossoms.
Tailgating activities for the UCF-South Carolina State game will begin at noon in all lots. Fans with reserved spots on Memory Mall can check in starting at 11 a.m.
Pro tip: For tips on becoming king of all tailgaters, check out Pegasus magazine’s Ultimate Tailgating Guide.
Alumni Indoor Tailgate
Head to the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center for the Indoor Tailgate from 4-6 p.m., where alumni and guests will find a free, family-friendly zone. Make sure to show your alumni key card and driver’s license at the door.
Indoor Tailgates feature air-conditioning, clean restrooms, other NCAA games on big screens, a live DJ, a kid-friendly game room, barbecue available for purchase and more.
Parking
Parking is free for fans on campus, although the Gold Zone lots near the stadium require a game day parking permit.
For those with a Gold Zone parking permit, E Lots and Garage F will open at 8 a.m. All other campus lots will open at noon.
As a reminder, UCF will continue to offer $20 cash parking in Garage H on game days, which will be available to all fans. The proceeds fund first-generation scholarships.
Click here for more information about parking.
Shuttles
Fans can avoid game day traffic by parking at Research Pavilion and catching a Park and Ride shuttle. Fans may park at the Research Pavilion building, located at 12424 Research Parkway in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to campus, and be transported to parking lot D1 near Memory Mall. The shuttles start two hours before kickoff and end two hours after the game ends.
Shuttles will continue to pick up students from all the apartment complexes around campus that are normally serviced, except for NorthView, Tivoli and Northgate because they’re so close to the stadium.
Other shuttles will service the Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona, Rosen College and Palm Valley.
Check here for more shuttle information.