The excitement is building, Husker nation is gearing up for the first game of the season as thousands of people will be pouring into Lincoln on Saturday. UNL wants fans to be aware of a couple of changes to the stadium experience.
The game kicks off at 7pm, and the stadium parking lots will open for fans at 11am.
There won't be many changes inside the stadium for fans, but outside there are some things to pay attention to.
The university says gates 1, 6, 8, 18, 19, 21, and 22 will close after kickoff. That will happen so security can be more efficient when screening people coming back in and out of the game.
Also, the handicapped parking has been re-located to the parking garage and surface lot on Salt Creek Roadway east of 14th Street. The university says there are no worries so far for the night game weather.
“The first go-around travel light, weather-wise it sounds like we’re going to be in the upper 70s low 60s by the end of the game so we’ll be alright there,” said Butch Hug, UNL Associate Athletic Dir. of Events.
Fans are encouraged to get to the stadium with plenty of time to get to their seats.
The athletic department says they can scan tickets that are designed for your phone, but don't print them off and bring them to be scanned.
Here's the latest Gameday information from the University of Nebraska:
Memorial Stadium policies remain largely unchanged from 2015 with the exception of gate closures shortly following kickoff. Gates 1, 6, 8, 18, 19, 21 and 22 will close after kickoff. If a gate is closed, fans can use the next open gate to gain access into the stadium. Fans will be required to open outer garments for visual inspection upon entry. A summary of other policies follows.
Tickets at all gates will be scanned with an optical reader for entrance and re-entry. No re-entry is allowed after the start of the fourth quarter.
Fans will again have the ability to utilize Memorial Stadium's text-messaging service. For fan assistance, text to 69050 and start messages with UNLPD. Standard text message rates will apply.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln students will be seated in Sections 9 through 14 in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium, and all student seating is general admission. Students with tickets for East Stadium seating (Sections 9, 10 and 11) must pick up a required wristband at the tent east of Gate 23 beginning four hours prior to kickoff each game. When stadium gates open, students will enter Memorial Stadium through Gate 23. Wristbands are not required for students with tickets for South Stadium seating (Sections 12, 13 and 14, entering through Gate 24). Student tickets are linked to students' valid NCard, which will be scanned at the gate for admission. They must be scanned in and out like a regular ticket. Student ticket transfers may be done to other students enrolled at the university. All transfers are done electronically from ticket accounts at http://www.huskers.com. Student-to-student transfers go directly onto the transferee's NCard at no charge. Tickets may be transferred one time to one person, so it is important that the original ticket holder send the invitation to the intended recipient as it is not possible to transfer to a third party. Students may not transfer tickets to non-students.
Fans are asked to help the "Go Green for Big Red" recycling program by depositing plastic bottles and cups in marked recycling bins near trash receptacles.
Memorial Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff and ticket holders are encouraged to enter the gate number printed on tickets. Fans are encouraged to "travel light" when trying to gain entry to Memorial Stadium as all fans and their belongings are subject to inspection at stadium entrances. Fans are encouraged to review the list of prohibited items at http://www.huskers.com. All prohibited items must be discarded at the gate or returned to a vehicle or hotel room.
The Husker Nation Pavilion will be back for its 13th year, with most activities taking place on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice field, northeast of Memorial Stadium. It will open three hours prior to kickoff and provide free and fun activities for families, games, music, autograph signings and appearances by current and former athletes across many sports.
Stadium Drive on the west side of the stadium will also have food vendors and some game-related activities.
MEMORIAL STADIUM POLICIES:
> The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic open four hours prior to kickoff.
> Mobile tickets will be accepted; tickets can be stored on mobile devices and scanned at the gates. The mobile 2-D barcode cannot be printed and scanned.
> Bags larger than 13.5 inches by 10 inches by 7 inches will not be allowed in the stadium. Security will use containers at the entrances to measure bags.
> Outside chairbacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium. About 20,000 chairback seats will be available for rental at $5 each.
> Escalator and elevator access will be restricted to those fans holding tickets to their respective areas in the premium level and the 600 East Stadium level.
> A free bike valet service will be provided at Cook Pavilion by UNL Campus Recreation. For details, go to http://bike.unl.edu/bikevalet.
> Memorial Stadium, like all university buildings, is a non-smoking area (this includes electronic cigarettes or other forms of electronic smoking). Those who want to smoke must leave the stadium to do so. Tickets will be scanned for exiting and re-entry. Re-entry is available prior to the start of the fourth quarter at open gates. Persons re-entering the stadium are subject to rescreening.
> The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: guns, knives, bags larger than security containers, glass, cans, coolers, beverage containers, video cameras, open umbrellas and pets. People will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicles, hotel room or home. Bags and other items that pass size restrictions are allowed but are subject to search. Plastic water bottles are permitted but may be inspected. The use of selfie sticks inside Memorial Stadium is prohibited and may result in confiscation of the device if seen used. Camera use is permitted but the camera must pass size restrictions of gate security containers.
> Food and beverages from approved game-day vendors selling on university grounds are allowed inside the stadium. All other outside food and beverages are prohibited. Certain situations may arise (e.g., extreme heat) that initiate exceptions to this policy. The university and the athletic department will communicate to the public if exceptions will be made.
> Alcoholic beverages of any type are not allowed in the stadium. In addition, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in city and university parking lots and property.
> The university does not permit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on or over the campus on football game days.
> Throwing of any object in the stadium is prohibited. Any person throwing any object is subject to immediate removal from the stadium. Rules allow game officials to penalize the home team if objects are thrown onto the playing field.
> Nebraska event staff or security personnel can help with any problems fans may encounter. If fans become separated from friends, they should report to any First Aid station or Guest Services booth for assistance.
> Lost and found areas are located in the Guest Relations and Security Offices in both the East and West stadiums.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
> Most parking lots on City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Most lots surrounding the stadium have been converted to reserved stalls, with patrons assigned to specific numbered stalls. Paid public parking on City Campus is available at $20 per stall in the Parking Garage at 17th and R streets.
> Parking for people with disabilities is available for $20 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis in Booster Lots 5 and 9 on the south side of Salt Creek Roadway between Stadium Drive and 14th Street northeast of Memorial Stadium. Lots 5 and 9 have free cart shuttle service to the stadium for mobility-impaired guests. This shuttle is radio equipped and will be stationed during the game at the northeast corner of the stadium and on the east side for those patrons needing to return to their vehicles. Contact the athletics ticket office at 402-472-3111 for pre-purchase opportunities. Charter and shuttle bus parking is available on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.
> Parking lots will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled before 6 p.m.; for games that start at 6 p.m. or later, lots will open at 11 a.m. Lots at Haymarket Park will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled at 11 a.m; all other kickoff times, these lots will open at 8 a.m.
> Two vans will transport patrons from the 17th and R Parking Garage to the east side or the northwest corner of Memorial Stadium. This is a convenient ADA drop-off point for patrons who cannot walk long distances.
> Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on game days.
> StarTran will offer the Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln. The cost is $5 each way or $10 round trip. Season passes are available for $60. For additional information, go to http://startran.lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-476-1234.
> The taxi cab dropoff/pickup location will be at the corner of 14th and Vine streets east of the stadium, and north of Memorial Stadium on Salt Creek Roadway. Other passenger dropoff and pickup will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after games. The recommended dropoff location is 12th and R streets.
> Up-to-date statewide road information can be found at http://nebraskatransportation.org. Highway conditions and a brief weather report can be obtained by calling 511 on a landline or cell phone.
> Stadium Drive is closed from T to V streets beginning at 7 a.m. on game days. Access to Lots 1, 3, 4 and 6 are via T Street. New traffic patterns have been established on the streets around Memorial Stadium. No vehicles will have access to the southbound Ninth Street roundabout pre- and post-game. Southbound Ninth Street will be limited to one lane pre- and post-game. Northbound 10th Street will be limited to two lanes post game. Northbound traffic from 14th Street will be directed onto Salt Creek Roadway eastbound only. No southbound traffic will be allowed onto 14th Street from Salt Creek Roadway. Southbound traffic from the 14th and Avery Parking Garage (Lot 9) will be directed south to W Street, then east to 16th.
