Florida-Texas A&M: What You Need to Know - Florida Gators (2024)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –The 2024 Florida football season continues at the Swamp this weekend! The Gators are set to kick off Saturday afternoon as they begin SEC play against Texas A&M, presented by NARCAN, inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and toadd theirMobile Ticketsand digital parking passes to their digital walletprior to heading to the stadium for faster andmore efficient gate access.

Parking on Gameday

Campus released the following statement earlier this week on social media regarding game day parking and the issue that occurred last Saturday.

Last Saturday there was a miscommunication on game day that caused parking issues for some of you, and this has been resolved by campus.As in the past, all parking that has traditionally been available for tailgating will remain available for the Texas A&M game and the remainder of the season.

We can't wait to see you and thank you for making The Swamp the most iconic and revered home field advantage in all of sports. Go Gators!

The UAA has customized theWaze Traffic Appfor Game Day to help fans avoid restricted on-campus streets and find the best route to their desired parking location. Select a lot from your mobile device or desktop computer, and theWaze Appwill provide the best available route to the entrance of the destination.

  • Eligible accounts will receive digital passes. For more information contact (352) 375-4683 ext. 5000
  • Fans should be aware ofroad closuresaround campus for game day festivities, security, and construction. (Learn More)

A limited number of lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These lots fill up quickly. Parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.

MORE PARKING INFORMATION

Shuttles

As public parking lots are very limited around the stadium, fans can take advantage of the availableshuttles. Game ride tickets can be purchased using the GoRTS Fares Transit app (Apple|Android) in advance, or on the day of the game using a credit card. Tickets can also be purchased at Park and Ride locations on the day of the game with cash only.

MORE SHUTTLE INFORMATION

Campus Access

The following restrictions go into effect three hours prior to kickoff.

  • If you are trying to accessGale Lemerand Drivenorth ofMuseum Road, you will need a parkingpass startingfourhours before the game.
  • Fans should also be aware thatFletcher Driveis no longer a two-way street. Turning south from University Avenue is not permitted.
  • Starting three hours prior to kickoff, no vehicular traffic will be allowed until the end of the game on the following roads:
    • West University Avenue between Gale Lemerand Drive to NW 17th Street.
    • Gale Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road
    • Stadium Road from Gale Lemerand Drive and Fletcher Drive

Welcome Back to the Swamp!

  • Visit the new Football Gameday page for a detailed timeline, and much more!
  • A limited number of tickets are available for the Texas A&M game by clicking here.
  • SEC Network's signature traveling shows will broadcast live on campus at the Plaza of the Americas on Saturday morning. Marty & McGee featuring Marty Smith and Ryan McGee will start at 9:00 a.m. SEC Nation will be hosted by Florida graduate Laura Rutledge who will be joined by Gator great Tim Tebow, Paul Finebaum, Jordan Rodgers and Roman Harper starting at 10:00 a.m.
  • Gator Walkbegins 2 hours and 20 minutes before kickoff.
  • Check out The Gatorland Fan Fest and pick up a Gators hand fan, football poster, and schedule magnet at the Gatorade truck.
  • The first 2,000 UF students will receive a cooling towel between Gates 12 and 13, courtesy of American Campus Communities.
  • Refuel at the "Grab N Go Gators" concession store inside Gate 18.
  • EntertheGators 50|50 Raffle, presented by the UF Bookstore and benefitting Florida Victorious to assist in providing NIL opportunities for Gator student athletes.
  • Emmitt Smith, College Football Hall of Famer, will be the honorary "Mr. Two Bits".
  • Enjoy enhanced team entrance with fireworks, flame towers, lights and smoke on the field.
  • It will be Championship Reunion Weekend, as members of the Gators' championship teams, celebrating their 10-, 25-, and 50-year anniversaries, return to campus to be honored, saluted, and cheered.
  • Fans can still secure seats for all remaining home games in The Swamp with matchups including UCF (Oct. 5), Kentucky (Oct. 19), LSU (Nov. 16) and Ole Miss (Nov. 23). Click here to see which ticket option best suits you.

Know Before You Go

  • Arrive earlyas general public gates openat 2 p.m.
  • Premium location entranceswill open at 1:30p.m.
  • Fans are encouraged to followWaze AppforDirectionsand Road Closures.
  • Be sure to check out The Swamp's clear bag policy before entering the stadium.
  • Don't Wait Until the Gate:For faster andmore efficient gate access, fans should be ready by adding theirMobile Ticketsto their digital wallet.This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium.
  • Fans are encouraged to arrive earlyto enjoy pregame activities.
  • Kickoffis at 3:30 p.m.
  • Got game day questions? Ask Albert

Gates Open 90 Minutes Before Kickoff

General public gates at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will open at2 p.m.this weekend, while premium areas will open at1:30p.m.For faster andmore efficient gate access, fans should be ready by adding theirMobile Ticketsto their digital wallet.This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium.

Join The Pregame Fun

Tailgating, Gator Walk Village and the Gatorland Fan Festset the tone for the action in The Swamp.

The Gatorland Fan Festwill be located on the lawn outside Gate 2 of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center starting at 12:30 p.m. Fans can enjoy live music, a live broadcastof the Gators Sports Network pregame show (starting at 12:30 p.m.) as well as sponsorship giveaways.Fans who visit The Gatorland Fan Fest can pick up hand fans, football posters, schedule magnets, and orange & blue shakers while supplies last.

Once in the stadium, fans can enjoy connectivity with #GatorsWIFI, watch another game on the video scoreboards and make sure they are in place for all of the pre-game activities, including Honorary Two Bits, the mascot entrance, the Gators Marching Band and team entrance. Gators Always, Swamp Open, & Thunderstruck videos have a new look this season.

Fans can swing by theGator Sportshopto gear up with the latest Gators swag.

MORE PRE-GAME FESTIVITY INFORMATION

Gators 50|50 Raffle

The Florida Gators are excited to announce that the Florida Victorious Foundation will be managing the 50|50 Raffle for all 2024 Florida Gators football home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, presented by the UF Bookstore. Featuring an extended format that opens the Sunday following each home game through the exciting 4th-quarter drawing, more Gator fans than ever before will be able to participate in the 50/50 Raffle online and in The Swamp. Entries must be made while located in the state of Florida and proceeds support Florida Victorious, the Official NIL partner of the Florida Gators.

ENTER THE GATORS 50|50 RAFFLE NOW

Food & Concessions

The 4,000-square-foot Grab "N" Go Gators, located inside Gate 18, is the most convenient way to enjoy Saturdays in the Swamp.

In partnership with the UAA's concessionaire Sodexo Live, Grab N Go Gators, located by Gate 18, features a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, limited hot food and assorted candies and snacks.

The store is equipped with roll up doors for easy access, and its 12 points of sale and latest payment technology make fueling up during Gators games a seamless experience. Grab N Go Gators is a cashless store and will only accept electronic payments.

Additional grab-and-go concessions are also available throughout the stadium:

  • Shock Top Helix (Gate 7) and the High Noon Helix (Gate 8) on the north side of the stadium
  • Sip N Skip, Gate 9
  • Gators Food Patio on the west side of the stadium (Gate 1)
  • Section 60
  • Section 52

The Gators Food Patio on the West side of the stadium provides a variety of food options, including Classic Italian, MoschellasSpecial, Chicken Spady andCaprese Sub sandwiches. Additionally, fans can enjoy jumbo cookies, kettle corn, caramel corn and candy, as well as a variety of beers.

Concession areas are also conveniently located in the North end of the stadium in the Shock Top Helix and the High Noon Helix by Gates 7 and 8. Fans can enjoy BBQ, sausage and peppers, burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, cheese steakand loaded nachos. Beverages include Modelo, Shock Top, the new pineapple High Noon and 24ozBud Light Lite along with nonalcoholic beverages.

A selection of Cutwater Spirits in the form of distilled, mixers and ready-to-go canned cocktails are available inside Gate 7. Cutwater is available in a variety of flavors this year for Gator fans to enjoy throughout the football season. Choose from Cutwater Vodka Mule, Rum Tiki Punch, and Pineapple Margarita.

West University Avenue, adjacent to Gator Walk Village, will feature these food trucks on Saturday:

  • B'z Gelati
  • Sweet Meat
  • Rollin Sliders
  • Mayflower
  • Big Lee's
  • Cilantro
  • Monsta Lobsta
  • Rastarfar

The trucks will open at 3:30 p.m.

Mobile Tickets

To improve security, reduce the risk of ticket fraud and improve fan convenience, all tickets for Florida Gators athletic events can be accessed through a mobile device.

  • Download the Florida Gators App (App Store|Google Pay).
  • Don't Wait Until the Gate:For faster, more efficient gate access, log into your ticket account and add yourtickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay account. This will greatly reduce issues entering the stadium. (Learn How)
  • Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted.
  • Beware of fraudulent tickets! There are only three sources authorized to sell tickets to Florida Gators home games: Ticketmaster, the Florida Gators Ticket Office, the Visiting Team's Ticket Office. Purchasing tickets through any other source is strongly discouraged and tickets purchased from any other source may not grant admission to the game. Fans should avoid purchasing tickets from individuals they do not know, especially individuals selling paper tickets. For more information, click here.

Forticketing assistanceon game day, fans shouldvisit the ticket office located atGate 1 of the O'Connell Centerthat opens at 12:30 p.m. or Gator Booster lobby between Gate 7 and 8 that opens at 2 p.m.

Parking on Gameday

The UAA has customized theWaze Traffic Appfor Game Day to help fans avoid restricted on-campus streets and find the best route to their desired parking location. Select a lot from your mobile device or desktop computer, and theWaze Appwill provide the best available route to the entrance of the destination.

  • Eligible accounts will receive digital passes. For more information contact (352) 375-4683 ext. 5000
  • Fans should be aware ofroad closuresaround campus for game day festivities, security, and construction. (Learn More)

A limited number of lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These lots fill up quickly. Parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.

MORE PARKING INFORMATION

Shuttles

As public parking lots are very limited around the stadium, fans can take advantage of the availableshuttles. Game ride tickets can be purchased using the GoRTS Fares Transit app (Apple|Android) in advance, or on the day of the game using a credit card. Tickets can also be purchased at Park and Ride locations on the day of the game with cash only.

MORE SHUTTLE INFORMATION

Campus Access

The following restrictions go into effect three hours prior to kickoff.

  • If you are trying to accessGale Lemerand Drivenorth ofMuseum Road, you will need a parkingpass startingfourhours before the game.
  • Fans should also be aware thatFletcher Driveis no longer a two-way street. Turning south from University Avenue is not permitted.
  • Starting three hours prior to kickoff, no vehicular traffic will be allowed until the end of the game on the following roads:
    • West University Avenue between Gale Lemerand Drive to NW 17th Street.
    • Gale Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road
    • Stadium Road from Gale Lemerand Drive and Fletcher Drive

Staying Cool & Hydrated

The environment at the Swamp can provide a unique advantage on the field. But in the stands, it is important for fans to remain cool and hydrated.

Fans can bring one commercially produced (ex. Aquafina) empty plastic water bottle (max 20 oz) and fill up at the several filling stations inside the stadium.

Restrooms

Insidethe Stadium:Please refer to theStadium Map.

Outside the Stadium:Before entering the stadium, fans may utilize restrooms located across campus.

Starting at 8 a.m.

  • Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex

Starting at 11 a.m.

  • Flavet Field Restroom building
  • Reitz Union Welcome Center
  • Architecture Building
  • Turlington Hall
  • Florida Gym
  • Music Building
  • Steinbrenner Building
  • Stuzin Hall
  • UF Law School

Starting at 10:30 a.m.

  • Stephen C. O'Connell Center (Gate 1 Lobby)

Mobile Restroom Unitswill also be available throughout campus, starting at9 a.m.on game day.

  • Parking Garage 109
  • Parking Garage 114
  • UF Library West
  • UF Music Building
  • North Lawn of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gator Walk Village
  • RV City at CondronFamily Ballpark --Openfor RV City users starting Fridayafter 4 p.m.
  • McCarty Drive

For a map of restrooms around campus, clickhere.

Family Restroomsare for those fans with small children and guests with disabilities, and are located on the West side of the Stadium inside the Gate 2 corridor between sections 6 and 8, and behind section 15. Prior to kickoff and before entering the Stadium, fans may utilize the restrooms inside the main atrium of Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Nursing Suites are available for nursing mothers or women bottle-feeding children, and are located between Gates 15 and 16. Parents can access the Nursing Suite 90 minutes prior to kickoff, in line with regular stadium entry, and the suite will close 20 minutes after the conclusion of a game.

Baby Changing Stationsare located in various restrooms throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

  • North End Zone: Gate 8 (Women's) & Gate 7 (Men's)
  • South End Zone: Gate 18 (Men's)
  • East Side: Section 36 (Women's) & Section 40 (Men's)
  • West Side: Gate 2 (Men's & Women's)

In-Game Experience and Traditions

The Swamp is home to one of the most unique environments in college football. Once in their seats, fans will be able to experience and take part in the traditions that make Gator Nation on of the most exciting fanbases in college football:

UF Marching Band
Arrive early and stay in your seats at halftime, so you don't miss a special performance by the University of Florida's Fightin' Gator Marching Band.

I Won't Back Down
Florida Gator fans honor Gainesville, Fla. native Tom Petty in between the third and fourth quarters by singing "I Won't Back Down", one of the late artist's biggest hits. The song first played on Saturday, Oct. 2017, against the LSU Tigers in which 90,000 fans sang along.

Honorary Two Bits
Join in one of the Swamp's most iconic moments prior to kickoff with the Celebrity "Mr. Two Bits" cheer. .

MORE TRADITIONS INFORMATION

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Florida-Texas A&M: What You Need to Know - Florida Gators (2024)

FAQs

What is Florida Gators known for? ›

Since then, the Gators have played in thirty-seven bowl games, won three national championships (1996, 2006, 2008) and eight Southeastern Conference championships, and produced 138 All-Americans, forty-two National Football League (NFL) first-round draft choices and three Heisman Trophy winners.

What are some fun facts about the Florida Gators football team? ›

Florida has appeared in ten SEC Championship Games more than any other team. The Gators appeared in the first five SEC Championship Games (faced Alabama four times and Arkansas one time). Florida is 7-3 in SEC Championship Games. The Gators have won 8 SEC Championships.

How many players from the 2008 Florida Gators made it to the NFL? ›

The Gators finished the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. Of the team's 120-player roster, 30 members went on to have stints in the NFL. Bleacher Report has often named the 2008 Florida Gators as one of the greatest college football teams of all time.

What is the motto of the Florida Gators? ›

A Giving Gator's Motto: “Learn, Earn, Return.” - University of Florida Advancement.

What are some fun facts about UF? ›

Fun facts about UF: 🦇 Our campus is home to the world's largest occupied bat house. 🐊The student-run Independent Alligator newspaper is the largest student newspaper in the U.S. 🌊 There are not just one but two lakes on campus. 🦋 UF's McGuire Center has the most moth and butterfly specimens in the world.

Why is UF mascot a gator? ›

With the state of Florida being home to millions of alligators, the "gator" proved a popular choice among members of the student body, and the Florida football team began to refer to itself as the "Gators" during the 1911 fall season.

Who is the most famous Florida Gator football player? ›

Tim Tebow won two national championships. Steve Spurrier was the first Gator to win the Heisman Trophy. Emmitt Smith had the most rushing yards in a single Gators game with 316 yards in 1989 against New Mexico.

Who is the Gators biggest rivals? ›

Historically, Florida's key conference rivals include Georgia (played in Jacksonville usually around Halloween), Tennessee (historically played in mid-September), and LSU, though other conference rivalries have resulted in memorable games over the years.

How many 2008 Gators went to jail? ›

The 2008 National Champion Florida Gators had 141 players. 41 of these players were arrested.

Who is the most successful NFL player from University of Florida? ›

In 2004, Smith retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards, and a record 164 rushing touchdowns. A distinguished alumnus, he was enshrined into the hall of fames for UF Athletics, the College of Health and Human Performance and College Football.

Which Florida Gators made it to the NFL? ›

The list includes NFL Hall of Famers Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams) and Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys), and countless other Pro Bowlers such as Wilber Marshall (Chicago Bears), Kevin Carter (Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams) and Fred Taylor (Jacksonville Jaguars).

What is a gator Florida slang? ›

Gator. Of course, no list of Florida slang would be complete without gator. Short for alligator, you'll find gators nearly everywhere in Florida. They can be seen on the side of the road, lurking in nearly every body of water and have even been known to knock on people's front doors in the middle of the night.

Why does Florida Gators have Jordan logo? ›

"Florida basketball strives to be on the cutting edge of innovation and excitement for our players and fans, so partnering with the Jordan Brand is a truly unique way to further enhance the elite status of what it means to be a Gator."

What is Florida Gators chant? ›

Said before the start of each home football game:

Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar; All for the Gators, stand up and holler!

Why is Florida famous for alligators? ›

Alligators depend on the wetlands, and in many ways, the wetlands depend on them, as they help control the population of rodents and other animals that might overtax the marshland vegetation. The American alligator, Florida's state reptile, is an important part of Florida's wetland habitats.

What is UF famous for? ›

Located in the heart of the "Gator Nation," the University of Florida offers "one of the best educations in the nation." Students are proud that UF is "the best state school in Florida" and "one of the top public universities in the nation"; they also love that it's "a great school with a large alumni network," that ...

What is Florida known for crocodiles? ›

American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are a shy and reclusive species. They live in coastal areas throughout the Caribbean, and occur at the northern end of their range in south Florida. They live in brackish or saltwater areas, and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps.

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