New Things You Need To Know For Texas Tech Home Football Games

Another year of football season here and there are some new changes to the Jones AT&T Stadium you need to know about.

Due to the ongoing construction project at the south end zone and Womble Football Center, Texas Tech highly encourages fans to arrive to Jones AT&T Stadium early each game as capacity crowds are expected for each home game.

“I am excited for our fans to be able to see the progress being made on the $230 million south end zone construction project,” Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. “Knowing that stadium access is going to be significantly different this year, we ask that fans make plans to enter Jones AT&T Stadium much earlier than previous seasons. With reduced entry points at Gates 1 and 6, as well as no pedestrian access between the stadium and Sports Performance Center, it will require more time than normal to enter into the stadium.”

NAVIGATING IN AND AROUND THE STADIUM

One of the most notable changes around Jones AT&T Stadium will be the closing of Sixth Street each gameday, namely the area between the ongoing south end zone construction site and the Sports Performance Center. This area will be closed to pedestrian traffic on gameday due to the construction project and to ensure both teams can safely reach their locker room in a timely manner.

Fans with seats on the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium are encouraged to enter through Gate 3 this season and use the north inner concourse to reach their section. Students, meanwhile, can utilize either Gate 4 or Gate 6 this season and can do so via University Avenue or through the pedestrian sidewalk on Marsha Sharp Freeway. The impact of construction will also impact Gates 1 and 6 with fewer entry points than in previous seasons.

There will not be a concourse area in the south portion of the stadium this season due to construction.

NEW SEATING LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED

Texas Tech previously announced this summer that it will relocate student seating and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland from the south end zone to new sections this season. As part of its revised seating structure, the Goin' Band from Raiderland will move to section 23 on the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium. Additionally, student seating from the south end zone will be relocated to sections 113 and 114 in the northeast corner of the stadium.

Texas Tech students will continue to occupy the majority of the lower bowl on the east side of the stadium, ranging from sections 13-17 on the northeast side as well as 20-22 in the southeast corner. The student section will still account for 22 percent of the capacity of Jones AT&T Stadium. Students are reminded they can enter through Gates 4 or 6 this season by showing a valid Texas Tech ID.

AT&T UPGRADES CELLULAR SERVICE

Texas Tech, in partnership with longtime sponsor AT&T, upgraded the cellular service inside Jones AT&T Stadium this summer to specifically increase the capacity to make phone calls and send SMS text messages. The process is part of an upgrade of the digital antenna system throughout the stadium to a 5G connection. Texas Tech is currently in the initial stages of exploring a permanent fan-facing Wi-Fi solution for future seasons.

FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS

Night games at Jones AT&T Stadium are already special. Beginning this season, they’ll get even better as Texas Tech has installed a new lighting system that will allow for choreographed patterns designed to music during its pregame entertainment, in-between quarters and after touchdowns. The lighting system, designed by Musco, using its Total Light Control technology, also allows athletes to track ball flight better using pinpoint lighting, all while lowering total operating costs.

In addition, the Oregon game will mark Texas Tech’s first on its new playing surface that was completed earlier this month. Texas Tech contracted the services of Hellas for its new playing surface, utilizing the company’s latest technology that has been installed recent at several NFL facilities, including The Star in Frisco and AT&T Stadium and SoFi Stadium, among others.

NEW FOOD

Texas Tech will add a second grab-and-go marketplace this season following the success of its initial location near Gate 1 (southwest corner). The new “Take Three Marketplace” will be near Gate 4 (northeast corner), allowing fans a quick process to purchase a variety of beer options, seltzers, canned cocktails, soft drinks and snacks as part of a self-checkout stand. The two marketplace locations are among the first at athletic venues across the country, which provides fans the opportunity to return to their seat quickly to not miss any of the action.

RAIDER WALK

Raider Walk will have a new path this season as head coach Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders will depart the team buses at the intersection of Glenna Goodacre Blvd. and University Avenue and proceed west behind the outdoor practice fields and the Sports Performance Center. Fans are encouraged to line the streetway to greet the Red Raiders each gameday beginning two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff.

NEW SECONDARY TICKET PROVIDER IN SEATGEEK

Texas Tech will have a new secondary ticket provider this season in SeatGeek. Texas Tech is already sold out of its primary ticket inventory for both the Oregon and Houston games and is nearly a similar capacity crowd for its final non-conference game against Tarleton State. Fans unable to purchase tickets for those three games through Texas Tech can do so via SeatGeek.

PREGAME PARTY AT RAIDER ALLEY

There isn't a better spot on gameday than Raider Alley presented by Bud Light. Raider Alley opens four hours prior to kickoff each Saturday, featuring plenty of entertainment for fans of all ages in the heart of the Texas Tech campus. Raider Alley will be headlined each week by a pregame musical act beginning two hours prior to kickoff each week. The Raider Alley Concert Series is sponsored by Davis Smith Law Firm and will feature exciting acts roughly two hours prior to kickoff each week during the season. Texas Tech will announce details regarding Raider Alley activities for the Thursday night contest with TCU in the coming weeks.

FULLY CASHLESS

Jones AT&T Stadium is a fully cashless venue at all points of sale, including with the Texas Tech Ticket Office, all concession stands and with Red Raider Outfitter, the new gameday retailer of Texas Tech Athletics. All points of sale will accept credit and debit cards as well as contactless payment methods.

100 PERCENT MOBILE TICKETS

As a reminder, Texas Tech will continue to utilize mobile tickets, which can be downloaded to any Apple Wallet or Google Pay account prior to arrival at the stadium. For questions, please contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH.

SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR FANS

Citibus will provide roundtrip shuttle service beginning three hours prior to kickoff until one hour after the conclusion of the game at only $5 per person. Pick-up is located north of the John Walker Soccer Complex (Texas Tech Parkway & 10th Street) and northwest of Health Sciences Center (ADA Only, Texas Tech Parkway & 5th Street). Citibus will also provide fans shuttle service from the gameday parking lots to Raider Alley this season as part of its gameday transportation. The drop-off location on the north end of the Engineering Key is in addition to the normal Citibus gameday route.

Beginning this year, Citibus will only accept payment through the “Go Pass” app. Signage and QR codes will be available near each pickup location on gameday.

TEXAS TECH RE-ENTRY POLICY

Re-entry into Jones AT&T Stadium will not be permitted throughout the 2023 season. Fans must have a new ticket for admission back into the stadium.

NO SMOKING OR VAPING ALLOWED

Jones AT&T Stadium is a smoke-free facility (includes electronic cigarettes and vaping). There are no smoking areas within the stadium. Fans wishing to smoke outside the stadium will need a new ticket for admission.

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Texas Tech's clear bag policy will remain in effect for all athletic venues during the 2023-24 athletic year. Fans will be able to bring the following style and size bag or package into the venue:

- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12."

- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).

- Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the venue with one of the clear plastic bags.

- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.

- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be permitted into Jones AT&T Stadium.

Fans will once again be allowed to bring an unopened 20 ounce (or less) bottle of water into any outdoor athletics venue on campus this year. Please note that frozen water will not be allowed through the stadium gates. Opened bottles other than 20 ounce (or less) bottles will not be permitted. Empty drink containers are allowed into Jones AT&T Stadium and all athletic venues.

Guests carrying medically necessary bags or equipment into a venue will be required to have their bag inspected and tagged by security. For questions about medical equipment or other needs, please contact the Athletics Operations office at 806-834-7111.