LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky football season launches on Aug. 31, with the Wildcats playing under the lights against Southern Miss at Kroger Field.

Before heading to the game, here is some information fans will need to know.

Parking

Parking permits are digital and will be scanned at lot entry, so be sure to have your mobile permit ready. You may also be asked to show the permit on your phone before arriving at your lot entrance. 

RV parking update: For those who are next level tailgaters, on-board generators are permitted. Exterior or pull-along generators must have an exhaust extension.

For safety reasons, all motor homes/RVs are required to utilize exhaust extensions or “smoke stacks” to channel exhaust fumes to the top of the motor home/RV.

Tickets

The Kroger Field ticket office, located between gates 9 and 10, opens four hours prior to kickoff and closes five minutes into the third quarter. Advance ticket sales are strongly encouraged, and payment cards are the preferred method of payment over cash.

A variety of ticket options are still available for select games during the 2024 season. For more information, visit the UK Athletics ticketing website.

Tailgating

Fans are asked to not set up tents or trailers in the Kroger Field complex prior to noon on Fridays leading up to game day. Also, all vehicles, tents and trailers must be removed by noon on Sundays following game day.

Gates open

UK Athletics has fully transitioned to mobile ticketing at all venues. Fans are encouraged to view tickets and save them to a smartphone’s digital wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Pay) before arriving at Kroger Field.

Fans should enter the stadium at the assigned gate that will be listed on their mobile ticket.

Self-service pedestal scanners will be in place at most Kroger Field entrances for scanning tickets. Screenshots and screen recordings of tickets cannot be used, as they will not scan.

A clear bag policy is in effect. 

Key reminders

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and expect large crowds throughout the season. Leave plenty of time to get to Kroger Field to avoid late rushes into the stadium.

There are eight home games this season at Kroger Field: Southern Miss (Aug. 31), South Carolina (Sept. 7), Georgia (Sept. 14), Ohio (Sept. 21), Vanderbilt (Oct. 12), Auburn (Oct. 26), Murray State (Nov. 16) and Louisville (Nov. 30.

KICKOFF

Kentucky’s 2024 season officially gets underway at 7:45 p.m. against Southern Miss. The game is being broadcast on the SEC Network. To find out which Spectrum channel the SEC Network is on in your area, you can go to our channel line up page.