LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Central Bank Center is expecting a jam-packed arena as fans return to Memorial Coliseum for Big Blue Madness ticket sales camp-out, one of the school’s most sought-after events. 

At 5 a.m. Saturday, over three dozen rolls of tents were set up by UK basketball fans. This year, the two-day event is seeing some new and returning faces.

Kentucky sports fanatic Scottie Stephens and his son Jameson are camping out for the first time. Traveling nearly two hours from home, the dad and son pair previously made plans to attend before COVID-19. This weekend, the two were able to pick out a spot next to the main lawn and a direct path to the jumbotron where fans watch UK sports events. 

Scottie and Jameson Stephens are first time attendee’s of the Big Blue Madness camp-out, meeting players and more at today’s start of events. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

He says the surrounding fans are annual campers who assured their spot was a significant location to earn the blue and white ticket. 

“The guys in the tents next to us have been at this for years,” he said. “I’ve never gotten this spot before. I’ve been at it for so long and so we’ve just been blessed and lucky to get where we were at this morning apparently.” 

Over three dozen single and multi-person tents aligned the historical yard with lawn chairs, coolers, and more. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

Starting Sunday, Oct. 2, the free tickets will be given out around 9 a.m. For some fans, the pre-ticket distributing tradition includes group tent or space set-up and taking part in other sports-themed fun.

Die-hard fans like John Coffey, one of the former ‘UK Blues Brothers’ fan duo, show off Wildcat collectors’ items. Signed by various players throughout the years, Coffey and a few others held basketballs, visitor passes, and both digital and drawn artwork. 

“This is a print called the ‘Kentucky Wildcat’ which was drawn by Mr. John T. Charles junior, one of my favorite professors from Western Kentucky University” 

Ready to stake out the night, Stephens says he and his son are enjoying the return of the annual ticket sales of the popular practice. Getting to the space early secured the two a chance to meet players firsthand. “Obviously I’m a big UK fan. We try to go to a basketball game and a football game every year and he’s had the time of his life this morning getting his picture taken with Oscar Tshiebwe” 

In 2019, Covid paused what has been an ongoing tradition for dozens of dedicated UK fans.

UK Athletics announced the tip-off to their anticipated first practice for Oct. 14.