LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s going to get rowdy Thursday night.
College football returns to Louisville on Sept. 7 as the Cardinals host their home opener against Murray State University.
Fans speculate the contest game could have the largest attendance since before the pandemic. Why? Not only did the Cardinals thrill fans with a come-from-behind win against Georgia Tech, the team is riding high on the Jeff Brohm being their new head coach. Brohm is a Cardinal alum and former assistant coach, so he’s no new cowboy on campus.
“That was one of the first things I noticed. As soon as Coach Brohm got hired, our phones were ringing off the hook and we’ve got a waiting list that are trying to get in,” that was Mike Tabler, a day before Murray State comes to town.
Tabler calls himself a “professional tailgater,” and one operator of the Gate 1 Club, across the street from L&N Stadium. It’s one of the most popular tailgating venues in Louisville. The site has been hosting pre-game parties for nearly 20 years and for half that time Tabler has had a hand in hosting game day celebrations.
“I think it’s going to be packed. I think there’s going to be a lot of folks,” Tabler predicts of the game’s turnout.
Tabler can park about 100 cars out back and has thousands of square feet in warehouse space that would make a beer hall jealous.
“They throw Frisbee, they throw football, there’s a lot of kids that come to this tailgate and it’s great for the parents and we will actually have high top tables where you can stand and eat,” Tabler describes the game-day setup.
And speaking of which, parking lots open five hours before kickoff and stadium gates open 90 minutes before. The stadium has gone all digital, so no more printing tickets at home. Also, no screen shots of tickets are allowed.
Kickoff against Murray State is 7:30 p.m. Eastern.