Football games are a huge part of UGA’s culture, but they can be super difficult to navigate if you’re not used to the scene. Here are 6 things you should consider before your first UGA football game!
- Clear Bag Policy
Sanford Stadium has a clear bag policy in effect for football games. Bags must be clear and no larger than 12” by 12”
- Empty Water Bottle
Save space and the possibility of having to dump your bottle by bringing an empty bottle to the game. There are multiple water refill stations that are free and available for fans. Want to save space? Take the bottle top off of a plastic water bottle to release the air, and then crumble it up. Once inside, fill the bottle up with water to reform its shape.
- Dawg Walk
Check out Dawg Walk outside the Tate Center Parking Lot two hours and 15 minutes before the start of every home football game. You can cheer on the team, band, and cheerleaders as they will parade to the stadium and get excited before the game starts!
- Get there Early
The student sections can fill up fast! We recommend waiting outside the stadium before gates open so you can ensure that you are able to get a seat in the student section. Waiting until an hour or less before the game might mean you’ll end up in overflow seating away from the action.
- Dress for the Weather
Planning outfits for Game Days is super fun! But you should always be mindful of the weather when getting ready. Many games at the start of the season are in the hottest times of the day, and you’ll likely be there for more than a couple of hours. Bring a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and dress lightly for warm days. Bring layers and hand warmers for the cold games, and bring a rain poncho and waterproof shoes if there’s rain in the forecast.
- Lookout for Game Day Events
UGA’s campus is often full of fun and free activities for students on game days. Follow campus organizations and UGA football team social media accounts to stay in the loop for what’s going on. We’re notorious for hosting tailgates and game days for ESPN Game Day and SEC nation (which basically means freebies & fun before the games)!
Go Dawgs!