Red Raider Nation, are you game-day ready? 🏈 Our 101st season kicks off with record-breaking drone shows, new ticketing, and upgraded fan experiences! From Raider Alley concerts to essential stadium policies, we’ve got everything you need to know for Saturday. Will you be there to witness history?
The highly anticipated 101st season of Texas Tech football officially kicks off this Saturday as the Red Raiders host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Jones AT&T Stadium. With national rankings placing the team at No. 24 in the US LBM Coach’s Poll and No. 23 in the AP poll, excitement is palpable, further underscored by a third consecutive year of sold-out season tickets, signaling capacity crowds at every home game.
For those eager to join the Red Raider faithful but without season tickets, opportunities remain to experience the electrifying atmosphere. While tickets for the October 25th contest against Oklahoma State are already an advanced sellout, a limited number of tickets—fewer than 500—are still available for the season opener. Fans can secure their seats through TexasTech.com or by contacting a Ticket Sales Representative, with SeatGeek serving as the official secondary market for sold-out games.
Entry into Jones AT&T Stadium has been streamlined with the introduction of a new “tap and go” mobile ticketing system. This innovative approach replaces traditional QR codes, allowing fans to wirelessly tap their downloaded mobile tickets near scanners for quicker access. Crucially, screenshots of tickets will no longer be accepted, a measure implemented to combat scams and counterfeit purchases, emphasizing the importance of downloading tickets in advance to ensure smooth entry.
The game day experience is set for significant upgrades, promising to match the intensity on the field. Texas Tech will host the largest drone show ever at a college football game, featuring over 950 drones illuminating the sky between the third and fourth quarters. Adding to the pre-game spectacle, a flyover by four T-6 Texans from the 434th Flying Training Squadron will honor the national anthem, while enhanced video displays, including increased live-video windows and “picture in picture” functionality, will keep fans engaged with every moment of the action and provide critical updates from across college football.
Culinary options have also seen expansion, with five new “grab-and-go” marketplace concepts introduced across Jones AT&T Stadium. Locations like “4th and Goal,” “Touchdown Tavern,” and “Matador Marketplace” offer efficient ways for fans to purchase concessions, ensuring quick service and a diverse selection of food and beverages throughout the event.
Before kickoff, fans can immerse themselves in a vibrant array of pre-game festivities. Raider Alley, presented by Bud Light, opens four hours prior to the game, featuring the Grammy-nominated country artist Pat Green for the season opener. The spirited Raider Walk, where Coach Joey McGuire and the team greet fans on their way to the locker room, now begins approximately two and a half hours before kickoff, encouraging fans to line Drive of Champions Avenue to cheer on the Red Raiders.
Ensuring a smooth experience, several important policies are in place. Fans are permitted to bring an unopened 20-ounce or less bottle of water, though frozen water is prohibited. The stadium operates as a fully cashless venue, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments for all transactions. Re-entry into the stadium is not permitted during the season, and the clear bag policy remains in effect. Furthermore, the cherished tradition of throwing tortillas is now limited strictly to the opening kickoff to avoid penalties, underscoring the importance of protecting the Red Raider spirit while adhering to Big 12 guidelines.
