What to Know for Attending Big Blue Madness
We look forward to welcoming a sold-out crowd into Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center on Friday for the annual Big Blue Madness, presented by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Bluegrass.
It’s an exciting weekend in Lexington with Head Coach Mark Pope’s and Head Coach Kenny Brooks’ first Big Blue Madness, Keeneland and the Kentucky Football Team’s Homecoming Game vs. Vanderbilt. UK Athletics is excited for you to join us.
Below is information to make your Kentucky Basketball experience as enjoyable and seamless as possible. UK Athletics has continued its work to provide the best and safest possible fan experience inside Rupp Arena
Key Reminders
- Arrive early! With Big Blue Nation excited for the start of the basketball season, and Keeneland’s fall meet likely to impact traffic, we recommend fans arrive early to avoid pre-event issues associated with such a highly anticipated spectacle and so many people being out and about in the Lexington area.
- Be aware that parts of the Big Blue Madness show will include strobe and flashing lights.
- Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. ET (90 minutes prior to the event beginning).
- Arrive as early as possible and be prepared for the security screening process in your entry process by reviewing the prohibited items list here.
- Prepare for Big Blue Madness now! Be sure to access your mobile tickets and parking pass before arriving to the game. Save your tickets and parking pass to your phone’s digital wallet to avoid connectivity issues and to allow yourself time to troubleshoot and seek assistance if needed. You can no longer get in with a screenshot so make sure you save to your digital wallet please.
- Rupp Arena Parking Now Available for Big Blue Madness!
- Parking is $27 at the gate and payment can be taken by card only, no cash will be accepted.
- For this event, enjoy having a guaranteed spot for you at Rupp Arena’s Parking Lots, located right across the street from the entrance. Parking booths will NOT be accepting cash at the gates. Parking lots are selling out in advance, so secure you parking today. There is limited availability. Click/tap here to buy now.
- Rupp Arena has gone cash-less!
- Rupp Arena will not be accepting cash as a form of payment for parking and concessions. Customers will be able to use all major credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa) and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay) to make purchases while at the arena.
- Ride Share: Ride share vehicles are instructed to drop-off and pick-up on Vine Street. There is a curb cut in front of the Central Bank Center that allows easy, safe drop-off/pick-up.
- Clear bags are required. Visit UKathletics.com/ClearBag for details.
- Rupp Arena box office – For this event, a temporary box office area will be set up inside the High Street entrance of Rupp Arena.
- This location will open at 5:30 pm and will be the primary location for ticket resolution and will call for this event.
- Fans may contact the UK Ticket Office for assistance in advance of gameday by calling (800) 928-2287. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am – 4 pm
- Gameday info online – The official online home for Kentucky Basketball gameday information can be found here. Visit this website for everything to know about attending games at Rupp Arena this season
- The Gameday Assistance program enables fans to start a conversation with UK Athletics staff. Fans can text UK MESSAGE & SEAT LOCATION to 69050.
- Feedback can be provided by emailing BBNFirst@uky.edu.
Mobile Ticketing and Parking
UK Athletics has fully transitioned to mobile ticketing at all venues. You’ll be able to avoid will call lines and waiting for tickets to arrive in the mail, enjoy quick and contactless entry into venues and easily access and transfer tickets to friends or family, all from your mobile device.
UK Athletics has implemented SafeTix™ as an additional feature on mobile tickets. Be sure to review the SafeTix™ information for important details about this security enhancement. With SafeTix™, screenshots will not be accepted for entry.
Season ticket holders and individual buyers will use the UK Athletics App to access and manage tickets. Season ticket holders may also manage tickets by visiting UKathletics.com/MyUKAccount from a mobile device’s web browser.
As a best practice, all fans should ensure that their app is updated. Fans can check for updates in the App Store or Google Play Store. When using the app for the first time, fans may be prompted to set up an ‘app profile’. The app profile is optional and is separate from a fan’s ticketing account.
To avoid game day issues, UK Athletics encourages all fans to view tickets and parking permits and save them to a smartphone’s digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Pay) in advance of arriving at Rupp Arena.
Parking permits will be scanned at lot entry, so fans should have the mobile permit ready prior to leaving home. Fans may also be asked to show the permit on a phone prior to arriving at the lot entrance. This will assist traffic personnel to efficiently sort and direct vehicles approaching the complex.
For more information, helpful tips, and FAQs, visit UKathletics.com/MobileTickets.
Lots open three hours prior to tipoff.
