2020 Football Gameday Information
Last update: 12/3/2020
For closed captioning at Kroger Field this weekend, please visit ukathletics.com/captions
Some key reminders as we prepare for this week’s game against South Carolina …
- No tailgating
- In addition to masks, gaiters of two-ply material are now permissible
- Please remember to wear a mask or gaiter at all times inside the stadium, except when actively eating or drinking
- Fans are welcome to bring stadium seats or seat cushions to the game; the seats or cushions should be no wider than 18 inches
- Verified Resale Tickets for the UK vs. Georgia game are available exclusively online at www.Ticketmaster.com
And again, thanks for your great cooperation last week. We’ll see you Saturday and Go Cats!
After consulting with health experts from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UK Athletics is implementing a number of new initiatives and regulations regarding football games at Kroger Field this fall. The health and well-being of our student-athletes, fans and staff are our top priorities and will continue to guide our decisions.
In August, the Southeastern Conference announced several conference-wide fan health and safety guidelines for all member institutions regarding football this fall. Measures specifically related to Kentucky games are listed on this page. These regulations are in line with, and in addition to, the SEC’s guidelines.
Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit to Kroger Field.
Prior to arriving on the UK campus, we encourage all fans to check their temperature and conduct a health self-screening. Fans who have a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit are asked to stay home and isolate. Fans who have existing health complications and are therefore vulnerable are asked to proceed with the utmost caution and to consider staying home and isolating.
Face coverings, over the nose and mouth, are required for all fans as they enter, exit and move around Kroger Field, as well as any time fans are unable to maintain the recommended physical distance from other fans not in their party/household. Children two (2) and under are not required to wear a mask.
Physical distancing measures have been put in place at Kroger Field, including physically distance lines for concessions, bathrooms and other spots where lines generally form.
A significant number of sanitizing opportunities, including hand sanitizers and hand-washing stations, have been added inside Kroger Field.
UK Athletics staff will take additional measures to clean and sanitize Kroger Field, including high touch-point areas, which will be cleaned more frequently.
This season, UK Athletics is transitioning to mobile tickets for all events. Fans are strongly encouraged to download the UK Athletics app and to download their tickets prior to arriving at Kroger Field.
University of Kentucky Athletics seeks to provide the safest environment possible for all spectators, staff and participants. A risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place, including sporting events at the University of Kentucky. Fans with pre-existing health conditions or who are otherwise at risk should consider not attending on-campus sporting events during this unprecedented time.
Those who are not permitted to attend football games at Kroger Field:
- Tested positive or defined as a close contact and not yet cleared by the health department to exit quarantine
- Were tested and have not received the results
- Informed that they may have been exposed
- Experiencing any symptoms
UKAD EMS crew will be on site to answer questions regarding symptoms.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined above may result in individuals being removed from and denied future access to Kroger Field and other University of Kentucky athletic venues.
Requirements for fans
- Mobile Tickets & Parking Permits will be required this season
- Masks are required at all times other than while eating or drinking, while seated.
- Keep six feet of social distance where possible
- Clear bags are required
- Feedback can be provided in real time through texting UK to 69050 or post-event by emailing BBNFirst@uky.edu.
- Masks should:
- Always required to be worn including while seated in the stands, riding on shuttles, traveling through the venue, going to the restrooms, purchasing food & beverages, inside the premium spaces.
- Masks or face coverings should:
- Cover mouth and nose
- Fit snugly but comfortably
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Gaiters made of two-ply material are now allowed
- Be made of multiple layers of fabric or medical grade disposable
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Masks should not be worn by anyone under 2 years old
- Fabrics masks must be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
- Face shields do not replace wearing a mask
- If spectators are unable to wear masks, they are encouraged not to attend games in person for the sake of their health and the health of others
- Mask enforcement will be treated similarly to other policies enforced at Kroger Field, including no smoking/tobacco products, alcohol beverage use, artificial noisemakers, etc.
- Ushers or Event Staff will approach those not in compliance with policies and request they comply
- If they are faced with push back, they will involve University of Kentucky Police or the police agency assigned to that section/area
- If needed, those not in compliance will be removed from the premise
- The above policy is in line with language on the back of UK Athletics event tickets: Tickets are a revocable license. Management may revoke the license and eject or refuse entry to the holder for violation of venue rules, illegal activity or misconduct….Terms and conditions governing use of this ticket are posted on the website of the SEC (SECSports.com). By using a game ticket, user agrees to be bound by such terms and conditions…UK Athletics is committed to providing a safe and fan-friendly environment.
Recommendations for fans
- No bags
- Medical bags only permitted through special admissions entry
- Arrive early – Pay attention to your suggested gate
- Limit time spent on the concourse – no loitering or congregating
- Utilize hand sanitizer and wash hands as frequently as possible
- Plan to use credit cards, no cash
- A game ticket, or game credential, is required to be on the premise of Kroger Field on football game days.
- If you feel bad, stay home. Enjoy the game on TV!
Directions
Directions to Kroger Field
From Bluegrass Parkway
When the Parkway ends you exit right onto route 60 (Versailles Road), go approximately 10 miles and turn right on Mason Headley Road beside Cardinal Hill Hospital. Continue straight through the lights, you will pass a golf course and the Campbell House Inn. At the light continue straight through the intersection onto Waller Ave. along side St. Joseph’s Hospital. Pass over the railroad tracks and continue straight through the light to the intersection of Nicholasville Rd. and Cooper Drive. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Take exit 113 (marked Paris/Lexington), turn right off the exit ramp onto N. Broadway (U.S. 68), and continue through downtown for approximately 6 miles. After Logan’s Steakhouse take a left at the intersection onto Waller Ave. along side St. Joseph Hospital. Pass over the railroad tracks and continue straight through the light at the intersection of Nicholasville Rd. to Cooper Drive. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Take exit 104 (marked Athens/ Lexington), turn left off of the ramp onto Athens Boonesboro Road. Take a left at the intersection of Richmond Rd. & Man O’ War. Follow Man O’ War to the intersection at Alumni Dr. and take a right. Follow Alumni Drive through the Tates Creek intersection. Kroger Field is located on the right hand side.
Tickets purchased directly from UK Athletics during the priority single-game sales process will include a parking permit. Parking permits will not be issued to those without game tickets. All spectators will be provided efficient guidelines for safe entry into parking areas as it relates to individual parking permits. With UK Athletics transitioning to mobile ticketing for all events, parking permits will also be issued via mobile delivery and must be accessed via smartphone. Fans are strongly encouraged to download the UK Athletics app and to download their tickets/parking permit prior to arriving at Kroger Field.
UK Athletics’ goal is to provide safe parking environment for all ticket holders.
- Parking lots will open 3 hours prior to kick off
- Valid parking permits are required to enter Kroger Field lots. Mobile parking permits will be scanned for entry
- Spectators will be strongly required to physical distance, wear a proper mask, hand sanitize etc.
- No tailgating, no tents, generators, trailers, grills or cooking of any kind are permitted
- Hand Sanitizer stations will be placed throughout lots. UK Athletics will distribute small bottles of sanitizer at lot entrances
- Informational signs will be placed that will encourage policies
- Ticket holders will be encouraged to arrive when lots open and enter the stadium to avoid crowds
- All surrounding lots that sell parking permits independently will be encouraged to follow the same guidelines as UK Athletics.
- There will be no RV parking in Kroger Field lots in 2020
Non-Permit Parking Map: Large Image
UK Athletics’ goal is to provide safe parking environment for all ticket holders.
- No tailgating, no tents, generators, trailers, grills or cooking of any kind are permitted
- Parking lots will 3 hours prior to kick off
- Valid parking permits are required to enter Kroger Field lots
- Spectators will be strongly required to physical distance, wear a proper mask, hand sanitize etc.
- Hand Sanitizer stations will be placed throughout lots. UK Athletics will distribute small bottles of sanitizer at lot entrances
- Informational signs will be placed that will encourage policies
- Ticket holders will be encouraged to arrive when lots open and enter the stadium to avoid crowds
- All surrounding lots that sell parking permits independently will be encouraged to follow the same guidelines as UK Athletics.
- There will be no RV parking in Kroger Field lots in 2020
Due to the health and safety protocols implemented relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, UK Athletics has made several changes to the Kentucky football gameday experience. This includes adjustments and/or elimination of some popular gameday traditions. UK Athletics is providing these guidelines:
- Fans are asked to perform self-screening evaluations and to stay home if they feel sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19
- Parking lots will open three hours before kickoff
- Only those with parking permits may park on campus on game days
- No tailgate parties, no tents, generators, trailers, grills or cooking of any kind are permitted
- Informational signs will be placed that will encourage policies outlined above
- Ticket holders will be encouraged to arrive when lots open and enter the stadium to avoid crowds
- All surrounding lots that sell parking permits independently will be encouraged to follow the same guidelines as UKAD
- All of these regulations are subject to change, especially if guidelines are not followed. UK Athletics thanks fans in advance for complying with these necessary gameday policies and helping to promote the health and safety of the UK campus
- Security at all Kroger Field gates will remain the same as in the past with the security check taking place outside the stadium gates prior to tickets being scanned. Spectators are encouraged not to bring bags to limit the amount of touch points upon entry.
Kroger Field A-Z (Click to Open)
- UK Athletics will limit the overall capacity of Kroger Field to no more than 20%
- Spectator seating will be reconfigured throughout the general seating bowl and in the Woodford Reserve and Central Bank Club to provide physical distancing between seat blocks
- Seating pods will be arranged so that ticket holders have no one sitting directly in front or behind them. We will also allow 3-4 empty seats between pods on the same row to create physical separation between groups
- Student seating information will be communicated as those plans are finalized.
- For standard suites, suite capacity will follow the Kentucky Governor’s Guidance for Gatherings, which limits groups to no larger than 10 people
- UK Athletics has transitioned to mobile ticketing for all home events this season. Mobile ticketing enhances convenience and safety for all fans while providing flexibility and safeguarding against counterfeit tickets. Mobile tickets will provide quick and contactless entry to Kroger Field, which is the most sanitary and efficient way to enter the stadium.
- Tickets and parking permits will be issued via mobile delivery. Ticket holders will access their tickets on their phones and can transfer them electronically to other members in their party when necessary.
- Mobile help locations will be set up on the exterior of the stadium at the Guest Services booths to assist spectators with Wi-Fi connectivity and accessing their tickets. Spectators will be strongly encouraged to save their mobile tickets and parking passes in their smart phone’s digital wallet prior to arriving at Kroger Field
- FAQs and resources to learn more are available at UKathletics.com/mobiletickets
BOX OFFICE OPERATIONS
- At the main box office, every other ticket window will be closed. Stanchions will be arranged for one-way traffic routes at the ticket windows
- Advance ticket sales will be promoted. With limited capacity, UKAD does not anticipate selling walk-up tickets on day of event
- If sales are necessary, payment cards are the preferred method of payment in order to limit handling of cash
- No infant lap tickets will be issued for 2020
- The main box office between gates 9 & 10 will be open for ticket resolution
RESALE & AUTHORIZED PURCHASE
UK Athletics cautions against purchasing tickets thorough unauthorized sellers. Only tickets purchased directly through the following outlets are guaranteed to be valid:
- UK Ticket Office
- Ticketmaster
- Rupp Arena Box Office
- ReplyBuy
- FEVO
- Visiting Team Ticket Office
- Gates will open two hours prior to kickoff
- Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early
- Fans should enter at the assigned gate that will be listed on their mobile ticket. When departing the stadium, fans should exit via the same gate through which they entered
- Physical distancing reminders will be visible in gate lines and points of entry to allow the proper distance between fans
- All bags must adhere to the UK Athletics Clear Bag policy. All bags and items will be searched. To avoid additional touch points, fans are strongly encouraged to not bring unnecessary bags to Kroger Field
- Fans with necessary medical bags will only be permitted through special admissions entry at Gates 1.5, 3.5 and 9.5
- Security at all Kroger Field gates will remain the same as in the past with the security check taking place outside the stadium gates prior to tickets being scanned. Spectators are encouraged not to bring bags to limit the amount of touch points upon entry.
- You will be asked these questions at or near the entrance:
- Do you have a new cough, runny nose, congestion, headache or sore throat unrelated to seasonal allergies?
- Do you have shortness of breath?
- Do you have new muscle aches/pain/fatigue unrelated to training/workouts?
- Have you had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
- Have you experienced a new loss of taste or smell?
- Have you been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19?
- Have you had any fever greater than 100.0 or chills in the last 24 hours?
STADIUM GATES
- Gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16 will be open on game day. Commonwealth Tower Lobby, Recruit Lobby and Player Guest Entrance will also be open for specific spectators
- Bag check and ticket scanning points will be reduced by nearly half to allow for proper physical distancing
- Physical distancing measures have been put in place at Kroger Field, including physically distance lines for concessions, bathrooms and other spots where lines generally form.
- Please keep a distance of at least six feet between yourself and other fans who are not in your party. Signs around Kroger Field will serve as a reminder.
- Please sit only in your assigned seat. This will help to maintain the required physical distancing between fans in the stadium bowl.
- Please be aware of physical distancing protocols when on the concourse area and when entering or exiting the stadium
There will be a number of cleaning and disinfecting opportunities in place throughout Kroger Field.
- Barriers will be placed between staff and spectators when physical distancing is not possible
- Employees will wipe down workstations regularly
- Doors will be propped open when possible
- Signage around the stadium will remind fans of regulations
- Hand sanitizer stations will be readily available throughout Kroger Field