Kroger Field Need-to-Know: Changes for 2023 Season
The 2023 Kentucky Football season kicks off tomorrow. If you’re going to Kroger Field to cheer the Cats on vs. Ball State, there are a few gameday changes you need to be aware of before you head out the door.
KSR Pregame Show starts at 8 a.m., KSBar & Grille opens at 9 a.m.
The KSR Pregame Show begins at 8 a.m. outside KSBar and Grille on 630 WLAP, affiliates across the state, and iHeart Radio. One hour later, the doors to KSBar & Grille open so you can come on in and get some breakfast. Here’s what we’re serving:
If you’re parking at KSBar, keep this map in mind. While you can park in the Dairy Queen parking lot, the nine spots right next to the building are off-limits.
The Lextran Shuttle WILL be running
The Lextran gameday shuttle will be running on the Virginia Avenue (next to KSBar) and downtown routes. All shuttles begin three hours prior to kick-off and end one hour after the game is over. Bus fare is $1 each way and exact change is required.
Waze will take you to your parking lot
If you have a parking pass, finding your parking lot is even easier. UK Athletics has partnered with Waze to provide interactive directions to your permitted parking lot. Please download the Waze App and utilize the QR Code in your parking information email.
Season parking permits and tickets are mobile now, so once you arrive at your parking lot, show the parking permit on your smartphone to the attendant for entry. Do yourself a favor and save your tickets and parking pass to your smartphone’s digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Pay) before leaving home. If you don’t have a parking pass, click here for a map of available lots.
The Cat Walk starts at 9:45 a.m.
The first Cat Walk of the season begins at 9:45 a.m. Line Talbott Todd Way from Gate 1 to Gate 12 to greet the Cats as they arrive at the stadium and training center. This week’s “Lift Them Up Kid of the Game” is 6-year-old Noah Ray Bojun West. Noah, who has Beta Thalassemia Major and requires blood transfusions every three weeks, will lead the team down the Cat Walk in a custom-built push cart. His favorite color is blue and he’s also a Bengals fan.
Kroger VIP Tailgate
Kroger is hooking loyal customers up with a VIP tailgate, which will begin two hours prior to kickoff on the lawn next to Bluegrass Technical and Community College. Kroger customers can enter the Kroger Tailgate Experience by showing a Kroger receipt(s) dated within 7 days of the event totaling $35 (or more) per person. Games, food, drinks (including alcohol), music, and more will be available. ID is required for entry.
Self-service pedestal ticket scanners
This season, Kentucky added self-service pedestal scanners to most Kroger Field entrances to speed up fan entry. When fans arrive at their designated gate, the scanner will invite them to scan their ticket. There are two ways to scan tickets at a pedestal ticket scanner:
- For tickets saved in your mobile wallet without a barcode (“tap & go” tickets), tap the back of your phone to the icon on the top of the pedestal scanner.
- For tickets with a dynamic barcode, scan the barcode below the screen on the pedestal.
Screenshots and screen recordings of tickets cannot be used, as they will not scan. UK Athletics has fully transitioned to mobile ticketing at all venues. For more information, visit UKathletics.com/mobiletickets.
Lap tickets for infants under 12 months
All fans regardless of age must have a ticket, but this season, lap tickets will again be available for infants 12 months and under. Lap tickets are only available on game day and may be purchased at the Kroger Field ticket office (between gates 9 & 10) for $10 by an accompanying adult with a ticket.
Clear bag policy
The SEC’s clear bag policy remains in place. Each fan will be permitted to carry one large clear bag – either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bag – plus a small clutch that does not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″.
Free Water
Tomorrow’s supposed to be a bit toasty. Take advantage of UK’s complimentary water stations to stay hydrated. Four large water tanks are located on both the lower and upper concourse that fans will be able to use to fill cups that will be provided. Concession stands do not offer complimentary water.
Free “Player Series” Posters
Fans attending the first three home games can pick up one of the new “Player Series” posters for free at the Big Blue Zone outside Gate Four. Tomorrow, the first three posters of the nine-part series will be available. They feature the quarterbacks, the running backs, and the wide receivers. Next week’s posters will feature the Big Blue Wall offensive line, tight ends, and the kickers, punters and long snappers. The week three featured groups will be the defensive backs, defensive line, and linebackers.
Beer and seltzer for sale!
I saved the best for last. This season, the general public will be able to purchase beer and seltzer at Kroger Field. There will be one craft beer stand in Section 19 and a “War Wagon” with ten taps under Section 16 in addition to several stands throughout the stadium serving both draft and canned beer. There are also two Kroger “Grab N’ Go Beer & Snacks” stands in Sections 22 and 30. Here’s the selection:
- Bud Light
- Michelob Ultra
- Bud Light Seltzer
- Yuengling Lager
- Yuengling Flight
- Stella Artois (Craft Beer Stand)
- Big Kahuna or Neon Big Hug (Craft Beer Stand)
- Country Boy Cougar Bait (War Wagon)
- Lexington Brewing Kentucky Tangerine Cream Ale (War Wagon, September Only)
- Lexington Brewing Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale (War Wagon, October & November Only)
Sales will have a limit of two (2) per transaction. Identification checks will take place at each transaction. For football, alcohol sales will conclude at the end of the third quarter. No word yet on prices, but here are maps of where the beer and concession stands are:
Those Kroger Grab N’ Go Beer & Snack stands are going to come in handy.
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