Everyone should get to at least one Knight football game. Or, perhaps you want to get season tickets. In the past few years, Knight games have proven to be pretty exciting. One of the keys to making it great, however; is knowing where to sit. For instance, the blazing sun can make a big difference in the fun factor of a game. Here are some thoughts about the best seats for football games.

UCF has an option to purchase Black and Gold Cabana seats in gate 13B. This section is available only for purchase and has a lot to offer including private bathrooms, TV monitors, food and drinks (including beer and wine) for purchase. It also comes with premium parking which can come in handy during the game days! This area is a lounge that will definitely keep you shady while you enjoy watching the game.

The Black and Gold Cabana is on the East Side of the stadium. For the entire season, you are able to purchase this for $600 a piece. $400 of this price is for your seats, and $200 is a donation, which also goes towards your premium parking. If you purchase two, then the total price would be $1200, however, the donation would equal $800 and this gives you even better parking! If interested, purchase soon!! They only have about 100 spots left for the upcoming season.

If fans are looking for a bit more then there is an option to purchase tickets for the Stadium Club. This is on the west side of the stadium at gate 18. They have TV monitors, tables, drink rails, food and beverage services (including beer and wine) and private restrooms. It also comes with premium parking and VIP will-call. This is more expensive than the Black and Gold Cabana, so if you would like to hear the best payment prices and options, call (407) 823-1000 or email premium@athletics.ucf.edu.

It gets incredibly hot during afternoon games so the sun typically hits all sides of the stadium. If anyone would like to have shade, but does not want to spend too much for one of these options, then they can sit at the very top sections on the WEST side of the field (opposite of the Black and Gold Cabana). There is a slight overhang towards the top of the stadium and that side of the stadium is not directly under the sun. However, for true shade, the best options are the Black and Gold Cabana or the Stadium Club.

Student sections are on the North and Southside of the stadium. On the north side, they are seat sections: 115-124 and 222-217. On the south side, they are seat sections: 101-105 and 134-138.

The band usually sits in sections 134-136. As of right now, it’s pretty sold out. Resale online can be sold around the seats like 233, 234, 235.

You may want to peruse a few of our other blogs pertaining to football, because, frankly, seating is just one part of it. Check out Are You Ready for Some Football or Where to Pre-Game. And if you choose not to buy seats that come with parking, you will definitely want to read our Parking blog.

FYI: Single-game tickets for our football season are officially available. Guests can call 407-823-1000 opt. 1 and purchase a single game ticket.

Sign up now to get your FREE UCF Football tickets straight to your phone. If you registered previously (last season) you do not need to register again.

Students can sign up through UCFStudentTix.com and will receive a text before every home game to claim your student pass. You can save your pass directly to your Apple Wallet or Android Pay apps as well. Admission into the stadium is first come first served. A limited number of student guest passes are also available for $28 through your account.

However, recently our intern told us this: I recently signed up for a UCF sports program called #SKC (Student Knights Club). It is a $30 yearly membership that gives you a “fast pass” to enter the football stadium. UCF football tickets are always free for students, but the lines have been quite long lately. There are only a few home games left, but I immediately walked through the gates by showing my fast pass. I highly recommend.

Note: For the first time in Spectrum Stadium history, season tickets for 2020 are officially sold out! Fans who are interested in UCF Football season tickets can register to be contacted if any seats become available next season by clicking here to join the 2020 waitlist. Current season ticket holders do not need to register for the waitlist. Seat add-on and seat relocation requests will be fulfilled prior to seating anyone on the 2020 season ticket waitlist. Go here for more information.

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The best feeling for any college student, particularly if you’re a Knight, is waking up knowing it’s game day! There is so much preparation that goes into game days: where to tailgate, who to squad up with, and what to wear. Showing up to tailgates and games is more than just rocking your school colors, it is showing your spirit and how much you love your school. It almost feels like a school-wide competition: who can get the most spirited? With this list, you’ll be sure to place in first!

It is important that whenever you are shopping for game day attire, you strictly look for your school colors. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb wearing the one color that doesn’t match with everyone else. As Game Day gets closer, UCF will announce what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “white-out” or a “black-out.” This means students should wear a black or white outfit! If you are on a budget, then definitely stick with the basics: plain colored tank tops and t-shirts that match your school colors. Denim is always the move for game days, especially ripped shorts or overalls from American Eagle. If you want to get a little more decked out in spirited gear, then you can choose from face stickers, headbands, and fun socks to add a bit more fun to your outfit. Wearing colorful, tinted sunglasses have been really popular, so get a pair that sports your school colors!

Your t-shirt is one of the things people notice the most, so it needs to make a statement. Most girls like to show off fun DIY cut up t-shirts. They can turn t-shirts into crop tops, tank tops, halters, and more! The options are endless and always make an outfit. If you want to test out your DIY skills, you can get awesome shirts from places like Target or Walmart for a great price. If you are confident in your DIY skills, try acid-washing your shirts! You can also leave it to the professionals and order your custom cut or dyed shirts here.  Some other favorites for tailgate outfits include Tailgate Tailor and Custom University.

Another great place to order game day apparel is Hype & Vice. They have some great crop tops, bodysuits, tube tops, gameday cheerleading skirts, and queen of gameday sunnies. We also like Gameday Couture Social House and By Gabby.

Of course, the best way to cheer on your team is to be the cheerleader! Not literally, but looking like one helps. Cheerleading skirts have been super popular lately. Match the skirt with a cute cut up top and you have yourself the perfect game day outfit. If you’re feeling more like a team player than a cheerleader, then we have something for you, too! Wearing your team’s jersey is one of the best ways to show off your love for the team. Girls usually wear an oversized jersey so it even looks like a dress! You can get a jersey with your favorite number or even get a personalized jersey with any name and number you like. To top off your look, accessorize with a clear bag from Score Gameday bags. Use the code HUH15 for a 15% discount. Most stadiums implement a clear bag policy, so why not have a clear bag that still has style?

Perhaps you are more about repping the school’s colors. We love Show Me Your Mumu’s line of cute and trendy gameday outfits. Wear your fandom proudly with a customizable Game Day Bracelet! Opt for your team’s colors and each bracelet comes with 8 chic gold letters for mixing and matching to create your favorite slogans and phrases that make it clear who you’re rooting for. Please note, this bracelet will arrive unassembled.

Guys have it a little easier and stick to a more simplified look. Dry fit and polo tops are the go-to for most as long as it has their school logo. You can check out a bunch of options on Fanatics. To protect from the hot sun, guys also love to sport a school baseball cap. Regardless of your style, don’t forget sunscreen and lots of water. Game days are long and often hot so be sure to stay safe and hydrated. When it starts to get a bit cooler in the season, a lot of fans wear school-spirited sweatshirts. Tailgate leggings are even better when you’re cold and need to cover up yet still want to show your team spirit!

There is always so much anticipation when it comes to football season, so enjoy it while it lasts! Deck yourself out in all things that represent you and your university. Show off your colors all day, every day! Your team will thank you!

Go Knights!

Shelly Massre, UCF Intern

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After the last football season’s remarkable performance, our UCF Knights are itching to get back out on the field to play more football. They will debut on April 13th, 2019 at 6 pm as Josh Heupel, the Knight’s football coach, lead the way at Spectrum Stadium at the 2019 UCF Spring Game. Knights football is one of the spectacular highlights of any student or alum’s fall, or spring season!

Kickoff is at 2:30 pm at the Spectrum Stadium! Memory Mall and Lake Claire tailgating will be closed by 1:30 for fans to head to the stadium.

The Better Man Event featuring Mckenzie Milton is from 6-9 pm on Saturday at the Additional Financial Arena. Tickets are $20 for students.

General admission tickets are free. Spring Game prices for premium areas are as follows: Tower Club – $20, Stadium Club – $10, Carl Black & Gold Cabana ($5). As usual, admission for students at Spectrum Stadium is free with a valid UCF student identification card. You can get tickets here. Don’t worry if you can’t make it; the game will be televised.

More information on activities surrounding the UCF Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks.  As always, admission for students at Spectrum Stadium is free with a valid UCF student identification card.

Without McKenzie Milton playing in the spring, his status for the 2019 season has not yet been determined.

We are all looking forward to the debut of the UCF Spring Football Game, it will be announced and then we can get back to cheering on the Knights, even if it is still early!

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We can’t wait for it! To start anticipating that our football team will end up nationally ranked and headed to a bowl game. Even after graduation, alumni go to football watch parties where they can hang with other alum. Hanging with other Knight fans is way more fun and it could lead to a job, a rekindled friendship, or just a feeling of being back at school. We’ve got the places to head to for football game madness.

Note: Homecoming is on October 24th, 2020. UCF recommends these places for watch parties.

Florida UCF Football Watch Locations

• Jacksonville – Buffalo Wild Wings, 10300 Southside Ave., Suite 2430A, Jacksonville, FL 32256
• Lake County (Clermont) – Gator’s Dockside, 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr., Clermont, FL 34711
• Lake County (Melbourne) – Mellow Mushroom, 18221 US-441, Mt Dora, FL 32757
• Miami- Buffalo Wild Wings, 5701 Sunset Drive, Suite B-13A, South Miami, FL 33143
  Miami – Sports Grill 1559 Sunset Drive, South Miami, Florida 33143
• Ocala- The Lodge Brick City Craft Pub & Eatery, 36 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL 34471
• Orlando – hosted by the UCF Young Alumni Council, Hooch, 25 Wall St., Suite A, Orlando, FL 3280
• Palm Beach- Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., #232, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
• Panhandle – Harry T’s Lighthouse, 46 Harbor Blvd., Destin FL 32541
• Sarasota – Legends Sports Pub, 1816 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239
• Southeast Florida – Himmarshee Public House, 201 SW. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Southwest Florida – Marlin’s Brewhouse, 5611 Six Mile Commercial, Fort Myers, FL 33912
• Space Coast – Cocoa – Beef’O’Brady’s, 2301 SR-524, Cocoa, FL 32926
• Space Coast – Melbourne – Beef’O’Brady’s, 3030 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne, FL 32934
• Tallahassee – Hobbit Grill, 400 Capital Circle SE, #15, Tallahassee, FL 32301
• Tampa Bay (Clearwater)
  Big Storm Brewing, 12707 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762
• Tampa Bay (Palm Harbor) – Iron Oak New American BBQ, 917 11th St, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
• Tampa Bay (Tampa) – Bel Mar Tavern, 4328 W. El Prado Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629
• Volusia/Flagler – Fletcher’s Irish Pub, 393 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL 32174

 Out of State Locations

Atlanta

• The Bird – Dunwoody 4719 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
• Georgia Beer Garden – Atlanta 420 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Sport & Social – The Battery 825 Battery Ave SE #610, Atlanta, GA 30339

Austin

• Cover 3, 1717 W. 6th St., #210R, Austin, TX 78703

Boston

• The Red Hat, 9 Bowdoin St., Boston, MA 02114

Charlotte

• Pint Central, 1226 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
• Hampton Roads, Waterside District, 333 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Dallas/Fort Worth

• Abbey Road Eatery 1941 Preston Road Plano, Texas
• City Works Frisco, 3680 The Star Blvd., Suite 1300, Frisco, TX 75034

Denver

• Blake Street Tavern, 2301 Blake St., Denver, CO 80205

Kansas

• Talk of the Town Grill & Bar, 5201 W. 135th St., Leawood, Kansas 66224

Las Vegas

• Miller’s Ale House, 6683 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119

Los Angeles

• Elbow Room 1634 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028
• Michael’s Pub & Sports Bar 11506 Oxnard St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Nashville

• The Valentine, 312 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

New York

• Carragher’s Pub & Restaurant, 228 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018

Philadelphia

• Tavern on Broad, 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102

Portland

• Hobnob Grille, 3350 SE Morrison St, Portland, Oregon 97214

Raleigh/Durham

• Tobacco Road Sports Cafe & Brewery, 505 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Richmond

• Ponies & Pints, 110 N. 18th St., Richmond, VA 23223

Seattle

• Bill’s Off-Broadway – 725 E Pine St., Seattle, WA 98122

Washington, D.C.

• Penn Social 801 E St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20004
• City Tap Dupont 1250 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 105 Washington, District of Columbia
• Rocket Bar 714 7th St NW Washington, District of Columbia

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After a phenomenal football season for the Knights, fans are getting really excited about UCF Athletics. While Football may be the most well-known college sport played, there are really so many other teams that can get overlooked. Football season is in the fall, so the Spring semester is their time to shine!

However, you don’t want to miss the spring football game that is slated for 2:30 pm on April 4th, 2020. Tickets for the 2020 UCF spring football game will be available at UCFKnights.com. Season-ticket holders will have tickets loaded in their UCF Account Manager and will have a week to claim them once they appear. Non-premium seats are free and will be able to be claimed via UCFKnights.com at a later date. Premium seats can be purchased for $5 in the Carl Black and Gold Cabana or $10 in the Stadium Club.

Some of the popular spring sports include baseball, basketball, hockey, rowing, track and field, golf, tennis, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball. Don’t forget there are also women’s teams! For the whole list of teams and calendar for them, this site has all of the info. And, we list many of the games in our calendar. HaveUHeard that the UCF Men’s Basketball Team is ranked #3 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC)?

The Men’s basketball team has come a long way and students get hyped for their games. All of the games are live-streamed. If you want to keep up with the team and their practices and get more of the inside scoop, they have their own show called “Beyond the Baseline”. They play in the Addition Financial Arena right on campus and tickets are free for students! Get some friends together and head over to their next game. For guest basketball tickets, click here.

Another great team at UCF is the Baseball team. They play on campus at John Euliano Park behind Towers and the Additional Financial Arena. The stadium was built is 2001 as a State of the Art facility and accommodates 3,481 people and features a 300 seat premium club section. Ther is tailgating in the baseball lot for fans to get hyped for the game. Guests can park in Garage F for free, the baseball lot, and E8, E6, and E7. Non-student tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Spring has sprung!

UCF Students are lucky enough to get free tickets to nearly every single spring and fall, sporting event. You can get them now on your phone at UCFStudentTix.com. To better understand how mobile ticketing works, go here. They are first-come, first-serve, based on availability so if you know the game will be packed, show up 30 min- 1 hour early to secure your seat. Take advantage of these free tickets during the four years you are in college.

HaveUHeard that UCF also has a hockey team that many people do not know about, especially being a Florida school. They earned 5th in the SCHC Playoff and defeated our rival, the Bulls, this season as well. They, unfortunately, they don’t have their games on campus. Games are played at the RDV SportsDex Ice Den (8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, Orlando, FL 32810) in Maitland, Florida around 30 minutes away from campus. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t miss the opportunity.

Of course, there are also Men’s and Women’s Track-n-Field, Tennis, Softball, Rowing, and Golf too. The Sporting Season doesn’t end with Football so be sure to go to check out some of these events all year round!

The same weekend as the big spring football game (April 3-5, 2020), for instance, has a lot of spring sports going on.  Perhaps you are more interested in these:

Friday

• Women’s tennis vs. Oklahoma State | 5 p.m. | USTA National Campus (Lake Nona)
• Baseball vs. Wichita State | 6 p.m. | John Euliano Park

• Men’s Soccer in the final of the Florida Cup | Time TBD | UCF Soccer Complex
• Women’s soccer vs. Orlando Pride | Noon | UCF Soccer Complex
• Baseball vs. Wichita State | 6 p.m. | John Euliano Park
• UCF’s Relay For Life also begins at 4 p.m. Saturday on Memory Mall with an opening ceremony.

• Baseball vs. Wichita State | Noon | John Euliano Park
• Women’s tennis vs. Oklahoma | Noon | USTA National Campus (Lake Nona)

Change of plans; go here to learn how to exchange your tickets.

Erica Strum, UCF Intern, HaveUHeard

Perhaps next, you may want to check out our blog on student budgeting. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com. Are you new to HaveUHeard? Here is how to best use the site.

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If I think back to touring UCF when it was down to decision time as to which college, one of the first things I realized was that I better learn a little something about sports. Don’t get me wrong; even when you don’t know what’s really going on the court/field; the enthusiasm and excitement can’t be beaten.  The important part is to know when to karate chop, cheer and jingle your keys (I’ll explain shortly). You also might benefit from a few other bits of information, like where to buy tickets or where to sit during a game. (Hint: The key is learning where to sit in the stadium based on time of game and shade.)

Student Tickets

Did U know…UCF students get in FREE to all Knight athletic events, including football? Football, basketball, and baseball are the most popular, but tickets are available to view golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track & field too. Getting tickets is fairly easy too.  All events are first-come-first-serve and seating is subject to availability. To boot, your student can purchase up to two student guest tickets to UCF Football games the week of the game by bringing a valid UCF ID to the Addition Financial Arena or Bright House Network Stadium’s east side box office on game day. These additional ticket prices are based on the lowest-priced individual game ticket for that specific game and are available while supplies last. Keep in mind though that some student tickets only allow entrance at some venues through specific doors, so if you want to sit with your student, their free ticket may not work well.

Students can also make a donation of $30 to be a part of the Student Knights Club. Students will receive a plastic SKC card to show to each UCF football game as a “fast pass.” They will be entering through a different gate so they do not need to wait in the long student line. They also receive a free t-shirt and weekly emails that update students on ALL sports. 

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to a game; you can always watch it on Knights TV. And if you can’t get to a football game next season, this is a great option. After the 2018 season, which was remarkable and spectacular, 2019 should be noteworthy as well. Here is the schedule.

UCF competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level primarily competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for all sports. The Knights field 16 varsity teams, 6 men, 9 women, and one co-ed sport, that have won numerous national and conference titles. The Knights football team won conference championships in 2007 and 2010, and the Knights women’s basketball team won two conference titles as well. The UCF cheerleading team has captured two national titles too. Athletics facilities on the campus include the world-class facilities like the 44,206 seat Spectrum Stadium, also known as the Bouncehouse, because of the way the stadium vibrates and shakes when fans jump and cheer, the 10,072 seat Addition Financial Arena, the 3,000 seat venue, John Euliano Park, the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium, and the UCF Softball Complex.

With a large and loyal alumni base and strong student support, the excitement of game days builds rapidly depending on the start time. All these sports fans are often referred to as the “UCF Nation” and are represented by their mascot Knightro. There are a few traditions you should probably get familiar with too. You can pretty much follow the crowds as to when to karate chop and cheer, but you should know that when they sing The Star-Spangled Banner the crowd ad-libs a bit by changing “gave proof through the night” to “gave proof through the Knights!” “Knights” needs to be screamed extra loudly. When the team charges out of the tunnel; stomp your feet and scream some more. Finally, when the Knights kick-off; jingle your keys. Oh, and don’t worry, when they sing the Alma Mater song at the end; the words will be displayed on the board.

Non-Student Sports Tickets

You can purchase additional tickets on the official website provided the game is not sold out. Other sources include Stub Hub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek.com or Ticketmaster. Try to map out which games are of interest to you now; the earlier you purchase tickets, the easier it can be. Depending on the opposing team ticket prices can vary.

Did you know UCF’s athletes have an average GPA of 3.0 or higher for 18 consecutive months and earned a 93% graduation success rate, which is number one in the nation? That’s impressive, don’t you think?

Comfort? Really?

Individual chairback seats are prohibited. However, they are available for rental on a season basis by calling 1-800-510-5614 or by visiting www.knightseats.com. A noon game can get dangerously hot if you are not in the shade. Get water. Sometimes you won’t find out the time of the game until a few weeks even just days before, plan ahead.  You may not carry anything except a tiny purse, wallet or clear bag into the stadium.

No alcoholic beverages are authorized in the stadium on game day (except in the stadium suites, club seats, the club lounge, and the East Side Club). But….check this out: Alcoholic beverages are permitted during the following authorized hours by anyone 21 years of age or older.

• For weekend games starting before 6 p.m., the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 8 a.m. until the game start.
• For weekend games starting at 6 p.m. or later, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 12 p.m. until the game start.
• For weekday games the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 4 p.m. until the game start.

I wrote a lot about football, but basketball is exciting at UCF as well. There are season ticket options available for that too. They play right in the CFE Arena and are a Division 1 team. Here is their schedule. Actually, once the UCF Nation gets going; it’s fantastic.

There is an ice hockey team and the games are actually pretty fun to go to! The arena is a little further, and they play at the RDV Sportsdex Ice Den in Maitland. Their schedule can be found here.

As well, UCF Baseball also is a lot of fun to go to and they play right on campus at Jon Euliano Park. Their game schedule can be found here.

Finally, the Orlando Apollos just had their launch game in at AAF division and they play at the Spectrum Stadium. Here is the link for their schedule and tickets.

Are you ready for UCF sports and to tailgate? I’ll see you there. Go, Knights!

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Note: Everything is a little different this year; even football. To better understand everything Knight’s football, check out their A-Z Guide.

After the Knight’s 2017 undefeated football season and 2018’s 12-1, placing them in 4th of 130, UCF fans have been stoked for each upcoming season. So much so, that for the first time in Spectrum Stadium history, season tickets for 2020 are officially sold out! Fans who are interested in UCF Football season tickets can register to be contacted if any seats become available next season, to join the 2020 waitlist. Current season ticket holders do not need to register for the waitlist. Seat add-on and seat relocation requests will be fulfilled prior to seating anyone on the 2020 season ticket waitlist.

That said, HaveUHeard UCF students get in FREE to all Knight athletic events? Sign up now to get your FREE UCF Football tickets straight to your phone. If you registered previously (last season) you do not need to register again. Student tickets are in high demand and now have to be pre-purchased via UCFStudentTix.com using an Android or iPhone. Learn about digital ticketing. Keep in mind though that some student tickets only allow entrance through specific doors, so if you want to sit with your student, their free ticket may not work out. So be ready. A limited number of student guest passes are also available for $28 through your account.

Non-Student tickets can be purchased on the Knight’s official website as well as through Stub Hub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek.com, or Ticketmaster. Season tickets are on sale now. Try to map out which games are of interest to you now; the earlier you purchase tickets, the easier it can be. Depending on the opposing team ticket prices vary, link to the new schedule.

Single-game tickets for our football season are officially available. Guests can call 407-823-1000 opt. 1 and purchase a single game ticket. Yeah, you’re ready! UCF competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level primarily competing in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).  Fans, which include many loyal alumni, are often referred to as the “UCF Nation” and are represented by their mascot Knightro. The first game for 2020 is Friday, September 4, 2020, at Spectrum Stadium against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Go here for a full season schedule or check our calendar of events.

Traditions, Get Ready!

There are a few traditions you should probably get familiar with too. First, right before the game, the marching band plays UCF’s war chant. You can pretty much follow the crowds as to when to karate chop and cheer, but you should know that when they sing The Star-Spangled Banner the crowd ad-libs a bit by changing the word night to Knights and screaming it extra loudly. When the team charges out of the tunnel; stomp your feet and scream some more. Finally, when the Knights kick-off; jingle your keys. Oh, and don’t worry, when they sing the Alma Mater song at the end; the words will be displayed on the board.

When it gets closer to game days, UCF announces a schedule of what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “whiteout” or a “blackout.” This means students should wear a black or white outfit and come fully spirited! Sometimes students forget and tend to wear gold or another color, but for the most part, students love following this color code!

And of course, you don’t want to miss where to pregame.

Individual chairback seats are prohibited in the stadium. However, they are available for rental on a season basis by calling 1-800-510-5614.  A noon game can get dangerously hot if you are not in the shade. Get water. Sometimes you won’t find out the time of the game until a few weeks even just days before. Plan ahead; you may not carry anything except a tiny purse, wallet, or clear bag into the stadium. You can find some cute ones here.

No alcoholic beverages are authorized in the stadium on game day (except in the stadium suites, club seats, the club lounge, and the East Side Club). But….check this out: Alcoholic beverages are permitted during the following authorized hours by anyone 21 years of age or older.

• For weekend games starting before 6 p.m., the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 8 a.m. until the game start.
• For weekend games starting at 6 p.m. or later, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 12 p.m. until the game start.
• For weekday games, the open-container waiver shall be in effect from 4 p.m. until the game start.

Are you ready to tailgate (which, by the way, usually happens on Lake Claire or the Memory Mall)? Check out our GameDay attire blog for students. I’ll see you there.

Parking on game days can be tricky

• Beginning at 5 am on Saturday, all people in Parking Garage C, D, F or H will be subject to towing as well as B4, B6, B9 and H4 and the baseball lot
• Garage E and F lots are open to people with gold zone permits
• Traffic will be blocked from East Plaza to West Plaza on Gemini

Don’t forget your game day attire. We’ve got recommendations for students and parents.

Here is the 2020 schedule:

Go, Knights!

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Once you’ve completed your obligatory Disney trip, your most recent trips to Orlando have probably been about seeing the school, orientation, and move in (which means shopping too). By now you know that UCF is really a beautiful school. To boot, there is no denying that Orlando also gets some pretty awesome weather year-round (well, minus the ridiculous summer heat, but that is a great time to check out a water park or local lake). The winters are cooler than I expected; having lived in S. Florida for so long I had no idea it got that chilly at night, but they are still spectacular. Good weather makes us want to be outside and drink it in. Great news; there is plenty to do in and around Orlando (other than the typical commercialized Disneyesque sort of stuff) that will keep you enjoying nature and the outdoors.

It doesn’t only have to be at the theme parks or football games (although there is nothing wrong with that either.) In fact, students actually love having Disney Passes because it is so close to campus. If they are Florida Residents, they can get special discounts. In four years, you should find the time to check out some of these places too; if you really want to get a feel for Orlando that is. Some people may dispute it, but ultimately I love nature and the outdoors. This doesn’t necessarily mean I prefer a tent to a Hilton, but I do love fresh air. So the next time you visit, or perhaps your student just needs a little time off-campus.

Nature, Naturally

Lake Claire – Right on campus, the William E. and Mary Jo Davis Recreation Area is located at the end of Greek Park Drive and has all sorts of ventures. During boathouse hours, students may use equipment FREE of charge (except during UCF Football games). There is beach volleyball, soccer, corn hole, kayaking, and more! My favorite is yoga on the beach at 9:00 a.m. and Stand Up Paddle Board lessons. Lake Claire is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and weekdays from noon to 6 pm.

Winter Park – Last weekend, my daughter’s birthday, we spent a beautiful day having lunch and walking around. It is such a pretty town, no more than 30 minutes from campus, with brick streets and great dining and shopping.

While in Winter Park, venture over to Kelly Park and dip your toes into Rock Springs Run (it will be cold though). Kelly Park has camping and hiking and a swimming hole at the end of the creek’s run, but the favorite activity is a winding float trip. You can bring your own tube or rent one from a number of vendors outside the park. There is also a lovely farmer’s market in Winter Park on Sundays.

• Black Hammock Adventures – Located on Lake Jesup with more alligators than any other lake in Florida. There you can ride this thing that is part airboat/part pontoon. I recommend timing it just so that you can see the impressive sunset. And on the way out (or in), you can pop into the Lazy Gator bar or the Black Hammock Restaurant (helmed by a former Executive Chef at Epcot’s Chefs de France) for snacks, drinks and live music.
• Blanchard Park has a really nice running trail and fields for sports and you don’t need to pay to go! It is located on Dean Road approximately 10 minutes from campus.
• Kelly Park Rock Springs  – If you don’t mind driving a little further (about 45 minutes from UCF), definitely check out Kelly Rock Springs in Apopka. Definitely a warmer weather way to spend time with friends tubing and swimming in this natural free-flowing spring.
• Lake Eola Farmer’s Market – Sunday mornings (open 10 to 4). There is far more than fresh produce and plants. It is fun to check out the artwork and crafts like jewelry, pottery, and soap. And they are dog-friendly, so bring your leash.
• Orlando City Soccer – Take in an Orlando City Soccer game. Tickets to games are on Ticketmaster or can be bought from their website.
• Peace of Mind Kayak Tours – Located about 20 minutes from UCF,  you will see the beautiful landscape and history of Winter Park; towering cypress trees, lush ferns, bamboo, and a variety of flourishing sub-tropical flowers. Breathtaking views of luxurious private homes and exquisite estates.
• The Little Econ – Great if you are looking for a bike trail. It takes you along an 8-mile trail, where you will see all sorts of wildlife, but my favorite part is the butterfly garden. The trail will eventually link to UCF and continue north to the Cross Seminole Trail through Oviedo and back to Blanchard Park. Most of the trail is shaded too.
• Wekiva Island is a delightful wildlife oasis full of nature, where you can rent canoes and kayaks to check out the gators, deer, birds, and otters in their untouched surroundings. If you prefer swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, horseshoes, and sitting around a communal fire pit; perhaps with some wine, beer, and snacks from the on-site bar, the Tooting Otter, you’ll be happy to know that food is served on weekends. There is even often live music. Wekiva Island should not be confused with…
• Wekiwa Springs State Park– enjoy hiking or paddling on the Wekiva River or camping beneath the stars. It is a nature lover’s paradise. Guided tours are available (even on horseback, which is $25 per person) and I personally think this is the way to go because I don’t have a whole lot of experience with wild turkey, black bears, and deer.
• Wild Willy’s Airboat Tours – Have you ever been on an airboat ride? I believe everyone should do it at least once. Takes you through acres of wetland wilderness loaded with alligators, bald eagles, and wading birds. Located in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, about 45 minutes from UCF.
• Although this is something that students wouldn’t do with visitors, it is worth mentioning, because it is just that great….and maybe, when you visit, they will take you back.  UCF Outdoor Adventures takes students on great adventures from hiking, paddle boarding, and even camp! They even travel to places as close as Atlanta, or as far as Norway and the prices are student-friendly.

Lastly, don’t forget to take a meal break. Here are some recommended choices for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Chances are your student who has come to love Orlando and UCF. Let’s face it; Orlando is now their home away from home. (Trust me, at some point, you will overhear them tell a friend they are going home and mean back to school. It stings, but then you remember, that is exactly how you would want them to feel).  Plan to enjoy free time in nature with your students and making memories of this special time.

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Football season is upon us and other than making sure you will be properly attired in black and gold and have your keys ready to jingle (this a Knight tradition), you will need to know where to go to pre-game. Pre-gaming, according to Urban Dictionary, generally means drinking before going to an event where drinks that you will purchase are more expensive. I believe the term crazy fun was included in the description as well.

Pre-gaming at UCF mostly occurs by Lake Claire where fraternity houses set up tents with their big wooden letters out front and Memory Mall, the giant grass lawn (no cars allowed) between the Student Union and the Arena where you will find mostly donors and the official SGA setup. This is also where the Marching Knights and live bands perform and there will be lots of food and drink.

Students who participate in Greek life will probably pre-game, or tailgate as they prefer to call it, floating from tent to tent or whichever frat they feel a connection to. I have experienced a fraternity tailgate and yes, crazy fun is a perfect description, but so is hot, crowded, and loud. Fortunately, the crazy fun outweighs the others; therefore tailgating still comes highly recommended.

Here are a few things that are useful to know before you tailgate at UCF; There is an actual schedule:

• 2 hours before kick-off, the Marching Knights perform outside the Student Union.
• 1.5 hours before kickoff, the band marches down Memory Mall, stopping to play the school songs in front of the Addition Financial Arena.
• 1 hour before kickoff the March to Victory begins, with Knightro, Pegasus, the Spirit Squad, and the Marching Knights leading fans into the game.
• 20 minutes before kickoff, the band performs its pregame show from the field of the Bright House Networks Stadium.

We recommend getting to your tailgating destination early as traffic on campus will become a nightmare. Make note of these street closings:

• Gemini Blvd North (3 hours prior to the game)
• Gemini Blvd East (3 hours prior to the game unless you have a GOLD pass)
• Orion Blvd North (all day unless you have a GOLD pass)

Park your car (if you are coming from off-campus) in the following parking zones:

• Gold Zone: UCF Donor only
• Blue Zone: General Football Parking (free)
• Red Zone: General Football Parking (free)
• Green & Orange Lots: No football parking including Garage B

Frankly, skipping bringing a car to campus all together is probably the better way to go.

Tailgating at UCF is permitted on any surface lots or grass areas; it is not permitted in the garages. No kegs, glass containers, or beer funnels are permitted so be sure to bring your cups and cans. If the game starts before 6 pm you can start tailgating and drinking any time after 8 am (seriously, 8 am?). However; if the game starts at 6 pm or after, then you cannot drink alcohol until 12 pm. Drinks need to be in closed containers.

Also, unless you are in certain Gold lots, you can’t technically tailgate until 12 pm, but typically as long as you don’t raise your tent or drink alcohol, then you should be within the guidelines. Finally, if the heat is just too much, you may want to consider one of the restaurants in the Student Union, where there is usually a giant TV playing other college football games. Or, right across from campus, the Knight’s Library (a bar), often has “indoor tailgating” parties.

Looking to up your tailgate experience? Check out Tailgate Guys turn-key – all you have to do is show up- they provide all the equipment (think tent, tables, chairs, and a television package if you want.) They reserve your parking, meet you at your car to lug all your stuff, and clean up too. Just steps away from  Spectrum Stadium. Pricing starts at $250.00. It doesn’t get easier than this. I’ve been to my share of pre-games and football games and both are a lot of fun. Actually one might say they kind of go hand-in-hand. And after our Knight’s fabulous last season, this year will surely be amazing. Learn more about UCF football and to learn about proper game-day attire for parents and for students.

Here is the official UCF Tailgating guide. And if you can’t get to the game after tailgating, Island Wing Company has great food and TVs everywhere.

NOTE: UCF is going to the Gasparilla bowl! TICKETS AND FAQ- For the fourth time in history, the UCF football team is headed to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area for a postseason bowl game, this time to play in the Gasparilla Bowl. UCF will meet Conference USA representative Marshall at 2:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019. It is important for UCF fans to purchase bowl game tickets from UCFKnights.com, as institutional ticket purchases can impact future bowl opportunities.

UCF ChargeOn Tailgate- Monday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Location TBD. UCF Alumni will host the official UCF ChargeOn Tailgate ahead of the bowl game. UCF will have a catered buffet, drink tickets, spirit swag, and appearances by UCF fan favorites.

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I love going to UCF football games- there is nothing like game day. HaveUHeard how UCF got its colors? In 1970, a student election chose the “knight” as the mascot. Until 1993, the teams were known as the Golden Knights. In 1994, Knightro was chosen as the mascot, a black knight with gold armor.

It’s all about the Black & Gold on game days but I am also about fashion. I want to be comfortable, especially on those Florida humid days when you are packed in a stadium, it’s more than 90° out, and the humidity is stifling. For each game, UCF will determine what color you should wear… sometimes it’s white, sometimes it’s black. They will announce the color prior to each game. Want to know the actual primary colors- UCF gives you the graphic versions.

We think the best in authentic college clothing, accessories, and fan gear is Fanatics. They carry brands such as Jordan Gear, Vineyard Vines, Stance, Columbia, Dooney & Bourke, Tommy Bahama, Vera Bradley, Orca, Southern Tide, College Row One Shoes, Johnnie-O Clothing, and Peter Millar Clothing. Add in everything you need for tailgating including NCAA tents, tables, and chairs, waterless face tattoos, eye black, jewelry, and more. For shorts or jeans (only if it is cool out- even ’70s will still be hot), I like American Eagle’s mom jeans or denim shorts.

If wearing a comfortable dress is the way you want to go, definitely check out some of these fun Game Day dresses from Redbubble. We have also found a good selection at Kohls.

Sometimes I am good as gold and sometimes I am ready for black to basics. If you are like me and more about ‘repping the school’s colors, just look for Black or Gold. There are some private online stores that specialize in Game Day Attire that we like:

Bows and Arrows Boutique

Jane Hudson

Throw in some accessories including a regulation stadium bag from SCORE! The Official Game Day bag (you even get a 15% discount- get code by clicking on the link) and cute black and gold earrings – everyone will know you love the Knights!

We would strongly recommend leaving the high heels at home as you will be walking a good distance to the stadium (unless you were lucky enough to get there many, many hours in advance and snag a great parking spot) and climbing stands. I love wearing Converse sneakers or Adidas Stan Smith, depending on my outfit. For cooler weather, I even have worn flat boots.

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