Troy University Athletics
Troy Football Need to Know; Gameday at The Vet – Sam Houston Game
9/2/2026 9:05:00 AM | Football
Football is back at The Vet on Saturday, when Troy hosts Sam Houston in the 2026 home opener. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. between the Trojans and Bearkats.
Troy Athletics is excited to announce new items taking place around gameday this season at The Vet, along with reminders of returning items that will help make your gameday experience the best it can be.
Visit TroyTrojans.com/Gameday before each visit to campus to see the latest information on parking, traffic flow and tickets for each of Troy's home games.
Ticket Sales / Will Call / Gate Information
Tickets will be sold on gameday at the following locations:
Main Ticket Office (Tine Davis Fieldhouse) - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gate One - 1 p.m. until halftime
Will call is located at Gate One of The Vet; will call will be open from 1 p.m. until halftime.
All gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff, while the Stadium Club and Suites open two hours prior to kickoff.
Clear Bag Policy
Troy Athletics will implement a clear bag policy beginning with the 2026-27 athletic season for all ticketed athletic events on campus in an effort to enhance safety and security features. Fans can visit TroyTrojans.com/clearbag for full details.
Season ticket holders can pick up their clear bag season ticket holder gift at the Ticket Office during normal business hours throughout the season or on gameday at the Gate 1 ticket office until halftime.
United in Cardinal
All fans are encouraged to wear CARDINAL for the season opener against Sam Houston as Trojan Nation is United in Cardinal.
Fans can purchase a single $15 lower-level seat in sections 104, 106, 204 and 216 by visiting TroyTrojans.com/Promo and entering the code UNITEDCARD.
Student Ticket Specials / Promotions
Troy students can purchase $1 student guest tickets by visiting TroyTrojans.com/StudentTickets, stopping by the Troy Ticket Office, or calling 334-670-3681. Sales run until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Troy Athletics and Coca-Cola will be fueling the Troy Student Section between the third and fourth quarters with free energy drinks.
America 250 / Kickoff in the Wiregrass
Kickoff in the Wiregrass: Celebrating America 250 is the first of three patriotic-themed celebrations at The Vet this season. Troy welcomes Alabama State on Sept. 12 for Patriots Day and hosts ULM on Oct. 24 for Troy's annual Military Appreciation game.
Join our official pregame America 250 Block Party by visiting: TroyTrojans.com/America250
Tailgaters are encouraged to decorate their tailgate in their favorite Red, White & Blue / America decorations.
The most patriotic tailgate will receive a visit from T-Roy and videoboard recognition inside of the Vet.
T-Roy's Kids Club Members are encouraged to take part in a Kickoff in the Wiregrass Patriotic Scavenger Hunt.
Commemorative coin giveaway inside Gate 1, featuring Kickoff in the Wiregrass & America 250 logos (while supplies last).
Troy Athletics Letterwinner Day
Letterwinners from all of Troy's athletics programs are encouraged to make their way back to campus for the game, and each former letterwinner will have the opportunity to request up to four (4) complimentary tickets to the football game. Additionally, a pregame tailgate party featuring catered food and refreshments will be held in Tailgate Terrace from 3-5 p.m. for the returning letterwinners before the 6 p.m. kickoff.
The day's activities are free for returning letterwinners and culminate in a special in-game recognition as the Trojans take on Sam Houston.
To RSVP for the tailgate and to secure your tickets, please click here. For more information about the event, contact Adam Godwin via email, akgodwin@troy.edu.
Youth Cheer Clinic
The first of two Youth Cheer Clinics will occur before the game against Sam Houston, with participants receiving instruction from Troy's cheerleading squad. The clinic is open to all children ages 4-12, and registration is just $35.
Registration begins at 2 p.m., and the clinic begins at 2:30 p.m. In addition to instruction from the Troy Cheerleaders, participants will take part in an in-stadium performance during the game and join the Troy Cheerleaders at Trojan Walk.
A game ticket is required for family entrance to the stadium (clinic participants receive a free ticket); tickets are available at a discounted rate at TroyTrojans.com/CheerClinic.
Gear Up for Gameday
Fans who purchase $100 worth of merchandise this week in-store before 5 p.m. on Friday at Barnes & Noble Troy Bookstore, Eagle Eye Outfitters, Heritage 1843, Barefield's, Confetti Crate, Hazel's, Trojan Threads, Southern Girls Embroidery or the OneTROY Shop will receive a coupon with a unique promo code for four free general admission tickets.
Freshman Run
As part of an annual tradition, all incoming Troy University students will be able to participate in the Freshman Run prior to the start of the game. Students will gather outside of the Tine Davis Fieldhouse at 5:15 p.m. before running through the T formed by the Sound of the South prior to the game. As a reminder, all Troy students receive free admission to all home games with their student ID.
Mobile Ticketing
Mobile ticketing and parking remain an option for fans to use on gameday.
Ticket purchasers can manage their tickets on their smartphones by visiting TroyTrojans.com/tickets and logging into their account. We strongly encourage all fans to download their tickets before game day. Just before reaching the gates, fans will open their digital wallet on their smartphone, select their game tickets or parking passes, and hold their smartphone near the scanner.
Parking
All on-campus parking is reserved for members of the Trojan Warrior Club. Lots are assigned based on annual philanthropic donations to the Trojan Warrior Club. To learn more about parking, contact Gary Wilbert (gwilbert@troy.edu).
Single-game parking is available for purchase in Lot 5 for $25 per game by visiting TroyTrojans.com/FBTickets.
Handicap parking is located in the Troy University Rec Center Parking Lot; fans needing access to this lot must have a valid state-issued handicap tag and access the lot via John M. Long Drive.
Traffic Information
George Wallace Drive will CLOSE two (2) hours prior to kickoff until one (1) hour after the completion of the game from International Blvd. (traffic light at Charles Henderson High School) to Johnny Long Drive.
Fans with access to the National Guard Armory Lot and North End Zone Lot will be granted access to those lots within the two-hour closure with the proper parking pass. ALL traffic to those lots MUST enter from the north end of George Wallace Drive – from Downtown/Elm Street, not Highway 231.
Trojan Walk
Troy's traditional pregame march into Veterans Memorial Stadium, Trojan Walk, will begin at the intersection of University Avenue and George Wallace Drive. The Trojans will walk through the brick portal into Tailgate Terrace before entering the stadium at Gate 1. Trojan Walk will begin at 3:45 p.m.
Guardian Credit Union Fan Zone
Located outside The Vet in the South end of the stadium and behind the outfield wall, the Guardian Credit Union Fan Zone (Tailgate Terrace) is the central hub for fans on gamedays.
Troy Athletics Kids Zone
The Troy Kids Zone opens at 2 p.m. in the Riddle-Pace Field outfield. Children of all ages are invited to take part in the fun with free inflatables until 5 p.m.
Food Trucks
Food trucks return to The Vet for the home opener, located along University Avenue around Tailgate Terrace. Fans can sample food from various trucks.
Horn Beverage Tailgate Terrace Concert Series
Troy's popular Horn Beverage Tailgate Concert Series returns for the 2026 season with an exciting lineup for each of the Trojans' six home games at The Vet. The free concert will take place each week in Tailgate Terrace three hours before kickoff.
Band: Carson Carlisle Band
Performance Time: 3-5 p.m.
Bringing a blend of country favorites, Southern rock classics and crowd-pleasing party hits, the Carson Carlisle Band has become a staple on stages across Alabama and the Southeast. Known for their high-energy performances and engaging stage presence, Carson Carlisle and his band keep audiences entertained from the first song to the last. A native Alabamian, Carson Carlisle has built a reputation for delivering an authentic live music experience at tailgates, festivals, fraternities, weddings and venues throughout the region. With a setlist that spans generations, the Carson Carlisle Band offers something for every music fan, making them a crowd favorite wherever they perform.
Water Monsters
Two Water Monsters featuring 150-gallon tanks of cold filtered water, will be located on the South Concourse to assist fans in staying cool and hydrated. Fans are permitted to bring empty, non-glass bottles/cups inside to fill up at the various water stations and/or one (1) sealed bottle of water or empty plastic drink container that does not exceed 20oz to be used at these locations.
Misting Fans
Misting fans will be strategically located throughout the concourses of The Vet on gameday to provide cooling stations for guests looking to beat the heat. Each of the two main concourses (East & West) will feature two of the fans.
Stadium Store
The Barnes & Noble Troy University Bookstore will have two Stadium Store locations around The Vet on gameday. Before the game, a store will be set up in Tailgate Terrace for fans to purchase the latest Troy gear and once the gates to the stadium open, fans will be able to purchase gear at the Stadium Store located on the West Concourse (Press Box side). Barnes & Noble will also have a stadium store setup within the Stadium Club for patrons of this area as well.
Troy Athletics Health Stations
Troy Athletics will have free sunscreen stations located throughout the concourse of The Vet in addition to a hand sanitizer in the Stadium Club.
Troy Regional First Aid Stations
Troy Regional will have first aid stations located at Gate 7 and Gate 2 throughout the season.
Concessions
In addition to the standard concession items, Sodexo will offer specialty items at different locations throughout The Vet.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is sold within the venue. Only those who are of age and have proper identification are permitted to purchase alcohol. No outside alcohol is permitted. Beer will be available to purchase at four locations throughout Veterans Memorial Stadium.
After providing proper identification at the point of sale, a band will be placed on the customer's wrist to indicate the individual is of legal drinking age. Customers are permitted to purchase no more than two beers at a time. Beer sales will be halted at the end of the third quarter.
Sodexo Food Services, law enforcement personnel and game management officials reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to anyone.
Beer Garden
Sponsored by Horn Beverage, Troy fans who are of age can enjoy a beer garden in Tailgate Terrace from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. All drinks purchased in the beer garden must remain in the marked area and all guests must be at least 21 years old to enter.
Shuttles
Transportation Services sponsors game day shuttles from the local motels to Veterans Memorial Stadium for all home football games.
Shuttles are available three (3) hours before kickoff. The shuttle will run this route continuously, approximately every fifteen minutes until kickoff. Return service to the motels will begin immediately following the game and will run continuously for one (1) hour following the game.
Drop-off and pick-up for the shuttle service at the stadium will be directly in front of the Alumni House on Highland Avenue. Pickup downtown is located on the Troy Square.
The shuttle is free when you ride from the motel to the stadium. Drivers will give each rider a coupon for the return trip to the motel.
Printed Game Day Shuttle information is available at all motels in the Troy area and can be obtained by asking the hotel attendant for the brochure.
Lactation Space
The Troy University Title IX office is excited to offer a private lactation space to support nursing parents. This quiet, comfortable and private area provides a place to pump or breastfeed. To access this space on gameday, simply located the closest Swetman security worker for assistance.
Tailgating
Tailgating on Troy's campus is encouraged by all fans. The central hub for tailgating on gameday is Tailgate Terrace behind the outfield wall of Riddle-Pace Field and the South entrance to The Vet. Each game will feature a pregame concert, food trucks and a Kids Fun Zone all within the vicinity of Tailgate Terrace.
Tailgate setup, including tents and similar equipment, may begin at 7 a.m. the day of a home football game or approved athletic event. This is subject to adjustment for early games. All tailgating activities are to conclude an hour after the completion of the game and items must be taken down and removed by 10 a.m. on the following morning to facilitate a smooth post-game campus cleanup.
For complete Troy Football Gameday Tailgating Policies, visit TroyTrojans.com/FBTailgating.
RV parking will be allowed with the appropriate parking pass and will remain at the Trojan Arena parking lot. Fans can contact the Troy Ticket Office, 334-670-3481, to purchase a spot.
A limited number of tents on Tailgate Terrace for select games remain for the 2026 season. Please contact Dan Heck heckd@troy.edu, to inquire about availability or to be placed on a waiting list if additional inventory becomes available for games that are already booked.
In-Game Promotions
• Durden Dance Cam
• Conecuh T-shirt Cannon
• Half Shell Gift Card for the Half Shell Oyster Shuffle
• Vance Law Firm Made Field Goal T-Shirt Toss
• $333 Vance Law Firm Field Goal Kick
• Student Sumo Wrestling
• Durden Question of the Day
• 4th Quarter Fireworks
• Guardian Cash Grab
• ALDOT Drive of the Game
Game Recognitions
• Troy Bank & Trust
• Troy Regional
• Little Miss Peanut Queens
• Publix Game Ball
• Troy Athletics Letterwinners
• Youth Cheer Clinic
• T-Roy's Kids Club Member of the Game
• ALFA Community Hero of the Game
• Trojan Warrior Club Member of the Game
• Publix Tailgater of the Game
• Children's of Alabama Jr. Captain of the Game
• Troy Bank & Trust Small Business of the Game
• Guardian Credit Union Community Organization Spotlight
Monday, August 31
Monday, August 31
Friday, August 28
Friday, August 28