SMU Announces 2023 Gameday Updates & Improvements
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 10:12 amFrom SMUMustangs.com:
SMU Announces 2023 Gameday Updates & Improvements
DALLAS (SMU) -- SMU Football is back at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in 2023, with the annual WHITEOUT for the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2, when the Mustangs host La. Tech at 11 a.m. Concourse gates will have free water courtesy of SMU Athletics and hand-held fans sponsored by Willard Air Conditioning. Fans are again allowed to bring in one sealed, unopened bottle of water into Ford Stadium, and SMU has installed several new bottle refilling stations around the concourse.
SMU has made improvements in and around Gerald J. Ford Stadium for 2023. Fans will notice additional ticket scanners and metal detectors at gates to speed entry. The footprint of Ford Stadium has been enlarged to create a plaza on the stadium's east side. The east plaza, near Doak Walker Plaza, will be complete with vendors, cooling misters and room to move about freely. SMU will also open a "comfort zone" in Heritage Hall behind Section 110 where fans can get some relief from the outdoor elements.
There have also been facility improvements that have taken place in the off season. New lighting has been installed on the concourse and air conditioning is being installed in the concourse bathrooms.
In addition to new countertops, painting and branding at concession stands, SMU Hospitality has also made significant improvements and additions for the fall. Prices of several popular items have been lowered and self-service "speed lines" have been added for quick pick-ups, including three walk-through beverage stations as well as a walk-through market with wine, salads, sandwiches and healthy snack options. The number of cashless checkout locations has been doubled and accept AMEX, Visa, Mastercard and Discover as well as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay plus any other NFC/RFID mobile pay wallets from a new POS system. SMU Hospitality will continue to offer value concessions pricing at Sections 101 & 127, including $5 hot dogs and $4 sodas.
Dallas-centric vendors in stadium will be Ferris Wheelers BBQ, Mi Cocina, Rudy's BBQ, Baldo's, 7-11, Frios Gourmet Pops, Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co., TeaCo Boba and Bahn Mi, Bavarian Nuts and HTeaO.
StadiumDrop is new in 2023 and available throughout the stadium. Attendees can order food and drinks on their phones and have them delivered to their seats. Hawkers will also roam the aisles selling beverages in the bowl. All standard gameday concessions will be available on via StadiumDrop including hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, water and more. This cashless and contactless option is available by simply scanning the QR code provided at each seat, digitally taking fans to the mobile ordering platform.
The construction of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex is ongoing, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2024. A new videoboard has been installed on the northside, with the south videoboard set for the 2024 season. As a temporary solution for those who cannot see the north videoboard, a scoreboard displaying game information (game clock, down & distance, play clock, etc.) will be attached to the construction fence at the south end of Ford Stadium. As always, all in-stadium TVs will be tuned to the internal, videoboard feed which also features game information.
Additionally, a temporary sound system has been installed in the south end zone and will create an uneven sound level throughout the bowl, which could result in a varied auditory experience compared to previous seasons. These items represent a temporary disruption until the project is completed before the 2024 season, which will include a new south videoboard and stadium sound system.
Finally, due to the construction on the stadium's south end, the Peruna's Pals Kids Zone will be relocated to the west end of Armstrong Fieldhouse for pre-game fun in 2023 and is open to everyone. It opens three hours prior to kickoff and will close 30 minutes before the game.
All those attending games at Ford Stadium this season are reminded to revisit SMU's Stadium Policies for an enjoyable gameday experience.
Tickets to all games are available at SMUMustangs.com/tickets or by calling 214-SMU-GAME.
SMU Announces 2023 Gameday Updates & Improvements
DALLAS (SMU) -- SMU Football is back at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in 2023, with the annual WHITEOUT for the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2, when the Mustangs host La. Tech at 11 a.m. Concourse gates will have free water courtesy of SMU Athletics and hand-held fans sponsored by Willard Air Conditioning. Fans are again allowed to bring in one sealed, unopened bottle of water into Ford Stadium, and SMU has installed several new bottle refilling stations around the concourse.
SMU has made improvements in and around Gerald J. Ford Stadium for 2023. Fans will notice additional ticket scanners and metal detectors at gates to speed entry. The footprint of Ford Stadium has been enlarged to create a plaza on the stadium's east side. The east plaza, near Doak Walker Plaza, will be complete with vendors, cooling misters and room to move about freely. SMU will also open a "comfort zone" in Heritage Hall behind Section 110 where fans can get some relief from the outdoor elements.
There have also been facility improvements that have taken place in the off season. New lighting has been installed on the concourse and air conditioning is being installed in the concourse bathrooms.
In addition to new countertops, painting and branding at concession stands, SMU Hospitality has also made significant improvements and additions for the fall. Prices of several popular items have been lowered and self-service "speed lines" have been added for quick pick-ups, including three walk-through beverage stations as well as a walk-through market with wine, salads, sandwiches and healthy snack options. The number of cashless checkout locations has been doubled and accept AMEX, Visa, Mastercard and Discover as well as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay plus any other NFC/RFID mobile pay wallets from a new POS system. SMU Hospitality will continue to offer value concessions pricing at Sections 101 & 127, including $5 hot dogs and $4 sodas.
Dallas-centric vendors in stadium will be Ferris Wheelers BBQ, Mi Cocina, Rudy's BBQ, Baldo's, 7-11, Frios Gourmet Pops, Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co., TeaCo Boba and Bahn Mi, Bavarian Nuts and HTeaO.
StadiumDrop is new in 2023 and available throughout the stadium. Attendees can order food and drinks on their phones and have them delivered to their seats. Hawkers will also roam the aisles selling beverages in the bowl. All standard gameday concessions will be available on via StadiumDrop including hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, water and more. This cashless and contactless option is available by simply scanning the QR code provided at each seat, digitally taking fans to the mobile ordering platform.
The construction of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex is ongoing, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2024. A new videoboard has been installed on the northside, with the south videoboard set for the 2024 season. As a temporary solution for those who cannot see the north videoboard, a scoreboard displaying game information (game clock, down & distance, play clock, etc.) will be attached to the construction fence at the south end of Ford Stadium. As always, all in-stadium TVs will be tuned to the internal, videoboard feed which also features game information.
Additionally, a temporary sound system has been installed in the south end zone and will create an uneven sound level throughout the bowl, which could result in a varied auditory experience compared to previous seasons. These items represent a temporary disruption until the project is completed before the 2024 season, which will include a new south videoboard and stadium sound system.
Finally, due to the construction on the stadium's south end, the Peruna's Pals Kids Zone will be relocated to the west end of Armstrong Fieldhouse for pre-game fun in 2023 and is open to everyone. It opens three hours prior to kickoff and will close 30 minutes before the game.
All those attending games at Ford Stadium this season are reminded to revisit SMU's Stadium Policies for an enjoyable gameday experience.
Tickets to all games are available at SMUMustangs.com/tickets or by calling 214-SMU-GAME.