The short version
- Kickoff isn't set yet. The SEC gave this game a flex window: either 3:30 to 4:30 pm or 6 to 8 pm ET. The SEC confirms times no later than six days ahead, so you'll know by Nov 1. This page and the how-to-watch page update when it does.
- Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Every ticket is mobile, in the Gators app.
- Clear bag only, 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus a small clutch.
- Visiting from Norman? Your lot is 113, $30, paid in the Passport app.
Why this one's different
It's the first time Oklahoma has played in Gainesville and the first meeting as SEC opponents. The two teams have met twice and split them. The last one was the BCS championship game in Miami after the 2008 season, which Florida won 24-14.
It's also the "Saluting Those Who Serve" game, for military members, veterans and local first responders. For every ticket sold, the UAA donates one to a local service member, up to 2,000.
Getting in
- Tickets live in the Florida Gators app or at FloridaGators.com/MyAccount. Add them to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before you leave the hotel. Screenshots don't scan.
- Express Entry gets you in by face scan instead of phone. It's free for anyone 18 or older: sign up through Ticketmaster with a selfie, then use the face-scan lanes at Gates 1, 4, 7, 8, 12, 16 or West Premium.
- Bags: one clear bag up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Backpacks, fanny packs and drawstring bags get turned away, even clear ones.
- Water: one empty plastic water bottle up to 20 ounces, store-bought, no Nalgenes or metal.
- Seats: cushions up to 16 inches with no back are fine. Seatbacks aren't.
- Paying: the stadium is cashless. You can turn cash into a gift card at any Grab N'Go stand.
- No re-entry once your ticket scans.
The full prohibited list is on floridagators.com. The ones that catch people: umbrellas, strollers, flags, selfie sticks, and cameras with lenses over 6 inches.
Parking and shuttles
Public parking near the stadium is limited and first come, first served, and it fills early. Booster lots open at 8 am. If you don't have a pass, the shuttle is the easier day.
Game Day Shuttle. Starts 3 hours before kickoff and starts running back in the fourth quarter. It's $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12, paid at the pickup spot. Three places to park and ride:
| Pickup | Where | Drops you at |
|---|---|---|
| Celebration Pointe | Behind the Regal theater, in front of the garage | Van Fleet Hall |
| Park and Ride #2 | 3497 Hull Road | Van Fleet Hall |
| Garage 109 | South of Archer Road on Gale Lemerand Drive | Gale Lemerand, just south of Stadium Road |
The city's RTS Gator Aider service hasn't posted 2026 stops yet. Check its page before you count on it.
Accessible parking is in Lot 109, south of Archer Road. A free lift-equipped shuttle runs from there starting 3 hours before kickoff and picks back up at the start of the fourth quarter.
RVs: Gators RV City (Lot 78) opens at 4 pm Friday, and it's the only lot where you can stay overnight. Everyone out by noon Sunday.
Road closures: 5 hours before kickoff you need a parking pass to drive Gale Lemerand north of Museum Road. At 3.5 hours, Gale Lemerand, Stadium Road and University Avenue near the stadium close to cars until the game ends. Waze has game-day routing to the lot entrances.
Tailgating
- Set up no earlier than 6 am (8 am in booster lots). Everything has to be gone by 3 am.
- Tents up to 12 x 10 feet, held down with weights. No stakes. Booster lots cap tents at 10 x 10.
- Bring your own generator. Campus outlets are off-limits.
- Grills stay at least 25 feet from buildings and cars, and someone has to be watching them. No fire pits or open flames.
- Alcohol is for 21 and over, and open containers stay inside your tailgate area, off sidewalks and streets.
- Not allowed: tailgating in garages or drive aisles, saving spaces, portable toilets, golf carts, scooters, or charging admission.
Before kickoff
- Fan Fest is free and opens 3 hours before kickoff outside Gate 2 of the O'Connell Center.
- Gator Walk is 2 hours and 25 minutes before kickoff on the North Lawn, the end of the stadium closest to University Avenue.
- The O'Connell Center opens before the game with air conditioning and real bathrooms.
- Between the third and fourth quarters: "We Are the Boys," then Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." Lock arms with whoever's next to you, Sooners fans included.
Where to stay
Hotels near campus fill first on football weekends. Gainesville's hotels cluster in a few areas:
| Area | Hotels there |
|---|---|
| Downtown | Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, Hyatt Place Downtown, AC Hotel |
| On campus | Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, Aloft University Area |
| Celebration Pointe | Hotel Indigo, next to a Game Day Shuttle stop |
| I-75 and Archer Road | Drury Inn & Suites |
| Butler Plaza (SW 40th Blvd and SW 42nd St) | DoubleTree, SpringHill Suites, Hampton Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express, Homewood Suites and others |
The UAA lists four "preferred hotel partners": Aloft (3743 Hull Road), DoubleTree (3726 SW 40th Blvd), Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown (101 SE 1st Ave) and Drury Inn & Suites (4000 SW 40th Blvd). Visit Gainesville, the county's visitor bureau, keeps the full list, and you can call them at (352) 374-5260.
Flying in
- Gainesville (GNV) is about 15 minutes from campus. American Eagle flies in from Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami, and Delta from Atlanta.
- Jacksonville (JAX) is 84 miles away, Orlando (MCO) 122, and Tampa (TPA) 138.
Sources
Gate, bag, ticket and stadium rules: stadium guide, clear bag policy, Express Entry. Parking, shuttles and road closures: parking, shuttles, RTS Gator Aider. Tailgating: UF Business Affairs. Pregame: floridagators.com pregame. Game theme and series: home game designations. Kickoff windows: schedule, ESPN's June 10 announcement. Hotels: UAA travel, Gainesville Sports Commission, Visit Gainesville. Airlines at GNV per Wikipedia; airport distances from a UF IFAS travel page. 2009 title game score: Wikipedia. All checked Oct 24, 2026.