Sellout Nears as Texas Tech Opens 101st Football Season at Jones AT&T Stadium

Thursday is the first game of the 101st season for Texas Tech football. It will be at Jones AT&T Stadium against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Texas Tech Sports Network, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Season tickets have sold out for the third consecutive year, indicating that the 2025 season will be one of the most anticipated recently. A few single-game tickets are still available for six of the seven home games, but not for the Oct. 25 game against Oklahoma State, which is already sold out. By Thursday, fewer than 500 tickets for the first game of the season were still available.

For a better gameday experience, Texas Tech has also made several changes. There will be new grab-and-go markets throughout the stadium, including a fifth one located near Gate 3. These will complement the existing popular concessions.

Additionally, the university has transitioned to a "tap and go" mobile registration system. All tickets will still be available digitally, but fans will not need to scan a QR code to gain entry. Instead, they will tap their downloaded ticket against a reader. Fans are being asked to download their tickets in advance to avoid connection issues, as screenshots will no longer be accepted.

For example, Texas Tech encourages fans to help keep traditions alive by remembering to throw tacos into the air during kickoff, rather than onto the field. Officials may give the Red Raiders 15 yards if they throw foreign items after two warnings, according to a new rule from the Big 12 Conference.

Several special events will take place at Saturday's game. The 434th Flying Training Squadron from Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio will fly over the stadium before the match with four T-6 Texans. At the end of the third quarter, Texas Tech aims to set a new college football record with a drone show featuring over 950 drones. That's 150 more than any other football game and three times as many as last season's first game.

People with written passes will be able to park at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. RV pass holders can get into their spots starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, but they have to leave by 10 a.m. on Sunday. Fans who plan to tailgate should remember that tents cannot be larger than 10x10 or the designated space.

Fans should arrive at the game early to participate in pregame activities, such as watching the Goin' Band from Raiderland, and be in their seats before the game starts.

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