COLUMBIA, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) - Mizzou Athletics announced a series of fan experience enhancements and operational updates ahead of the 2026 football season, which kicks off Thursday at 7 p.m.
Thursday’s kickoff game in CoMo is sold out, but tickets may be available through Ticketmaster Verified Resale. Sheryl Crow, a nine-time Grammy Award winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and University of Missouri alumna, will sing the national anthem before the game.
Because Thursday’s game falls during normal campus weekday operations, parking lots will open at 2 p.m. for the home opener. For all other home games, lots will open at 7 a.m. on game day. Truman’s Landing will open for RVs at 6 p.m. the day before each game.
Fan experience updates
The Tiger Fan Zone returns to the lawn on Tiger Avenue across from Tiger Avenue Parking Structure, just north of the traffic circle. It opens three and a half hours before kickoff each game day and includes a large-screen TV showing games from around the country, food trucks and seating, beer sales, Tiger Team Store merchandise, the MU Health Care Kids Zone and the Coca-Cola Student Tailgate.
Additional enhancements include spotlights on the north and south videoboards, a returning north videoboard, a sound system using EAW Anya Concentric Summation Array technology, 360-degree fireworks displays for key games and a new wireless camera for in-game video production. A new promotion sponsored by Champs Chicken will reward fans for creating enough noise to force false starts by opposing teams. The athletics department also said it will continue enhancing the in-game script to maintain energy during breaks in play.
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Pageantry changes
Tiger Walk remains two and a half hours before kickoff, with fans able to greet the team as it arrives by bus at Lot C off South Providence Road and walks down the hill to the locker room.
With construction on the North End Zone complete, Big Mo will return to the north concourse. Because of a reduced footprint around the field following that construction, Truman’s Taxi will no longer enter the stadium. It will continue to lead the band from the practice field to the stadium and lead the team during Tiger Walk before staging outside Gate 4E for photos.
New concessions and team store
Sodexo Live! now manages concessions and hospitality at all Mizzou venues alongside Columbia-based Upper Crust Food Service. The change includes new technology to speed up service, the conversion of some concession stands to a grab-and-go format, and new menu items including hand-breaded Southern-style Tiger Tenders, a Kansas City Burnt End Hot Dog, and two new Stack Burgers.
The Tiger Team Store has a new brick-and-mortar location on the northeast side of Memorial Stadium and is now operated by Follett Higher Education Group. The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On football game days, the exterior doors close 15 minutes before gates open, and entry becomes limited to ticketholders through the north concourse.
Parking and tailgating
Mizzou Athletics is encouraging fans to allow extra time to arrive on campus because of road construction along Interstate 70. Five construction projects are underway along the interstate, which could affect travel time. More information is available at modot.org/improvei70.
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Season parking passes are sold out. Fans can purchase single-game parking in PS7, though that lot will not be available for the home opener because of campus operations.
REVELxp, the official tailgate partner of Mizzou Athletics, offers a full-service tailgate setup. Fans who purchase a REVELxp tailgate will have access to a new setup location along Stadium Boulevard, just north of Hearnes Center.
Rideshare drop-off and pickup are located in Lot R. After being dropped off, fans can cross Research Park Drive and ride the pregame MO-X shuttle to Memorial Stadium.
Entry to the stadium
Gates to Memorial Stadium open two hours before kickoff each week. With capacity crowds expected throughout the season, fans are encouraged to enter through the gate closest to their seats or through Gate 1. Golf cart shuttles will help transport fans between east side parking and west side seating.
Tickets are digital. Fans are encouraged to download tickets and parking passes to their digital wallets before arriving on campus. Ticket resolution on game day is available at the Memorial Stadium Ticket Office at Gate 1 and at the Mizzou Arena Ticket Office.
Changes to The Hill
As part of the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project, The Hill behind the north end zone has been reconfigured and is smaller than in previous seasons.
Because of the reduced size and capacity limits, fans will need a ticket to access the general admission area on The Hill. Fans must present their ticket at The Hill entrance and will receive a wristband that must be worn while in the area.
More information on football game days is available at MUTigers.com/gameday.
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