FLORENCE, Ala. (September 17, 2026) – It has been a moment many years in the making.
On Saturday, the University of North Alabama football team will play its first football game on campus since the rebirth of the program in 1949, as the Lions will officially open the newly-constructed Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium against Alcorn State.
The article below will detail the top things to know for fans coming to the grand opening of Bank Independent Stadium. Fans can also visit our official gameday website
at this link or the official stadium page
at this link.
It is also recommended that fans
watch this video for important gameday tips.
Without further ado, are the top things to know for Saturday's game on UNA's campus.
1. KICKOFF: The Lions and Braves will kickoff at 6:02 p.m. from Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
2. TICKETS: Single game and season tickets are limited but still available for purchase. Fans can
visit this link or call 256-765-5466 for the best and most up-to-date information. The UNA ticket office is located on 615 South Pine Street in the lobby of CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall. For help accessing your tickets, call 256-765-5466 or
watch this video.
3. PARKING: Perhaps the most asked question among fans is parking. Fans can find all of the information they need
at this link. Fans should note that Pine Street will close at 5 a.m. on game day from Irvine Avenue to West Lelia Street. Reserved parking lots open at 10 a.m. There will be day-of parking lots available for purchase with card only — no cash will be accepted. There is also ADA parking available by calling 256-765-5466. There is also free parking available in downtown Florence at the new parking garage just minutes away from the stadium.
PARKING MAP AND INFO |
INFORMATIONAL VIDEO
4. SHUTTLE SERVICE: NACOLG ADA shuttle service begins at noon and will transport fans from the downtown parking deck, green day-of parking lots, and the lower reserved gray lots. Shuttle drop-off will be located in front of the Burford Science & Technology Building. Golf cart transportation will also be available from the reserved Purple Lots.
5. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?: For all six home games, UNA will have a special promotion and will indicate what color fans should wear that game to match the energy. For this week's game against Alcorn State, fans are asked to wear their favorite purple UNA gear. For more info,
click here.
6. PRESENTING SPONSOR: Saturday's game sponsor is Bojangles — the official chicken of North Alabama Athletics. Bojangles will be giving away clear bags for the first 1,000 fans that arrive on Saturday. For more information on Bojangles,
click here.
7. KNOW WHERE TO GO: The main entrance to the stadium is located in Champions Plaza at the corner of Pine Street and Champions Way. There, fans will find two bronze lion statues and plaques that lead into the security entrance and ticket scanners. Premium entrance will also be located in this area to the left side. Fans may enter through the Helen Keller Main Entry or the Alumni & Friends Zone entrance near the Darwin D. Davis Videoboard. Gates will open at 4 p.m. To find your section in the stadium,
click here.
8. FOOD & BEVERAGE: There will be a number of food and beverage options at Bank Independent Stadium this season, including concessions throughout the concourse and grab-and-go options in the Milwee Family Endzone facility. Fans with valid ID can also enjoy beer and wine at multiple locations in the stadium. In addition, fans can enjoy Bojangles, Miami Ice or Fourth Planet BBQ in the Northeast corner of the stadium.
Click here to see all locations, as well as restroom areas.
9. CASHLESS VENUE: Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium is a cashless venue. Fans are encouraged to prepare accordingly to make purchases by card, including all concessions.
10. CLEAR BAG POLICY: Fans are encouraged to review the clear bag policy before arriving to the stadium, as many bag types are prohibited. Approved bags include clear totes, clear backpacks, clear drawstring bags, clear fanny packs, resealable freezer storage bags, small clutch bags, seat cushions with no pockets, approved medical bags and small diaper bags with the accompaniment of a child. Some bags will be subject to inspection. For more information on which types of bags are approved and which types are prohibited,
click here.
11. TAILGATING ON THE PINES: New to Bank Independent Stadium will be The Pines — the ultimate tailgating destination located along Pine Street outside the stadium. Although tailgating reservations at The Pines are currently full for this season, UNA invites fans to tailgate from their vehicles in their designated parking lots or at other areas around campus. Fans should be sure to read the information
at this link as they prepare to tailgate on campus before arriving Saturday.
12. A SPECIAL "UNA GAMEDAY" BROADCAST: For the first game at Bank Independent Stadium, the broadcast team at North Alabama is pulling out all the stops. UNA will host the Countdown to Kickoff presented by Bank Independent starting at 2 p.m. on The Pines. A stage will be set up for fans to enjoy while tailgating, and the show will stream on
Roar Lions Productions.
The show will be hosted by "Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece,
Gyvan Hammons,
Chase Glover, Jordan Campbell, Jacob Tucker and
Mike Ezekiel. Guests will include the likes of Bobby Wallace, President Ken Kitts,
Dr. Josh Looney, Johnny Long,
Jeff Hodges, Steve Pierce, Lamonte Thompson, Luke Wingo, Kevin Haslam, Bank Independent CEO Macke Mauldin and pre-recorded segments with UNA head coach
Brent Dearmon and both coordinators.
Another special part of the pregame show will be pre-recorded segments with some of the most powerful names in college football media, including former radio voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide Eli Gold, TV sportscasters Tim Brando and Dave Neal, NCAA Director of Media Coordination/Statistics Dave Worlock, Executive Director of College Football Playoff Bill Hancock, esteemed football writer Bo Carter and producer of
The Dan Patrick Show and co-host of
Not So Fast on NBC Sports Paul Pabst.
13. LION WALK & PEP RALLY: One of the most storied traditions for UNA's football team is the Lion Walk. At the new stadium, Lion Walk will begin two-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff, which will be 3:30 p.m. this week. The football team, UNA Marching Pride and Spirit Squads will make their way down Pine Street from the Guillot University Center (GUC) toward Bank Independent Stadium. Fans are encouraged to line Champions Way and welcome the Lions to the stadium! Following Lion Walk, stick around for the pregame pep rally featuring the UNA Marching Pride and UNA Cheer & Dance Teams.
14. THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN THE STADIUM: The gameday experience at Bank Independent Stadium will be unforgettable for all who attend. Gates open at 4 p.m. During pre-game and halftime, fans can expect to see a U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk Flyover, a special pre-game presentation featuring Coach Bobby Wallace and Bank Independent and a halftime drone show from Sky Elements to accompany the UNA Marching Pride's halftime show — "From Sea to Shining Sea." There will also be numerous promotions, interactive music elements and videoboard presentations for fans to enjoy during all the breaks. For more information,
click here.
15. UNA BOOKSTORE OPEN AT BANK INDEPENDENT STADIUM: Fans can pick up the latest licensed North Alabama apparel at the UNA Bookstore, located near the main entrance. Each week, the bookstore will select and "Item of the Game" which will be discounted 20 percent if purchased on gameday.
16. STUDENT INFO: UNA is excited to welcome students to the Listerhill Credit Union Student Section, located in the southwest end zone at Bank Independent Stadium. All eligible UNA students receive free admission to home games at Bank Independent Stadium. For more information,
click here.
17. PLAYER ENTRANCE = LOUD NOISES: When UNA comes out of the locker room before kickoff, the team will touch pride rock before entering the Bone & Joint Player Entry Tunnel onto Bobby Wallace Field. Fans can expect pyro and fireworks during this entrance and at other parts of the game and are encouraged to be prepared for loud noises.
18. WATCH ON ESPN+: The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray and Bryan Neece on the call.
Gyvan Hammons will serve as the sideline reporter for all UNA home games this season. Ray and Neece will broadcast all home games on ESPN+ and all road games on Roar Lions Productions, making them the longest-tenured radio voices in UNA Football history in their 10th season. The broadcast will begin at 6 p.m. and can be found
at this link or on the ESPN app.
19. LISTEN ON ROAR LIONS PRODUCTIONS: For a second straight season, the Lions are on the fastest growing digital radio platform in college football, The Varsity Network. Fans can listen free of charge to all UNA football games on the Varsity Network app or on
roarlions.com/watch. The "booth cam" broadcast is also available on the UNA Athletics Facebook, X, YouTube and Twitch pages. Jordan Campbell and former UNA quarterback Jacob Tucker will be in the booth, while
Chase Glover will serve as the pregame and halftime host and sideline reporter. To find your preferred listening platform,
click here.
20. HOW TO KEEP UP: In addition to ESPN+ and radio, fans can follow the game through live stats, read up on both teams through game notes, check out the game program and find much more information — all
at this link.
21. DOWNLOAD OUR APP: Fans are encouraged to download the Roar Lions app, available on
Google Play and the
Apple App Store. The app was launched in 2023 and includes ticket information, team shop, game programs, schedules, rosters and links to watch and listen to the games online.
22. GAME PROGRAM: Access our digital game program
at this link.
23. SERIES HISTORY: This will be the first all-time meeting between UNA and Alcorn State. UNA has an all-time record of 20-4-1 when playing schools from the SWAC, including a 19-4-1 record against nearby rival Alabama A&M and a 1-0 record against Jackson State. This will be Alcorn's first time playing any member of the UAC.
24. MUGSHOTS WATCH PARTY: Can't make it to the road games? Head over to Mugshots Grill & Bar in downtown Florence for the official watch party. Mugshots is located at 321 North Court Steet and will be the official watch party location for all road games this season. Fans are also encouraged to stop in before home games.
25. UNA FOOTBALL NIGHT AT LOST PIZZA: Fans are reminded to head over to Lost Pizza Shoals in downtown Florence on Monday nights during football season for the UNA Football Hour with Coach
Brent Dearmon and select guests, including coaches and student-athletes. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will air on 93.9 FM The Score and on all Roar Lions Productions outlets. The show will also air live inside Lost Pizza. Fans are encouraged to check out their tailgate options at the
Lost Pizza Shoals website or by calling 256-415-8693.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
