FLORENCE, Ala. (September 24, 2026) – The first one was perfect.
Last Saturday, the University of North Alabama football team played its first football game on campus since the rebirth of the program in 1949, as the Lions officially opened the newly-constructed Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium with a 38-20 win over Alcorn State.
This Saturday, the Lions will run it back with a second consecutive home game, welcoming Western Illinois to campus for a 3 p.m. afternoon game.
The article below will detail the top things to know for fans coming to 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, here are the top things to know for Saturday's game on UNA's campus.
1. KICKOFF: The Lions and Leathernecks will kickoff at 3:02 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.
Fans are strongly encouraged to download their tickets before arriving to the stadium, as cell service and download speeds may be limited by large crowds.
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. ADA parking will be on a first come, first serve basis. 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. WHITE OUT: 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 Western Illinois, fans are encouraged to wear their favorite WHITE UNA gear. For more info,
click here.
6. PRESENTING SPONSOR: Saturday's game sponsor is Medical Associates of the Shoals — the preferred partner of Lion Athletics for primary and urgent care. For more information,
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 1 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. There will also be live music at Champions Plaza during tailgating. Fans should be sure to read the information
at this link as they prepare to tailgate on campus before arriving Saturday.
12. FOOD TRUCKS: There will be four food trucks this week on The Pines, including Bojangles, Mane Nutrition, Papa Danos and Sweets by Ken.
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 12:30 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. PREGAME CONCERT: Last week, Foundry Live provided a state-of-the-art stage on The Pines for UNA to host a special four hour gameday show on Roar Lions Productions. The Foundry Live stage will be back this week for more special events.
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 an "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 3 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. The "Countdown to Kickoff" presented by Bank Independent will begin at 2 p.m. 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 second all-time meeting between UNA and Western Illinois. The first meeting happened in 2019, where UNA won 26-17 at Braly Stadium in Florence. This was UNA's first time hosting an FCS opponent as a member of FCS. Terence Humphrey rushed for 102 yards on 12 carries, while Cortez Hall led all receivers with 113 yards on two catches and a touchdown.
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.
