5 reasons you don’t want to miss game day at Protective Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 2

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)’s football season will kick off this Saturday, October 2nd in their first home game. Planning to go? Here are five reasons to get there early and enjoy UAB’s game day experience.

1. There will be more accessible parking

The BJCC designed a parking plan to accommodate game day attendees at venues throughout the complex—Protective Stadium and Legacy Arena. The plan accounts for roughly 11,000 spaces within a mile of the BJCC.

Additional parking assistance will available including:

• Free shuttle buses (before and after the game)
• User-friendly parking map
• WAZE app collaboration
• Pre-purchased parking

Ridesharing through apps is heavily encouraged. Parking opens at noon.

2. There are amazing restaurants in the area

Parking isn’t the only reason for arriving early on game day. You should come early for a chance to indulge in some amazing food and drinks from one of the many spots in Uptown. Uptown’s tenants include:

• Eugene’s Hot Chicken
• Mugshots Grill and Bar
• Your Pie
• Todd English P.U.B
• Texas De Brazil
• The Southern Kitchen and Bar
• Uptown Cantina

The great thing about Uptown is that it is walking distance from the stadium—directly across the street. No need to worry about losing that perfect parking spot.

3. Kids will have their own play zone

UAB’s game day experience isn’t just for adults and students. Kids can enjoy themselves in the designated kids zone area. The kids zone has free interactive games, face painting, music and more.

Plus, they can explore the Magic City virtually with Protective Stadium’s interactive mural location on the right side of the South Gate entrance—as if seeing your local university football team play isn’t exciting enough.

4. There will be a pregame fanfest

Another reason to come early? Blazer Village will be in full effect—with a whole new look! Presented by Callahan Eye Clinic, Blazer Village is the official UAB Athletics pregame fanfest. Starting at 2PM, students (and the community) can enjoy:

• Tailgating
• Music
• Fan face painting
• UAB Bookstore pop-up shop
• And more

Blazer Village is located on the L-shaped grass plaza behind the Uptown entertainment district and closes 30 minutes prior to kickoff. You can view the map here.

5. You can get an in-person, inside look of Protective Stadium

Guess what else comes with heading to the stadium early on game day? Bragging rights! You can be one of the first people to get an in-person inside look and watch the first game played in the stadium all in one day.

You can also enjoy all of the pregame festivities for the grand opening of Protective Stadium including:

• The raising of UAB’s Conference USA Championship flag
• UAB’s Marching Blazers performance

Plus, you’ll get to welcome the UAB Blazers to the field for the first time in their new football home.

Will you head to UAB’s game day experience at Protective Stadium early? Tag us @BhamNow on socials and let us know.