New Tweaks For Autzen Stadium And Oregon Football For 2018 Season

The 2018 College Football season is almost upon us and earlier this week, the University of Oregon announced some changes for the routine of fans for the upcoming season.

While there are no Stadium Upgrades that have been announced, Oregon Football enters the new season with several major changes, including dropping the rule allowing fans to re-enter Autzen Stadium after halftime. Over the last few seasons, as Halftime Approached, fans would have the opportunity to return to their cars in the parking lot to tailgate for that fifteen or so minutes before returning for the second half. This is no longer the case.

Oregon has alleviated the issue of leaving by opening alcohol sales along the main concourse of the Stadium, with the exception of the Student Section, in an effort to keep fans inside during the brief break between halfs. Last season, the Pac-12 implemented a 15-minute halftime as to the standard 20 minutes and we could see an uptick in games with the shorter break time this season.(I expect we could see the change as early as the first game vs Bowling Green)

Earlier this month the City of Eugene also passed a rule allowing the Autzen Stadium Parking Lots to open two hours earlier for game days. Fans will have more time to tailgate pregame. The old rule was four hours prior to kickoff. The schedule for the Moshofsky Center opening before the game should remain unchanged. For morning games(11 am) the Stadium Parking lot will open no earlier than 7 am.

The additional time should allow fans from around the State to arrive and get settled in with their tailgate parties for longer, which will benefit the fan experience.

Oregon Football opens Fall Camp next week and begins the 2018 Regular Season on Saturday, September 1st vs Bowling Green(5:30 pm PT, Pac-12 Network)