Auburn Football Gameday Advisory: The Vanderbilt Game

AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn football hosts Vanderbilt for Homecoming on the Plains on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 3:15 p.m. CT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Fans and visitors attending the game are encouraged to download the Auburn Tigers app for up-to-the-minute updates, stadium and campus information.

Below is key gameday information for Saturday’s game, including reminders and updates for the 2026 home football season.

STADIUM CONCOURSE ENTRY

Following the season opener against Southern Miss, Auburn Athletics implemented several operational changes to stadium entry that resulted in a significantly more efficient entry process for the Florida game. Despite weather delaying the arrival of fans, more than 72% of all stadium tickets were scanned in the 50 minutes leading up to kickoff, with all stadium entry gates fully cleared before the game began. 

However, the unusually high volume of fans entering the stadium in a compressed period of time presented a new challenge to pedestrian traffic flow inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. With construction of Jordan-Hare North temporarily restricting several previously utilized access routes to the north end zone, fans traveling to their seats in this area are temporarily limited to utilizing either the northwest or northeast concourse corridors. As fans entered seating portals closer to midfield on the west side of the stadium and attempted to traverse the lower bowl inner concourse toward the north end zone, opposing pedestrian traffic created significant gridlock. This congestion prevented fans from exiting nearby seating portals, resulting in additional backups along the west concourse between Sections 5 and 44. The situation was further compounded by a medical situation that brought medical carts into the northwest concourse, impacting an already congested pathway.

Implementations for Vanderbilt game:

Following a thorough review with our emergency management partners, Auburn Athletics has implemented several additional operational changes to improve pedestrian flow in both the northwest and northeast concourses for Saturday’s game, including reconfiguring concessions stands to widen pedestrian pathways; repositioning medical cart staging locations; removing temporary concessions portables and other vendors from congested areas; increasing the presence of law enforcement and stadium personnel dedicated to maintaining pedestrian flow in both corners, where fans will not be permitted to stand or congregate; and installing additional wayfinding signage to direct fans to the most efficient routes to their seats.

This adjustment will help reduce opposing pedestrian traffic through the seating portals and lower bowl inner concourse. Moving forward, this situation will continue to improve as construction advances. We recognize the challenges these temporary changes present and appreciate the patience and understanding of the Auburn Family as we continue to make the necessary adjustments to provide a safe and positive gameday experience while constructing the future of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

HOMECOMING ON THE PLAINS

Join the Auburn Family for Homecoming 2026 and enjoy a weekend filled with tradition. The celebration will begin Friday evening with a parade through downtown Auburn, followed immediately by a pep rally on Samford Lawn.

The parade will start at the corner of Thach Ave. and South College St., heading east before turning onto N. Gay St. Once on Gay St., the route will turn west onto Tichenor Ave., before heading south on N. College St. and ending at Samford Hall on Thach Ave.

Please be aware that downtown street parking along the parade route will close at 3 p.m., and road closures will begin at 4 p.m. Friday. Cars may remain parked until 5 p.m., after which they will be towed at the owner's expense.

PRE-GAME FLYOVER

The previously scheduled pregame flyover for Saturday’s game has been canceled, as the military personnel assigned to participate in the flyover have been deployed for military service this week.

JORDAN-HARE STADIUM ENTRY

Following the temporary loss of four entry gates due to Jordan-Hare North construction, representing a total of eight individual metal detector entry points, Auburn Athletics implemented several operational improvements to stadium entry that proved highly effective during the Florida game. Despite significant weather delays that compressed fan arrival into the final hour before kickoff, more than 72% of all stadium tickets were scanned in the 50 minutes leading up to kickoff, with all stadium entry gates fully cleared before the game began.

These improvements included additional metal detectors on both the east and west sides of the stadium, including a new metal detector entry point near Gate 12. The entry setup and queueing system used during the season opener were removed to create a simpler, more efficient entry process. Additionally, speakers were installed at all gates to communicate key updates and provide directions to help fans enter more efficiently. Additional full-time Auburn Athletics staff were also positioned at all gates to assist guests.

Fans entering on the west side of the stadium are encouraged to use all available gates, including those near the north end of Heisman Drive. Although construction has reduced their visibility and closed the pedestrian route beyond them, these gates remain open at full capacity. To reach these gates, enter at the intersection of Heisman Drive and the Neville Arena parking lot and stay left. Using the full range of west-side entrances will help distribute crowds and keep lines moving.

An additional guest assistance station has been added outside the west stadium entry, at the intersection of Donahue Drive and the Neville Arena parking lot entrance, to answer questions and provide assistance.

All stadium gates will open at 12:30 p.m. CT, giving fans additional time before kickoff to enter Jordan-Hare Stadium and get settled before pregame festivities. Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the earlier opening to allow extra time for entry and help reduce congestion at the gates closer to kickoff.

TIGER WALK TIME REMINDER

Fans are reminded that Tiger Walk now takes place approximately 2.5 hours before kickoff, a schedule introduced at last weekend’s home opener. Tiger Walk for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. CT, giving fans additional time to enjoy Tiger Walk Plaza and other pregame activities before entering Jordan-Hare Stadium.

TIGER WALK PLAZA

Tiger Walk Plaza offers fans live music, a mobile video board and a gathering place before kickoff. Live music will begin at 11 a.m. CT near the Plainsman Park entrance and Frank Thomas statue.

The Tiger Tailgate Show will begin at 12:15 p.m. CT from its new location in Tiger Walk Plaza. A video board next to the stage will feature Auburn Gameday Live on WarEagle+, including a live stream of the show and additional pregame coverage.

PLAINSMAN PARK

Plainsman Park will open at 8 a.m. CT Saturday, giving fans a place to gather, purchase food and beverages and watch college football before heading to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Plainsman Patio provides a shaded gathering space along the right field line, with food and beverage options including Ben’s Pretzels, Chick-fil-A and the Plainsman Patio Fast Flight Market and Brew Cave. The ballpark’s video board will feature a College Football Red Zone-style viewing experience, allowing fans to follow games from around the country.

JORDAN-HARE NORTH PROJECT

The Jordan-Hare North Project represents the largest and most significant capital project in the history of Auburn Athletics and Jordan-Hare Stadium. The seven-level, approximately 300,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in 2026 and is scheduled for completion in spring 2029, will transform the north end of the stadium while maintaining Jordan-Hare’s capacity of more than 88,000.

While the result will dramatically enhance Jordan-Hare Stadium, construction will require several temporary adjustments to familiar gameday routines over the next several seasons. Auburn fans will be asked to “pardon our progress” as pedestrian routes, tailgating areas and other operations are adjusted around the construction site.

Pedestrian Routes: Fans accustomed to walking along Heisman Drive on the north side of the stadium will not be able to do so during construction. Fans moving between the east and west sides of Jordan-Hare Stadium outside the venue should utilize Thach Concourse.

Inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, the north concourse will remain open for east-west pedestrian traffic, although areas near the northeast and northwest corners will be narrower due to construction.

South Stadium Operations: The loss of the north end zone parking lot will also impact operations south of Jordan-Hare Stadium, primarily around Gate 9. Visiting team buses will temporarily drop off at Gate 8.5, which may create additional congestion in the area before games. Fans are encouraged to seek alternate pedestrian routes to access Campus Green and the Jordan-Hare Stadium east gates, such as south of Plainsman Park.

Tailgating: Traditional tailgating and gathering areas around the north side of Jordan-Hare Stadium, including portions of the North Lawn, will also be impacted during construction.

Auburn appreciates the patience and understanding of the Auburn Family as these temporary adjustments are made as part of the progress toward creating an even better long-term gameday experience.

GAMEDAY WEBSITE

With new amenities throughout Jordan-Hare Stadium and construction changing some familiar routes around the venue, fans are encouraged to plan before arriving on campus. Auburn’s gameday website will serve as the central destination for information fans need throughout the 2026 season.

AuburnTigers.com/gameday will provide updated information on parking, pedestrian routes, stadium entry, concessions, tailgating and other gameday operations.

The site will also feature an interactive, multi-level map of campus and Jordan-Hare Stadium, including the ability to search for specific concessions offerings and locate amenities throughout the venue.