Thousands of Green Wave fans will crowd Tulane’s campus to tailgate before Saturday’s opening of Yulman Stadium. The activities and amenities offered on the Lavin-Bernick Center and Newcomb quads will provide numerous entertainment options as spectators wait for kickoff.

Official pregame celebrations are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., when Tailgate Village officially opens. Games and live music performances from local bands, like funk band Barry’s Pocket, are some of the early offerings Tulane arranged for the event.

The gates to Yulman Stadium will open at 1:30 p.m. for all fans, and student ticket holders hoping to claim good seats should well before the 3 p.m. kickoff.

Executive Associate Athletic Director Brandon Macneill said he is excited for the energy and enthusiasm Tulane students will bring to the opening day atmosphere.

“For this game, [the crowd] is going to be amazing,” Macneill said. “This is the most anticipated game ever in the history of [Tulane Athletics]. [Fans] will be early because it’s general admission for the student section, and if you want to be in the front row for an ESPN game, you can be.”

Students will enter the stadium through the student section gate, located at the south end zone that is nearest the Reily Student Recreation Center. 

Additionally, due to the high demand for stadium seating, Macneill said, students not in the stadium directly prior to the start of the game may risk losing their seat.

Tulane, however, is implementing several reminders as the kickoff time approaches to ensure tailgaters do not miss the start of the game.

Macneill said all live music performances will stop at 2:30 p.m, and a second line will begin to play. The second line will lead fans toward Yulman Stadium. 

“Hopefully pulling the plug on the music and having the second line will help get [fans] to come down [to Yulman Stadium] and get them into their seats before the game starts” Macneill said.