Massachusetts Football Kicks Off 2024 Season against Eastern Michigan at McGuirk on Saturday

The 141^st season of Massachusetts football kicks off against Eastern Michigan at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The game will mark the start of 13^th FBS season for the Minutemen and ninth as an independent.<_o3a_p>

The game, which celebrates Youth Day at the stadium, will also mark a celebration of the life and achievements of Matthew W. Bullock, the first known African American head coach at a predominantly white institution in the United States and football head coach at UMass - then Massachusetts Agricultural College - during the 1904, 1907 and 1908 seasons.<_o3a_p>

The Department of Athletics will also unveil several gameday experience upgrades at McGuirk Alumni Stadium for the 2024 home football season. <_o3a_p>

The Massachusetts Thruway <_o3a_p>

The main entrance of McGuirk Alumni Stadium on gameday, the Massachusetts Thruway is a new experience from UMass Dining where fans can walk through Bays 15 and 16 to pick up all their concession needs. Baby Berk food trucks will feature burgers, quesadillas, fries and more, and fans will be able to grab their favorite snacks, beverages, beers and seltzers on the walk into the stadium.<_o3a_p>

New high-top tables will be located nearby in sections 14 and 17 to sit back, watch warmups and meet friends.<_o3a_p>

The Barracks<_o3a_p>

An all-new south end zone food court, the Barracks provides a great area to watch all the on-field action at event level. The Maroon side will feature cornhole, a draft beer trailer, steak and cheese subs and gluten free options. The White side will feature a food court with fan favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken, fries and more. Both sides offer beverages of all kinds, a new hangout area and a drink rail right on the field. <_o3a_p>

The Bunker Bars <_o3a_p>

The Bunker Bars are now located right on the sideline in front of sections 3 and 13, providing the perfect stops to pick up a beer, seltzer, soda or water, as well as popcorn, pistachios and pretzels.<_o3a_p>

Merchandise <_o3a_p>

The UMass Store will have a new location on the east side of the stadium behind section 18.

<_o3a_p>

Traffic Patterns & Parking <_o3a_p>

Fans should note that there will be new traffic patterns to expedite the process of parking at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on gamedays.<_o3a_p>

Of note, University Drive will feature one way traffic going northbound and Fearing Street will be closed from University Drive to Sunset Ave.<_o3a_p>

Exclusive early parking lot access for season ticket holders who chose to upgrade their parking to Lot 11, or Stadium Drive, will begin 30 minutes prior to when lots open for the general public. <_o3a_p>

Specific parking lot instructions will be linked on the back of parking passes via QR codes and added to UMassAthletics.com prior to gameday.<_o3a_p>

Also new this season, students can purchase a parking pass for Lot 11 on game weeks from the Mullins box office, with a limited number available each week. The passes can be purchased starting Thursday of game week at the Mullins box office. Student cars will need to enter between three and four hours prior to kickoff. Cars will not be allowed to enter lot 11 with less than three hours remaining before kickoff and will not be allowed to leave Lot 11 until halftime.

<_o3a_p>

Tickets <_o3a_p>

Tickets for UMass' season-opener against Eastern Michigan start at just $10 for kids 12 and under and can be purchased by visiting www.umassathletics.com/tickets or by calling 1-866-UMASS-TIX. <_o3a_p>

Fans unable to attend the game in-person can watch the game on ESPN+ or listen live from WHMP, WCRN or The Varsity Sports Network app.<_o3a_p>

A full preview of the season opener, the complete Minutemen season schedule, team bios and stats can all be found on UMassAthletics.com.<_o3a_p>

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.