ESPN’s College GameDay returns to Gainesville prior to Florida men’s basketball hosting Texas A&M on Saturday, March 1, at 8:30 p.m. Here’s everything you need to know.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm will return to the O’Connell Center on Saturday, March 1, starting at 10 a.m., ahead of the matchup between No. 3 Florida men’s basketball (24-4, 11-4 SEC) and No. 12 Texas A&M (20-8, 9-6 SEC) at 8:30 p.m., presented by VyStar Credit Union<https://vystarcu.org/>.
Timeline for March 1
* 8:30 a.m. – Doors open for UF students at Gate 3 (see below for student entry details)
* 8:45 a.m. – Doors open for general public at Gate 1
* 10 a.m. – College GameDay live from the O’Connell Center (free admission)
* The show will last approximately 2 hours, and the arena will be cleared upon conclusion.
* 7:30 p.m. – Doors open to students and general public for Florida vs. Texas A&M
* 8:30 p.m. – Tipoff for Florida vs. Texas A&M
College GameDay Show Details
* Admission: Free for all UF students and the general public. No tickets required.
* Seating: Available in sections 07-17 and 109-115.
* Parking: First-come, first-served in Lot 25 and Garage 7, located next to the arena.
* Concessions: Limited concessions available before and during the show.
* Entry Procedures: Normal O’Connell Center screening and prohibited item policies will be in effect.
College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes
* Free Dunkin’ Donuts for the first 500 UF students in line outside Gate 3.
* Commemorative College GameDay buttons for the first 1,000 fans.
* Sign making station on-site courtesy of State Farm, with poster board and markers provided.
o Fans may also bring their own signs to the show.
o All signs will be reviewed, and inappropriate signs will be confiscated.
o No vulgarity, commercial (branded, .com., .net, .org), political, or religious signs allowed.
* Complimentary State Farm rollabanas and net hats (while supplies last).
* Half-court shot contest: One lucky fan will have the chance to win $19,000.
College GameDay Entry Procedures for Students
For safety and fairness, the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association (UAA), and the University Police Department have set the following procedures:
* Students may begin lining up outside Gate 3 on Friday at 9 p.m., after the gymnastics meet.
* Camping outside Gate 3 on Friday night is permitted as an official university activity. Per University regulations (2.016 – Camping, Fishing & Hunting on Campus Prohibited), please note that camping is prohibited on university property unless it is an official university activity.
* All tents and campsites must be broken down and the area cleaned up 4 hours before tip-off at 4:30 p.m.
* The University, UAA, and O’Connell Center are not responsible for unattended items.
Following a normal game protocol, the first 500 students in line will receive a numbered wristband (max two per student).
* After 500 wristbands are distributed, remaining students will receive a physical ticket stub with a queuing zone number (starting with Zone 2).
After the College GameDay show, students must exit Gate 3 and reclaim their place in line outside.
* All students must return by 1 p.m. for re-entry.
* Students who attend ESPN College GameDay and return by 1 p.m. will enter first.
* Students who did not attend College GameDay will be placed in a separate queue, with entry based on availability.
More Student Ticketing Information<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_students_.aspx?utm_source=ufsfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EML25_0225_6P_MBK_GAMEDAY-STUD&utm_id=48578&sfmc_id=2955607>
Know Before You Go – Texas A&M Game
* Arrive Early: Avoid Lines, gates open at 7:30 p.m. for both UF students (Gate 3) and the general public gates (Gates 1 & 4).
* Men’s Basketball Gameday Parking Info<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_facilities_parking_basketball_.aspx>
* Sold Out Game: Only verified resale tickets available via Ticketmaster.com<https://www.ticketmaster.com/florida-gators-mens-basketball-vs-university-gainesville-florida-01-18-2025/event/22006101A4BB23B1?utm_source=WEB&utm_medium=TIX&utm_campaign=MBK-SINGLE&camefrom=CFC_GATORS_WEB_TIX_MBK-SINGLE>.
* Mobile Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/9/3/mobile-ticketing.aspx>: Fans should add tickets and parking passes to their digital wallet before arriving for faster access.
* Student Entry: All active UF students must enter through Gate 3 with a free, claimed season pass. Click here to claim your pass.<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/en/buy/studentpass2425> Possession of a pass does not guarantee entry; admission is first-come, first-served.
* Broadcast Info:
o Tipoff at 8:30 p.m. on SEC Network (TV) and Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Radio).
* Florida Basketball Game Day Guide<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_gameday_basketball_.aspx> | Texas A&M Digital Game Program<https://floridagators.com/MBBprogram>
* Got game day questions? Ask Albert<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_tickets_faq_.aspx>!
Giveaways & Promotions – Texas A&M Game
* Exclusive Florida Basketball T-Shirts: Placed on all lower level seats, courtesy of Meldon Law<https://www.meldonlaw.com/>.
* Alligator Alley (Practice Court – Between Gates 3 & 4): Interactive games, activities, and special giveaways while supplies last before the game.
Ticket Information
* Texas A&M & Ole Miss (Mar. 8) Games Sold Out: Fans can place deposits for the 2025-26 season at FloridaGators.com/tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2022/12/15/mens-basketball-tickets.aspx>.
* Student Tickets: Beginning at 7:30 p.m., UF students must enter Exactech Arena via Gate 3 (Southwest side). Entry is first-come, first-served, and capacity will be capped.
* Verified Resale Tickets: Only available through Ticketmaster.com. Avoid unverified resellers. Click here for tips on verifying tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2024/7/30/counterfeit-tickets.aspx>.
* Will Call: Located at the Exactech Arena Ticket Office (north of Gate 1, near the Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium).
This Weekend on Campus
Friday, February 28
* Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving – Florida Invitational (Prelims: 9 a.m. | Finals 4 p.m.)
– Free Admission | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center
* Men’s Tennis vs. Kentucky – 5 p.m. | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
* Softball – Florida Invitational vs. Samford – 5:30 p.m. | Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/13/softball-single-game-tickets> | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
* Gymnastics vs. Missouri – 5:45 p.m. | Get Tickets<https://shorturl.at/PDo8f> | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center
* Baseball vs. Miami – 6:30 p.m. | Free Ariat hats for first 300 UF students | Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/16/baseball-single-game-tickets> | Condron Family Ballpark
Saturday, March 1
* Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving – Florida Invitational (Prelims: 9 a.m. | Finals 4 p.m.)
– Free Admission | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center
* Softball – Florida Invitational vs. Troy (11:30 a.m.) & Western Michigan (2 p.m.)
Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/13/softball-single-game-tickets> | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
* Baseball vs. Miami – 4:30 p.m. | Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/16/baseball-single-game-tickets> | Condron Family Ballpark
Sunday, March 2
* Men’s Tennis vs. Texas – Noon | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
* Baseball vs. Miami – 1 p.m. | UF Snapback hats for first 1,000 fans and Kids Run the Bases |
Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/16/baseball-single-game-tickets> | Condron Family Ballpark
* Softball- Florida Invitational vs. FAMU – 2 p.m. | Get Tickets<https://floridagators.com/sports/2025/1/13/softball-single-game-tickets> | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
