Florida’s annual Orange and Blue Game is back and here’s everything you need to know
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gator Nation will get a sneak peek of their 2023 Florida Football team during this year’s Orange and Blue Game, scheduled to take place Thursday, April 13. The game will serve as a way for fans to experience a Gators game day at the Swamp as the teams will split into Orange and Blue squads for an evening of competition.
Admission is with free and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
* Gates Open at 6 p.m.
* General admission is free.
* Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy all the pre-game activities.
* Pregame Fan Fest on the North lawn opens at 4:30pm.
* Gator Walk is scheduled for 5 p.m.
* Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
* All non-reserved parking on campus will be available starting at 3:30 p.m.
* General parking at Flavet Field will be available starting at 8 a.m.
* Free shuttle services from Parking Garage 109 start at 5:30 p.m.
* Public and Student Giveaways: UF students and general public can enter to win special prizes.
* Gators Volleyball vs. UCF at 6:00 p.m. (Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center). Admission is Free.
Giveaways
UF Student Giveaways
All UF students should enter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium via gates 12 and 15. The first 1,000 students will receive an Orange and Blue reversible Florida Gators bucket hat courtesy of American Campus Communities<https://www.americancampus.com/>. Additionally, the Tough Guys Cookies<https://toughguyscookies.com/> food truck will be stationed outside gate 12 to give away cookies to the first 1,000 students.
One lucky student will also be selected to win a $500 Wawa<https://www.wawa.com/> gift card.
Public Giveaways
Fans can pick up the official 2023 Florida Football Orange & Blue Game poster and team roster cards inside the stadium gates while supplies last. Magnet schedules for the 2023 season will also be available.
The Gators 50/50 raffle is back for the Orange and Blue game, and all fans in attendance will receive one free entry into the pool, with the ability to purchase additional raffle tickets. All 50/50 raffle tickets can be purchased at Gators5050.com<https://gators5050.com/>.
All fans who claim their free 50/50 raffle ticket will also be entered to win prizes such as two 2023 Florida Football season tickets, a Throwback Florida Football helmet, four Single Day Passes to Busch Gardens<https://buschgardens.com/>, a James Bates three-piece art set<http://b8sypaint.com/home>, and more.
One lucky fan in attendance will win a new 2023 John Deere XUV560E Crossover Utility Gator<https://www.agprocompanies.com/new-equipment/residential/gator-utility-vehicles/4wd/2-passenger-4wd-gator-utility-vehicles/xuv560e-2021-crossover-utility-vehicle/>, presented by Ag Pro<https://www.agprocompanies.com/new-equipment/residential/gator-utility-vehicles/4wd/2-passenger-4wd-gator-utility-vehicles/xuv560e-2021-crossover-utility-vehicle/>.
Prize winners will be announced throughout the game and fans must be present at the Orange and Blue Game to win. Prizes can be claimed at the marketing table on the North Endzone Concourse.
Game Format
The team will split into two teams and will practice separately during the last week of spring camp. On game day, the teams will run out of separate tunnels using both the home and visiting locker rooms.
The game will feature four quarters, a 15-minute halftime and a running clock with the exception of the last four minutes of each half. The clock will also stop for penalties, change of possession and scores.
Competition between the two teams will serve as a way for fans to experience a Gators game day at the Swamp.
Join The Pregame Fun
Tailgating, Gator Walk Village and Gators Fan Fest set the tone for the action in The Swamp.
Gators Fan Fest
Fans should visit Gators Fan Fest beginning at 4:30 p.m. hosted by Gators Sports Properties. UF Health, Learfield Amplify, Auto ER, Florida Blue, Wawa, Florida Credit Union, Cruises.com, Good Greek Moving & Storage, Meldon Law, DJ Elio, Pepsi, Florida Credit Union, BMW and Sports Mall will host activities including games, contests, giveaways, interactive displays, and more.
Admission is free and it will be located on the North Lawn along University Avenue just outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Fans can also swing by the Gator Sportshop<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/sportshop.aspx> to gear up for gameday.
Once in the stadium, fans can enjoy connectivity with #GatorsWIFI and pre-game activities, such as fireworks, Mr. Two Bits, and the team entrances.
Gator Walk
Fans can cheer on the team as they arrive for Gator Walk on the north side of the stadium. Gator Walk begins at 5 p.m.
Gates Open at 6 p.m.
Gates at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will open at 6 p.m. Gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 15 and 18 will open for fan entry. General admission seating will be located on the west and east stands, as well as the lower north and south endzones.
Access to the premium seating will require tickets and is reserved for premium season ticket holders.
Premium season ticket holders can access their tickets by logging into their account via the Florida Gators App<http://www.floridagators.com/app> or at www.floridagators.com/myaccount<http://www.floridagators.com/myaccount>.
Clear Bag Policy and Prohibited Items
In the interest of fan safety, the UAA’s clear bag polic<https://floridagators.com/sports/2016/4/11/clear-bag-policy.aspx>y<http://floridagators.com/sports/2016/4/11/clear-bag-policy.aspx> will be in effect at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during this year’s Orange and Blue Game.
Fans should also be familiar with the list of prohibited items<https://floridagators.com/sports/2016/4/11/clear-bag-policy.aspx> at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Click here<https://floridagators.com/sports/2016/4/11/clear-bag-policy.aspx> for more information regarding UF’s clear bag policy and the list of prohibited items.
Parking and Traffic
All non-reserved parking on campus, including Flavet Field, Lots 114 and 109 and the Stephen C. O’Connell Center garage, will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free shuttles from Parking Garage 109, located at the intersection of Archer Road and Gale Lemerand Drive, begin running at 5:30 p.m. The shuttles will run until approximately 60 minutes after the game ends.
The shuttles drop-off and pick-up location is on Stadium Road and Gale Lemerand Drive, near UF Gator Dining.
Parking on the grass and sidewalks is not permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.
Road Closure
In an effort to manage security around the stadium, no vehicular traffic will be allowed on Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road, and on Stadium Road between Gale Lemerand Drive and Buckman Drive starting at 5:30 p.m. The closure will remain in effect until after the end of the game.
Additionally, the following roads are closed due to construction:
* Museum Road from Newell Drive to Center Drive
* Museum Road from Gale Lemerand Drive to Hume West
Shuttles
Free shuttles from Parking Garage 109, located at the intersection of Archer Road and Gale Lemerand Drive, begin running at 5:30 p.m. The shuttles will run until approximately 60 minutes after the game ends.
The shuttles drop-off and pick-up location is on Stadium Road and Gale Lemerand Drive, near UF Gator Dining.
Restrooms
Inside the Stadium: Please refer to the Stadium Map<https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2020/9/22/2020_BenHillGriffin_Stadium_Map.pdf>.
Outside the Stadium: Before entering the Stadium, fans may utilize restrooms in the North Lawn starting at 4:30 p.m. and inside the main atrium of Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 5 p.m.
Baby Changing Stations are located in various restrooms throughout Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
* North End Zone: Gate 8 (Women’s) & Gate 7 (Men’s)
* South End Zone: Gate 18 (Men’s)
* East Side: Section 36 (Women’s) & Section 40 (Men’s)
* West Side: Gate 2 (Men’s & Women’s)
Gators Volleyball takes on UCF
The Gators Volleyball team will host the UCF Knights inside the Stephen C. O’Connell Center beginning at 6 p.m. Admission to the match is free.
In-Game Experience and Traditions
The Swamp is home to one of the most unique environments in college football. Once in their seats, fans will be able to experience and take part in the traditions that make Gator Nation on of the most exciting fanbases in college football:
Honorary Two Bits
Join in one of the Swamp’s most iconic moments prior to kickoff with the Celebrity “Mr. Two Bits” cheer.
UF’s Student Body President Lauren McMasters will be the Orange and Blue Game’s Celebrity “Mr. Two Bits.”
I Won’t Back Down
Florida Gators fans honor Gainesville, Florida, native Tom Petty in between the third and fourth quarters by singing “I Won’t Back Down,” one of the late artist’s biggest hits. The song first played on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, against the LSU Tigers in which 90,000 fans sang along. Download the Gators Mobile App<https://floridagators.com/sports/2019/7/31/mobile-app.aspx> and join the Gator Lights Show during “I Won’t Back Down” in the third quarter break.
Spring Awards
2023 Spring Awards will be presented at halftime to current football student-athletes.
Postgame Experience
After the conclusion of the Orange & Blue Game, the field will be open exclusively for 2023 season ticket holders. Each 2023 season ticket holder along with up to four guests has been invited to walk Steve Spurrier-Florida Field.
2023 Football Season Tickets
After four sold out games in 2022, fans can now secure 2023 season seats for the six home games in The Swamp with matchups including Tennessee (Sept. 16), Arkansas (Nov. 4) and Florida State (Nov. 25).
New 2023 season ticket packages are available for only $390 per ticket, plus a required Booster Contribution<https://floridagators.com/sports/2017/1/6/football-season-tickets.aspx> based on seating location. All current UF faculty & staff and recent UF graduates are entitled to special season ticket pricing. Click here<https://info.floridagators.com/FB23HQ?utm_medium=web&utm_source=obgamentk_pr&utm_campaign=fb23&utm_content=hyperlink> for more information and to reserve your seats today.
For questions, contact the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683.
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