Bridgeforth Stadium Ready to Host First FBS Competition, Tickets Available

HARRISONBURG, Va. – With the first FBS foe visiting Bridgeforth Stadium this Saturday when James Madison football hosts Middle Tennessee for a 6 p.m. kickoff, JMU Athletics reminds fans of various important stadium policies and procedures to maximize the game day experience for all.

Tickets are still available at JMUTickets.com (or call 540-568-3853) for the non-conference matchup with the Blue Raiders, JMU's first game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

More details about football game day at JMU are available at JMUSports.com.

JMU Football Game Day Information

Parking, Tailgates, Shuttles & Pre-game Activities (Parking Information and Map)

Parking Lots – Open at 8 a.m. and close two hours after the game.
Tailgating – Permitted in reserved lots at 8 a.m. and in general lots four hours prior to kickoff.
General lots – All reserved parking is sold out for the 2022 season. General parking is available in the Ballard Deck, Warsaw Deck, Grace St Deck, D3 Lot and C12 Lot (both on East Campus).
RV Parking – Available in the R10 parking lot on Port Republic Rd, accessible via Hunters Road, at a cost of $150 for the season or $35 per game.
Shuttle services – Various shuttles are offered free to patrons, including from East Campus (Ballard Deck/Festival) and Convo general lots. Shuttles are also offered to many hotel locations.
ADA Parking – Available in R8 lot with shuttle service available direct to gates A & C/D beginning two hours prior to kickoff.
Student tailgate – A tailgate area for students is available in the R1 Lot adjacent to village residence halls. Tailgating opens four hours before kickoff. Drivers must present a valid JACard and the driver plus all passengers must have a game ticket.
Fan Zone – An interactive fan zone offering games, kids activities and more is available to all guests on the Godwin Hall patio beginning 2.5 hours prior to kickoff and ending 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
Dog Drop – Greet the JMU football team as they are transported via buses to the Plecker Athletic Performance Center entryway two hours and 30 minutes before kickoff.

Stadium Entry

Gates open – All gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Gates A through E are open to all guests with gates C and D preferred for student entry. Gate H (adjacent to Gate A) offers ADA entry.
Arrive early – Traditionally, the opening game always experiences a late push on stadium gates. All fans are encouraged to arrive to the stadium early for fastest entry.
Metal detectors – All guests must enter via walk-through metal detectors. Wallets, cell phones and keys DO NOT need to be removed for entry.
Clear bag – Permissible bags include: clear bags with a handle less than 12" by 12" by 6", a one-gallon clear plastic zipper bag and a clutch or wallet no larger than 4.5" by 6.5". Exceptions are made for medically-necessary bags and diaper bags, if accompanied by a small child. Both exceptions are subject to bag search.
Prohibited items – More information about prohibited items is available on JMUSports.com.

Tickets

Tickets On Sale – Tickets for the Middle Tennessee opener are still available at JMUTickets.com. Season tickets and single-game tickets for the remaining five games are also still available.
Digital ticketing – JMU uses digital ticketing via personal mobile devices for all stadium entry. More information is available at JMUSports.com.
Ticket Booth hours – The primary Gate A ticket booth opens four hours prior to kickoff. Booths at Gates B, C and D open two hours before kickoff.
Student ticketing and seating – JMU students receive free tickets to all sporting events, but football tickets must be reserved in advance with digital ticketing for entry. More information, including the no-show policy, is available at JMUSports.com. [UPDATE: Student tickets for the Middle Tennessee game are SOLD OUT. Students can purchase public tickets, while available. A limited number of returned student tickets may become available Saturday morning.]
Stubhub Ticket Marketplace – Fans can also buy and sell tickets on the official secondary ticket marketplace on Stubhub.

Alcohol Sales (More Details)

Wristbands – NEW for 2022, there are no longer separate wristband stations. All wristbands are obtained at alcohol sale locations. Guests can also obtain a wristband prior to stadium entry at the Guest Services Tent on the Plecker Athletics Performance Center patio.
Drink Limits – Guests may purchase two drinks per transaction with a maximum of four per event.
Sale Duration – Alcohol sales begin when gates open and conclude at the end of the third quarter.

Game Environment

Dukes Do Better – Sportsmanship is a key priority for our game day atmosphere at Bridgeforth Stadium. If you witness an issue, please report it to a member of event staff or use GuestAssist. Learn more about the "Dukes Do Better" campaign.
GuestAssist – Fans have direct access to report concerns by texting "DUKES" followed by a space and the issue being reported to 78247. A Game Day Hotline is also available at 540-568-3421 for phone access to report issues.
Marching Royal Dukes – The best band in college football takes the field on Zane Showker Field for pregame about 20 minutes prior to kickoff, halftime and postgame performances. The band also warms up on the JMU quad before the game.
Streamers – Guests are allowed to carry streamers into the venue. Streamers may not be thrown onto the field, directly at individuals participating in the game or at opposing fans.
SOCOM Para-Commandos – The game ball for the first FBS game at Bridgeforth Stadium vs. Middle Tennessee will be delivered approximately 30 minutes before kickoff via parachute by the SOCOM Para-Commandos.
Fireworks/cannon – JMU uses fireworks and a single cannon blast as part of pregame ceremonies to welcome the JMU football team to the field. Cannon blasts also occur at the end of a quarter or following a JMU score.
Promotional giveaways – Promotional items for the Middle Tennessee game include placards, the official team poster and Sun Belt koozies. The full season promotional schedule is available at JMUSports.com.
SunChase First-Year Student Charge – A tradition during JMU season openers, select first-year students will take the field prior to the JMU football team's entry, five minutes before kickoff.
Bookstore – The JMU bookstore is open near G Lot, Godwin Hall and the Godwin Transportation Center on game days. A satellite location is also operated inside the stadium near Gate A.