ARIZONA AD DAVE HEEKE ON COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE AT ARIZONA STADIUM
"Arizona Athletics prides itself in preparing and delivering a first-class game day atmosphere, and I want to apologize to those who were unable to fully enjoy that exceptional experience at Arizona Stadium on Saturday. We fell short in our obligation to provide you that experience. For that we sincerely apologize. We did not deliver.
Saturday's football home opener was our first home game with fans in over 650 days with some updated and new security and safety efforts. Consistent with other large sport venues across the country, these new safety efforts have been part of our strategic priority to take deliberate steps to improve overall game day management, enhance safety, and improve fan experience. However, we experienced delays and deficiencies at entrance gates as we struggled to effectively implement new technologies. Please don't misinterpret these as excuses. The fact remains . . . we did not meet expectations.
Our team has been meeting throughout the week identifying all issues and developing critical solutions in preparation for this weekend's game, which include additional staffing, new queuing protocols and adjusted entrance procedures for fans at gates. Our commitment remains to provide an outstanding game day experience for fans, and that means working tirelessly to resolve issues and deficiencies. These important elements of the fan experience will be better when we welcome you all for Saturday's home football game versus Northern Arizona at 7 p.m. (MST). Thank you again for your patience and for your support of the Arizona Wildcats. Bear Down and Go Cats!"
ARIZONA ATHLETICS ENHANCEMENTS FOR FANS ENTERING THE STADIUM
Moving forward with Arizona Football season, the athletics department has made the following enhancements regarding fan traffic entering Arizona Stadium
- Expanded types of security measures and checks at gates
- Enhanced training protocols for staff in gate areas
- Resolved technology and Wi-Fi internet issues experienced during home opener
- Implemented mitigation strategies for peak, high-volume times
- Ensuring sufficient staffing to assist with fans with mobile ticketing issues
- Increased communication and information to fans on preparedness and arrival information
MOBILE TICKETING REMINDERS
Saturday's home football game versus Northern Arizona will be our second game this season with our mobile-only ticketing at Arizona Stadium. We heard positive feedback
about the ease and efficiency of our mobile ticketing process, and Arizona Athletics has a few recommendations and reminders to optimize this efficient process for fans ahead of Saturday.
- Ensure your tickets have been pulled up on your mobile device and shared before leaving your house.
- Fans are encouraged to enter Arizona Stadium at one of our eight gates of entry that is closest to your designated seat. Please utilize this seating map of Arizona Stadium with gate information (PDF).
- If you are transferring or sharing tickets, all parties must have their own ticketing accounts created.
- If you are utilizing a mobile parking pass, please have it easily accessible on your mobile device before beginning your drive to campus.
- All gates for fans at Arizona Stadium open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
- For additional information on mobile ticketing, please visit our mobile ticketing homepage.
We want to reiterate to fans that our new concessions operator, Aramark, operates exclusively on a cash-less basis inside Arizona Stadium. This is part of our enhanced efficiency at our concession areas with credit cards, Apple Wallet and Google Pay accepted. Reverse ATM's are available for those who only bring cash.
