Hokie ClubThe latest battle for the Black Diamond Trophy is almost here as Virginia Tech Football welcomes West Virginia back to Blacksburg Thursday night, Sept. 22, under the lights in Lane Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET., and parking lots around Lane Stadium will open at 3 p.m. that afternoon.
Tickets for this highly-anticipated matchup sold out back in August. Fans still looking for tickets to Thursday's contest are encouraged to visit StubHub, the official secondary ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.
Get ready for gameday with five things to know for Tech's clash with the Mountaineers.
1. The Hokie Effect theme will return with a new layout. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear either orange or maroon depending on their seat location. Instead of a stripe like years past, this season's Hokie Effect will see the North half of Lane Stadium turn orange while the South half is covered in maroon. . Find out what color you need to wear and get the corresponding T-shirt through this partnership with Virginia Tech's Undergraduate Student Senate.
2. Parking lots open at 3 p.m. Because the game falls on a weekday, parking lots will open later than normal. Fans are encouraged to arrive around 3 p.m. while Beamer Way will close to traffic at 4 p.m. The team is set to arrive around 5 p.m., and gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
3. Hokie Village is the place to be pregame. The festivities in Hokie Village will be on another level Thursday night, highlighted by a 90s-themed throwback musical performance from Go Go Gadjet. Hokie Village will open at 4 p.m., and fans can visit different food trucks, check out activations from Coca-Cola, Carilion Clinic, Food Lion and Cooper Cheese, play tailgate games and get autographs from Tech Wrestling (5:30-6 p.m.). Hokie Village will close at 6:45 p.m.
4. Download your tickets in advance and get to your seat early. Fans attending Thursday's game are encouraged to enter Lane Stadium and find their seats early in order to not miss a minute of the pregame festivities, including skydivers, the iconic "Enter Sandman" team entrance and a special guest leading the pregame Stadium Yell. There will also be a throwback feel to Thursday's matchup as videoboard content and other in-game elements will harken back to the mid-1990s when this rivalry was at its peak.
Fans are strongly encouraged to get the official HokieSports mobile app and download their tickets to their digital wallet before arriving at the stadium on gameday in order to speed up entry into the venue.
5. Be respectful and cheer loud. Gamedays unite Hokies in Blacksburg and across the country. We want you to have a great time in Lane Stadium, but please remember to be responsible, respectful and mindful of those around you. Let's show everyone what Hokie Hospitality is all about while continuing to bring the noise.