The sights and sounds of gameday in Blacksburg are back as the Virginia Tech football team hosts ACC foe Boston College in its 2022 home opener this Saturday night, Sept. 10.
Limited tickets are still available for Brent Pry's first home game as head coach of the Hokies. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, setting the stage for another memorable night under the lights in Lane Stadium.
Get ready for gameday with five things to know for Tech's clash with the Eagles.
1. Wear orange. This Saturday's contest will serve as the Hokies' annual Orange Effect game in partnership with the Undergraduate Student Senate (formerly Student Government Association). Fans can order this year's T-shirt online, although shipping is not guaranteed prior to gameday, or pick one up on Saturday from the Hokie Shop's trailer in Lot 4.
2. Make sure to download your tickets and bring a credit or debit card. Following successful implementation during the 2021 football season, Lane Stadium will continue to be a mobile-first and cashless venue when it comes to ticketing and concessions. 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.
Once inside, only a credit or debit card will be accepted at the concession stands for those wanting to purchase food and drink. There will be a limited number of pre-paid cards available for purchase with cash at the Hokie Shop trailer in Lot 4 outside of Lane Stadium.
3. Arrive early to enjoy all of the pregame festivities. There will be something for everyone to experience prior to kickoff on Saturday night. Hokie Village is back and better than ever, with live music from the Matt Tucker Band to go along with four food trucks and stations to purchase beer and wine. Young fans can spend time playing on inflatables or getting photos with the HokieBird and Tech Spirit Squads, while both Tech Women's Soccer (6-6:30 p.m.) and Women's Basketball (6:30-7 p.m.) will be in attendance signing autographs. Hokie Village will open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 7:15 p.m.
ACC Network's "The Huddle" show will be in town this Saturday in front of Cassell Coliseum. There, fans can play a quarterback toss game, get their face painted, check out the ACC Football championship trophy and more. The Marching Virginians and Tech Spirit Squads will also make an appearance.
Additionally, Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop will host the Tech Kickoff Show live from outside the Northwest corner of Lane Stadium. The Kickoff Show is 60 minutes of fast-paced pregame coverage featuring the first thoughts of head coach Brent Pry, player interviews, keys to the game and the ACC Report. The Kickoff Show airs 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
4. Catch Hokie Walk and March to Victory. Be there to greet the team when they arrive for Hokie Walk on Beamer Way at approximately 5:30 p.m. At 6:40 p.m., join the Marching Virginians and the Tech Spirit Squads as they march from the MV practice field in Lot 5 to Lane Stadium.
5. Lane Stadium gates open at 6 p.m. Gate 7 will continue to be an exclusive student entrance in an effort to speed up entry times for all fans. All students will be directed to a new point of entry into the stadium located on Washington Street between the Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center and the tennis courts. Whether coming from on campus or off campus, all students with tickets will begin their entry process into Lane Stadium underneath a 35-foot wide orange archway on Washington Street. This archway signifies the start of a walk toward the stadium that will feature any exclusive promotional giveaway items as well as bag check and ticket scanning stations.
Beginning this season, Gate 8 on the East side of Lane Stadium will be closed. This is part of an effort to improve flow around the venue and provide additional support at other gates to improve ticket scanning times. Based on ticket scanner traffic, Gate 8 is consistently the least-used gate for entry into Lane Stadium. Deploying those resources elsewhere will allow stadium staff to provide better service at the seven other entrances into the venue.
Additionally, Callaghan-Sheridan Way will be closed as a crossing point as that street will become part of the Lane Stadium footprint to improve in-stadium pedestrian traffic between the West stands and the East stands.
