The University of Utah will be hosting ESPN’s GameDay pre-game show for the fifth time on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28. The show will showcase a top-25 matchup with the Utes and the Ducks battling it out in what is set to be the 81st straight sellout in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Campus impacts will begin Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 26, as trucks loaded with broadcast and staging equipment arrive on Presidents Circle and occupy parking spaces.

The Presidents Circle loop will close to campus shuttles, through traffic and pickup/drop offs starting, Wednesday, Oct. 25, and remain closed through Saturday afternoon, Oct. 28. Commuters can access campus shuttles during this closure at the UTA stop located at University Street and Presidents Circle. making regular stops a the  If you have a child in the UKids daycare, contact managers for specific details about pickup and drop off.

The roadway will reopen to normal traffic patterns the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 28. Temporary obstructions may occur as the equipment is packed up and shipped out.

The basics

A temporary stage for ESPN hosts will be located on the lawn facing east, while Utah fans will gather behind the set with the Park Building in the background. Admission to the broadcast events on Friday and Saturday is free for all attendees. Students who wish to camp overnight to be on-site for the first-come, first-served entry process into The Pit on Saturday morning may begin lining up on Friday at 6 p.m. MT. At 4:45 a.m. Saturday the screening and entry process into The Pit will begin.

Transportation and parking

Parking will continue to be enforced across campus for all football related events. UTA’s TRAX and bus lines are strongly encouraged for anyone coming to campus. Those attending the football game can utilize their tickets for both Trax and UTA buses.

Visitors coming to campus for GameDay can park in the Northwest Parking Garage and the Merrill Engineering Parking lot for free beginning 6 p.m. on Friday. This lot is within walking distance to Presidents Circle.

Starting at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, two campus shuttles will be driving on a loop from Merrill Engineering to Presidents Circle as an added convenience. And Spin Scooters will be placed at Merril Engineering, Presidents Circle and across campus as an added mode of active

Student camping information

Camping is for University of Utah students only. Students planning on camping out to enter the queue for The Pit, need to know the following.

University police and security personnel will be present throughout the event to foster a safe and secure enf

• University of Utah student UID is required to check in. Student will then receive a wristband and be entered into the queue for access into The Pit on Saturday morning. You will not be able to enter the queue or camping area without your UID card.
• Inclement Weather – The weather forecast for Friday is cold and possible rain showers. Temperatures could drop into the 30s. Please plan accordingly. Campus Rec potentially has options for renting camping gear: https://campusrec.utah.edu/outdoor-adventures/rental/camp/index.php.

Student behavior while camping – The same fan behavior policies that are enforced at Rice Eccles Stadium will be in effect in the camping area. No alcohol, any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or illegal substances are not permitted. Open flames are also prohibited. Anyone who engages in unsafe or inappropriate conduct will be removed from the premises and will be referred to the Dean of Student’s Office for potential disciplinary actions.

Friday and Saturday, ESPN show lineup

Friday, Oct. 27, live shots to include:

• 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m., The Pat McAfee Show
• 12:15 p.m., Desmond Howard from RES
• 1 p.m., Pete Thamel from RES
• 1:30-2 p.m., College Football Live

Saturday, Oct. 28, live shots to include:

• 5:45 a.m., Live SportsCenter
• 6:30 a.m., Countdown to GameDay Show
• 7 a.m-10 a.m., GameDay

The Pit

Entry into The Pit on Saturday morning is on a first-come first-served basis. The screening and entry process into The Pit will begin at 4:45 a.m.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• bags of any kind
• food
• drinks
• pens/pencils/markers
• dry erase boards
• signs on sticks

GameDay signs

One of the most beloved traditions with GameDay is the making of signs. Fans are asked to keep signs appropriate with no vulgar language. For fans entering the pit, signs can’t be on poles or oversized. All signs brought to Saturday’s taping will be inspected before entry and must abide by the sign policies that ESPN has put in place.

Follow along

Fans can follow along with the action and get updates on the Utah GameDay central page on UtahUtes.com.