ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm is set to make its way back to the O’Connell Center on Saturday, March 1. The broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. and lead into the evening showdown between No. 3 Florida men’s basketball (24-4, 11-4 SEC) and No. 12 Texas A&M (20-8, 9-6 SEC). Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., with the game presented by VyStar Credit Union.
Timeline for March 1
- 8:30 a.m. – Doors open for UF students at Gate 3 (see below for student entry details)
- 8:45 a.m. – Doors open for general public at Gate 1
- 10 a.m. – College GameDay live from the O'Connell Center (free admission)
- The show will last approximately 2 hours, and the arena will be cleared upon conclusion.
- 7:30 p.m. – Doors open to students and general public for Florida vs. Texas A&M
- 8:30 p.m. – Tipoff for Florida vs. Texas A&M
College GameDay Show Information
- Admission: Open to all UF students and the public at no cost. No tickets are required.
- Seating: Sections 07–17 and 109–115 will be available.
- Parking: First-come, first-served in Lot 25 and Garage 7, adjacent to the arena.
- Concessions: Limited food and beverage options will be offered before and during the event.
- Entry: Standard O’Connell Center security screening and prohibited item rules apply.
College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes
- Free Dunkin’ Donuts for the first 500 UF students lined up outside Gate 3.
- Commemorative College GameDay buttons for the first 1,000 attendees.
- A sign-making station sponsored by State Farm, with poster board and markers provided.
- Fans may also bring their own signs.
- All signs will be checked; inappropriate ones will be removed.
- Signs with vulgarity, commercial branding (.com, .net, .org), political, or religious messages are not allowed.
- Complimentary State Farm rollabanas and net hats (while supplies last).
- Half-court shot contest: one fan will have the chance to win $19,000.
College GameDay Student Entry Guidelines
To ensure safety and fairness, the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association (UAA), and the University Police Department have established the following:
- Students may begin lining up outside Gate 3 on Friday at 9 p.m., following the gymnastics meet.
- Camping outside Gate 3 Friday night is permitted as an official university activity. Per University regulations (2.016 – Camping, Fishing & Hunting on Campus Prohibited), camping is otherwise prohibited unless designated as official.
- All tents and campsites must be cleared and the area cleaned four hours before tip-off (by 4:30 p.m.).
- The University, UAA, and O’Connell Center are not responsible for unattended belongings.
The first 500 students in line will receive numbered wristbands (maximum two per student).
- After wristbands are distributed, remaining students will be given ticket stubs with zone numbers (starting at Zone 2).
Following the College GameDay show, students must exit Gate 3 and rejoin the line outside.
- All students must return by 1 p.m. for re-entry.
- Students who attend College GameDay and return by 1 p.m. will be admitted first.
- Students who do not attend the show will be placed in a separate line, with entry based on availability.
More Student Ticketing Information
Know Before You Go – Texas A&M Game
- Arrive Early: Avoid Lines, gates open at 7:30 p.m. for both UF students (Gate 3) and the general public gates (Gates 1 & 4).
- Men's Basketball Gameday Parking Info
- Sold Out Game: Only verified resale tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.
- Mobile Tickets: Fans should add tickets and parking passes to their digital wallet before arriving for faster access.
- Student Entry: All active UF students must enter through Gate 3 with a free, claimed season pass. Click here to claim your pass. Possession of a pass does not guarantee entry; admission is first-come, first-served.
- Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff at 8:30 p.m on SEC Network (TV) and Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Radio).
- Florida Basketball Game Day Guide | Texas A&M Digital Game Program
- Got game day questions? Ask Albert!
Giveaways & Promotions – Texas A&M Game
- Exclusive Florida Basketball T-Shirts: Placed on all lower level seats, courtesy of Meldon Law.
- Alligator Alley (Practice Court - Between Gates 3 & 4): Interactive games, activities, and special giveaways while supplies last before the game.
Ticket Information
- Texas A&M & Ole Miss (Mar. 8) Games Sold Out: Fans can place deposits for the 2025-26 season at FloridaGators.com/tickets.
- Student Tickets: Beginning at 7:30 p.m., UF students must enter Exactech Arena via Gate 3 (Southwest side). Entry is first-come, first-served, and capacity will be capped.
- Verified Resale Tickets: Only available through Ticketmaster.com. Avoid unverified resellers. Click here for tips on verifying tickets.
- Will Call: Located at the Exactech Arena Ticket Office (north of Gate 1, near the Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium).
This Weekend on Campus
Friday, February 2
- Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving - Florida Invitational (Prelims: 9 a.m. | Finals 4 p.m.)
- Free Admission Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center
- Men's Tennis vs. Kentucky - 5 p.m. | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
- Softball - Florida Invitational vs. Samford - 5:30 p.m. | Get Tickets | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
- Gymnastics vs. Missouri - 5:45 p.m. | Get Tickets | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center
- Baseball vs. Miami - 6:30 p.m. | Free Ariat hats for first 300 UF students | Get Tickets | Condron Family Ballpark
Saturday, March 1
- Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving - Florida Invitational (Prelims: 9 a.m. | Finals 4 p.m.)
- Free Admission | Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center
- Softball – Florida Invitational vs. Troy (11:30 a.m.) & Western Michigan (2 p.m.)
Get Tickets | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
- Baseball vs. Miami - 4:30 p.m. | Get Tickets | Condron Family Ballpark
Sunday, March 2
- Men's Tennis vs. Texas – Noon | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
- Baseball vs. Miami - 1 p.m. | UF Snapback hats for first 1,000 fans and Kids Run the Bases
Get Tickets | Condron Family Ballpark
Softball- Florida Invitational vs. FAMU - 2 p.m. | Get Tickets | Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium
