Texas Tech University is rolling out a loyalty‑based ticketing system for the 2026‑27 academic year, promising guaranteed seats for home football and men’s basketball games to students who secure reservations through the Red Raiders Mobile App.
A Loyalty‑Driven Shift in Student Seating
The initiative, crafted after a survey of more than 800 undergraduates, swaps the old first‑come, first‑served model for a points system that rewards class standing and past event attendance, aiming to boost student presence at marquee contests.
Points Shape the Allocation
At the start of each semester, a student’s class rank assigns a baseline point value, and additional points are earned each time they attend a ticketed sport, creating a dynamic score that influences ticket distribution when demand outstrips supply.
Reservations open each Sunday at 7 a.m. and close at 11:59 p.m., after which students must claim their allotted tickets by 5 p.m. on Monday; any unclaimed seats are then offered to the waiting list.
To actually sit in the reserved spot, attendees must arrive at least fifteen minutes before kickoff or tip‑off, with any remaining empty seats filled by a standby line that forms outside the student entrances.
A Student‑Centric Revamp
University officials say the new framework reflects a broader shift toward data‑driven campus services, aligning ticketing with the preferences expressed in the recent student survey, which highlighted a strong desire for guaranteed seating over the uncertainty of last‑minute purchases.
The Red Raiders Mobile App, available on both iOS and Google Play, serves as the sole gateway for reservations, and the university hopes the streamlined process will deepen engagement among the student body while preserving the excitement of game day.