The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department has announced a sweeping set of upgrades for the 2026 football season, promising a more seamless and engaging experience for fans who attend home games at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
A Digital Concierge for Every Fan
Central to the plan is Bud, an AI‑powered digital concierge that will answer questions about tickets, parking and venue policies through the Sooners app and the university’s website, giving supporters instant assistance on game day.
Game Day Planning and Traffic Flow
To help families plan their visit, a new OU Football Game Day Guide will consolidate ticketing, parking and policy information into a single, easy‑to‑navigate resource, while revised traffic maps and coordinated directives from Norman police and OU’s own traffic team aim to smooth vehicle flow around the stadium.
Tailgate Redesign
Tailgating will receive a fresh layout, with the Champions Tailgate relocated near the intersection of Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue and entry on the north side of the perimeter, while the 1895 Trust Tailgate will open at the Energy Partners Training Surface, offering complimentary refreshments for members. Free tailgate zones on North Oval and Boyd Lawn remain available, and turnkey packages will be offered for those seeking a hassle‑free setup.
Food options are expanding as two new concession stands join the concourse: one on the lower southwest side and another on the upper west deck, each featuring items such as Dickey’s BBQ wings and Corn Dog Company fried Oreos, broadening the culinary choices for attendees.
New Content and Merchandise
Merchandise lovers can look forward to the return of the Jordan Shoe Box Pop‑Up Shop at Party at the Palace and the debut of an EA Sports gaming lounge inside The Sooner Shop, while the shop itself will grow to eight locations across the stadium, opening two hours before kickoff for morning games.
Limited‑edition printed programs celebrating SEC opponents — including Kentucky, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Texas A&M — will be available for preorder, alongside a 2026 OU Football Media Guide, and the Sooners Magic Memories program will deliver exclusive game‑day experiences for fans of all ages.
Broadcast and Exclusive Experiences
Finally, the Oklahoma Sooners app will receive a modern redesign and new content modules, while the Sooners Game Day broadcast will air on Channel 9 in Oklahoma City and Channel 6 in Tulsa, with full episodes also streaming on SEC Network+. New series such as *Sooner Football with Brent Venables* and *Sooner Sports Talk* will debut, and postgame press conferences will be streamed on SEC Network+ to keep fans connected long after the final whistle.
Exclusive stadium tours priced at $50 per ticket will showcase the Barry Switzer Center, Owen Field and the Eddy Gibbs Family Locker Room, and the South End Zone Terrace Box will gain additional guest seats with in‑seat service, rounding out a season‑long effort to improve fan engagement, accessibility and overall experience.