Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech announces fan information for 2026 season
September 02, 2026 | Football
Red Raiders open the 2026 season at 6 p.m. Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at Galaxy Stadium
LUBBOCK, Texas – Each year, Red Raider fans come to expect several new elements to the gameday experience. For the 2026 season, Texas Tech already has one simply in the name of Galaxy Stadium, the new home of the Red Raiders.
Beyond that, Red Raider fans can continue to expect the best gameday experience in college football with sellout crowds expected each time Texas Tech laces them up this season. Here's a rundown of what's next new and what returns to Galaxy Stadium this season.
TEXAS TECH TO IMPLEMENT NEW ROAD CLOSURES NEAR GALAXY STADIUM
Texas Tech will close all traffic on Wes Kittley Drive of Champions between 8th Street and Canton Avenue beginning three hours prior to kickoff this season in an effort to improve safety for pedestrians. Traffic in this area will remain closed to vehicles until roughly an hour after each game. The area around Gate 1 (southwest corner) receives the heaviest gameday pedestrian traffic annually between Raider Walk, nearby Raider Alley, ticket holders on the west side of Galaxy Stadium and then students making their way to Gate 6 (southeast corner).
NEW SECURITY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE AT EACH GATE
Texas Tech introduced new security scanners last April with its annual Spring Game and then the back-to-back nights of George Strait concerts inside Galaxy Stadium. All ticket holders entering Galaxy Stadium will be subject to security screening using the Evolv Weapons Detection System, which will speed up entry through each gate and also provide a safer environment for all Red Raiders. The new system will also be utilized at select events inside United Supermarkets Arena moving forward.
TEXAS TECH INTRODUCES "EVERY SEAT COUNTS" PROGRAM
Texas Tech previously announced last week the creation of the "Every Seat Counts" program, which is designed to reward Red Raider Club members based on their attendance at home football and men's basketball games. As part of the program, original ticket holders who attend at least 75 percent of home contests will be awarded with Red Raider Club priority points for ensuring both Galaxy Stadium and United Supermarkets Arena continue to boast capacity crowds. Texas Tech will distribute five priority points for original account holders who utilize their tickets for 75 to 84 percent of home contests, 15 points for 85 to 99 percent and then 25 points for every home event in either football or men's basketball.
Even when a season ticket holder is unable to attend a home game, Texas Tech has created several avenues to ensure their seats are filled to root on the Red Raiders, including by returning their tickets to be donated for the Veteran Tickets Foundation, transferring them to a family, friend or fellow Red Raider through the online ticket portal at TexasTech.com or the Texas Tech Mobile App or by selling on SeatGeek, the official secondary ticket provider of Texas Tech Athletics.
STUDENTS CAN NOW GUARANTEE THEIR SPOT THROUGH RED RAIDER LOYALTY
Texas Tech Athletics has introduced a new student ticket loyalty system beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, allowing students to reserve their spot inside both Galaxy Stadium and United Supermarkets Arena in advance of each home event. Students can learn more at RedRaiderLoyalty.com, including a timeline on when to request tickets each week and how to download the Texas Tech Mobile App.
DOWNLOAD YOUR TICKETS AND BE READY TO "TAP AND GO" AT THE GATE
Texas Tech will continue to utilize a "tap and go" mobile ticketing system to assist fans with quicker entry each gameday. All football tickets, including premium areas, remain 100 percent mobile only but will not utilize a QR code for scanning moving forward. Instead, fans will place their downloaded mobile ticket near ticket scanners that will identify each mobile ticket wirelessly. Fans with multiple tickets will need to swipe horizontally to each ticket and tap it near the scanner for entry.
Most importantly, Texas Tech no longer accepts screenshots of mobile tickets to further protect ticket holders from scams or counterfeit purchases. As a reminder, fans are highly encouraged to download their tickets in advance of arriving at Galaxy Stadium in order to speed up the entry process and to ensure connectivity. Unable to make a game? Transfer your ticket to a friend using the Texas Tech mobile app or by accessing the online ticket account at TexasTech.com. Step-by-step instructions can be found here via TexasTech+.
DRONE SHOWS ARE BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON
Texas Tech will once again light up the sky in between the third and fourth quarters with three drone shows already planned for the 2026 season. All three of Texas Tech's scheduled night games thus far against Abilene Christian, Houston and TCU will feature a different drone show plus plenty of fireworks for each time the Red Raiders find the end zone this season. More information regarding drone shows and other innovative fan interactions will be announced in advance of each game.
DEDICATED RIDESHARE LOCATIONS INTRODUCED ON CAMPUS
Texas Tech will have two dedicated dropoff and pickup locations for rideshare companies this season on campus. For fans with tickets on the east side of Galaxy Stadium, rideshare users should utilize the location at 902 Akron Avenue just past Memorial Circle. The other location will be at 703 Flint Avenue in front of the Rawls College of Business. For more information on the two rideshare locations, please visit here.
PROTECT THE RED RAIDERS: NO OBJECTS THROWN INSIDE GALAXY STADIUM
As a reminder, Texas Tech Athletics has changed its gameday fan policies moving forward as the throwing of objects inside Galaxy Stadium – including tortillas – will result in an immediate fan ejection and possible revocation of future ticket privileges for the remainder of the season.
@TEXASTECHFB ON X THE BEST SOURCE FOR GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Texas Tech Athletics has dedicated weather monitoring prior to and during each home football game. If inclement weather moves into the area, fans are encouraged to follow Texas Tech Football's social media accounts for regular updates. As a reminder, umbrellas are not allowed inside Galaxy Stadium.
GALAXY STADIUM HAS FIVE MARKETPLACES ON THE CONCOURSE
Fans looking for an efficient way to purchase concessions have five different grab-and-go marketplace options to try around Galaxy Stadium with last season's addition of "4th and Goal" near Gate 3 (northwest corner). The marketplace concept has been a popular attraction for Red Raider fans since its inception with "Touchdown Tavern" located on the south end zone concourse, the "Let's Go" and "Take Three" locations at Gate 1 (southwest corner) and Gate 4 (northeast corner) and "Matador Marketplace" on the west side mezzanine level.
JOSH ABBOTT BAND HEADLINES PREGAME FESTIVITIES AT RAIDER ALLEY
The best pregame party prior to kickoff is always at Raider Alley presented by Bud Light. This week's musical act is Texas Tech's own Josh Abbott Band, which will take the stage around 4 p.m. for a free concert in Raider Alley. The pregame festivities begin four hours to kickoff every gameday in the heart of the Texas Tech campus in the Engineering Key. The Raider Alley Concert Series is once again sponsored by Davis Smith Law Firm.
UNOPENED WATER BOTTLES ALLOWED INTO ALL ATHLETIC VENUES
As a reminder, fans are allowed to bring an unopened 20 ounce (or less) bottle of water into any outdoor athletics venue on campus. Please note that frozen water will not be allowed through the stadium gates. Opened bottles other than 20 ounce (or less) bottles will not be permitted. Empty drink containers are allowed into Galaxy Stadium and all athletic venues.
GALAXY STADIUM REMAINS FULLY CASHLESS
Galaxy Stadium is a fully cashless venue at all points of sale, including with the Texas Tech Ticket Office, all concession stands and with Red Raider Outfitter, the gameday retailer of Texas Tech Athletics. All points of sale will accept credit and debit cards as well as contactless payment methods.
CITIBUS TO OPERATE SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR FANS
Citibus will provide roundtrip shuttle service beginning three hours prior to kickoff until one hour after the conclusion of the game for only $6 per person. Pick-up is located north of the John Walker Soccer Complex (Texas Tech Parkway & 10th Street) and northwest of Health Sciences Center (ADA Only, Texas Tech Parkway & 5th Street). Citibus will also provide fans shuttle service from the gameday parking lots to Raider Alley this season as part of its gameday transportation. The drop-off location on the north end of the Engineering Key is in addition to the normal Citibus gameday route. Citibus will only accept payment through the "Go Pass" app. Signage and QR codes will be available near each pickup location on gameday.
CLEAR BAG POLICY REMAINS IN PLACE AT ALL ATHLETIC VENUES
Texas Tech's clear bag policy will remain in effect for all athletic venues during the 2026-27 athletic year. Fans will be able to bring the following style and size bag or package into the venue:
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12."
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the venue with one of the clear plastic bags.
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be permitted into Galaxy Stadium.
Guests carrying medically necessary bags or equipment into a venue will be required to have their bag inspected and tagged by security. For questions about medical equipment or other needs, please contact the Athletics Operations office at 806-834-7111.
TEXAS TECH RE-ENTRY POLICY
Re-entry into Galaxy Stadium will not be permitted throughout the 2026 season. Fans must have a new ticket for admission back into the stadium.
