Nebraska football returns to Memorial Stadium this Saturday, but there are some things to know before you go. From horrible construction to, new concessions, and what else to know ahead of kickoff.
Construction Will Shape Traffic, Not the Season
City street work and construction around Memorial Stadium will change how fans arrive and leave downtown Lincoln. Nebraska Athletics and the City of Lincoln are using Waze to push live routing updates, and officials recommend downloading the app before leaving home. I’d seriously recommend you leave a bare minimum of 30 minutes earlier than you expected, A LOT is shut down.
The larger “Big Red Rebuild” project at Memorial Stadium is scheduled to begin in earnest after the 2026 season. Athletics says disruption this fall should be limited, though some walking paths, parking areas, and gate approaches may still be affected. The city planned a traffic-flow update for Tuesday ahead of the opener.
Which Gates Are Open
Several gates will not operate as they have in past seasons:
Gates 1, 6, and 8 will remain closed all season.
Gates 18, 19, and 21 will close after kickoff.
Gates 17 and 22 are not open to the public.
Gate 11 is reserved for ADA and service entry only.
Fans should confirm their assigned entrance before leaving the tailgate. Ticket help on game day is available at Gate 10 (northwest corner) and Gate 22 (East Stadium). Weekday ticket and Huskers Athletic Fund business is handled at Gate 21 on the east side.
Policies
No re-entry. 2026 is the second season of a stadium-wide no re-entry rule. Once a fan leaves after scanning in, that ticket is no longer valid. Officials urge fans to bring everything they need before approaching the gates.
Alcohol. Beer and other alcohol remain available inside Memorial Stadium and other Nebraska venues. A valid ID is required for every purchase, regardless of age, and the limit is two drinks per person per transaction. Sales stop at the end of the third quarter, or earlier at management’s discretion. A designated-driver program continues at guest services on the east, west, and south concourses, with a free small soft drink or water for adults who sign the pledge. You may bring empty personal water bottles and refill them at stadium fountains. Athletics says it will announce any heat-related exceptions.
Nebraska still has its clear bag policy.
Cornhusker Kickoff Starts at 8 a.m.
The Cornhusker Kickoff presented by Bud Light returns for a second season inside the Hawks Championship Center, just outside the stadium gates. For Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff, the Fan Fest opens at 8 a.m. and closes when the game begins. No game ticket is required, but capacity is limited, and some fans may wait if the space fills. The event is free and includes live entertainment, kids’ activities, food and drinks, merchandise, and appearances by current and former players and coaches.
Getting There: New Shuttles
StarTran will not run the Big Red Express in 2026. In its place, iPronto is operating reserved shuttles from four Lincoln locations, with plans to add service from other Nebraska cities including Omaha, Kearney/Grand Island, and Norfolk/Columbus. Reservations must be made directly with iPronto.
What’s New at the Concession Stands
Aramark S+E is in its second year running food and beverage at Husker venues. Runza, Valentino’s pizza, and Fairbury Red Hot Dogs remain on the menu, though not every item is sold at every stand. New 2026 items include:
N-shaped pretzels at all GBR Classic locations
Fairbury Polish sausage on a Rotella bun at GBR Classic stands
Footlong Ribwich at 1923 Cheese Steaks (Section 22)
Dry-rubbed wings at Boneyard Wings (Section 5)
Street corn, now at Tunnel Taco stands
For 11 a.m. kickoffs, Tunnel Walk breakfast tacos are on the brunch menu. Club-level additions include a prime-time ribeye sandwich, Big Red shortcake nachos, Scotcharro bars, a Big Red cookie, brisket loaded nachos, and a smoked brisket sandwich. Full stand-by-stand menus are posted at huskers.com/concessions-menus.
Theme Dates Still on the Calendar
Athletics also listed special home-game observances for 2026:
Sept. 5 vs. Ohio: Home opener and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame
Sept. 12 vs. Bowling Green: America 250 celebration, third- and fourth-quarter light show, postgame drone show
Sept. 19 vs. North Dakota: Ag Day, light show, Tom Osborne State of Nebraska Hall of Fame recognition, postgame Cole Swindell concert
Oct. 3 vs. Maryland: Homecoming, Red Cross Day, Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame
Oct. 31 vs. Washington: Blackout at Memorial Stadium and Eric Crouch’s 25th-anniversary Heisman recognition
Nov. 21 vs. Ohio State: Senior Day, Military Appreciation Day, and an on-campus salute to Ndamukong Suh’s College Football Hall of Fame induction
