Ragin Cajuns Home Opener – What Fans Need to Know Before You Go

This Saturday as has happened on many Saturdays in many previous years the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will kick off the college football season. The Cajuns' opponent in Saturday's Herbert Heymann Classic is the team from Grambling State University. A school that has been known more for its band than its football program in previous years, but don't sleep on the Tigers, they will make it a game.

Speaking of Saturday's game even the most casual of Ragin Cajun fans will notice something right off the bat when they arrive at Cajun Field in Lafayette. Half of the stadium is gone. Yeah, it's going to look and feel different at Cajun Field this fall so let's get you acquainted with some of the changes.

How Will Parking For Saturday's Game Be Different?

It will actually be very similar to the parking in previous years. Fans will be allowed to park at the Lite Center, the Cajundome, and Blackham Coliseum. Parking is free and will be open four hours before kickoff.

How Will Tailgating Be Different for Saturday's Game at Cajun Field?

Ragin Cajun Athletics now offers single-game tailgating for those who would like to secure a tailgate spot online. Athletic officials said there are about 40 spots available in that area of the stadium and for this first game, all of those spots have been spoken for. But that will be an option for future games this fall.

The Cajun Walk will proceed down Reinhardt Drive about two and a half hours before kickoff. And tailgating spots will be open for fans as early as 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Officials at U.L. stressed that the biggest things that fans will notice are the construction and the new seating arrangements.

Will There Be Enough Concessions?

The fact that Cajun Fans will be staring into the setting sun for at least the early part of the early season games has been considered. Since all of the fans will now be on the "opposite" side of Cajun Field and most of the concession stands were on the "other side" of Cajun Field we can see what that would be a concern.

In addition to more concession vendors stationed at the stadium, there will also be independent vendors offering food and drinks in the crowd. They will offer sodas, beer, and snacks. Also, there will be "grab and go" stations set up for fans who just want to grab a beverage and get back to the game.

Another aspect of watching games at Cajun Field this season will be the "duck blinds". Those are 10X10 tents set up just behind the seats in the upper concourse. It will give fans the "feel" of a private suite experience.

Fans will also want to visit an area called Cajuns Village. This will be located in the parking lot between the baseball field and the soccer complex. This area will be open three hours before kickoff and will feature sponsors, vendors, and other activities for fans to enjoy.

What About the Heat?

Cajun Field will also be equipped with a "Cool Zone" this year. The area will feature a nice way to take a break from the late August heat. In addition to fans of the football variety, this area will feature fans of the air-moving variety. This will help fend off the "heat index" for those wanting a break from the late day sun. Water and other beverages will also be available.

Where Will Everyone Sit at Cajun Field?

Seating will be the major elephant in the room at Cajun Field this fall. Seating capacity is reduced to about 20,000 with the construction project going on.  3,500 of the seats have been reserved for UL Students and no student wanting a ticket for Saturday's game will be turned away.

If seats in the student section are full then standing-room-only tickets will be issued. The student section and the area reserved for the band are in sections 109-111. The Grambling Band will also be attending. They along with Tiger fans who purchased their seats through Grambling will be located in or near Section 101.

Fans interested in securing a ticket for Saturday's game may do so via the Ragin Cajun Ticket link. If you purchase your tickets online you can actually choose your seat.

As always we encourage fans to arrive early and plan to stay late. The Cajuns and Grambling are set to kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday. You can hear the game on 103.3 The GOAT and HOT 1079 in the Lafayette area. Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed Louisiana as a 32.5-point favorite in the game.