TicketsThe Bearcats will kick off the 2026 football season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Boston College inside Nippert Stadium. With football season around the corner, UC Athletics has announced a series of enhancements to the gameday experience, highlighted by the debut of the HOP Shops Tunnel Club, new and expanded concession offerings, including LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria, and significant upgrades to the department’s broadcasting and live video production capabilities.
HOP SHOPS TUNNEL CLUB
A new group experience will debut this fall with the opening of the HOP Shops Tunnel Club, an elevated hospitality space in the northeast corner of Nippert Stadium.
Created in partnership with Cincinnati Athletics’ premium hospitality partner, REVELxp, the HOP Shops Tunnel Club will sit directly above the Bearcats’ tunnel, giving fans a premium view of the action while placing them directly over the team as it enters the stadium.
Available as two 15-person packages or one combined 30-person experience, the space includes exclusive end zone field access, complimentary parking, a personal suite attendant and access to an adjacent private indoor hospitality and dining area with an all-inclusive buffet and cash bar.
The HOP Shops Tunnel Club adds another premium hospitality option while taking advantage of the intimacy that makes Historic Nippert Stadium special.
Fans and businesses interested in securing the HOP Shops Tunnel Club for a Cincinnati football game can contact Cincinnati REVELxp General Manager Walker Tice at walker.tice@revelxp.com or 513-440-0744.
LAROSA’S COMES TO NIPPERT STADIUM
LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria has been named the official pizza of Cincinnati Athletics, bringing a Cincinnati tradition of more than 70 years to Bearcats gamedays.
LaRosa’s family-recipe pizzas will be available at concession stands beginning with the Sept. 5 football opener against Boston College and throughout the 2026-27 athletics season
“We are excited about this opportunity to partner with a brand that is so entrenched within the city of Cincinnati,” Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. “This is a tremendous chance for us to pair Cincinnati’s neighborhood family pizzeria with Bearcats Athletics.”
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Cincinnati Football will bring its “Pancake With Us” theme into Nippert Stadium for the Sept. 5 season opener against Boston College with a special $25 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast buffet in the Fifth Third Arena Champions Club.
The gameday offering follows Cincinnati football’s Aug. 8 Pancake Breakfast and Open Practice, which welcomed fans to Sheakley Lawn for a free pancake breakfast before an open practice inside Nippert Stadium.
LIVE PRODUCTION AND VIDEOBOARD UPGRADES
The University of Cincinnati is also making another significant investment in its live production infrastructure, adding equipment that will enhance videoboard presentations and expand the capabilities of its award-winning broadcast team.
The new equipment is expected to begin integration during the second half of football season and be in place for the start of basketball season.
Upgrades include:
- A new two-camera RF wireless system, providing a stronger wireless signal and greater flexibility to capture action from locations throughout Nippert Stadium, including Herschede-Shank Pavilion, on football gamedays, as well as Fifth Third Arena, UC Baseball Stadium and Gettler Stadium for events across Varsity Village.
- 10 cameras will be added to the department’s inventory, expanding Cincinnati’s ability to produce multiple broadcasts and videoboard shows simultaneously when events overlap.
- Six new large box lenses, providing greater focal range and allowing production crews to capture a wider variety of shots throughout Cincinnati’s athletics facilities.
5-1-3 STAND RETURNS
The fan-favorite 5-1-3 Stand, introduced ahead of the 2025 season, will return this fall, continuing Cincinnati Athletics’ commitment to providing affordable concession options for fans.
One dedicated 5-1-3 Stand in the Southeast corner will offer items at $5, $1 and $3 price points, making family-friendly options available across gameday.
STADIUM VIEW BECOMES PARTNER HUB
The Stadium View dining hall, located above the North endzone, will convert into Cincinnati Athletics’ “Partner Hub” and feature LaRosa’s pizza, Lee’s Famous Chicken and 50 West burgers and fries.
BEARCATS FAN ZONE ON SHEAKLEY LAWN
The Bearcats Fan Zone returns this season, offering a place for families to congregate before and during games. The space opens two hours before kickoff and is accessible to any fan with a ticket to the game. The Fan Zone closes at the end of halftime.
New this year is the Team of the Game. Each week, different Bearcats teams will be stationed on Sheakley Lawn for autographs and fan engagement. The Team of the Game will be announced each week. On Sept. 5, meet Soccer and Men’s Basketball from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Also coming in 2026 are themed events, offering something new to spice up each gameday. This year’s schedule:
- Sept. 5 – Circus, including juggler, magician and stilts
- Sept. 12 - Meet Your Favorite Princesses
- Sept. 26 - Mascots from Around the City
- Oct. 24 – Homecoming Carnival
- Oct. 31 - Trick or Treat with your favorite UC athletes
- Nov. 21 - TBA
ADDITIONAL CONCESSION ITEMS
Garage Beer returns to Nippert Stadium in 2026, alongside Rhinegeist favorites including Cincy Light. Rhinegeist’s new Cincy Splash seltzer will also be available on gamedays.
Fans will have additional options when purchasing beer, with both 16- and 24-ounce sizes available.
In addition to the return of fan favorites such as Ben’s Pretzels and Nothing Bundt Cakes, new items are arriving at stands throughout the stadium, including brisket nachos.
STUDENT ENHANCEMENTS
FastPass will expand to students in 2026. The program allows fans to scan their tickets at The Grid during pregame in exchange for a wristband, providing access to quick, scan-free lanes at stadium gates.
Students will also receive a push notification at the beginning of the fourth quarter for 25% off concessions (excluding alcohol) until the end of the game, good for any item at any stand.
DONATE YOUR TICKETS
Expanding on a multiyear relationship with UC Athletics, Vet Tix, an organization that provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving military and veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA, will now accept donations from Bearcats fans within Ticketmaster. Learn more about how to donate your unused tickets in our Ticketmaster Help Guide here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Several enhancements introduced ahead of the 2025 season remain part of the Nippert Stadium gameday experience, led by the Cincinnati Bearcats app, which provides fans with mobile ticketing through Ticketmaster, exclusive trivia and contests and additional fan offers. Season ticket holders who scan the Cincy Rewards pass in their app will receive a 10% discount on concession items. Fans are encouraged to activate Gameday Mode within their app upon arrival to campus for everything they need to make the most of their time at Nippert.
Other recent improvements include expanded Guest Services locations, updated stadium wayfinding and seat markings, streamlined entry through FastPass and Open Gate technology and additional accessibility resources throughout Nippert Stadium.
As a reminder, the UC Marching Band begins its pregame show 25 minutes prior to kickoff. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats to avoid gate congestion and experience showtime, culminating with the team taking the field.
2026 FOOTBALL GAMEDAYS
Cincinnati hosts six games at Historic Nippert Stadium this fall, beginning with Boston College on Sept. 5 and Western Carolina on Sept. 12. Big 12 opponents Kansas State, Texas Tech, Utah and Colorado will also visit Nippert, highlighted by the Bearcats’ 100th Homecoming game against Texas Tech on Oct. 24.
Tickets are available at gobearcats.com/tickets. Fans can also contact the UC Athletics Ticket Office at uc.tickets@uc.edu or 877-228-7849.
About Cincinnati Athletics
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 400 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles, and entered a new era as a member of the Big 12 in 2023.
UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.