KALAMAZOO, Mich. - As Western Michigan Athletics continues to make Bronco Football game days more exciting for fans, they are excited to announce two new game day experiences for WMU students, a new location for student tailgating and digital ticketing.
 
Over the summer, as WMU Athletics sought feedback from student leaders and members of RSO groups on how to make WMU Football game days better for students, the common theme throughout those conversations was the location of the student tailgate. WMU students consistently expressed their interest in moving student tailgating closer to a main part campus and in a more centralized location, making it easier for all students to access.

In partnership with the WMU Department of Public Safety & University Facilities Management this season, the student tailgate will move from Lot 105 on East Campus to Lots 16 and 94, the two lots directly behind Read Fieldhouse.

"Moving the tailgating lot will make the tailgates more accessible to the entire student body and promote students to go to the games afterward," President of the Lawson Lunatics Michael Schatzley said. "The previous location was hard for some students to get to, and made attending the game difficult. Hopefully, the new location encourages students to join and follow up by attending the game afterward and contributing to the atmosphere at Waldo."

These new student tailgate locations are situated close to the newly announced Buster's Block Party, which will be located in Lot 13 across from the Student Rec Center. Buster's Block Party will include live music, interactive games, and more.  To kickoff this new game day experience, country music star Chase Bryant will be performing at the first Block Party on Saturday, September 17, before the Broncos' home opener against defending ACC champion Pittsburgh.
 
"Going into my senior year at WMU, I am so excited to hear about the initiative of moving the tailgate lot," Panhellenic President Hannah Marcon said. "The location is much more walkable for students both on and off campus! It is right across from the stadium as well, so I can't wait to see you all at the games after! Go Broncos!"
 
Like all tailgate lots, the student tailgate will open four (4) hours before kickoff. Parking is $10 for all tailgate lots on game days. After tailgating, students can easily make their way over to Waldo Stadium via the sidewalk that runs along Kanley Track to the intersection of West Michigan Avenue and Stadium Drive.

Also new for this season, WMU students will no longer need their Bronco ID to attend home games, as WMU Athletics has announced digital tickets for all students. Admission is still free for WMU students to attend all home games, and students will now claim a ticket before the game by logging into their WMU ticket account. Detailed instructions on how to access your ticket account and manage tickets will be sent to all students via their WMU email on Wednesday, September 7.   
 
Moving forward, students can reserve their ticket in advance of each home game, beginning the Monday two weeks prior to each home game starting at 10 am (Wednesday, September 7 for WMU vs Pitt). Once reserved, you will receive an email that your mobile ticket is ready to download, which can be added to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay wallet on your phone prior to game day.  
 
The Broncos kickoff their season on Saturday, September 17 when they host the reigning ACC Champion Pittsburgh Panthers at 7:30 pm.