1.  Biggest Party in Toledo

The Rockets open their home season on Thursday, Aug. 29 vs. Duquesne in The Biggest Party in Toledo. Fans can enjoy tailgating or stop by the new Beer Garden, located in Lot 10. There will also be live music and big screens TVs to catch the action of other college football games from around the country. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.  

• Live music from Skittle Bots (Lot 10) at 5:30.  
• Beer Garden (Lot 10). 
• Big Screen TV with college football games (Lot 10).  
• Touchdown Town - Pregame Youth Experience at Paul Hotmer Field.  
• 180^th Fighter Wing Flyover before the game. 

Tailgating at the University of Toledo is a longstanding tradition, and visitors are excited to see firsthand that Rocket fans know how to throw a party.  You will find every available lot filled with camaraderie, grilling out and fans just having a good time. And the party doesn’t stop when the game starts. 

To order tickets or for more information, go to UTRockets.com/FBTix,  call or text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours.    

2.  A Full Season of Promos

• Aug. 29 - Skittle Bots 
• Sept. 7 - Three’s Kin 
• Oct. 5 - Pop’s Garage 
• Oct. 26 - Unanimous Decision 

Beer Garden: The Beer Garden, located in parking area 10, marks the next step in Toledo's commitment to enhance the fan experience, with a festive atmosphere to enjoy the pre-game excitement with fellow Rocket fans. Tickets for the Beer Garden are $35 and include a game ticket on the east sideline, two drink vouchers and a $5 food voucher.  

Group Tickets: A great option for birthday parties, business outings, club activities, or just for fun! For more information or to reserve your tickets, call or text the Rocket Ticket Office at 419.530.GOLD (4653) or click HERE.    

Big Screen TV: Check out college football games around the country before you head into the Glass Bowl on big screens located in parking area 10 and in the Launch Pad Student Tailgate.   

Touchdown Town & Kid Zone: Kids of all ages can have a ball with inflatables and other activities at Touchdown Town and the Kid Zone. The family-friendly fun begins 2 ½ hours prior to kickoff at Touchdown Town located at Paul Hotmer Field! The fun continues inside the Glass Bowl with the Kid Zone located on the east side of the stadium. 

Rocket Walk: Cheer on the Rockets as they walk to the locker room through Lot 10  before the game! The walk begins about 2 ½ hours before kickoff. 

Touchdown Tank: Someone gets dunked after every Toledo touchdown!  

On-Field Promotions: Sign up to participate and win great prizes!  

Fireworks: We will be blasting the fireworks when the Rockets take the field, after every touchdown and after every Rocket victory! 

Rocket Motorsports Car: The College of Engineering and the Formula SAE team have joined forces to create a Rocket Motorsports car that will lead the team on the field! 

Concessions special features:   

• Mobile ordering with designated pickup lines: utrockets.com/mobileorder. 
• Special "Rocket Hour" pre-game pricing.   
• "Pocket Friendly" pricing with all items $5 or less at permanent concession stands. 
• Portable stands will feature specialty food and desserts items including the new chorizo sandwich. 
• Cashless Service: We will be cashless except for a single cash-option lane at each permanent concession stand. 

3.  The Glass Bowl Stadium and Campus

The Toledo Rocket football team, students and alumni and are proud and honored to showcase the Glass Bowl Stadium to the visiting team and fans! Originally built in 1937 as part of the government Works Project Administration project, the Glass Bowl has gone through several renovations throughout the years and currently features 26,248 seats, a three-story press box, 45 luxury suites, a 400-seat Stadium Club, sports information offices, and the Larimer Athletic Complex. The three-story press box, the second largest in the nation, was the greatest improvement in terms of upgrades, as the former press box was barely 30 feet long and could only hold 50 people.

The most recent upgrade occurred in 2016 when a $3.5 million renovation took place including replacement of the field turf, changes to the facade, updating concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, and ticket booths.

If you’ve never visited the University of Toledo, we guarantee you will be impressed by the campus! Located in the Old Orchard neighborhood in west Toledo, the iconic University Hall greets visitors with its Gothic architecture style that is mirrored throughout the University.

Built in 1931, U-Hall was the first building constructed on the main campus. Heading by foot or car into the main entrance off W. Bancroft Street, you’ll pass by the Ottawa River that runs through the beautiful college grounds filled with plenty of mature trees and green space. Visit Football Fan Central for all the ins and outs a first-time visitor needs to know!

4. Rocket Week Events

Rocket Week is a week-long series of promotions and celebrations leading up to football season and the return of students to campus! Get in the University of Toledo spirit by flying your Toledo Flags and sporting your midnight Blue and Gold.

Check out what's going on below:

Thursday, August 22
Downtown Pep Rally | 12:30 p.m. | 435 N St Clair St.  

Saturday, August 24
Volleyball Exhibition game | 2 p.m.  

Monday, August 26 
WTOL Morning Show | Glass Bowl Arena
Flag Raising | 1:30 p.m. | One Government Center 
Coach Show | 6 p.m. |Stubborn Brother; 3115 W. Bancroft Street 

Tuesday, August 27 
Football 101 Yoga Event | Glass Bowl | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  

Wednesday, August 28
On Campus Pep Rally with UToledo Involvement Fair | Centennial Mall | 12:30 p.m.  

Thursday, August 29
Biggest Party In Toledo - Toledo Football vs. Duquesne at 7:30 p.m.  

Friday, August 30 
UT Women's Soccer vs. Detroit Mercy | Paul Hotmer Field | 7 p.m.

 

5. Home Game Special Programming

This season brings 6 home games to the Glass Bowl Stadium and 6 away games including the battle for i-75 rivalry against Bowling Green State University on Saturday, October 26!

Game 1 - Thursday, Aug. 29 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Duquesne  

• Live music from Skittle Bots (Lot 10) at 5:30.  
• Beer Garden (Lot 10). 
• Big Screen TV with college football games (Lot 10).  
• Touchdown Town - Pregame Youth Experience at Paul Hotmer Field.  
• 180^th Fighter Wing Flyover before the game. 

Game 2 - Saturday, Sept. 7 – 3:30 p.m. vs. UMass  

• GOLD Out: Team Toledo is encouraged to Be BOLD & Wear GOLD!   
• Football Senior Day: Arrive early to the Glass Bowl to join us in recognizing and celebrating our football seniors in a pre-game ceremony. 
• Extra Yard For Teacher: Toledo will celebrate local teachers during the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers Week.  Local Educators and Teachers in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan can claim up to two (2) free tickets. Additional tickets for the Sept. 7 game can be purchased at the discounted rate of $19 per ticket. utrockets.com/ExtraYard. 
• Band Day: The Rocket Marching Band will host high school band students from around the area in this annual tradition. The Rocket Marching Band and high school bands will perform at halftime. For more information contact the Rocket Band Office at 419.530.2217.  

Game 3 - Saturday, Oct.  – 3:30 p.m. vs. Miami  

• Homecoming - Biggest Reunion of the Year: Join in the week-long annual tradition that brings together students, alumni and friends of The University of Toledo. The Homecoming Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. followed by the football game at 3:30 p.m. Further details about the parade can be found at utoledo.edu/homecoming.  
• Football Reunion Teams: The 1969, 1984 and 2004 teams will be honored during the game for their achievements as Rockets.    
• Cheer & Mascot Reunion: Cheerleaders and mascots will be honored during pregame, and cheer alumni will perform. 
  

Game 4 - Saturday, Oct. 26 – TBA vs. Bowling Green “The Battle of I-75”  

• Stripe The Stadium: Team Toledo, we want you to help us “Stripe The Stadium” Midnight Blue and Gold. For details visit utrockets.com/stripethestadium  
• Spirit Week: All week long the University of Toledo and City of Toledo will be celebrating the Midnight Blue and Gold and the Battle of I-75 rivalry.    
• Rocket Family Weekend: Enjoy a weekend on campus with your Rocket student(s). For more information visit utrockets.com/family. 
• Varsity T Hall of Fame: The 2024 Varsity T Hall of Fame class will be honored at halftime.  
• Varsity T Club All-Sports Reunion: Toledo Athletics and the Varsity T Club welcome all former Toledo student-athletes for a pre-game All-Sports Reunion at the Varsity T Pavilion and a special in-game recognition.   

Game 5 - Tuesday, Nov. 12 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Central Michigan

• Salute to the Services: Toledo Athletics will be honoring all active and retired military.   

Game 6 - Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Ohio  

• Spirit Squad & Band Senior Day: Senior members of our Rocket Marching Band, Dancing Rockettes, Cheerleaders, & Mascots will be honored throughout the game.   
• Toledo Season Ticket Member and Rocket Fund Member Appreciation Day: Toledo Season Ticket Members and Rocket Fund members are eligible to receive complimentary tickets.  

Rocket football single-game tickets for all home games as well as season tickets are on sale now! Purchase tickets online here: Toledo Rocket Football Tickets

Whether you’re a native Toledoan, a UT Alum or a visitor, you are welcome at the Glass Bowl Stadium. So don your midnight blue & gold or opposing school colors and join us for a game!