Visiting Delaware Stadium for a Blue Hens football game has long been a popular activity for First State sports fans.
The University of Delaware’s move to Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2025 has already begun with improvements to the game day spectator experience.
The Blue Hens begin the 2024 season on Thursday at 7 p.m. against their first opponent Bryant at Delaware Stadium, where seven games are scheduled.
This is actually the first season Delaware has opened at home since the 2021 spring schedule, which resulted from the COVID-related postponement of the 2020 fall campaign.
“We’ve played away every season since I’ve been here,” Delaware quarterback Ryan O’Connor said. “… This is the first year we’ve had a home game in week one, so that’s going to be cool. It’s going to be awesome. We love playing here.”
INFORMATION ABOUT BLUE CHICKENS: See prices for tickets and parking, maps, stadium discounts
How much do the tickets cost and where can you get them?
Tickets are still available. The 18,500-seat venue offers plenty of seating options.
Individual game ticket prices include north end zone seats ($19), east and west bleacher seats ($25-$39), west bleacher seat backs ($49), east box seats ($59-$79), and west club seats ($99-$159).
They can be purchased at BlueHens.com or at the stadium box office before the game.
Season tickets are also still on sale, with annual plans ranging from $99 to $935 per ticket. There are also cheaper 3-game plans available.
Delaware has sold about 4,000 season tickets this season, including 700 new buyers, many of whom are likely anticipating the Blue Hens’ promotion in 2025. Those who buy this year will lock in their price and seats for next year.
The south end zone is reserved for students (free admission) and the UD Marching Band.
READ ALL ABOUT HER: The Blue Hens are preparing for their final CAA/FCS season. These stories follow
Where can you park at UD games?
Parking in the Delaware Stadium parking lots is also subject to a fee.
Prices for reserved season seats range from $450 to $600. Unreserved seats are $69 and require a longer walk from the Fred Rust Ice Arena, Townsend Hall or across South College Avenue on the STAR campus.
Parking without reservations for a single game costs $20 in cash on game day or $18 in advance.
There are also privately operated parking spaces right next to the stadium with varying costs.
Before the game in the chicken coop
Well, it’s actually called the Hen House and it’s a tent facility on a lot between the Carpenter Center and South College Avenue where fans can eat, drink and have fun.
There will be a buffet and a beer garden with a variety of beers on tap. The cost is $35 per game.
Groups can also book full-service tailgate parties with a tent, table and chairs with access to the Hen House or private catering. An unfurnished site costs $50, while a payment of $199 includes a tent, table and six chairs.
More opportunities for students to participate in tailgating
Delaware student attendance at football games is often directly related to the freedom they have to gather in parking lots and perhaps enjoy a beverage. The opening game of a home game is usually the game that draws the most student attendance, along with Parents’ Day.
The university has expanded its student offerings by offering 20 spaces for groups and student organizations to reserve. They are open four hours before game time until two hours after game time and are located on Sincock Lane behind the outfield fence of Bob Hannah Baseball Stadium.
An unfurnished site costs $50, while a payment of $199 includes a tent, a table and six chairs.
The Barn, a pregame gathering place for students offering food, drinks and entertainment, is located near the entrance to Bob Hannah Stadium.
Improving the “experience”
Delaware’s future push into the FBS could be financially boosted by fans purchasing so-called “Blue Hen Experiences,” which include everything from videoboard messages to visits from Blue Hens mascot YoUDee to on-field marriage proposals.
Costs vary from $25 for the video board message to $500 for a proposal.
Nice advantage here
Food stands will sell a souvenir cup for $20, which can be refilled for free for this and future games.
Cheers!
Contact Kevin Tresolini at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com. And our DE Game Day newsletter.
