ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm will return to the O’Connell Center on Saturday, February 28, starting at 10 a.m., ahead of the matchup between No. 7 Florida men’s basketball (22-6, 13-2 SEC) and No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks (21-7, 11-4 SEC) at 8:30 p.m., presented by Florida Dairy Farmers.

Timeline for February 28

• 8:30 a.m. – Doors open for UF students at Gate 3 (see below for student entry details)
• 8:45 a.m. – Doors open for general public at Gate 1
• 10 a.m. – College GameDay live from the O’Connell Center (free admission)

  • The show will last approximately 2 hours, and the arena will be cleared upon conclusion.

• 7:30 p.m. – Doors open to students and general public for Florida vs. Arkansas
• 8:30 p.m. – Tipoff for Florida vs. Arkansas

College GameDay Show Details

• Admission: Free for all UF students and the general public. No tickets required.
• Seating: Available in sections 07-17 and 109-115. 
• Parking: First-come, first-served in and Garage 107, located next to the arena. Parking opens at 7:30 AM.
• Concessions: Limited concessions available before and during the show.
• Entry Procedures: Normal O’Connell Center screening and prohibited item policies will be in effect.

College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes

• Free Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuits for first 400 UF Students in line outside Gate 3.
• Jimmy Johns Activation outside Gate 3. 
• Free Mi Apa for the first 300 UF at 1:00 PM for students in line outside Gate 3 after College Gameday Concludes.
• Commemorative College GameDay Poster for the first 1,000 fans.
• Enter to win giveaways including two tickets to Arkansas and a 2025 National Championship Team Signed Ball.
• Sign making station on-site courtesy of State Farm, with poster board and markers provided.

  • Fans may also bring their own signs to the show.
  • All signs will be reviewed, and inappropriate signs will be confiscated.
  • No vulgarity, commercial (branded, .com., .net, .org), political, or religious signs allowed.

• Complimentary State Farm rollabanas and net hats (while supplies last).
• Half-court shot contest: One lucky fan will have the chance to win $19,000. 

College GameDay Entry Procedures for Students
For safety and fairness, the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association (UAA), and the University Police Department have set the following procedures:
 

• Students may begin lining up outside Gate 3 on Friday
• Camping outside Gate 3 on Friday night is permitted as an official university activity. Per University regulations (2.016 – Camping, Fishing & Hunting on Campus Prohibited), please note that camping is prohibited on university property unless it is an official university activity.
• The University, UAA, and O’Connell Center are not responsible for unattended items.

 
Following a normal game protocol, the first 500 students in line will receive a numbered wristband.

• After 500 wristbands are distributed, remaining students will receive a physical ticket stub with a queuing zone number (starting with Zone 1).

 
After the College GameDay show, students must exit Gate 3 and reclaim their place in line outside.
 

• All students must return by 1 p.m. to keep their spot in line for the game.
• Students who attend ESPN College GameDay and return by 1 p.m. will enter first.
• Students who did not attend College GameDay will be placed in a separate queue, with entry based on availability.

More Student Ticketing Information

Know Before You Go – Arkansas Game

• Arrive Early: Avoid Lines, gates open at 7:30 p.m. for both UF students (Gate 3) and the general public gates (Gates 1 & 4).
• Men’s Basketball Gameday Parking Info
• Sold Out Game: Only verified resale tickets available via Ticketmaster.com.
• Mobile Tickets: Fans should add tickets and parking passes to their digital wallet before arriving for faster access.
• Student Entry: All active UF students must enter through Gate 3 with a free, claimed season pass. Click here to claim your pass. Possession of a pass does not guarantee entry; admission is first-come, first-served.
• Broadcast Info:

  • Tipoff at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN (TV) and Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD (Radio).

• Florida Basketball Game Day Guide
• Got game day questions? Ask Albert!

Giveaways & Promotions – Texas A&M Game

•  Air brush t-shirts for 1,000 students in line.
• Alligator Alley (Practice Court – Between Gates 3 & 4): Meet & greet with Gators Spirit Squad,
  
  Florida Dairy Farmers shirts for the first 1,000 fans. Interactive games, activities, and other
  
  giveaways while supplies last before the game

Ticket Information

• Arkansas is Sold Out. Limited tickets are still available for Mississippi State (March 3). Fans can get tickets or place deposits for the 2026-27 season at FloridaGators.com/tickets. 

• Student Tickets: Beginning at 7:30 p.m., UF students must enter Exactech Arena via Gate 3 (Southwest side). Entry is first-come, first-served, and capacity will be capped.
• Verified Resale Tickets: Only available through Ticketmaster.com. Avoid unverified resellers. Click here for tips on verifying tickets.
• Will Call: Located at the Exactech Arena Ticket Office (north of Gate 1, near the Tom & Jane Johnson Family Atrium).

This Weekend on Campus
Saturday, February 28

• Women’s Tennis vs. Oklahoma – 1 p.m. | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex

Sunday, March 1

• Men’s Tennis vs. South Carolina – Noon | Free Admission | Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex