Reserve Free Tickets for the 2023 Duke Football Employee Kickoff Celebration

Staff and faculty can get two free tickets for Sept. 9 showdown with visiting Lafayette

Duke fans at a football game
Fans cheer for the Blue Devils during a game last season. Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics.

The Duke Football Employee Kickoff Celebration will be held Saturday, September 9, when the Blue Devils welcome Lafayette for a 6 p.m. game at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Benefits eligible staff and faculty of Duke University and Duke University Healthy System receive up to two free tickets to the game. The tickets include vouchers for a free meal available at a pre-game employee tailgate event on the football practice field behind the main scoreboard. Employees can purchase up to six additional tickets with meal vouchers for $5 each (plus a $2 processing fee for paid tickets).

Duke Football is coming off of a nine-win season in 2022, which included a victory in the Military Bowl. It was the first year at Duke for head coach Mike Elko, who hopes to build off of the momentum from last season.

“We’re excited to welcome the Duke faculty and staff to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium,” Elko said. “The faculty and staff here at Duke are truly elite, so it’s only right to devote a special night to those individuals who have a profound impact on the lives of every Duke student.”

The deadline for employees to reserve their free tickets is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1, or once the 12,000 ticket allotment is gone. Game tickets are required for any fan age 3 or over. You can reserve your tickets here.

During the game, Duke faculty and staff will be honored for their efforts and contributions throughout the last year.

Here is how to access the pre-game tailgate for Duke employees and their guests at the football practice field.

PRE-GAME FUN

Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. But prior to the game, as part of the Duke Football Employee Kickoff Celebration, fans can enjoy a free employee tailgate on the Duke Football practice field. The event will feature interactive games, a Junior Blue Devils Skills Challenge, and kid-friendly activities such as an inflatable bounce house.

Free meals will be distributed to all employees who enter the tailgate area by 5:30 p.m.

The practice field can be accessed from Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium using the stairwells behind Sections 5, 24, 28 and 32. An elevator is also available by Section 32 to help those with ADA needs to reach field level. The activities will close at kickoff.

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Benefits-eligible Duke staff and faculty can reserve their tickets in advance by ordering them online. All tickets will be digital. The touch-less option using mobile devices enhances safety and security.

Faculty and staff will not receive their digital tickets immediately upon registering. All tickets will be sent by email by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1.

Employee ticket orders will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1. After that time, staff and faculty will have to buy tickets at full price through the Duke Athletics Ticket Office.

Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics.

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR PRE-GAME MEAL

The meals for employees and guests will be distributed at the pre-game employee tailgate on the Duke Football practice field behind the main scoreboard. Once you arrive at the tailgate, make sure you have your digital game ticket with you so it can be scanned for a second time for access to the food line. All employees that have entered the tailgate area by 5:30 p.m. will receive a meal. Food distribution will end 15 minutes prior to kickoff.

The meals will feature a choice of chicken, turkey or roast beef sandwiches. A vegan and gluten-free option will also be available.

After picking up your food, head to your seats and enjoy your meal.

WHERE TO PARK

Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the Yellow Zone Courtesy Shuttle Lots on game day. Tailgate parking is available in the H Lot and GC Lot off Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue. Shuttle buses run from Yearby Avenue to Duke Chapel for a less-than 5-minute walk to the stadium gates. Parking in these lots is free of charge.

Accessible parking is available in the Blue Zone Lots off Duke University Road. A state-issued placard or hangtag is required for each vehicle using accessible parking.

Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics.

FAN-FRIENDLY BAG POLICY

Athletics continues its bag policy to allow football fans to enter the stadium with their belongings using a clear bag.

All bags and purses must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12-inches by 12-inches by 6-inches. Small clutches/wallets smaller than 8-inches by 5-inches x 1-inch and 1-gallon clear plastic storage bags are also permitted. Duke Stores merchandise bags require day-of receipt of purchase for entry. Guests with permitted bags containing medical and/or childcare needs may elect to use the designated Medical/Family Lane at each gate screening area.

Clear bags will also be available to purchase at the Duke Bookstore and Duke Team Store.

ENTRY INFORMATION

Guests can keep cell phone, keys, and wallet in pockets and/or clear bag and walk through without breaking stride.

Remember, there is no stadium re-entry once a ticket has been scanned for entry at the stadium gates. This means if you leave the stadium, you will not be able to re-enter.

For additional Duke Football game day information, see the Game Day Hub.    

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