From the phone to the stadium
By Caleb Struchtemeyer
The University of Georgia distributes almost 16,000 tickets to students for each game. However, due to high enrollment numbers and demand, UGA uses a priority system based on credit hours earned to decide which ticket packages to give out. This leaves some students without tickets to games they may want to go to. In some cases, students resort to a secondary market, like Groupme, where they may pay hundreds of dollars for tickets. So in the cases where this does happen, students must first find a reputable source to buy tickets from then must make their way to Sanford Stadium where they must scan their digital tickets to gain entry into the stadium. This photo gallery details the steps students took to watch UGA play the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Athens.
University of Georgia student Ellie looks through a Groupme chat dedicated to buying and selling student football tickets. However, due to UGA policy, students are not permitted to buy or sell second hand tickets and could have their ticket privileges revoked. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
UGA student Kellie views her ticket to the UGA vs. UAB football game before scanning it at Sanford Stadium. UGA distributes student ticket packages by a priority system based on credit hours, however, some students who do not receive tickets go through secondary markets to buy student tickets. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
Fans walk through South Lumpkin street towards Sanford Stadium for the UGA vs. UAB football game. Athens averages 100,000 people visiting the city each home game weekend. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
UGA fans wait outside Gate 1 to scan their tickets for the UGA vs. UAB football game. Sanford Stadium has ten gates where fans can scan their tickets to gain entry. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
In order to gain entry into Sanford Stadium, fans must tap their phone with the downloaded ticket in their phone’s wallet app to the ticket reader. In 2020, UGA transitioned to only digital tickets for both student and regular admission tickets. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
UGA student Kellen scans his ticket to the UGA vs. UAB game using his phone. With digital tickets, UGA has begun to recommend fans download their tickets before arriving at the stadium to limited cellular coverage due to large crowds. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
Fans take their seats in Sanford Stadium before the UGA vs. UAB football game. In 2023, UGA unveiled a $68.5 million improvement to Sanford Stadium which updated concession, bathrooms, ticket gates and seating including more seating for disabled fans. (Photo/Caleb Struchtemeyer)
The UGA student section cheers for the Bulldogs in the West end zone during the third quarter of the UGA vs. UAB football game. In recent years, some fans have paid as much as $300 for tickets to games including the UGA vs. Tennessee game in 2022.