New stadium upgrades and concessions in place ahead of Mizzou Football home opener
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou football fans will see changes to their game-day experience at Faurot Field this season, including stadium upgrades, concession stand additions and travel impacts on I-70.
Fan Experience
Fans will see new enhancements to Memorial Stadium this season as Mizzou Football kicks off the 2026 season against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. on the SEC Network.
The new enhancements include:
- Spotlights on the north and south video boards to add lighting effects in the stadium.
- Champs Chicken sponsored promotions to encourage fans to get loud and force false starts on the opposing teams.
- 360-degree fireworks show for key games throughout the season.
- Return of the north video board sound system.
- Continued enhancements to the in-game script to maintain energy during breaks in play.
The Tiger Fans Zone will open three and a half hours before kickoff on the lawn at Tiger Ave. across from the Tiger Ave. Parking Structure. The Tiger Fan Zone includes:
- Coca-Cola Student Tailgate
- Large-screen TV showing games around the country
- Food trucks and seating
- Beer sales
- Tiger Team Store merchandise sales
- MU Health Care Kids Zone
Stadium Entry
The athletic department is reminding fans to plan their routes and leave early due to construction along I-70.
Gates to Memorial Stadium will open two hours before kickoff each week.
Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium through the gates on the same side as their seats or enter through Gate 1 near the north end of the stadium.
The Hill behind the north end zone is back; however, it is smaller than in previous seasons. Due to the size, fans must have tickets to the Hill and will be given a wristband.
Parking
Golf cart shuttles will be available to help transport fans from east side parking to west side seats and vice versa.
Classes at Mizzou will continue as normal and parking lots for Thursday's kickoff will open at 2 p.m. For all other home games, lots will be open at 7 a.m.Truman’s Landing will open for RVs at 6 p.m. the day before the game.
Rideshare drop-off and pick-up are located in Lot R. After being dropped off, fans will be able to cross Research Park Drive and ride the pregame MO-X shuttle to Memorial Stadium.
The University of Missouri warned on its social media last month that people who regularly park on campus may need to find a different spot for Thursday night's game.
A press release on the university’s website says alternative parking location are in effect for home football games and weekday men’s basketball games.
Concessions
Mizzou Athletics will have a new concessions vendor this upcoming school year for all of its sports and athletic venues.
The athletic department announced Sodexo Live! and Columbia-based Upper Crust Food Service as its new hospitality partners.
Upper Crust CEO Adam Guy told ABC 17 News that they will be working with Mizzou Athletics for the next 10 years.
"We'll be working in all the premium spacious spaces, all the concession stands," says Guy. "All the catering that happens with special events. So anything that's hospitality-related with Mizzou Athletics, Upper Cross and Sodexo will be working on that."
The concessions lineup at Memorial Stadium features new offerings, including hand-breaded Southern-style Tiger Tenders, a Kansas City Burnt End Hot Dog and two new Stack Burgers. Other foods include Champs Chicken sandwiches and the new addition of Shakespeare's Pizza.
