GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the continued effort to create a championship experience for Gator Nation, the University Athletic Association has partnered with
VenueNext to design and build an app that augments and enhances the fan experience.
This app will provide fans who visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a first-class mobile experience to make their time in The Swamp more enjoyable, efficient and convenient," Athletic Director
Scott Stricklin said.
Why Download?
After the fan downloads the app, it can be connected to their Ticketmaster account so tickets (season, package, or single-game) can be stored inside it for entry into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium using their phone. This feature will be available for all fans this fall.
Students also will have the ability to access their tickets via the mobile app. This is the first time in school history that UF students will not have to go to the student ticket-office outside Gate 13 during the week of a game to pick up his or her tickets. Their tickets, with seat locations, will be sent directly to them on their phone during the week of a home game.
Student tickets will be exclusively digital this fall with the goal for all tickets being digital in 2020.
Once in the stadium, fans will be able to make in-app concessions purchases (i.e. purchase an item in the app and pick up their order at an express pick up line) and store credit card information on the app so cash or a physical credit card won't be necessary if a fan desires a cashless experience.
In addition to tickets and concessions, other in-stadium benefits for fans in the app include purchasing 'Swamp Moments,' which is an assortment of experiential opportunities for all Gators fans to take their game-day experience to the next level.
Swamp Moments, which are already available for purchase in the app include, but are not limited to …
- Videoboard Messaging:
- Interested Gators can share a special message on the videoboard during the game, including birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals
- Pregame Field Access:
- Fans can feel the energy of the Gators as both teams warmup during pregame.
- Halftime Field Access:
- Gators can watch the Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band's halftime performance from the field.
- Gator Walk Premium Access:
- Fans can greet the team, give the Gators high fives and fist bumps as get off the busses, and begin Gator Walk on University Ave.
- Postgame Game of Catch on Field for Two with Coach Mullen Signed Football:
- Purchasers can head down to the field after the game to play catch with their very own football signed by Coach Dan Mullen.
- Postgame Field Access & Sing Alma Mater with the Gators:
- Fans have the opportunity to watch the last five minutes of the game from the field, then sing the Alma Mater with the team on the northwest side of the field.
Season ticket holders will receive priority for ordering Swamp Moments, while non-season ticket holders will have the chance to purchase all remaining Swamp Moments during the week of the game.
After purchasing a Swamp Moment, fans will receive information about to redeem this experience on gameday.
Fans will also be able to store and log their experiences with their Swamp Stats. This feature is a digital scrapbook for recording Gators Football games attended in The Swamp and at other venues. The app has schedules, records and game information dating back to 1995, so fans can click on the games they have attended and see their own records and information from their history with the Gators.
Functionality
The Florida Gators App will have four pages upon its release that will feature Gators news and team information, gameday information, tickets and personal account details.
What's Next?
As previously mentioned, this app will be fully functional inside BHG Stadium this fall. The UAA plans to expand the capability of this app to Exactech Arena in 2020 and the new Florida Ballpark in 2021.
Non-Gameday Benefits
On non-gamedays the app will assist Gator Nation as well.
Fans will be able to get the latest news on their favorite Gators teams, read content and watch video on FloridaGators.com, visit the Gators SportShop, purchase tickets and view their Swamp Stats.
For fans unable to attend a game, Gator Nation can utilize the app to listen to
Mick Hubert and the Gators Sports Network's radio broadcast of the game.
Push Notifications
Just like all apps, fans will be presented with the option to opt into push notifications upon downloading the app.
Notifications would be restricted to breaking news, championship victories, final scores from football games, scheduling announcements and important ticket sales dates.
Feedback
As fans experience issues, positive or negatives, the UAA encourages users to email
ufirst@gators.ufl.edu with those thoughts.
About VenueNext
VenueNext debuted in 2014, during the San Francisco 49ers' first home game of the season at the brand new Levi's Stadium and has enjoyed tremendous success since with deployments at venues that span across numerous business types.
With offices in Santa Clara, San Francisco, New York City and Orlando a team of experienced technical developers thrive on enabling venues to drive mobile commerce with a focus on both the venue operators and their guests.
The University of Florida is just latest brand name to partner with VenueNext, as they have developed and supported apps for the 49ers, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Vikings and Yankee Stadium, among many other sports and entertainment companies.
