Oklahoma Sooners announce a new experience that the fan base is going to love when it comes to football season

Now, for the first time ever, Sooners fans will be allowed to tailgate at The Oval, meaning one of OU’s most iconic spaces is now the center of game day.

"We knew that when we entered the SEC, it would just mean more," said Joe Castiglione, OU Vice President and Athletics Director. "More competition, more fierce rivalries, more opportunities to engage with our fans, and more ways to show our Sooner spirit. This year, it means establishing a new tailgate tradition, taking the energy and excitement of game day to the Oval. The Oval provides a centralized space for our fans to celebrate their Sooner passion, marking the next chapter in a tailgating tradition that will grow stronger each season. We can't wait to see how our fans will respond and show out for the Sooners."

"Anything we can do as a university and fan base to enhance an already vibrant pregame scene is exciting," said OU Head Football Coach Brent Venables. "Our players and staff feed off the campus energy on game days, and you better believe that spirit carries over to Owen Field. We're looking forward to Aug. 30 and are confident Sooner Nation will bring the juice all season."

The fan base and the home crowd, along with the home field advantage as a whole, are some of the things that make the SEC so special, and that has everything to do with the tailgating aspect of things. The Sooners have added this new experience to help with all of that.

In 2025, we could see the pre-game atmosphere at an even higher level than before.