Utah football announces new on-field seating at Rice-Eccles Stadium
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
There's a new level of seating coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium this season.
The University of Utah announced Wednesday a new field-level suite experience in the north end zone of the stadium. In less than a month, Utes fans will be on the field watching the Houston game on Oct. 24. Many NFL stadiums have this design, with Utah being the latest in college.
The new seating area will add about 50 people to the stadium capacity. This will not block any other sections trying to watch the game. The ALKEME Field Boxes will feature a leather chair, all-inclusive food and drinks, and an individual TV screen that will display the game and replays, as well as various statistics from an in-house feed.
This adds to the many changes brought on by Utah Athletics with Mark Harlan leading the charge.
"There is significant demand from Utah football fans for new and immersive ways to experience our games at Rice-Eccles Stadium," Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the Crimson Brand Partners team for the creativity and innovation they have shown in meeting that demand and delivering premium experiences that give our fans new ways to engage with and support our programs and student-athletes."
There will be 42 total seats being added under the current plan. Ten box suites, with one having six seats and the rest with four. The on-field seats will be there to address upgrades to the fan experience at Rice-Eccles Stadium. It's a space that can generate revenue, which is key for the Utes right now.
"The end zone is really the best place to do it because you're able to not only see the play right in front of you when it's coming towards you, but also you could view the scoreboard on the south side even when the play's a little bit further away," he added. "So it kind of hits both angles of the fan experience and viewing perspective, and so I think this is a unique opportunity."
Each box will include an "in-seat service" for an "elevated" food and drink experience. No alcohol will be provided in the on-field boxes. The university has recently rolled out an alcohol option as an upgrade for some of its south end zone seats. But no other alcohol sales are currently for football games.
A select number of field boxes will be available to purchase for the BYU (Nov. 7) and West Virginia (Nov. 27) games. Members of the Champions Alliance and Scholarship Circle will be given first priority. Fans can join the waitlist with a $500 deposit.
More Utah Utes football news
American Fork QB Jake Matsen Impressed by Utah offense after visit
Five takeaways from Utah football's shutout win over Iowa State
Joel Klatt names Utah football as Playoff sleeper outside the Top 10
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos