Thursday morning, officials with UTEP Athletics, Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center announced that they have joined forces to take the Miner Football Gameday Experience to a ‘whole new level’ with the addition of “Paydirt’s Pregame Party” for the 2020 season.
“We are delighted to partner with Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center and bring ‘Paydirt’s Pregame Party’ to our 2020 football home games,” said Jim Senter, UTEP Director of Athletics. “We are always looking for ways to enrichen and enliven our gameday environment. Through ‘Paydirt’s Pregame Party,’ we will establish an awesome new gameday tradition and a festive pregame atmosphere that the fans will love.”
Located on the North side of Sun Bowl Stadium, “Paydirt’s Pregame Party” will serve as the premier gathering spot for Miner fans gearing up for each of UTEP’s six home games this fall.
“Paydirt’s Pregame Party” will feature live entertainment courtesy of Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, food trucks serving up a wealth of delectable options, sponsorship activations and giveaways as well as fun-filled activities for the entire family.
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock will also sponsor a postgame fireworks show at the Miners’ game versus New Mexico State on Saturday, September 26.
“The Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Speaking Rock Entertainment Center are proud to have this new relationship with UTEP,” said Joe Sierra Sr., Cacique of Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo. “We are looking forward to the 2020 season and beyond. We are proud members of the El Paso community and proud sponsors of UTEP.”
Also new in 2020, UTEP Football fans will be greeted by a revamped and improved parking experience on game days. As a benefit of being a Miner Athletic Club donor and a football season ticket holder, fans will have access to preferred parking for all home games and will be able to select the parking lot of their choosing.
“It was important for us to make these adjustments to align with current industry trends and best practices,” said Nick Popplewell, UTEP Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. “These changes allow fans the opportunity to create their own game day experience as they now have the ability to pick their parking and tailgating location.”
All parking must be requested and is allocated based on current Miner Athletic Club donor level. In order to qualify for a specific parking lot, the individual must meet the minimum donor level/giving amount associated with the parking lot.
Similar to previous years, Miner Athletic Club donors who purchase a football season ticket will receive one (1) complimentary parking pass. Individuals will also have the opportunity to purchase additional season parking passes at a cost of $50 per pass.
Allocation of each additional pass purchased will be subject to meeting the donation amount/giving level required by the parking lot multiplied by the number of passes (i.e. a season ticket holder requesting two passes in the $100 lot would need to be a $200 annual fund donor to the Miner Athletic Club and pay $50 for the additional pass since the first one is free).
Also new for the 2020 season are additional RV/large tailgate spaces, known as “Party Passes,” located in multiple parking lots including SC1, SB2, SB5, GR2 and SB7. The same Miner Athletic Club donor amounts for parking apply for these “Party Passes” and each spot is reserved on game day. These areas are meant for UTEP’s truest tailgaters.
“RVs, fifth-wheels, festive vehicles and large tent tailgates really help to enhance the pregame atmosphere; they truly are part of the pageantry of college football,” said Popplewell. Â “We really wanted to embrace these fans and encourage the game day culture they create and by providing additional opportunities and choices for them, we believe we have accomplished our goal.”
For the first time ever, single game paid parking will also be provided. Fans can purchase parking on game day for $10 in lots SC1, SB2, SB7, SB8, ME1, GR5, inner campus (University Avenue and Wiggins Way) and the Sun Bowl Parking Garage.
For more information on UTEP Football Preferred Parking, click here, call (915) 747-8759 or email [email protected].
