DALLAS (SMU) – An exciting seven-game home slate kicks off at Ford Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, when SMU hosts HCU at 7 p.m. With so many changes and updates to the stadium and the gameday experience, SMU Athletics and its campus and community partners are working round-the-clock to be ready for the 2024 season.
 
The first change many fans will notice as they travel to Ford Stadium will be new directional signage and traffic flow improvements. Fans should carefully read the instructions on their parking passes to understand how to access their assigned parking lots. SMU is also coordinating with Google, Waze and rideshare companies to reduce congestion and any confusion about how to access campus as well as where to drop off and pick up riders.
 
The most visible – and transformational – change will be the opening of the new Garry Weber End Zone Complex. With over 192,000 square feet across three levels of public and private spaces, the new $100M complex supports SMU's 484 student-athletes and houses the Armstrong Football Center and Flanagan Family Training Table, among other operational and recruiting spaces. On gamedays, the facility's 1,200 club seat holders will enter the Ware West Atrium or the Fox Family East Lobby for the newest premium gameday experience available at Ford Stadium. The grandstand offers three types of seating, and patrons can gather at the Fleeger Family West Patio for a refreshing beverage.
 
Another addition on the Hilltop is MustangVision Studios. The new broadcast production facility serves as the epicenter for SMU's coverage of ACC sporting events, offering enhanced capabilities for live broadcasts, in-venue videoboard production, studio shows, and digital content creation. At the heart of this advancement was the creation of four control rooms centered around a cutting-edge SMPTE 2110-compliant core, making SMU's one of the few universities with a fully SMPTE 2110 operation. The facility includes several editing suits, an independent shading and engineering room, small cut-in studio, technical operations center, and production staff offices.
 
The new 83' x 36' videoboard and ribbon boards affixed to the Weber EZC will enhance fans' gameday experience, and in-game, new pyrotechnics displays will light-up Ford red and blue at key moments throughout the contest. A new sound system will provide a more balanced and crystal clear audio experience for fans as well.
 
Other tech updates include coach-to-player communication, sideline technology, a new conference-centralized replay system and new production and ref microphones and headsets.
 
"We're excited about these enhancements and the 2024 season," said SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart. "We anticipate that additional opportunities to improve the fan experience will be discovered as we begin to host games at Ford Stadium beginning on Saturday. As this occurs, we invite fans to provide feedback by scanning the QR code at their seats or by texting game staff at (844) 768-3068. We are all invested in creating one of the best in-venue experiences in college football."
 
All those attending games at Ford Stadium this season are reminded to revisit SMU's Stadium Policies for an enjoyable gameday experience. Gameday information can always be found on SMU's Gameday Central.
 
SMU Football returns to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Aug. 31 when the Mustangs host Houston Christian for its annual WHITEOUT. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Tickets to all games are available at SMUMustangs.com/tickets or by calling 214-SMU-GAME. Less than 500 season tickets remain for the 2024 season – get yours today before it's too late!