Buckeyes completely goin’ mobile for tickets and other changes this year
It isn’t anything new to some Ohio State football fans for the upcoming 2021 season but on Tuesday morning, the university held a press conference and made it official for the foreseeable future on what they started last season: all tickets sold will no longer be made of paper and will be strictly virtual.
“We have to move into the 21st century, technology is here. Everyone else in the country is doing it,” said athletic director Gene Smith.
The way it works is this: a fan buys a ticket through whatever means necessary, be it the university’s official website, ohiostatebuckeyes.com, in-person at the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office or Ticketmaster, which the school publicizes on their website as being the official choice of purchasing single game tickets.
After completion of the ticket buying process, the fan has the option of setting up a “My Ohio State Buckeyes Account” which will make the mobile ticket process much easier. From there, the ticket is accessed through the app and presented to the “ticket taker” or Redcoat, as they’re more famously known, on game day and granted access to the stadium. For an in-depth look at how that’s done, click here. Click here if you want to access your ticket through Apple Wallet.
And game tickets won’t be the only thing going mobile this year, so will parking passes for season ticket holders.
“Fans that hold season permits will have those on their mobile phone, as well, and they’ll access those through the Ohio State Buckeyes app just like they (would) do their (game day) tickets,” said Brett Scarbrough, senior associate athletic director for ticketing and premium seating.
He said that fans with season tickets will have a special color code attached to their virtual ticket which allow law enforcement in charge of directing traffic the ability to know exactly where they’re supposed to go to park.
And if you plan on parking in school-sponsored lots for one game only, Scarbrough said they won’t be accepting cash, Google Pay, Chase Pay or Apple Pay, only credit and debit cards.
However, what about those who aren’t “hip” to the 21st century and don’t own a cell phone or more importantly, a smart phone that can access apps?
Not to worry, said Scarbrough, the university will still accommodate those without smart phones.
“We are providing an alternative,” he said.
Scarbrough said that those patrons of Ohio Stadium who don’t have access to a smart phone can contact the ticket office two days before the game or go to the ticket office on game day and they will present the fan with those alternatives. He did not provide any more information on exactly what those alternatives will be.
Beth Snoke, the university’s director of Transportation and Traffic Management, stressed that with ongoing campus construction, it’s important to take your time getting to the stadium and plan appropriately.
“These projects may change the way you get to and from the campus on game day so please allow additional time to get in and out of the stadium as traffic and parking changes may cause delays,” she said.
A few of the projects going on right now that will slow things down are the closing of Woody Hayes Drive, which runs right in front of the stadium, between Kenny Road and John H. Herrick Drive. For more closures, click here.
Smith said he was keen on the idea of mobile-only tickets but it was somewhat of a tough pill to swallow but ultimately the safety of the swaths of fans in attendance is the school’s main priority.
“I’m a traditionalist which makes it hard for me,” he said with a laugh. “We have to move into the future and make it safer, make it really safe. So our ingress eventually will be faster for people. Once we get used to it, they get used to it (and) going through the gates will be faster, parking will be faster, all of those things will be faster.”
And speed can count when it comes to a possible situation within the stadium.
“We’ll be able to track and that’s critical. For our public safety people, that’s important,” said Smith.
OTHER CHANGES
Tickets won’t be the only thing going cashless within the ‘Shoe. Now their vending areas will be relying on cards and other ordering options.
Chris North – the school’s representative for Levy Restaurants, who caters OSU – elaborated on some changes that began to roll out a couple of years ago and now the university has decided to further those changes.
As they’ve done in the past, paying for your food at Ohio Stadium has been allowed with a debit or credit card and even the fast Google, Chase, Apple pay options. And two years ago, they piloted a system where you could order your food through the My Ohio State app but it was limited to certain areas. Now all of the permanent concession stands will offer that service but you can still go stand in line and wait to order, if you prefer.
And the use of actual cash when you pay for your food? A thing of the past. Only cards and Pay apps will be accepted with a minor twist.
North said they understand that not all customers will have smart phones but they can purchase a gift card at the concession stand and use that to buy their food.
North also said that pop refill stations will not be limited to the A and B decks like previously but will also be available on C deck. That is, of course, you can utilize the stations if you’ve purchase the Souvenir Soda.
TACOS AND MARGARITAS!
Hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn won’t be just some of the delectables offered during your OSU game day experience this season. North announced that the school signed a deal with Cleveland-based Barrio Tacos and will offer not only tacos but margaritas.
Although they won’t be serving shots, Lil’ Jon would probably still be proud.
They will be at one location in the stadium and that will be in section 10A.
For more information on any of these changes, visit the school’s website ohiostatebuckeyes.com and can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink above or any of the other specific hyperlinks within this article.