Lobo Football – What’s New on Gameday for 2025

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — There is plenty of newness around University of New Mexico Football, as the Lobos not only have a new head coach in Jason Eck but 75 new players, the second-most in college football. But that’s not all.

From the all-new Louie Lane, UNM’s new family-friendly tailgate area, to the postgame kids’ 100-yard run after the game, there’s a lot that’s new around Lobo Football games in 2025. Below is a round-up of everything you need to know from the time to enter the parking lots to the time you are singing the fight song celebrating another Lobo victory!

Getting tickets is as easy as ever as fans can click right here to get to UNM’s online ticket window. This season, New Mexico has made it even easier for families to get into University Stadium and enjoy Lobo Football. This season for five games (Idaho State, Nevada, Utah State, Colorado State, and San Diego State), with each purchase of an adult G.A. ticket for the North End Zone, you get two free kids tickets for kids ages 12 and under.

Fans must purchase the Kids 12 & Under Get In Free tickets online only, and the link to that is right here. UNM’s Kids Get In Free promotion is presented by The Education Plan.

Parking at University Stadium is available both directly east or west of the stadium, and there is parking both at Isotopes Park and just north. There’s a few things to know before you enter the lots.

GOOD MORNING – Parking lots open at 6 am for afternoon games.

NEW TRAFFIC FLOW FOR STADIUM EAST – To alleviate some of the traffic and backup on Avenida Cesar Chavez entering the Stadium East lot, a new ingress pattern has been developed, and cars will come all the way into the lot and circle around, to allow for traffic to flow better. The attached graphic shows the parking flow, which should make for a better pregame experience and allow more cars into the lot in a quicker fashion.

PARKING, NO CASH, JUST CARD – Parking is ample around University Stadium, and fans can familiarize themselves with the various lots using the map to the left, or the map on UNM’s Game Day page, which also breaks down each lot in more detail, along with shuttle maps.  Fans can purchase parking in advance right here), or fans can pay at the lot entrance for parking, but it is card only, as cash will not be accepted.  Parking in 2025 is $15 per vehicle, plus tax. Handicap passenger vehicles will also need to pay to park in 2025. Lots are open at 7 am for most games.

LOBO FOOTBALL IS ALL RIGHT – Once again, entrances into all parking lots (and exits out of them as well) are right turn only, so please plan accordingly

For fans that use rideshare, you will be dropped off on the north side of University Stadium nearest Gates 6, 7, and 8.

STADIUM WEST, ONE ENTRANCE – New for this year, fans with Stadium West passes can only access the lot from University Blvd as the Avenida Cesar Chavez entrance will now be closed to help ease traffic flow.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and quick entry, please follow these directions:

• Exit I-25 at Gibson Blvd (Exit 222A southbound or Exit 222 northbound).
• Turn left (north) onto University Blvd and move into the right-hand lane.
• Enter Stadium West by making a right turn into the lot at the South West entrance.

Please note: This is the only access point into Stadium West on gameday. Other entrances will not be open.

If you find yourself approaching Stadium West from Avenida Cesar Chavez, please be aware that the north entrance will be closed. In this case:

• Continue east on Avenida Cesar Chavez to Yale Blvd.
• Turn right (south) on Yale Blvd and proceed to Gibson Blvd.
• Turn right (west) on Gibson Blvd.
• Turn right (north) on University Blvd where the Stadium West entrance will be on your right-hand side.

STAY A WHILE – A reminder that there is no re-entry into the lots once you leave.

LOUIE LANE – Louie Lane is the brand new tailgate experience for fans with free entry. With a beer garden, big TV screen to watch college game day, food trucks, and a fun kids area, Louie Lane is the place to be to get ready for Lobo Football. Louie Lane will also feature special pricing in the beer garden. Louie Lane will open three hours prior to kickoff and close 30 minutes before the opening kick. The Lobo Walk will happen right next to Louie Lane 2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff and we will have a special spirit appearance with the Lobo Marching Band and the UNM Spirit Squad one hour prior to kick off.

SIGN UP FOR THE LOBO KIDS DASH – Fans and families will want to get to Louie Lane to sign up for the Lobo Kids Dash! Children ages 7-12 can participate in the Lobo Kids Dash, a 100-yard run on the field at University Stadium, at each home game before the Lobos take the field during pregame, before the UNM Band takes the field. All kids must have a ticket to the game to participate. The Lobo Kids Dash drop-off/pickup information, wristbands, and registration are available in the Kids Zone inside the all-new Louie Lane. It’s a brand new way to make a memory and be a part of the action at Lobo Football in 2025!

POINTS OF ENTRY – This season there will be eight points of entry it get into University Stadium with multiple gates on the north end of the stadium, two gates on the south end and a gate on the east side near the press tower.

METAL DETECTORS – Pass through metal detectors will be utilized at most gates near the entrances to the facility.  Pass through metal detectors allow patrons to go through without emptying pockets and allow for greater ease of entry.

The less you are carrying into the stadium, the quicker your entrance will be, but our goal is to keep all of our patrons safe.

CLEAR BAGS ARE THE ONLY BAGS – Once again University Stadium utilizes a clear-bag only policy, which is pretty much the norm around the country, and is similar to our friends across the street, the Albuquerque Isotopes.  Fans that attempt to bring in a backpack or bag will be asked to return them to their cars before they enter the stadium.

PLENTY IS NEW INSIDE UNIVERSITY STADIUM – There is plenty new inside of University Stadium, starting with a north end zone beer garden and patio area and special cooling stations with Water Monsters for fans.  Food trucks will be located on the north end zone and in both the southeast and southwest corners, and beer portables will be in the north end zone.

NORTH END ZONE VIDEO BOARD – Fans will also notice the upgrade of the north end zone video board, which will showcase greater vibrancy and allow for better replays, stats, and fan engagement.

WATER MONSTER STATIONS – located in the North Concourse, fans can refill their water for free at these stations.

COOLING STATIONS – also in the North Concourse, these areas will provide shade, seating, and misting fans if fans need to escape to the shade for a little bit.

PORTABLE CHARGING STATIONS COURTESY NUSENDA – Everyone is on the socials, and why wouldn’t you want to check in while at Lobo Football? Now, fans can check in and get a power boost if needed as two portable charging stations, courtesy of Nusenda, are available in the north end zone concourse. Please note that due to a shipping issue, these will be available starting with the Rio Grande Rivalry game on September 27.

FAN FRIENDLY VALUE MENU – This season, along with Kids Under 12 Get in Free and other great values, the Lobos in 2025 are introducing Fan Friendly concessions as UNM will have a $4 Value Menu available.  Fans can now get a $4 hot dog, a $4 popcorn, a $4 soda or a $4 water at varioys stands throughout University Stadium.

INCREASED POINTS OF SALE: In order to help with line control and crowd flow, Levy Restaurants have added around 100 new points of sale inside University Stadium, which will help fans not miss any of the action.

OH YUM: While UNM will have traditional stadium fare and plenty of food trucks inside University Stadium as well, Levy Restaurants has added a few new goodies to the menu we have to highlight.

“The Big Chuck”

A fried beef sandwich topped with cheese and a garlic and red chile aioli served with fries.

Elotico!

Elote served in a cup seasoned with New Mexico red chile and other spices

Three new variations of Louie’s footlong all-beef hot dogs 

“The Louie” … New Mexico Frito Pie on a footlong

“The Lucy” … topped with hatch green chile and cheese.

“The Chomper” … topped with a house made roasted New Mexico green chile relish.