Auburn football fan guide for home game against Alabama State

Did everything feel normal on the Plains for Auburn’s home opener last week? The Tigers return to Jordan-Hare for game two of the Bryan Harsin era, hoping to keep the new coach undefeated with a non-conference matchup with Alabama State.

Several rules to slow the spread of the virus remain in place, so be sure to study them below and on the helpful Auburn Gameday website.

Here’s what you can expect in Auburn this Saturday, including the 2021 COVID-19 restrictions.

THE GAME!

TIGER WALK: 9 a.m.

GATES OPEN: 9 a.m.

EAGLE FLIGHT: 10:40 a.m.

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: SEC Network

VENUE: Jordan-Hare Stadium

TICKETS: Still available

The Bryan Harsin era kicked off in style with a 60-10 thumping of Akron. Bo Nix and Tank Bigsby looked sharp on offense, and the defense held them at just 191 total yards.

Competition certainly gets tougher next week at Penn State, but the Tigers will take it one game at a time as Alabama State will look to give them all they can handle Saturday morning.

Will the offense continue to click? Will the defense stay dominant? Harsin goes for win No. 2 this week.

TICKETS / STADIUM CAPACITY

Tickets remain available for the Alabama State game. Jordan-Hare Stadium will allow for full capacity during the 2021 season.

FACE-COVERINGS / DISTANCING

Per current Auburn University policy, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) are required inside all Auburn University buildings.

Face coverings should be worn in Tiger Transit buses, elevators, the press box, and all indoor premium spaces for anyone age two or older (while not actively eating or drinking). Face shields do not meet the medical standard for a face covering.

Face coverings do not have to be worn in open-air athletics venues, but the CDC does recommend mask wearing in large gatherings.

PARKING & TRAFFIC

Find the most up-to-date parking map here.

During home games, Tiger Transit runs special routes. Buses run for four hours prior to kickoff, intermittently throughout the game and for two hours post-game to return fans to their stops. You may face delay in arriving from and returning to all locations due to pre- and post-game traffic. During the 2021 season, face coverings are required for all Tiger Transit riders.

Tiger Transit also utilizes Doublemap/Transfer technology to let fans view buses in motion and the routes in real-time via internet and smartphone. Learn more.

Auburn asks that fans stay aware of these ongoing construction projects:

• Wire Rd. and Cox Rd.
• N. College St. and US 280
• Farmville Road between N. Donahue and N. College St.
• Opelika Rd. between N. Dean and East University Dr.

TAILGATING

Home Plate Tailgate is located in the Plainsman Park parking lot. According to the Auburn gameday website, the space is free of charge and open to the public as a tailgating destination close to the action of Jordan-Hare Stadium. The site will open four hours prior to kickoff and feature TVs for live college football game viewing and tailgate games. Once in the area, fans will have access to restrooms and tents for shade. Food and beer will be available for purchase.

The Tiger Tailgate Show will again originate from the east side of Jordan-Hare Stadium three hours prior to kickoff.

Coke Fan Fest is a free pre-game entertainment area located in front of the Nichols Center on Donahue Drive. It opens four hours prior to kickoff and includes inflatable games, a live DJ, TVs for live college football game viewing and more.

TIGER WALK

The Tiger Walk returned for the 2021 season during last week’s home opener, with some changes. The pregame walk by team into the stadium will be slightly abbreviated this fall and include a widened walkthrough area for players as a health and safety protocol. Two hours before the start of home games, the team will unload from buses on Heisman Drive between Beard Eaves Court and S. Donahue Dr. and then proceed to the stadium, where players will enter through the Harbert Recruiting Center.

The Auburn band will once again perform on the field for both pre-game and halftime. To avoid clustering in the team areas, the pregame show will originate from the south end zone instead of the south center tunnel.

EAGLE FLIGHT

Auburn also announced the pregame eagle flight is back in Jordan-Hare Stadium this year. Last season, the SEC prohibited live mascots from being in the stadium and on the field, but that has been lifted this fall. Twenty minutes prior to kickoff, Auburn will hold its famed pregame eagle flight through Jordan-Hare Stadium, culminating with a midfield landing.

TOOMER’S CORNER

While fans are encouraged to celebrate an Auburn victory at Toomer’s Corner, university officials are asking fans to hold off for another year on the rolling the Auburn Oaks and descendants along Samford Park, according to the gameday website.

STADIUM ENTRY / METAL DETECTORS

Although Auburn is planning for full capacity at Jordan-Hare Stadium this season, it is not requiring proof of vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID test for entry. Face coverings or masks will also not be required in Jordan-Hare Stadium, since it’s an open-air facility, though the CDC still recommends face coverings in large gatherings.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays. Gates and all stadium services open two hours prior to kick-off. Pre-game begins 20 minutes prior to kick-off. Walkthrough metal detectors will be in operation for the 2021 season. The units will be placed at gates 1 and 12 that do not require individuals to empty their pockets to expedite stadium entry. These gates will be express lines for individuals without bags. Individuals with bags will need to proceed to the next closest gate.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

The following items are prohibited from being brought into the stadium: Artificial noise makers, cameras with lenses over four inches, non-clear bags, outside food and drink, pets, stadium seats with arms, umbrellas, video cameras, and weapons (including pocket knives).

CLEAR BAG POLICY

The clear bag policy will remain in effect for the 2021 football season. Fans are encouraged to bring as few items as needed into the stadium. Bags must be clear plastic and not exceed 12-inches-by-6-inches-by-12-inches. One-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bags and small clutch purses not exceeding 4.5-inches-by-6.5-inches may be permitted into the stadium. Read the full policy.

CONCESSIONS

All transactions for concessions, merchandise and chairback locations at Jordan-Hare Stadium will be contactless and cashless (credit cards only).

Fans can even skip lines and order digitally for pickup at the stand nearest you by using your smartphone to select “CONCESSIONS” from the sidebar menu on the Auburn Athletics Official app. The dedicated pick-up window for Mobile Express orders will be available at concessions stands located behind sections 3, 28, 58, and 106.

WEATHER

Friday: Sunny skies with a high near 84, followed by mostly clear skies and an overnight low around 64.

Saturday: Sunny skies with a high near 87, followed by mostly clear skies and an overnight low around 65.

Sunday: Sunny skies with a high near 88, followed by clear skies and an overnight low around 67. — The National Weather Service

TWITTER

Stay up to date before, during and after the game by following AL.com’s Tom Green, John Talty, aldotcomTigers or aldotcomSports on Twitter.

LINKS YOU MIGHT LIKE

What Bryan Harsin said about Alabama State on ‘Tiger Talk’

22 Auburn alumni ready to play in NFL Week 1

AL.com college football staff picks for Week 2

Bryan Harsin: Auburn team COVID vaccination rate ‘better than what it was’

Auburn expects to have 3 players back, ‘available’ against Alabama State

Everything Bryan Harsin said about Week 1 win, upcoming Alabama State game

Auburn ranked in AP poll for 1st time under Bryan Harsin

‘Walking millionaire’ T.D. Moultry has newfound sense of confidence

Austin Troxell’s ‘time has arrived’ on Auburn’s offensive line

IMPORTANT TIMES

FRIDAY

10 a.m.

AU Team Shop opens (Auburn Arena)

11 a.m.

Friday Football Luncheon (Tiger Walk Club)

Noon

East Coliseum lot closed

2 p.m.

East Coliseum lot opens, CDV lot opens, Hayfields on South Donahue and West Samford Avenue open for RV parking

Campus open for tailgating (except Mell Street Corridor)

4 p.m.

Jordan-Hare Locker Room Tours (Gate 10)

Football, Fans and Feathers (Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater)

6 p.m.

Mell Street Corridor opens for tailgating

Come Home to the Corner, Open to Public (Downtown Auburn)

SATURDAY

8 a.m.

Parking lots open

AU Team Shop opens (outdoor locations)

Media Credential pick-up opens (Gate 14)

Auburn Hospitality Tailgate opens

The Auburn Sports Network coverage of Auburn football begins with the Tiger Tailgate Show

Tiger Walk Club opens

8:30 a.m.

Executive Suites open

9 a.m.

Gates open

Stadium Box Offices open for ticket sales

Tiger Walk

10:40 a.m.

Pre-game festivities begin on field

11:03 a.m.

Kickoff