Oklahoma fans will see several changes around Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium this fall as OU Athletics rolls out a wide range of fan experience enhancements for the 2026 football season.
Many of the updates came directly from feedback collected through fan surveys and include changes to traffic and parking, stadium entry, tailgating, concessions, merchandise, digital services and game day entertainment.
One of the biggest new additions is “Bud,” an AI-powered digital concierge that will be available on SoonerSports.com and through the Oklahoma Sooners app.
Bud will provide fans with immediate answers to common questions involving tickets, parking, stadium policies, accessibility and lost-and-found services. During games, fans will also be able to report maintenance issues, spills or safety concerns, with those reports routed to the appropriate OU Athletics personnel.
OU has also introduced a new online Football Game Day Guide, which will serve as a central location for parking, ticketing, promotions, venue policies and other game day information.
Traffic flow around the stadium is another area OU hopes to improve in 2026. Oklahoma Athletics worked with Norman and OU police departments to create updated driving maps and recommended routes around campus. Fans are being encouraged to use OU’s game day routing maps instead of traditional GPS services, which may not account for road closures and traffic restrictions.
There will also be a change to stadium entry on the west side. The security checkpoint for Gates 1-3 will extend west beneath the Asp Avenue Parking Facility, creating additional concourse space along with more concession and merchandise points of sale.
Tailgating options have also expanded.
The Champions Tailgate is moving to the northeast corner of Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue, while OU is introducing a new 1895 Trust Tailgate near the southeast corner of the stadium.
The North Oval will remain free and open for public tailgating on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans looking for a more convenient setup can reserve professionally managed turnkey tailgates at Boyd Lawn through REVELXP.
Inside the stadium, OU is adding two concession stands and doubling the number of self-checkout locations from 2025. Every concession stand will feature at least one new menu item this season, while canned beer will be available at most locations. Select stands will also offer 24-ounce souvenir draft beers and premixed cocktails.
Fans will also be able to purchase 32-ounce souvenir soda cups featuring a different iconic moment in Oklahoma football history for each home game.
The Sooner Shop is expanding to eight retail locations in and around the stadium, while the Jordan Shoe Box Pop-Up Shop and EA Sports College Football gaming lounge will both return.
OU has also refreshed the Oklahoma Sooners app with a redesigned interface and easier access to live events, news, videos, promotions and game day notifications.
This is just an OUInsider summary of all the things that are being added and expanded to the fan experience by the University of Oklahoma. You can see the FULL DETAILS ON THE HERE on SoonerSports.com.
The Sooners open their 2026 home schedule against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 4.
