Memphis football moving closer to capacity crowd for Saturday home opener
By Drew Hill – Daily Memphian
September 4, 2026
The Memphis Tigers are inching closer to a capacity crowd for their 6 p.m. football home opener against Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 5.
According to a University of Memphis source familiar with ticket sales, Memphis has more than 37,000 tickets out — sold or distributed — as of Friday morning.
That is around 8,000 tickets shy of the stadium’s capacity, which is 45,632.
Saturday’s game will be the first since the completion of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium renovations that began in 2024.
The most noticeable change is the construction of the new west tower, which includes suites, boxes, club seating and a full-service kitchen.
The west end of the stadium also features the new Landers Plaza, which is open to all fans.It will remain open for an hour after the game for fans who want to stay and enjoy food and drink. Alcohol sales will stop at the end of the third quarter before resuming for the postgame gathering that the Memphis athletic department is calling the “Fifth Quarter.”
Other stadium upgrades include new video boards, a large ribbon board, a new sound system and LED entertainment lighting.
Memphis added to its ticketing momentum with a 27-21 road victory over UNLV last Saturday in the debut of first-year coach Charles Huff.
Meanwhile, athletic director Ed Scott has made efforts to improve the affordability of the Memphis football experience, starting with a $7 meal deal fans to purchase an entrée, chips and drink.
The Tigers are also selling tickets to Saturday’s game for $9.01. The purchase of a ticket also allows two kids to attend for free.
The first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative ticket for the opening of the newly renovated stadium.
Halftime entertainment will include a drone show. Additional drone shows will take place at the end of the third quarter, during the fourth quarter and after the game.
On Friday morning, the University of Memphis also teased an announcement with the Memphis Zoo that is also expected at halftime.
