The Husker Nation Pavilion presented by CenturyLink will be open Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. (three hours before kickoff) for Nebraska’s Homecoming game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium. The Pavilion, located north of Memorial Stadium on the Gass Practice Field, offers fun with family-friendly entertainment for every game.
Activities at the Pavilion will be open to fans from 5 p.m. right up until kickoff shortly after 8 p.m. against the Fighting Illini.
While the activities will end when the football game begins, fans are still welcome to watch the game, which is being televised nationally by BTN at the Pavilion live on the big screen.
The nation’s premier pregame party, the Husker Nation Pavilion provides free and fun activities for the whole family. The Pavilion features great games and activities for kids.
The Gass FieldTurf practice area is available for kids of all ages to stretch out on before the game. The FieldTurf area is exactly like the FieldTurf inside Memorial Stadium and the nearby Hawks Championship Center, and is one of the fields the Huskers use in their preparations each week.
The Nebraska football team’s grass practice field and the track will be closed to fans.
Husker Nation Pavilion Highlights
Fun & Inflatables – The Husker Nation Pavilion presented by CenturyLink features games for kids of all ages, including inflatable games (weather permitting) and obstacle courses. Field goal kick, quarterback toss, basketball shot, and baseball/softball pitch speed games will all be available for kids to play at the Pavilion.
Unity Walk – Husker fans are encouraged to join the new path of the Nebraska football team’s Unity Walk. The team expects to arrive on the East side of Memorial Stadium, directly in front of the entrance to Nebraska’s new East Stadium. The team’s arrival is expected approximately two hours before kickoff (6 p.m. for Illinois). Fans are encouraged to line the walkway, along with members of the Husker Spirit Squad and Nebraska band members, as the Huskers enter East Stadium through Gate 20.
Pole Vault Exhibition – Members of the Nebraska Track & Field team will hold their annual pole vault exhibition in the Husker Nation Pavilion from 6 to 7 p.m.
Live Band: Lemon Fresh Day will perform live in the Husker Nation Pavilion from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Food Vendors – A food vending area will be located in the East Plaza. Face painters and balloon twisters will also be on hand.
Huskers Authentic Team Store – Nebraska’s official team store – Huskers Authentic – will not be in the Pavilion, but fans are encouraged to visit the new Huskers Authentic Team Store in East Stadium. Huskers Authentic also will have a satellite store open for fans on the East side of the Pavilion.
Big Screen & Bleacher Seating – Seating is available for fans to help them relax while watching the video board or meeting friends before the game. Saturday’s game with Illinois, which is being televised by BTN, will be available on the Husker Nation Pavilion screen.
Gass Practice Field – The Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Field is available for youngsters and families. The FieldTurf surface on the practice field next to the Hawks Championship Center offers fans a fun place to stretch out before the games – just like the Huskers during their game-week preparations. Nebraska’s grass football practice field, the Nebraska Soccer Field and the track surface are not available to football fans.
Autograph Zone – No scheduled participants in the autograph zone as of Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Pavilion Entrances & Exits – Fans can enter the Husker Nation Pavilion from both the East and West gates at field level outside of the Ed Weir Track & Field/Nebraska Soccer Stadium (North side of Memorial Stadium). Fans who plan to watch the game on the big screen can enter through the South gates near the Columns above the track (East side of Memorial Stadium).