Rapper Lil Jon to headline 40th edition of ‘Late Night in the Phog’ at KU

LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) – An award-winning rapper will headline the entertainment offerings at October’s 40th edition of Late Night in the Phog presented by Hy-Vee and adidas, Kansas Athletics officials announced Wednesday.

The event is set for Oct. 18 at Allen Fieldhouse, on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.

Additional details about the event were announced Wednesdaay by Kansas Athletics.

Both the KU women’s and men’s basketball scrimmages that will be featured at the event will be streamed on ESPN+, KUAthletics.com and Facebook Watch through the Kansas Jayhawks Facebook page.

Additionally, because of what officials said were “extenuating circumstances,” Kansas Athletics has announced a new musical act to cap the night.

Grammy Award-winning, producer, DJ and rapper Lil Jon will now headline the event. The five-time Grammy nominee has amassed eight No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart and several Billboard Hot 100 hit singles, including “Turn Down for What,” which earned platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America and passed the milestone of one billion views on YouTube. His hit single, “Yeah!” won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance in 2005.

Late Night in the Phog is set to start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Allen Fieldhouse, which is celebrating its 70th season in 2024-25 and will debut the second phase of significant building upgrades that totaled more than $50 million.

As detailed here, Allen Fieldhouse renovations are nearing completion, and fans will notice new audio and videoboards in the venue. Patrons will also experience new amenities throughout the building on every level, including elevated concessions options from new concessions partner Oakview Group.

Student gates will open at 5:15 p.m., while gates for the general public will open at 5:30 p.m. For broadcast purposes, the women’s scrimmage will begin at approximately 7 p.m., while the men will start at 7:55 p.m.

Because of copyright music and artist contracts, only the scrimmages will be broadcast.

Late Night will continue to be a free event for fans, officials said. However, as was the case in the last two years, tickets will need to be claimed online in advance.

All seating outside of the student section will be reserved.

Regarding ticket reservations, availability is not guaranteed at any level, as a limited number of seats are being held for Williams Education Fund donors, officials noted.

Williams Education Fund members will have preferred access to a limited number of reserved seats based on priority within the Williams Education Fund, officials said.

All other inventory and unclaimed Williams Education Fund inventory will be made available to the public.

Students also will have to claim a ticket online.

Sports Combo holders will have access first for three days, and then general students will have a chance to claim tickets, based on availability.

Students will have two options during the claim process.

• Option 1: Sit in the normal general admission student section and receive access to the court for the Lil Jon concert.
• Option 2: Sit in the normal general admission student section.

Option 1 will be limited with tickets claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The ticket reservation timeline includes:

• Wednesday, Sept. 18: Hall of Fame Donors and Student Combo Pass Holders

• Thursday, Sept. 19: Champion Donors

• Friday, Sept. 20: Olympian to Legend Donors

• Monday, Sept. 23: MVP to Outland Donors, Faculty-Staff and General Student Body

• Tuesday, Sept. 24: General Public

Hall of Fame and Champion donors may request up to six tickets, Olympian and All-American donors up to four and Outland to Legend level donors up to two, all based on availability.

Americans with Disability Act seating will be on the north side of the court for Late Night as well as new ADA seating areas, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Limited-mobility patrons will be able to sit in sections 9 and 14 and hearing-impaired patrons in sections F and G, both on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those needing ADA, limited-mobility or hearing-impaired seating should enter through Gate 11.

As instituted in 2022, Late Night in the Phog will feature a re-imagined run-of-show designed to enhance the fan experience. Among the features fans can expect include:

• A new staging look center court
• Music by the KU Pep Band, DJs, and Lil Jon
• Routines from KU’s spirit squad and dance teams
• Videos from KU’s award-winning Rock Chalk Video department
• Enhanced coach and player introductions, interactions and scrimmages
• Light stick giveaway for all fans

Kansas Athletics also will hold Phog Fest on the front lawn of Allen Fieldhouse before Late Night, with activities starting at 2:30 p.m. It will have activities for fans to enjoy, including the Hawk Zone with inflatable games, music and other attractions. Phog Fest also will include food trucks, giveaways from a variety of sponsors, interactive displays and more.

Fans are once again encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which Kansas Athletics will donate to Just Food of Douglas County, which also supports the Campus Cupboard benefitting KU students.

Non-perishable food and monetary donations supporting Just Food will be accepted throughout the day at Phog Fest and at all entrances to Allen Fieldhouse.

Just Foods serves on average 250-450 households per week.

Free parking will be available in Lot 90, east and south of Allen Fieldhouse across Naismith Drive, beginning at 2 p.m. Fans also may park in the parking garage just north of Allen Fieldhouse with hourly rates until 4 p.m., at which time garage parking will be $5 per car. Lower levels of the parking garage will be reserved. All other normal campus parking rules apply.

In accordance with the University of Kansas, KU’s clear-bag policy and walk-through metal detectors will be enforced for those entering Allen Fieldhouse.

Continuing a fan-favorite Late Night in the Phog tradition, two individuals will have the opportunity to win $10,000 from men’s basketball coach Bill Self by making a half-court shot at Late Night.

In addition to HyVee and adidas, the production of Late Night in the Phog is supported by Jayhawk Sports Properties corporate partners – Crown Automotive; LMH Health; Prairie Band Casino and Resort; and Raising Cane’s.

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