Lawrence businesses and KU gear up for off-campus football season

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – University of Kansas Football is back next week, but it won’t be the same as usual with all home games being played elsewhere while David Booth Memorial Stadium is under construction.

Construction on “The Booth” is on time, according to KU Athletics.

That construction is the reason two games will be played at Children’s Mercy Park and four will be at Arrowhead Stadium.

“We live on the top of the hill so it would be so nice if we could walk down and go to the game but it is kind of cool how it is at Arrowhead,” said KU freshman Annabelle Blooston.

Soon, thousands of students will be back on campus at the University of Kansas, meaning kick-off for KU Football is days away.

“The atmosphere itself is something you can’t find anywhere else,” said University of Kansas junior Brady Adler. “I’m excited because I have one more year. If I was a senior, I would be pretty disappointed because, obviously, they can’t go but since I got one more year I’m super excited to see the new stadium.”

READ MORE: KU to provide free transportation for students on home football gamedays

This year, many students plan to carpool or take one of the 15 buses offered by KU for the games in Kansas City.

With this unique football season, Lawrence businesses are anticipating a possible dip in sales.

“We can’t control whether people come here or not or go to Kansas City but we will be open and excited to root on the Jayhawks,” said The Sandbar manager Andrew Madl.

The Sandbar has been serving Lawrence for over three decades. It’s one of many places people enjoy before, during, and after a KU football game.

“We will definitely probably take a little bit of a hit but we also know that there are still going to be those dad weekends, the mom’s weekends, there will still be those signature events that KU has,” said Madl.

As they anticipate a big comeback next year, KU Athletics is taking the lead to help businesses keep the Jayhawk spirit in Lawrence.

They have several community initiatives planned for the 2024 football season, including:

• Watch Parties: Explore Lawrence, The Chamber, and Kansas Athletics will promote these for each game, local businesses can submit theirs here.
• Zone Parties: These will be the day before every home game from 5-10 p.m. in a specific zone with music, giveaways, tailgate games, and mascots. This is to help show support to businesses in each zone.
• Big Jay’s Golden Ticket: Every Tuesday or Wednesday night during the week of a home Kansas football game. Select restaurants and businesses will be giving away Big Jay’s Golden Ticket to one fan, they get two tickets and two pre-game sideline passes to the next home game. This will be promoted by the businesses leading up to the date
• 2nd Annual Kansas Football Kickoff Party: This is at South Park on Aug. 24 from 5-8 p.m. in collaboration with Downtown Lawrence and Welcome Back Jayhawks Weekend. Enjoy shopping and street performers from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• 3rd Annual Rock Chalk Block Party: This is Sept. 27 between 10th and 11th on Mass Street for KU Family Weekend featuring musical artist Shaboozey.
• 40th Annual Late Night in the Phog: Kickoff Homecoming weekend on Oct. 18 with Grammy Award Winner Nelly.

“We are making sure that we are not just embracing the Kansas City market but we know where our home base is too,” said KU Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs and Revenue Generation, Jason Booker. “We’ve had really good stories about hotel partners that are full on game weekends already in Lawrence so that is a good sign that I think that has started I think that is working.”

The Sandbar and many others plan to have the TVs on, ready to watch each game, and hope fans will join them this football season.

“When I talk to a lot of our neighbors, counterparts, and friends we are all very positive on it just because we know what is to come next year,” said Madl.

KU started a 2025 Experience Committee this last week. They are working with students, fans, businesses, and the community to reimagine the game experience for 2025 when The Booth reopens.

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