Murray State University Athletics
Racer Athletics Announces Football Game Day Activations and Enhancements for 2026 Season
Murray State Athletics is thrilled to announce new game day and fan experience activations and enhancements ahead of the 2026 football season, which begins on Thursday, Aug. 27, when the Racers face off with Eastern Illinois for the home opener. Kickoff from Rudolph Family Field at Roy Stewart Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
The contest is the first of six home games over the course of the season, which includes matchups against Valparaiso (Sept. 12), Southern Illinois (Sept. 26), South Dakota (Oct. 17), Youngstown State (Nov. 7) and Northern Iowa (Nov. 21).
Season tickets are available for as low as $60 for the year, with single game tickets starting at $25. All kids K-College can attend all home football games for FREE.
Below you will find new activations for the season:
GAME THEMES & PROMOTIONS
August 27 vs. Eastern Illinois – Home Opener
- Rally Towels presented by Kroger – First 1,000 Fans
- Game Day Buttons
September 12 vs. Valparaiso – Family Weekend/Salute To Service
- USA Racer Hats presented by CFSB
- Postgame Drone Show presented by CFSB
September 26 vs. Southern Illinois – Faculty/Staff Appreciation / Touchdowns For Teachers
October 17 vs. South Dakota – Homecoming
November 7 vs. Youngstown State – Junior Racer Day / Youth Sports Day
November 21 vs. Northern Iowa – Senior Day/ High School Band Day
CONCESSIONS OFFERINGS
Murray State Athletics, in conjunction with its concessions partner Sodexo, will roll out new menu items on a game-by-game basis. The primary concessions stands are located on the north and south sides of the Level 3 concourse.
You can find more information on these new items below:
August 27 vs. Eastern Illinois – End Zone Trio
- Three winning sliders—smoky pulled pork with slaw, grilled buffalo chicken with pickles and ranch, and a classic cheeseburger—built to take your game day to the end zone.
September 12 vs. Valparaiso – Racer Brisket Stack
- Thick-cut Texas toast loaded with pimento cheese, slow-smoked brisket, and bacon jam for a bold game day sandwich.
September 26 vs. Southern Illinois – Racer Nation Smokehouse Stack
- Two smashed patties stacked with pulled pork, bacon, cheddar, sweet heat BBQ sauce, and fried onions.
October 17 vs. South Dakota – Racer Stampede
- Donut burger featuring a beef patty, bacon, cheddar cheese, and maple aioli on glazed donuts.
THE FINAL TWO HOME GAME SPECIAL ITEMS WILL BE DETERMINED LATER.
NEW CONCESSIONS ACTIVATIONS INCLUDE:
- Junior Racer Combo
- A $10 pack that includes a hot dog, chips, and a bottled water or juice
- Racer Family Pack
- This new combo includes two cheeseburgers, four Racer Dogs, two bags of chips, and four bottles of water or soda. The Racer Family Pack feeds 4-6 people and is $60.
- Slushie/Boozy Slushie
- Flavor of the game in a reusable 28-ounce aluminum cups. Eligible fans can make it boozy with their choice of bourbon or vodka.
New concessions items, along with traditional game day offerings, will be available throughout the year on the north and south sides of the Level 3 concourse.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase beer, including the Murray State of Mind by Country Boy Brewing, seltzers, and other similar offerings at select concessions stands inside Rudolph Family Field at Roy Stewart Stadium. Alcohol will be sold on the South Concourse and at the kiosk near Gate 3, and will be managed by Sodexo, and will be limited to two per transaction with sales stopping at the end of the third quarter.
FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS
Murray State Athletics has continued its prioritization of modernizing its team spaces and amenities throughout Rudolph Family Field at Roy Stewart Stadium, having recently completed $4 million worth of major upgrades and enhancements around the facility.
The department has made major updates to the Draffen Family Performance Center, located on Level 1 of the facility, and installed brand-new FieldTurf with branding to reflect the generosity of the Rudolph Family, a new Racer navy track surface, and added a smaller auxiliary field behind the north end zone.
Future projects coming to Rudolph Family Field at Roy Stewart Stadium include a new videoboard that will be installed during the 2026 season directly across from seating structure, along with the recently-announced Draffen Family Founders Club, which will add new premium activation into the stadium.
Learn more about these exciting new projects by clicking the button below.
TICKETS
Mobile ticketing and mobile parking will be in effect for the 2026 season. Fans are encouraged to download their tickets and parking passes prior to arrive at the stadium.
Tickets for Racer Football home games start at $25 for general admission. All kids K-College can attend all home football games for FREE.
For more information on purchasing tickets or accessing your mobile tickets/parking, contact the Murray State Ticket Office at (270) 809-3000.
