NORMAN, Okla. – This Saturday’s Oklahoma-Tulane football game has been moved from New Orleans to Norman. Kickoff remains at 11 a.m., and the game will be televised on ABC as previously announced.
The change in location was made after Hurricane Ida moved across New Orleans and the Gulf Coast on Sunday. Conditions in New Orleans are not favorable to host a game this week. Even with the change in venue, Tulane will be the designated home team for this game and will retain all net proceeds from ticket sales. All tickets for this game will be sold separately and are not part of season ticket packages. Ticket procedures are included later in this release.
Tickets purchased through Tulane for the game in New Orleans may not be used for the game in Norman. Those patrons will need to resolve through the Tulane ticket office at the appropriate time.
In addition to moving this game, the two schools have agreed to work together on identifying a date in a future season for a game in New Orleans.
“In this extraordinarily difficult moment for the people of Louisiana, we want to do our small part by assisting Tulane with the game this weekend,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “While we regret that it’s necessary for us to host it, we will welcome the Tulane family this Saturday with open arms and heavy hearts. We hope this act is one small way that we can help alleviate some of the stress the university is currently enduring.
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with all those impacted and those helping with the relief and recovery in the coming weeks and months.”
OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione has worked closely with Tulane officials in changing the arrangements for the game.
“This is obviously a heart-wrenching time,” said Castiglione. “We have been reminded again of the life events that take precedence over everything else we do. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tulane President Michael Fitts, Athletics Director Troy Dannen, the Tulane community and everyone impacted by this storm.
“I know that many of our fans were looking forward to visiting one of our favorite cities, New Orleans. But now, we have an opportunity to do what we do best, and that is extend our hospitality to people who are facing a significant challenge. All of us will do our part to make the Tulane team and fans feel welcome and appreciated as we host their home game.”
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with all those impacted and those helping with the relief and recovery in the coming weeks and months.”
Joseph Harroz Jr.
Due to the short notice and holiday weekend, several of OU’s contracted game services providers will be unable to assemble a full staff for this game. For that reason, only the lower bowl (including club levels, loge boxes and suites) of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium will be used for fan seating.
Apart from those seats allocated for Tulane, OU season ticket holders will have first opportunity to purchase tickets and will be contacted Monday evening via email. Those with lower bowl, club level, loge box and suite season ticket locations may purchase their existing seats for this game. Those with seats located elsewhere in the stadium will also have an opportunity to purchase tickets and will be accommodated in various locations throughout the lower bowl. The deadline for season ticket holders to purchase tickets will be 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
The price of the lower-level tickets for season ticket holders will be $30, and $50 for suites and clubs to include hospitality. OU students will have an opportunity to purchase tickets priced at $20 beginning Tuesday. If tickets remain after season ticket and student requests are accommodated, a public sale will be held on Friday and those tickets will be available at $50 each.
“I wish that we could accommodate a full stadium for this game, but these are challenging circumstances with very little notice,” Castiglione said. “We rely on hundreds of trained professionals from several agencies to work with us on game day and have learned that it is not possible to be fully staffed for this event. We have thoroughly assessed the many aspects of hosting a game and there is no question that this is the right course of action.”
Fans are reminded that they will need to download the Oklahoma Sooners app to access game tickets. It is highly recommended that the tickets be downloaded to a wallet app before arriving at the stadium. Additional game details and OU’s game day protocols will be released this week on SoonerSports.com and the OU Athletics social media platforms.
Relief Efforts
Recovery efforts are now underway along the Gulf Coast. OU officials urge those wishing to support relief efforts to give generously to agencies of their choice. The Greater New Orleans Foundation is a charity Tulane endorses. Gifts can be made at gnof.org. An in-stadium donation option will be available for fans in attendance Saturday as well.
COVID-19 Protocols
Masking in Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is strongly encouraged for those attending the game. Riders on transit buses and shuttles must wear masks, in compliance with Department of Transportation mandates. All stadium gates will open two (2) hours prior to kickoff for fans. The clear bag and prohibited item policy will be in effect. Fans are encouraged to arrive early.
Mask Policy | Clear Bag Policy | Complete Gameday Information
Parking Information
Sooner Club members who receive parking benefits will also receive the same parking passes for the game against Tulane. Parking passes for those that qualify can be accessed digitally through the Oklahoma Sooners app after tickets have been claimed. We anticipate all tickets and parking passes will be available on Thursday by end of day.
Parking will be available for fans at the Lloyd Noble Center with round-trip shuttle service available for $5 to and from the game . Riders on transit buses and shuttles must wear masks, in compliance with Department of Transportation mandates.
Gameday Parking Information & Maps
Tailgating
Tailgating will be allowed for the 2021 season in accordance with University policies. Pregame events including the Champions Tailgate and the Varsity O Tailgate will not take place for the game against Tulane but will resume for against Western Carolina.
Tailgating Policies | Tailgating Map
Tulane Ticket Resolution
Those that had tickets for the game at Tulane will receive information in the coming weeks on refund options. Details will be delivered via email once finalized.
Last updated Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 10:05 a.m. CT.