UConn First Night Basketball Events On Tap For Next Month

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut basketball programs will kick off the 2023-24 season with the annual First Night celebration.

The event, presented by 97-9 ESPN Hartford, is slated for 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Gampel Pavilion.

First Night is being touted as a "UConn student-focused, free event." That means UConn basketball donors and season ticket holders will be able to claim a just a select number of tickets to the event. First Night will air locally on WFSB and will stream for free on UConn+ (UConnPlus.tv).

First Night will feature an expanded, full-arena capacity to allow the maximum number of students and fans to celebrate the start of the UConn basketball season with the teams.

The First Night festivities will kick off with a block party on Jim Calhoun Way outside of Gampel.

UConn basketball players will be drafted into a Blue Team and a White Team ahead of First Night with the teams competing throughout the event.

Hare's a timeline of events:

• 2 p.m. - Students can begin lining up at the North and East Entrances of Gampel Pavilion
• 5 p.m.- Block Party
• 6 p.m. - Doors Open
• 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Pregame Show Begins; Block Party Ends, UConn First Night officially begins

Ticket claims for UConn students will open on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 10 p.m. Season ticket holders and donors can begin claiming tickets on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m.

Students can claim tickets through the Tickets tab on the Top Dogs Student Rewards app or at uconnhuskies.com/students.

Season ticket holders can claim a ticket through their UConn Ticket Account (uconnhuskies.com/myaccount).

Tickets for students, donors and season ticket holders are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seating for the event is general admission.

ENTRANCES

• UConn students who have claimed a mobile ticket can enter Gampel Pavilion through the East and North Entrances. Season ticket holders will enter through the South Entrance. No re-entry will be allowed.

BLOCK PARTY

• Beginning at 5 p.m., the general public and UConn students are invited to gather outside Gampel Pavilion for a block party. The block party will feature food trucks, carnival games, a photo booth and live DJ.

CONCESSIONS

• Concession stands will be open during First Night. Alcohol sales will not be available.

PARKING

• The North and South Garages will be available to pay to park. Surface lots (YZ, I-Lot East & I-Lot West, N) will be open three hours prior to the event, beginning at 4 p.m.
• Lot D and commuter lots (C, K, W, Y) are unavailable for parking for First Night attendees without a valid permit.

Before First Night begins, fans can support other programs competing on campus. Field hockey hosts Providence at 1 p.m. at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. Volleyball takes on Xavier at 4 p.m. in the UConn Volleyball Center. Both games have free admission.