COLUMBUS – Ohio State officials promised changes to improve the game day experience for fans after they experienced numerous delays during the first home game of the season and the Department of Athletics unveiled those changes Wednesday.
Tulsa (0-2) at (9/11) OHIO STATE (1-1, 1-0); Ohio Stadium; Saturday, Sept. 18 (3:30 p.m./FS1)
Delays at some gates during the Sept. 11 game against Oregon were caused by WiFi connectivity, a shortage of workers and unfamiliarity with new mobile-ticket pedestal scanners, according to an athletics department spokesman. The game, which was the first to allow fans inside Ohio Stadium since 2019, drew over 100,000 fans and was also the first to incorporate digital ticketing and cashless parking and concessions.
The athletics department says it has added more engineering support from the department’s WiFi partner and more ticket scanners, among other tweaks.
The university is also recommending fans load their mobile tickets to their iPhone or Google Pay wallet before arriving at the stadium.
There will be 27 more pedestal ticket scanners to gates that experienced the heaviest traffic, bringing the total number of scanners to 147, plus 80 more hand-held scanners as backup.
The number of metal detectors will be increased at the South Stands gates, additional police officers and stadium security will be stationed at that location and the layout for scanning and entry will be changed.
Concession registers will be hard-wired to better accommodate mobile ordering.
To enter the stadium, fans either scan a dynamic barcode on their mobile ticket or tap an icon on the top of the pedestal scanner with the back of their phones.
The ticket office can print tickets at the Schottenstein Center ticket office starting the Thursday before home games. On game day, fans with printed tickets can visit one of five ticket trouble shooting booths at the stadium.
Charity begins at home games
The company that operates food concessions on the OSU campus is looking for local non-profits interested in operating a stand or cart at Ohio Stadium on event days. Levy says they will share in the profits.
Officials with Levy say organizations can potentially earn as much as $6,000.