'Cuse on the Quad is the Place to Be on Football Saturdays
8/24/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Syracuse Athletics is bringing new energy to football Saturdays this fall, with an enhanced 'Cuse on the Quad and Toyota Fun Zone experience featuring live music, a new large-format videoboard, expanded fan amenities, family-friendly entertainment and a reimagined NYE Auto Quad Walk.
The enhancements are part of Syracuse Athletics' continued investment in the overall gameday experience and are designed to make the energy surrounding Orange football begin well before kickoff at the JMA Wireless Dome.
"We want Syracuse football Saturdays to feel special from the moment our fans arrive on campus," said Director of Athletics Bryan Blair. "The Dome is one of the most unique environments in college sports, and we want to build that same sense of energy and community across campus leading into kickoff. Whether you're watching College GameDay on the Quad, listening to live music, bringing your family to the Fun Zone or welcoming our team during the Quad Walk, we want fans to come early, wear Orange and be part of the entire experience."
Additions and Upgrades For 2026:
Fans arriving on the Quad this fall will notice a number of new and enhanced elements, including:
Entering its third season, the NYE Auto Quad Walk continues in 2026, with new additions.
The team will still arrive approximately two hours and 20 minutes prior to kickoff, however this year's arrival comes with a new twist. Syracuse University Chimesmasters will alert all of campus that the team is on their way to the Dome utilizing the chimes atop Crouse College. When fans hear AC/DC's Thunderstruck, they'll know the team is pulling in and the quad walk is about to begin.
The chimes, which date to 1889, are one of Syracuse University's longstanding campus traditions and are played by student Chimemasters. The new gameday element connects one of the University's historic traditions with the energy of Syracuse football Saturdays.
Fans are encouraged to gather along the route early and bring the noise as the team arrives. It's also the time to collect your commemorative pin unique to that game, creating a six-pin series across the 2026 home slate.
More to Experience Before Kickoff:
'Cuse on the Quad will continue to open three hours prior to kickoff and will feature a combination of live entertainment, food and beverage options, sponsor activations, family activities and opportunities to connect with fellow Orange fans.
There will be plenty of music and entertainment to enjoy. In addition to the Pride of the Orange's traditional performances on the Hendricks Chapel steps, live music from local artists will now be added to the entertainment lineup.
Fans will also see a new large videoboard brought in for games to start your Saturday's with either ESPN's College Gameday for Noon kickoffs, or help you stay up to date on games around the country for afternoon and evening kickoffs.
The Toyota Fun Zone will also feature new additions. Lawn and tailgate games return, plus additional offerings such as a mechanical bull and rock climbing wall will be available.
Other fan favorites also return in 2026, including autograph signings from various Syracuse Athletics programs, a live broadcast of the Syracuse Sports Network's pregame show, with Voice of the Orange Matt Park, Adam Terry and Tim Leonard and more!
Food and Beverage Options:
You'll also have plenty of food and beverage options on the Quad, as local food trucks, concessions and beverage stands are available throughout the space. New this year, fans will have enhanced seating options, with picnic tables available to sit down and enjoy your pre-game meal and take in the festivities.
Be sure to checkout Cuse.com/Quad each game week for a full list of that week's food trucks, food and beverage options.
Just the Beginning:
The 2026 enhancements represent the beginning of a broader effort by Syracuse Athletics to continually evaluate and elevate the fan experience across its events.
Athletics will continue gathering feedback from fans and students throughout the season while evaluating additional opportunities to improve the arrival experience, entertainment, traditions and atmosphere surrounding Syracuse football.
"The best gameday environments aren't built in one offseason," Blair said. "We're going to listen to our fans and students, learn from every game and continue pushing ourselves to make the experience better. We want the Dome and everything surrounding it to become a true home-field advantage and one of the great gameday experiences in college athletics."
Additional Information:
For information on game specific activations, gameday planning and more, be sure to visit Cuse.com/Quad each week before you make your way to the JMA Wireless Dome to plan a full day of excitement around each Orange home football contest.
Don't miss a minute of the action and secure your tickets today at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
The enhancements are part of Syracuse Athletics' continued investment in the overall gameday experience and are designed to make the energy surrounding Orange football begin well before kickoff at the JMA Wireless Dome.
"We want Syracuse football Saturdays to feel special from the moment our fans arrive on campus," said Director of Athletics Bryan Blair. "The Dome is one of the most unique environments in college sports, and we want to build that same sense of energy and community across campus leading into kickoff. Whether you're watching College GameDay on the Quad, listening to live music, bringing your family to the Fun Zone or welcoming our team during the Quad Walk, we want fans to come early, wear Orange and be part of the entire experience."
Additions and Upgrades For 2026:
Fans arriving on the Quad this fall will notice a number of new and enhanced elements, including:
- Large-format videoboard: A new videoboard will allow fans to watch ESPN's College GameDay and other marquee college football games while enjoying the pregame atmosphere on the Quad.
- Live music: Local artists will perform on the Quad, adding another entertainment element to the pregame experience.
- Expanded fan amenities: Additional seating and gathering areas will provide more opportunities for fans to spend time on the Quad before entering the Dome.
- Toyota Fun Zone: Family-friendly games and activities will continue to provide entertainment for Orange fans of all ages, with new additions such as a rock climbing wall, mechanical bull and inflatables.
- New team-arrival tradition: As anticipation builds for the NYE Auto Quad Walk, the Crouse College chimes will play to alert all of campus that the team As the team prepares to enter the Quad, the Crouse College chimes will play Thunderstruck, signaling to fans across campus that the Orange are on their way.
Entering its third season, the NYE Auto Quad Walk continues in 2026, with new additions.
The team will still arrive approximately two hours and 20 minutes prior to kickoff, however this year's arrival comes with a new twist. Syracuse University Chimesmasters will alert all of campus that the team is on their way to the Dome utilizing the chimes atop Crouse College. When fans hear AC/DC's Thunderstruck, they'll know the team is pulling in and the quad walk is about to begin.
The chimes, which date to 1889, are one of Syracuse University's longstanding campus traditions and are played by student Chimemasters. The new gameday element connects one of the University's historic traditions with the energy of Syracuse football Saturdays.
Fans are encouraged to gather along the route early and bring the noise as the team arrives. It's also the time to collect your commemorative pin unique to that game, creating a six-pin series across the 2026 home slate.
More to Experience Before Kickoff:
'Cuse on the Quad will continue to open three hours prior to kickoff and will feature a combination of live entertainment, food and beverage options, sponsor activations, family activities and opportunities to connect with fellow Orange fans.
There will be plenty of music and entertainment to enjoy. In addition to the Pride of the Orange's traditional performances on the Hendricks Chapel steps, live music from local artists will now be added to the entertainment lineup.
Fans will also see a new large videoboard brought in for games to start your Saturday's with either ESPN's College Gameday for Noon kickoffs, or help you stay up to date on games around the country for afternoon and evening kickoffs.
The Toyota Fun Zone will also feature new additions. Lawn and tailgate games return, plus additional offerings such as a mechanical bull and rock climbing wall will be available.
Other fan favorites also return in 2026, including autograph signings from various Syracuse Athletics programs, a live broadcast of the Syracuse Sports Network's pregame show, with Voice of the Orange Matt Park, Adam Terry and Tim Leonard and more!
Food and Beverage Options:
You'll also have plenty of food and beverage options on the Quad, as local food trucks, concessions and beverage stands are available throughout the space. New this year, fans will have enhanced seating options, with picnic tables available to sit down and enjoy your pre-game meal and take in the festivities.
Be sure to checkout Cuse.com/Quad each game week for a full list of that week's food trucks, food and beverage options.
Just the Beginning:
The 2026 enhancements represent the beginning of a broader effort by Syracuse Athletics to continually evaluate and elevate the fan experience across its events.
Athletics will continue gathering feedback from fans and students throughout the season while evaluating additional opportunities to improve the arrival experience, entertainment, traditions and atmosphere surrounding Syracuse football.
"The best gameday environments aren't built in one offseason," Blair said. "We're going to listen to our fans and students, learn from every game and continue pushing ourselves to make the experience better. We want the Dome and everything surrounding it to become a true home-field advantage and one of the great gameday experiences in college athletics."
Additional Information:
For information on game specific activations, gameday planning and more, be sure to visit Cuse.com/Quad each week before you make your way to the JMA Wireless Dome to plan a full day of excitement around each Orange home football contest.
Don't miss a minute of the action and secure your tickets today at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
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