Changes to Game Day Experience

 Cal fans can expect a number of enhancements to their gameday experience when they visit California Memorial Stadium this fall to attend Golden Bear football games.
 
Among the changes being implemented are the addition of metal detectors to screen for prohibited items at all entrances to the facility, expanded beer and wine service, and new fan assistance booths to help guests with any questions they may have during visits to the stadium.
 
Earlier this summer, Cal Athletics announced a number of activities, promotions and giveaways for the 2019 season, including the return of pregame concerts at Tailgate Town, bobbleheads for the Oregon State and USC games, and the largest t-shirt toss ever in the Bay Area for the North Texas contest.
 
Metal Detectors

Fans are encouraged to arrive early for games to allow time to pass through metal detectors that will be stationed at each gate. The detectors, also known as magnetometers, were in use for basketball games at Haas Pavilion last season and are present at other venues on campus, including at the Greek Theatre. Major stadiums and arenas throughout the Bay Area and the majority of Pac-12 schools also employ the devices.
 
Fans are reminded that Cal's clear bag policy remains for all home events. Approved bags include:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches

One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags

Small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand may be carried separately or within a plastic bag

In addition, Cal Athletics will maintain a bag check on Piedmont Avenue at the bottom of the Haas Grand Staircase (near the bear statue). Bag check will be available three hours prior to kickoff.
 
Expanded Beer and Wine

As part of its continuing effort to improve the gameday experience for ticket holders, Cal Athletics will also be expanding service for beer and wine at select locations inside California Memorial Stadium during the football season.
 
In previous years, beer and wine have been available at Tailgate Town, in the beer garden on Lisa and Douglas Goldman Plaza, and in the various club spaces. Beginning this season, fans will be able to purchase beer and wine at eight stand-alone locations around Memorial Stadium. Over 21+ wristbands will be required to purchase, possess or consume alcohol and will be issued with a valid ID to patrons 21 and over at ID kiosks inside the venue.
 
Prior to making this decision, Cal Athletics consulted and collaborated with numerous departments and organizations on campus. Cal reached out to other schools, as well, to discuss best practices and results, and received feedback showing that offering beer and wine inside stadiums can lead to reduced alcohol-related incidents and reduced binge drinking at tailgates.
 
All staff involved in the sale of alcohol will be trained using TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) Coalition best practices. A designated-driver program will be implemented to promote responsible behavior, and fans are expected to abide by the Memorial Stadium Code of Conduct at all times.
 
Although beer and wine will now be sold inside the stadium, alcohol will not be allowed in the student section or in a designated family seating area (section VV). Cal will regularly monitor and evaluate the fan and gameday experience, with beer and wine sales scheduled to end at the beginning of the third quarter (subject to change).
 
"Many of our ticket holders have told us that they would like additional locations for the purchase of beer and wine during our events," Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. "At the same time, it is imperative that we continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our fans in a family-friendly environment. We have been deliberate in our planning, meeting with numerous colleagues and subject-area experts on campus over the past several months, and then implementing best practices based on their guidance, as well as research and evaluation of how the best stadiums manage alcohol sales. While we have confidence in the systems we are putting in place to manage sales and consumption, we will not hesitate to make appropriate adjustments if needed."
 
More than 60 Football Bowl Subdivision schools offer beer at football games, including Pac-12 members Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon and Oregon State, and the NCAA approved beer sales at championship events in 2018.
 
Fan Assistance Booths

The new fan assistance booths will be stationed in and around Memorial Stadium near most entry gates, and they will be open from pregame through the start of the third quarter. Fan assistance personnel will be trained to help guests with:

General assistance with directions, questions and complaints

ADA questions

Stadium information and policies

Maps, schedules, Cal Athletics information and campus information

In addition, a new plan for shuttles and golf carts has been developed to assist stadium guests. Due to construction in downtown Berkeley, the express BART shuttle stop has moved to the West Crescent entrance to campus. After the game, golf carts will go to one of two shuttle pickup locations to allow them to service more patrons in a shorter amount of time.
 
Promotions

After a successful first season of offering live bands before all games, the free, pregame Tailgate Town concert series returns to Maxwell Family Field. Popular Tom Petty cover band Petty Theft will kick off the year for the opener against UC Davis on Aug. 31, with Neon Velvet coming for the Oct. 19 Oregon State game and Wonder Bread 5 playing before the Nov. 16 USC game. Other acts will be announced once they are finalized.
 
Among the giveaways for the fall are an Oski bobblehead presented by Sutter Health for the homecoming game vs. Oregon State on Oct. 19 and a Jared Goff bobblehead for the home finale vs. USC on Nov. 16. For both contests, the first 10,000 fans will receive the giveaway.
 
Halftime of the Sept. 14 North Texas game will feature the largest t-shirt toss ever in the Bay Area, with 10,000 shirts being thrown into the crowd.
 
The Washington State game on Nov. 9 will be Pride Day at Memorial Stadium. Fans will be able to purchase a special ticket that includes a Cal Pride t-shirt. Other events surrounding the day, which are being coordinated through a partnership with the campus Gender Equity Resource Center, will be announced once they are finalized.
 
Cal students will also see a return of pregame giveaways with the first 1,000 students through gate 8 receiving a free item for every game.
 
Tickets for the six-game 2019 Cal football season are now on sale through CalBears.com/tickets or by calling (800) GO BEARS (462-3277) and pressing option 3.