ESPN’s College GameDay will return to the University of Utah on Saturday, Oct. 24, for its seventh visit to the campus. The live national pregame broadcast is scheduled to air from 7 to 10 a.m. MDT at Presidents Circle during Homecoming week while the No. 10 Utah Utes host No. 14 Houston.
Fans can begin lining up at Presidents Circle at 5 p.m. Friday to enter the designated Pit area. While overnight queuing is permitted on Friday night, attendees must remove all tents, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs, umbrellas, and other personal equipment by 4 a.m. Saturday. Any items left in the overnight area after that time will be collected and discarded.
Those already in line may begin entering the Pit at 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Prohibited items in the area include bags, food, drinks—including empty reusable water bottles—pens, pencils, markers, and signs mounted on sticks. Handmade signs are welcome if they comply with ESPN policies, meaning they must be appropriate, not oversized, and not mounted on poles. All signs will undergo inspection before entry.
The University of Utah is encouraging fans waiting overnight to prepare for cold temperatures, as forecasts predict lows in the 40s Friday night. Safety and conduct policies used at Rice-Eccles Stadium will apply to the queue, including prohibitions on alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances. Individuals engaging in unsafe or inappropriate conduct may be removed and referred to the Dean of Students Office for possible disciplinary action.
Campus activity related to the event will begin Wednesday, Oct. 21, with teardown expected to conclude by Saturday evening. Access to Presidents Circle will be closed to all vehicle traffic starting Friday morning. While campus shuttles will continue to operate with minor route adjustments on Friday, parents picking up children at UKids will be directed to park temporarily and walk to the Alfred Emery Building.
The broadcast is part of a full Homecoming weekend for the U. During halftime of the game, Utah Football will recognize student-athletes named to the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll for the 2026 spring semester. This honor is awarded to student-athletes who earn at least a 3.0 grade-point average in a semester.
Public transit is encouraged for the event and the game, which kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Ticketholders may ride UTA buses, TRAX, and FrontRunner trains for free. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear black, as the Utes are expected to take the field in all-black uniforms for Dark Mode.
The highest foot traffic for the event is expected to occur between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Temporary lighting will be installed around Presidents Circle, and early morning amplified sound checks may occur throughout the day on Friday and starting around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.
