The Troy Trojans kick off the football season Saturday with a home opener against Campbell University, meaning the town and campus will be bustling with fans ready to cheer on the local team.

The University has made a few changes though that fans need to be aware of to make traffic, parking and tailgating as smooth as possible.

“Probably the biggest change is Trojan Walk will be two hours before kickoff,” said Herb Reeves, dean of student services. “George Wallace Drive will also be closing two hours prior to kickoff, for pedestrian safety.”

Due to construction of a new roundabout on University Avenue, the band will not march down to the stadium as usual, instead playing at the Bibb Graves Quad before walking over to set up for Trojan Walk.

Reeves said residents with parking passes for the National Armory and North End Zone lots will still be allowed to access those lots from the Elm Street side of George Wallace Drive.

Fans will notice some upgrades at Veterans Memorial Stadium this season. The turf is all new to not only enhance player safety and performance, but also provide fans with a more beautiful setting to watch the game. Cardinal end zones return to The Vet for the first time since 2011 and the turf features alternating shades of green and emoji swords to mark the kickoff locations.

Four misting fans will also be strategically located throughout the concourses of the stadium on gameday to provide cooling stations for guests looking to beat the heat. Each of the two main concourses will feature two of the fans.

University Avenue from George Wallace Drive to Luther Drive (Dining Hall) will close for through traffic at 8:00 a.m. the morning of games. Exceptions will be made on weekday games to ensure traffic flow on and off campus for classes.

Luther Drive from the roundabout at the lagoon will be closed and monitored beginning at 8:00 a.m. on game days. Only vehicles with the appropriate pass and handicapped patrons with a state issued I.D. will be allow through this area.

Handicapped parking will be in the Pace Hall parking lot and on Luther Drive adjacent to the baseball. Individuals must have the appropriate state issued I.D. to park in this area.

All parking on George Wallace Drive adjacent to Veterans Memorial Stadium will be for law enforcement, other emergency vehicles and deliveries.

George Wallace Drive will be closed one hour prior to game time from John M. Long Drive to the entrance of Charles Henderson High School. All traffic needing to access Veterans Memorial Stadium after this time must enter through the roundabout on Luther Drive at the lagoon.

University Avenue and Highland Avenue will be closed for west bound traffic at Magnolia Avenue one hour prior to game time. Only local traffic (residents) will be allowed beyond the barricade.

McKinley Drive will be closed one hour prior to game time from the entrance of the grassy lot on the north side of Trojan Arena to George Wallace Drive. There will be no through traffic on this road.

There will be no parking along Melton Carter Drive leading to the Physical Plant. This will be a tow-away zone.

Traffic leaving Veterans Memorial Stadium from the Red Wave/Stadium Tower Lot (LOT 1), Pace Hall Lot (HANDICAP), Track/Soccer Lot (LOT 3), Trojan Center East (LOT 4) and Malone Hall (LOT 5) should travel north and exit the campus through the roundabout at the lagoon.

Traffic from the National Guard Armory area and Highland Avenue should turn north on George Wallace Drive and exit on Elm Street.

Traffic exiting the Hawkins Lot (LOT 2) should exit east onto John M. Long Avenue and then south onto George Wallace Drive toward Highway 231.