Thursday, The Texas Tech football program released details of what life will look like in 2020 for those attending games at Jones Stadium.
Now that we know the Big 12 plans to forge ahead with the 2020 football season, the Texas Tech football program has revealed details concerning what fans can expect at Jones Stadium this year. Of course, the most drastic changes impact the number of fans that will be able to attend games.
As was previously reported, capacity will be limited to just 25% with those fans scattered about the stadium to allow for proper physical distancing. But what is interesting is the fact that fans will be able to purchase single-game tickets as well as buy three-game mini-plans. However, season tickets will not be distributed this year.
Thus, season ticket holders have options. Fans can apply their 2020 season-ticket money to single-games or three-game mini-plans this year. They can also roll their ticket purchase over to 2021 season tickets.
Also not surprising is the fact that face coverings will be required for all in attendance. What’s more, fans will now be able to order concessions on their phones and pick then up on the concourse. This is a fantastic idea intended to decrease the crowding around concession stands and in the concourse area.
"“To every season ticket holder, club seat holder, and suite donor – thank you,” AD Kirby Hocutt said in a written statement. “We are grateful for you each and every day. Like you, we want nothing more than to be back to normal with 60,000 fans supporting our Red Raiders from the first snap to the final whistle. While there are still many unknowns, one thing I do know is that even at 25 percent capacity, our fans are 100 percent Texas Tech.More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives“Thank you for your continued support. Please know how grateful we are as a department for each and every one of you. I am so proud of our student-athletes, and I am proud of each of you for standing with us. We are stronger together. Every day, I know how lucky I am to be your athletics director, standing alongside each of you in both the good and the trying times. Thank you for caring deeply about Texas Tech Athletics, and thank you for being 100 percent Texas Tech.”"
Without question, Texas Tech will be facing a serious financial shortfall due to the reduced attendance. Of course, that’s going to be true of every program around the nation.
The website OneClass.com estimates that Tech will lose $14.1 million by capping attendance at 25% capacity. That’s going to take a larger toll on the non-revenue sports like softball, golf, track, tennis, and others as those programs depend almost solely on the money the football team makes.
The good news is that the television contracts for college football programs are the largest source of revenue at an average of 29% of each school’s income (according to OneClass.com). Meanwhile, ticket sales account for 17% on average meaning that Tech will likely be able to keep the department’s head above water this year.
It will be an odd sight to see just 15,000 fans in attendance when Texas or Oklahoma come to Lubbock this fall. But in this strange year, we are forced to just be happy that there may be any type of a season in the first place.