BLACKSBURG (WSLS10)-- Excitement is building on Virginia Tech's campus, with the first football game of the season just days away. The Hokies take on Liberty University in Lane Stadium on Saturday, in front of what's expected to be a packed house.
It's Coach Justin Fuente's first game as head coach of the Hokies. From students and alumni to fans from all across the nation, Virginia Tech is preparing for some big crowds for this weekend's game.
Last year, there was a huge surge in season ticket sales, as fans from Ohio State bought a full ticket package, just so they could attend the first game-- with the Hokies taking on the Buckeyes in Lane Stadium.
This year we're seeing a big boost in sales as well, especially in the final days before the first game. Hokietickets.com shows not many seats are available for this weekend's game. As of Thursday morning, only a handful of tickets were still available in the back corner section of the West End Zone. And on the East End Zone, the majority of the tickets remaining are close to the visitors section. The North End Zone, which is the student section, and South End Zone are both completely sold out.
"If you saw the Spring Game, we had 44,000 people for that," says Pete Moris, the Associate AD, Strategic Communications. "That's just a sample of what Coach is going to get when this place is full on Saturday. The players are ready to bounce him around the tunnel before we run out to Enter Sandman. It should be fun."
With big crowds expected throughout the season, there are some new security rules in place at Lane Stadium. Items like purses, folding chairs, camera cases, backpacks and fanny packs are no longer allowed inside of the stadium. Instead, VT is urging fans to bring in a small clutch bag (about the size of your hand), a plastic storage bag or freezer bag or a clear plastic bag, like those required for the NFL. The new rules will make it easier for security to quickly search through belongings and cut down on the long lines of fans waiting to get through the gates.
If you haven't bought tickets yet, season tickets and single game tickets are still available. This year, Virginia Tech is changing up the way mini-packages work-- giving fans the option to attend either the Miami or University of Virginia game, as well as two other home games of their choice this season.