RIO GRANDE VALLEY, July 7, 2025
Game times locked for UTRGV’s historic debut
The Vaqueros’ inaugural season kickoff times are here.
- First five home games start at 7 p.m. CT.
- Final two home games begin at 5 p.m. CT.
- Tailgating begins five hours before kickoff.
- Stadium gates open 90 minutes before game time.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros are gearing up for their first football season, and fans can now mark their calendars with the official home game times. What time do the UTRGV Vaqueros play their home games? The first five home games at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium will kick off at 7 p.m. CT, while the final two are set for 5 p.m. CT.
Why the time change?
The schedule makers considered daylight, specifically the switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time. The earlier start times in November will let fans get settled in before sunset.
Tailgating is a big part of the college football experience, and UTRGV is no exception. For those first five evening games, the party starts at 2 p.m. CT. For the later games in November, fire up the grills at noon. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to find their seats. That’s 5:30 p.m. CT for the early games and 3:30 p.m. CT for the late ones.
Key Dates
Following the opener, the Vaqueros will travel to Prairie View A&M before returning home for a pair of games. Langston comes to town on Sept. 13, followed by Texas Wesleyan on Sept. 20.
Southland Conference play begins on Sept. 27 at Southeastern. The first conference home game is Oct. 4 against Houston Christian University.
After a week 7 bye, UTRGV visits Lamar on Oct. 18. On Oct. 25, they host Incarnate Word, who was the No. 6 overall seed in the 2024 NCAA Division I Football Championship.
The Vaqueros hit the road to face Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 1 before returning home to host Nicholls on Nov. 8. The final road game is Nov. 15 at McNeese, and the regular season concludes at home against East Texas A&M on Nov. 22.
Road to the Championship
The Southland Conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship, a 24-team tournament. The top eight seeds get a first-round bye. The first four rounds take place on the campus of the higher seed. The championship game, held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco from 2010-25, moves to Nashville, Tenn., in 2025 and 2026.
Tailgating Info
Limited tailgating spots are available in the tailgate lot on the west side of the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium parking lot, and in the H-E-B tailgate zone on the east side of the stadium. A designated student tailgating section will be in the tailgate zone, as well as a corporate partner tailgate zone.
Tailgating spaces are 20×20 and cost $400 for the season in the tailgate lot.
The H-E-B tailgate zone offers turnkey packages. The base package, with a 10×20 tent, table, and five chairs, costs $2,500 for the season. The premium package, with a 20×20 tent, two tables, and 10 chairs, costs $5,000. Entertainment packages and add-ons are available at extra cost. Existing pavilions in the H-E-B tailgate zone are available for purchase. Pavilions are $1,500, pavilions with water and electricity are $2,000, and larger pavilions are $3,000.
| Tailgate Pricing | |
|---|---|
| H-E-B Tailgate Zone Base Package | $2,500 |
| H-E-B Tailgate Zone Premium Package | $5,000 |
| H-E-B Tailgate Zone Pavilion | $1,500 |
| H-E-B Tailgate Zone Pavilion with Utilities | $2,000 |
| H-E-B Tailgate Zone Larger Pavilion | $3,000 |
| Tailgate Lot – 20×20 Spot | $400 |
Tickets are not required to enter the tailgate areas.
Tailgating packages are priced for the full season, for all home UTRGV football games at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. All pavilions and tailgate spaces will be assigned and reserved for the season.
For questions, contact the UTRGV Athletics staff at (956) 665-4205.
