Sooner Nation has the chance to tailgate like never before

Oklahoma on Thursday announced a brand new tailgating opportunity for Sooner Nation starting in the upcoming 2025 college football season.

This fall, the historic North Oval, also known as the Parrington Oval, will be open for tailgating before OU football games for the first time in school history. And the best part: it will be free to the public.

"We knew that when we entered the SEC, it would just mean more," athletic director Joe Castiglione said in OU's release. "More competition, more fierce rivalries, more opportunities to engage with our fans, and more ways to show our Sooner spirit. This year it means establishing a new tailgate tradition, taking the energy and excitement of game day to the Oval. The Oval provides a centralized space for our fans to celebrate their Sooner passion, marking the next chapter in a tailgating tradition that will grow stronger each season. We can't wait to see how our fans will respond and show out for the Sooners."

Oklahoma announces new tailgating opportunity

It sounds like OU is trying to make The Oval the place to be before football games. According to the release, the area will include performances from the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, mascot appearances, food trucks, kids activities, an LED video board to watch other college football games, nearby indoor restrooms and giveaways. OU's alumni tailgate, Boomer Bash, will also move to the North Oval.

Sooner Nation won't have to wait long for this new experience. The Sooners will open the 2025 season with back-to-back home games. OU will kick off the season against Illinois State at 5 p.m. CT Aug. 30. The Sooners will then have a primetime nonconference matchup with Michigan the next week at 6:30 p.m. CT.

The rest of OU's home slate includes Auburn, Kent State, Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU.

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