RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday plans to expand the south end zone by approximately 1,500 seats, increasing both student seating and the overall capacity of Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium ahead of the 2026 football season.
 
The student section will now be entirely in the end zone with a student capacity of 3,250, up from 3,000 in 2025. Additionally, the overall capacity of Vackar Stadium will now be 13,498, up from 12,000 in 2025.
 
Sections 120-122 will now be used for both season tickets and single game tickets. UTRGV will hold a few hundred seats for single game purchasers, in addition to standing room only tickets. The exact number of seats available will be announced when the updated single game ticketing process, including a new and easier to use ticketing platform, is announced this summer. The new ticketing platform will provide significant technological improvements and increased capabilities resulting in better, more robust scan data that will allow UTRGV Athletics to better serve its fans by more accurately tracking ticket usage and transfers. Additionally, all ticketing, including student ticketing, and donations will be unified on the same platform.
 
The additional available seating will allow some fans on the season tickets wait list to purchase new season tickets for the 2026 season.
 
Fans on the season tickets wait list as of April 1 will be contacted in Vaqueros Loyalty Points order, based on points accumulated by April 1, starting May 4.
 
"We are excited to be able to offer more fans the opportunity to attend UTRGV football games," UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "We want to thank those who have been on the wait list, in some cases for over a year and half, for their patience and we look forward to rewarding their loyalty.
 
"As our program continues to grow, we are always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience and create more access for our community to engage with Vaqueros football. With the expansion of Vackar Stadium, we will be able to welcome hundreds of additional single-game purchasers each game this season. Our inaugural season provided invaluable insight, and the implementation of a new ticketing platform will allow us to better understand our fans and make more informed, data-driven decisions that will ultimately improve the game day experience across all our ticketed sports."

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