High School Football Comes to Kroger Field Dec. 1-3, Impacts Parking

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 29, 2017) — As Kentucky high school football playoffs take place at Kroger Field Dec. 1-3, fan parking will impact University of Kentucky and Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) student and employee parking. UK Transportation Services sent this email communication to the UK community Nov. 20:

The University of Kentucky will host the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) State Football Championships Friday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at Kroger Field. As a result, high school football fans from across the state will travel to campus to cheer on teams playing in the six division championship games — two games on Friday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; three games on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and one on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.

The university is coordinating closely with the KHSAA to minimize the impact to the campus community. Parking areas near Kroger Field will function similar to a typical UK home football weekend. However, the following additional information is provided to clarify the impact to specific groups unique to this event and provide further instructions.

UK Employees:

UK employees should experience very limited, if any, impact to their typical parking routines on Friday morning. Starting at 1:30 p.m., employees may notice an increase in parking demand in intermediate lots and in the Rose Street Garage (PS #2) as periphery permit holders relocate vehicles away from Kroger Field. Should a particular intermediate parking area reach capacity, employees may park in any other intermediate employee parking lot.  

UK Students:

Beginning Friday at 1 p.m., on-campus residential students with periphery (K) permits are asked to move their vehicles from the Kroger Field lots (Red, Blue, Soccer/Softball and Greg Page Overflow) as soon as is practical but no later than 7 a.m. Saturday. Vehicles may be returned to the periphery parking lots after 6 p.m. Sunday, but no later than 5 a.m. Monday.

Unlike a typical home football weekend, R7 permits holders will not be required to relocate their vehicles.

BCTC:

E-BCTC and C-BCTC permit holders will be authorized to park in the Sports Center Garage (PS #7) from Friday through Sunday. The Green Lot will remain accessible to valid BCTC permit holders throughout the weekend. However, BCTC permit holders are strongly encouraged to utilize the Sports Center Garage for a more predictable and easily accessible parking choice.

Friday, Dec. 1:

Noon: KHSAA Football Championship fan parking begins and is restricted to the Green Lot (BCTC) and Kroger Field overflow areas (Soccer/Softball and Greg Page Overflow lots). Event employees and fan overflow parking will be directed to Immanuel Baptist Church, accessible by shuttle to Kroger Field.

1 p.m.: All campus intermediate lots, the South Limestone Garage (PS #5) and the Rose Street Garage (PS #2) transition to off-peak control to allow on-campus residential students with periphery (K) permits and employees with periphery (EK) permits to relocate vehicles away from the Kroger Field lots.

1:30 p.m.: KHSAA Football parking is authorized in the Blue and Red Lots in addition to the Green, Soccer/Softball and Greg Page Overflow lots.

5 p.m.: KHSAA Football parking will be authorized in the Orange Lot, in addition to the other Kroger Field lots.

Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3:

7 a.m. Saturday: K permit vehicles must be relocated from Kroger Field lots. KHSAA Football parking is authorized in all Kroger Field lots, in addition to the University Drive Garage (PS #1). 

6 p.m. Sunday: Games are expected to be complete and parking returns to normal control, with the exception of the South Limestone Garage, which will remain open and available through 5 a.m. Monday.