There will be a lot to look for at this fall’s UC Davis football games, and a lot of ways to watch, including a variety of game-day experiences and streaming of home games.

First game this week

UC Davis will start the season this week with a game Thursday (Aug. 31) at Texas A&M University - Commerce, followed by another away game Sept. 9 at Oregon State.

The Aggies’ first home game in UC Davis Health Stadium will be against Southern Utah on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

See the full schedule on the UC Davis Athletics website.

Tickets still available

Fans can, of course, take in anything from a single game to the entire season. Mini plans and group tickets can still be arranged online.

Visit the ticket office website or call 530-752-2471 for more information and pricing.

Faculty and staff are still eligible for discounted season tickets: Visit the ticket office’s promotions page and enter the code AGGIESTAFFFB (as in, “Aggie staff FB,” for football).

In person: Parking, tailgating

Getting to campus for games will be more affordable this year, as faculty, staff and students can now pay the normal affiliate rate through AggiePark and the Amp Park app to park on game day.

And visitors to campus can now purchase parking ahead of time on the Transportation Services website to save up to 50%. Lots 30, 41 and 57, along with the University Credit Union Parking Structure, are $14 prior to game day and $16 on game day, through the website.

Parking at UC Davis football games is free for retirees.

Those who want to celebrate with friends before the game can reserve space to tailgate in one of several different areas: Tailgate Town on Bob Biggs Field, Champions Corridor along La Rue Road, and Parking Lots 53 and 56. Tailgating requests can be submitted online.

Themes, more

Each home game in UC Davis Health Stadium will have a different theme, honoring and entertaining attendees. The football season will again bring in a bit of Picnic Day flair, hosting the annual in-game Doxie Derby on Nov. 4.

Cori will be back, as will Maggie the Aggie. Check back in a future edition of Dateline to read more about those fan-favorites.

The full theme schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. against Southern Utah: Community and Teacher Appreciation Day
• Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. against Eastern Washington: Back to School Day, rally towel giveaway
• Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. against Montana: Homecoming, First-Year Field Storm (previously called the Running of the First Years), Breast Cancer Awareness Day
• Nov. 4  at 4 p.m. against Portland State: Parents and Family Day, Band Day, Doxie Derby, Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day
• Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. against Sacramento State: Causeway Classic, Salute to Heroes

Streaming/broadcast: All home games

All five of the Aggies’ regular season home games will be featured on ESPN+. That streaming service can be bundled with various other offerings from Disney or purchased individually for about $10 per month. Radio and TV coverage schedules for away games are available on the football schedule webpage.

My58 announced it would broadcast all Aggie home games this season.

The X’s and O’s

Head Coach Dan Hawkins previewed the upcoming season in two recent TV interviews:

UC Davis is coming off a 6-5 season, marking the fourth winning season in the last five years under coach Dan Hawkins.

The 2023 Aggies return a lot of pieces from a year ago, including Big Sky passing leader Miles Hastings. UC Davis also returns All-Big Sky first-teamers Rex Connors, Zach Kennedy and Lan Larison. Second-team selection Jordan Ford returns and is joined by third-teamers Chubba Maae, Teddye Buchanan and Jehiel Budgett.

UC Davis Athletics contributed to this report. More on Aggie football.