Over the past two weeks, the University of New Mexico’s Athletics Department announced a frenzy of initiatives to make Lobo athletic events more affordable. It will allow free entry for home games for several Olympic sporting events, free entry for children under 12 to Lobo football games and a new $4 value menu for concessions at home football games.
The new programs reflect a long-term investment into affordability and the fan experience for Lobo Football and athletics, UNM’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, Kasey Byers, said.
“This may be something we break even on, or this may be something that we’re willing to invest in — what the overall growth of the program is going to be,” Byers said.
Women’s soccer, softball, baseball and outdoor track and field events have now joined women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf home events in being free to the public. Women’s volleyball and indoor track and field will continue to be ticketed events.
“Why would you not want to go support an incredible soccer program that Heather Dyche has built here over 10 years?” Byers said. “You look at some of our other Olympic sports on the baseball side and softball side, and there’s just a lot of great programs.”
At UNM home football games, fans are now able to purchase hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi products and water for $4 per item. In addition, up to two tickets for children 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult single game general admission ticket. The offer is valid for all home games, except the Rio Grande Rivalry game against New Mexico State University on Sept. 27.
Lobo football tickets went on sale on August 4, with single-game tickets starting at $16 for seating in the north end zone and season tickets starting at $91. The Lobo football season kicks off on Aug. 30, on the road against the Michigan Wolverines and their first home game will be Sep. 6, against Idaho State.
Free tickets for children under 12 is part of Lobo football’s strategy of getting kids excited and “hooked” on Lobo football, Byers said.
“We need to really encourage and cater to families. Being together, having it be affordable, and really saying, ‘Hey, we’re investing in the next generation of Lobo fans.’ I think that’s what we’ve been able to do with this initiative,” Byers said.
Lobo Athletics launched the Lil’ Lobo Kids Club program, in which kids 12 and under receive rewards for attending events, including signed items, tours of the athletic facilities and meet and greets, in exchange for a $25 membership.
“You look at the football initiatives, and you look at the things we’re doing with the Olympic sports — this is a commitment to the city of Albuquerque and to the state that we haven’t seen an athletic director do here before,” Byers said.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @jadenmckelvey
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