The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Game Day Guide: Samford, October 3
9/27/2026 9:33:00 AM | Football
Family Weekend: UAB vs. Samford
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 2:30 pm | ESPN+ | Protective Stadium
Series History: Samford leads 1-0 | First meeting since 1992
Welcome to Family Weekend at Protective Stadium
Blazer Football returns to Protective Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, as UAB welcomes crosstown opponent Samford for Family Weekend presented by LLH Healthcare.
Separated by just a few miles, UAB and Samford meet on the football field for just the second time in program history and the first time in more than three decades. The matchup brings together two Birmingham institutions for an afternoon that extends well beyond football, with several initiatives throughout the week highlighting the impact both universities make in their shared community.
For UAB students and their families, the game also serves as the centerpiece of Family Weekend. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, visit Blazer Village and enjoy a full day of activities before cheering on the Blazers at Protective Stadium.
Shop at the UAB Bookstore and the UAB Football Team Store!
Game At A Glance
| Opponent | Samford |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 3 |
| Kickoff | 2:30 pm |
| Television | ESPN+ |
| Theme | Family Weekend |
| Entitlement Sponsor | LLH Healthcare |
| Presenting Sponsor | Collegiate Mobile |
| Venue | Protective Stadium |
Why This Game Matters
It's a rare Birmingham matchup as UAB and Samford meet on the football field for only the second time.
The two campuses sit just 3.2 miles apart, but the Blazers and Bulldogs have met only once previously, on Oct. 31, 1992. More than three decades later, the programs renew the matchup at Protective Stadium as part of UAB's Family Weekend.
Throughout game week, the two universities will also come together for initiatives benefiting the Birmingham community, including efforts to fight food insecurity and raise awareness of organ donation.
Before Kickoff
Make BlazerGameDay.com your first stop before heading to Protective Stadium. The site features the latest game day updates, kickoff timelines, parking information and more. Fans should also take note that this year's parking map has been updated and differs from previous seasons, so please review the new map before arriving on game day.
Blazer Village
Blazer Village is the place to be before kickoff, featuring live music, interactive activities, sponsor activations and the best pregame atmosphere in Birmingham. Whether you're meeting friends, grabbing a photo with Blaze or taking part in game day festivities, Blazer Village offers something for every Blazer fan.
Family Weekend festivities will include a caricature artist, a UAB Volleyball meet and greet and live music from Sunday Shenanigans, presented by The Fennec.
Fans can also stop by the UAB Bookstore tent to check out the latest addition to Blaze's Home Field Collection: Blazers Bite Back.
Get your Blazer Gear Here or Here
Blazer Express Shuttle Service
Complimentary Blazer Express shuttles are available to UAB students and the general public for all home football games. Fans may park free of charge in Zone B (12th Street Parking Deck) and board the shuttle at the Hill Student Center beginning four hours before kickoff. Service runs continuously to Protective Stadium and continues for one hour following the game.
Visit BlazerGameDay.com for complete shuttle information and schedules.
Blazer Walk (12:05 pm)
The road to kickoff begins with Blazer Walk. Starting two hours prior to kickoff, fans are encouraged to line Uptown and join the UAB Marching Blazers, spirit teams and fellow supporters in welcoming the team to Protective Stadium. Bring your Blazer spirit and help set the tone as the team makes its way into the stadium.
Special Ticket Offer
Tickets Start at Just $20
Bring the entire family to Protective Stadium for Family Weekend, with tickets for UAB's matchup against Samford starting at just $20.
For complete ticket information and availability, contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at tickets@uab.edu or call 205-975-UAB1.
Two Schools, One City
Saturday's matchup is about more than what happens on the field. UAB and Samford are joining forces through a pair of initiatives designed to make a difference throughout Birmingham and across the state.
CANnected: Fighting Food Insecurity Together
UAB and Samford are going head-to-head for a cause through the CANnected Competition, a campus-wide food drive benefiting the universities' respective food pantries and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
The collected donations will also be used to construct can-based structures representing each university. Fans, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to support the effort by donating requested items and helping their school make an impact in the fight against food insecurity.
Learn more about the CANnected Competition and how to participate:
https://www.uab.edu/news/campus-community/two-schools-one-city-fighting-food-insecurity-together
Donate Life: Battle of Birmingham
UAB and Samford are also competing to see which community can make the biggest impact through organ donor registration.
The initiative celebrates the life-changing work of the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute and highlights the importance of organ donation throughout Birmingham and the state of Alabama. Fans from both schools are encouraged to register as organ donors through Donate Life and represent their university in the Battle of Birmingham.
UAB fans can register here:
https://registerme.org/campaign/battleofbirmingham-uab
Samford fans can register here:
https://registerme.org/campaign/battleofbirmingham-Samford
Game Day Traditions
Student Tailgating
Registered UAB student organizations can take advantage of complimentary tailgating space on game day, making it easy to gather friends, show your Blazer pride and be part of the pregame atmosphere before heading into Protective Stadium.
Reserved tailgate space passes will be available for students to pick up beginning at 9 a.m. on the Monday before the game from the Student Involvement and Leadership Office in Hill Student Center, Room 230.
In-Game Features
Family Fun Zone
Looking for fun for the youngest members of Blazer Nation? Visit the Family Fun Zone on the north end of the stadium concourse, opposite the student section.
For Family Weekend, the Family Fun Zone will feature inflatables and a caricature artist through halftime. The area is free for children to enjoy with a completed waiver.
Honoring the 2000 UAB Football Team
One of the most memorable teams in UAB Football history returns to Protective Stadium as the 2000 Blazers are recognized as this week's Gridiron Greats.
The 2000 team produced one of the defining victories in program history, traveling to Baton Rouge and defeating LSU, 13-10, at Tiger Stadium. Members of the team will be welcomed back and recognized during Saturday's game.
Smile-A-Mile
UAB Football will once again use game day to help create special memories for children and families through its partnership with Smile-A-Mile.
Blazer players will take the field wearing the names of Smile-A-Mile patients on their jerseys. Following the game, those jerseys will be presented to the children whose names they carried, creating a lasting connection between the players and the families they represent.
The initiative will also include a special meet-and-greet between UAB players and Smile-A-Mile participants during the Blazers' bye week leading into the game.
Celebrating Academic Excellence
UAB Athletics will recognize members of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll during the game, celebrating Blazer student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom.
Two Bands, One Birmingham
The sounds of both universities will come together at Protective Stadium. The Samford University Marching Band will join the UAB Marching Blazers for the national anthem before kickoff before taking part in the halftime festivities.
Student Giveaway
UAB students can grab an Upside Birmingham hat during the second half while supplies last.
$5 Domestics
Fans 21 and older can enjoy $5 domestic beers stadium-wide throughout the game.
Additional recognitions and in-game features will be announced closer to kickoff.
Fan Checklist
Arrive Early
Give yourself plenty of time for parking, stadium entry and pregame activities.
Visit Blazer Village
Enjoy live music from Sunday Shenanigans, meet members of UAB Volleyball, get a caricature drawn and check out the Blazers Bite Back collection before kickoff.
Bring the Family
From Blazer Village to the expanded Family Fun Zone, Saturday's game will feature activities designed for Blazer fans of all ages.
Support the Birmingham Community
Participate in the CANnected food drive and Donate Life Battle of Birmingham competition as UAB and Samford work together to make an impact beyond the field.
Know Before You Go
Parking Information
Be sure to visit BlazerGameDay.com for the latest parking information, stadium entry details and game day updates. Fans should note that the parking map has been updated for the 2026 season and differs from previous years.
Football Email Updates
Stay connected with Blazer Football throughout the season by subscribing to receive exclusive news, promotions, ticket offers and game day information.
Sign up at:
https://app.uabsports.com/signup
Mobile Tickets
Fans are encouraged to download and save their mobile tickets before arriving at Protective Stadium to ensure a smooth entry experience.
Stadium Policies
Review the list of prohibited items and other stadium policies before game day by visiting:
https://www.blazergameday.com/prohibited-items
By The Numbers
| Number | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Meeting all-time between UAB and Samford |
| 3.2 | Miles separating the UAB and Samford campuses |
| 1992 | Year of the only previous UAB-Samford football game |
| 2000 | UAB team being honored as the Gridiron Greats |
| $20 | Starting ticket price for the Family Weekend matchup |
| 2 | Birmingham universities coming together on and off the field |
See You At Protective
Blazer Football returns to Protective Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, as UAB welcomes crosstown opponent Samford for Family Weekend presented by LLH Healthcare.
From live music and family activities in Blazer Village to the CANnected and Donate Life competitions, the return of the 2000 UAB Football team and plenty of action inside Protective Stadium, Family Weekend offers something for every member of Blazer Nation.
Arrive early, bring the family and help create an unforgettable atmosphere as two Birmingham institutions meet on the football field for the first time in more than three decades.
Shop at the UAB Bookstore and the UAB Football Team Store!
2026 UAB Football Tickets
Tickets for UAB's Family Weekend matchup against Samford start at just $20. Fans can explore ticket options online or contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 or tickets@uab.edu for additional information.
