Fans attending the BYU-Utah football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday should prepare for significant traffic delays and plan to use public transit. University police and the Utah Transit Authority are implementing specific road closures and expanded service to accommodate the 10 a.m. kickoff.
Police Enforce Rolling Road Closures Around Stadium
University of Utah Police Lt. Ryan Speers expects the heaviest traffic on 500 South as the 10 a.m. kickoff approaches. Congestion will likely peak in the 45-minute window immediately preceding the start of the game. To manage the influx, police will enforce rolling road closures around the stadium, specifically affecting Foothill Drive and South Campus Drive between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Guardsman Way will face a more restrictive schedule, closing to through traffic entirely at 7 a.m. and is expected to reopen after kickoff. For those relying on rideshare services after the game, University police recommend coordinating pickups on University Street, specifically in the corridor between South Campus Drive and 300 South.
Transit Authority Increases Capacity for Big Game
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is increasing its capacity to move fans efficiently. Thomas Lee, public relations coordinator for the Utah Transit Authority, noted that the transit system expects high ridership, stating, “Plan accordingly. Obviously, it’s a big game — it’s one of the biggest games of the year — so we expect it to be pretty crowded on our service and get more crowded as we get closer to kickoff.”
Fans can utilize the following transit strategies:
- TRAX Red Line: Trains will operate on their normal morning schedule, with the line stopping at the stadium.
- Special Event Buses: Beginning at 8 a.m., special buses will run from Salt Lake Central and Courthouse stations to the stadium.
- FrontRunner Connections: Attendees traveling from Utah County can ride FrontRunner to Murray Central and transfer to the Red Line, or continue to Salt Lake Central to access the buses.
Game Tickets Serve as Valid Transit Fare
A notable convenience for attendees is that game tickets serve as valid fare for all UTA buses, TRAX lines, and FrontRunner trains throughout the entire day on Saturday. Passengers should be prepared to present their ticket if requested by transit personnel, a policy that remains in effect for return trips after the game.
To mitigate the uncertainty of travel times, the UTA recommends that fans download and utilize the Transit app. This tool provides real-time tracking for both buses and trains, allowing spectators to monitor service frequency as the stadium environment becomes increasingly crowded. With stadium gates scheduled to open at 8 a.m., early arrival remains the most effective way to avoid the anticipated morning bottlenecks.
