Marshall University Athletics
New Experiences, Enhancements For Herd Nation At The Joan!
9/7/2026 5:02:00 PM | Football, General
Marshall Athletics welcomes many new additions and upgrades for fans in 2026
2026 Marshall Football Tickets
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Welcome back to The Joan!
Marshall Athletics has spent the offseason listening to Herd Nation and finding new ways to make gamedays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium more convenient, exciting and memorable.
From the moment fans arrive on campus until the final whistle, they will notice new experiences, improved amenities and upgrades throughout The Joan in 2026.
Here's what Herd Nation can look forward to this fall:
LIGHT UP 'THE JOAN'
One of the biggest changes fans will notice this season will happen when the sun goes down.
Joan C. Edwards Stadium features a new state-of-the-art stadium lighting system for 2026.
The new system gives Marshall Athletics the ability to enhance the atmosphere throughout the stadium and incorporate lighting into key moments during gameday.
Fans will get their first opportunity to experience the new lights during Marshall's home opener against Middle Tennessee.
And trust us: you'll want to be there to see them in person.
MORE ROOM TO MOVE
Fans will notice more room in several areas throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium this fall.
Offseason work has created expanded concourse areas, helping improve traffic flow and giving fans additional space to move throughout The Joan.
It is one of several behind-the-scenes improvements designed around a simple goal: making gameday easier and more enjoyable for Herd Nation.
NEW & IMPROVED CONCESSIONS
Come hungry.
Marshall Athletics has expanded its concession offerings throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium for the 2026 season.
Among the biggest additions is Chick-fil-A, now available on both sides of the stadium, giving fans easier access to one of the most popular gameday food options.
Fans will also find additional hot food options and improvements throughout concession areas.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRICING AT STAND 12
A trip to The Joan doesn't have to break the bank.
New for 2026, Stand 12 will offer family-friendly concession pricing throughout the football season:
$2 Hot Dogs
$2 Popcorn
$5 Pretzels
$5 Nachos
Whether you're bringing the entire family or just looking for a gameday snack, Stand 12 gives Herd fans another affordable option inside The Joan.
A NEW BIG GREEN ROOM EXPERIENCE
The Big Green Room has a whole new look in 2026.
The space received a complete offseason makeover featuring new flooring, paint, lettering and an improved layout designed to create a more comfortable and complete gameday experience for Chairback ticket holders.
But the changes aren't just cosmetic.
New this season, eligible Chairback ticket holders can add the Big Green Buffet to their gameday experience.
The all-you-can-eat buffet will feature a rotating menu for each home game along with select non-alcoholic beverages. Buffet service begins one hour before kickoff and continues through the start of the third quarter.
The result is a completely reimagined premium experience for fans in one of The Joan's most popular seating areas.
INTRODUCING THE PORCH
What if you could bring your tailgate inside The Joan?
That's the idea behind The Porch - Marshall Football's newest premium hospitality experience.
Located in the South End Zone, The Porch combines the social atmosphere of a tailgate with the experience of watching Marshall Football from inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Each private, covered space includes seating and dining furniture, a refrigerator, ice service, a Blackstone-style griddle and room for groups to gather throughout gameday.
It's a completely new way to experience Saturdays at The Joan.
STUDENTS: RUN WITH THE HERD
Marshall students aren't just watching pregame this season – they're becoming part of it.
New in 2026, Marshall students will have the opportunity to come onto the field before kickoff and run across The Joan toward the Student Section as part of Marshall Football's pregame festivities.
Students will enter through Gate F as usual before making their way to the field approximately 30 minutes before kickoff.
After the Marching Thunder pregame show, Alma Mater, National Anthem and Fight Song, students will get their opportunity to RUN WITH THE HERD.
It's a new tradition created specifically for Marshall students and another way to make the Student Section an even bigger part of gameday.
DOUGH DADDY'S KIDS ZONE
Our youngest Herd fans have a place of their own.
The Dough Daddy's Kids Zone brings another family-focused element to Marshall gamedays, providing activities and entertainment designed specifically for young Herd fans.
It's another reason to bring the entire family and make a day out of gameday in Huntington.
THUNDERWALK
The road to kickoff starts with Thunderwalk.
Herd Nation is encouraged to line the route and welcome Marshall Football as the team makes its way to Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Thunderwalk begins in the West Lot at the lot entrance on 20th Street closest to Third Avenue before continuing through the parking lot toward Gate A and out to Third Avenue.
Get there early. Bring the noise. Welcome the Herd home.
FAN FEST
Gameday starts long before kickoff.
Fan Fest, located on the Marshall Rec Center field, returns in 2026 as a free pregame destination for Herd fans of all ages.
Fans can enjoy inflatables, family activities, entertainment and more before making their way across the street to The Joan.
A NEW WAY TO ENTER: TAP & GO
Your ticket looks a little different this season.
Marshall Football has transitioned to tap-to-enter mobile ticketing for 2026.
That means fans will no longer see a traditional QR code on their mobile tickets.
Simply download your tickets to your mobile wallet before arriving at The Joan and tap your phone at the gate to enter.
One important reminder: Screenshots will not work.
If you're giving your ticket to someone else, make sure to properly transfer the ticket to that individual before gameday.
Downloading tickets before arriving at the stadium will help everyone get through the gates and into The Joan faster.
A MORE CONVENIENT TICKET OFFICE
Even buying your tickets is easier in 2026.
The Marshall Athletics Ticket Office has moved from the third floor to the first floor on the east side of the City National Bank Building.
The move provides easier access for fans purchasing tickets, picking up passes or meeting with Marshall Athletics ticket representatives.
Fans will find convenient parking on the east side of the building and can now visit the Ticket Office and Big Green offices in one trip.
It's a small change that makes a big difference.
A FRESHER LOOK AROUND THE JOAN
Some of the changes aren't flashy – but you'll notice them.
Throughout the offseason, work has continued around Joan C. Edwards Stadium to clean, refresh and improve the facility.
That effort included Taking Care of the House, which brought members of Herd Nation together to help prepare The Joan for the 2026 season.
From painting and cleaning to refreshing areas around the stadium, the goal has been simple:
Take pride in our house.
MORE HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
Marshall Athletics is putting an increased emphasis on hospitality and fan assistance throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Fans will see additional gameday team members positioned throughout The Joan to greet guests, answer questions, provide directions and help solve issues that arise.
These team members will be equipped with information about everything from concessions and seating to stadium policies and gameday events, along with direct access to Marshall Athletics staff when additional assistance is needed.
If you need help, ask us.
MORE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE GAMEDAY
No two fans experience The Joan exactly the same way – and that's the point.
Whether you're firing up the grill in The Porch, enjoying the Big Green Buffet, bringing the kids to Fan Fest, lining Thunderwalk, grabbing an affordable meal at Stand 12, running onto the field with your fellow students or cheering from the same seat your family has occupied for years, Marshall Athletics continues to create more ways for Herd Nation to make gameday their own.
And we're not done.
Fans can expect new videoboard content, entertainment, promotions and in-stadium experiences throughout the 2026 season.
Some you'll notice immediately.
Others you'll have to be at The Joan to experience.
WELCOME HOME, HERD NATION
Everything we're doing has one goal: Make gameday in Huntington special.
Some improvements are big. Some are small. Some you'll see immediately, while others are designed to simply make your day easier.
But all of them are about creating the best possible experience for Herd Nation.
So wear your Kelly Green.
Come early.
Bring the family.
Line Thunderwalk.
Pack The Joan.
And get ready for another season of Marshall Football.
Welcome back to The Joan.
It's Gameday in Huntington.
It's a Great Day to Run with the Herd!
For all the latest information about Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdZone on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
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