Where tradition meets excitement is homecoming week for the Hokies. Virginia Tech football hosts Georgia Tech in an ACC matchup at Lane Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network, with gates opening two hours later at 10:00 a.m

The atmosphere should be great as the game was announced as a sellout. Fans still looking for game ticket options are encouraged to visit SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.

Get ready for game day with five things to know for the Hokies’ game against the Yellow Jackets.

1. Wear maroon
This Saturday’s contest will serve as the Hokies’ annual Maroon Effect game, and fans are encouraged to wear maroon to look good. The official USS Maroon Effect T-Shirt is available at bookstores, including the Hokie Shop trailer in Lot 4.

2. Homecoming
Tech alumni are returning to Blacksburg this week for numerous homecoming festivities. The Homecoming Parade takes place Friday evening at 6 p.m. and runs between campus and downtown on Washington Street, Main Street and Alumni Mall. Following the parade, there will be a spirit rally at the Drillfield with live music and games before a fireworks display at 8 p.m

Beamer Way will be closed for the parade from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and Lot 2 will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Lot 1 remains accessible via the Washington Street entrance. Fans are also invited to attend the Tech men’s soccer game against Duke on Friday night at 6 p.m. at Thompson Field, as well as the fall baseball (5 p.m.) and softball (6 p.m.) games at their respective home fields. Admission is free for all three events.

The Homecoming Alumni Tailgate opens at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event and includes food and drinks. Guests can enjoy lawn games, music, a petting zoo, bouncy castles and much more.

A special Homecoming presentation is planned for halftime of Saturday’s football game, which will include a performance by the Marching Virginians and appearances by dignitaries and this year’s Homecoming Court.

3. Enjoy the pre-game celebrations
There’s a lot going on in Blacksburg on Saturday and we want you to be there for it all.

Hokie Village
The free Fanfest area is located on the turf soccer/lacrosse practice field on Beamer Way and opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 11:15 a.m. Fans can enjoy food trucks and drinks available for purchase. Free activities include bounce houses, a balloon artist, face painting, live music from the Billy T. Wilde Band and autograph signings from the lacrosse and women’s tennis teams and the Hokie 2024 Paris Olympians.

Hokie Walk
Hokie Nation will welcome the Hokies as they arrive at Lane Stadium. Buses will arrive at Beamer Way in front of Lane Stadium around 9:25am

March to victory
The Marching Virginians will lead the march to victory at approximately 10:30 a.m. from the Marching Virginians Center to Lane Stadium. Along with members of the High Techs, Corps of Cadets and Skipper, the march departs the Marching Virginians Center at the top of Chicken Hill through Lot 5 on to Sterrett Drive between Lots 2 and 3, ending on the sidewalk outside the South End Zone in Lane.

4. Parking information
Football parking (click here for information/map) and game day tailgating are a valued asset and will become critically important as we welcome the entire Virginia Tech community to campus. Therefore, to ensure that every guest has a positive and safe tailgating experience on game day, fans should adhere to these park rules.

Please ensure that your vehicle is parked in the designated parking spaces and be careful not to linger on the roads as this may cause traffic jams and safety risks for vehicles and pedestrians. Your cooperation is key to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans. Click here to learn more about post-game traffic patterns.

5. Preparing your phone is crucial
Be sure to download your mobile ticket to your wallet before you arrive at the stadium. This eliminates the problem of there being no strong WiFi around the stadium and not being able to download it. Click here for more information on downloading mobile tickets.

Fans can download their tickets via the HokieSports mobile app. Click here to download the HokieSports mobile app.

Lane Stadium is a mobile and cashless venue when it comes to ticket sales and concessions. Once inside, concession stands will only accept a credit or debit card for those wishing to purchase food and drinks. There will be a limited number of prepaid cards that can be purchased with cash in the Hokie Shop trailer in Lot 4 in front of Lane Stadium.

Do you have tickets and can’t attend the game? Mobile tickets can be easily transferred to colleagues or listed on SeatGeek with peace of mind.