ORLANDO – UCF Athletics will be hosting a fun-filled weekend to begin the 2024-25 athletic year. Knights fans can celebrate the return of collegiate sports starting on Friday, Aug. 2 at the UCF Kickoff Pep Rally from 5-8 p.m. in Thornton Park. Later in the weekend, Knight Nation can get to know the student-athletes on their UCF favorite teams at FanFest on Aug. 4 with doors opening at 1 p.m.
Friday’s UCF Kickoff Pep Rally will be held in Thornton Park with participating restaurants including Cavo's Bar and Kitchen, Burton's Thornton Park and Jack and Honey’s. The event will have a social hour, meet and greet and a formal portion of the program set to begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. with remarks from UCF head coaches.
Register here for UCF Kickoff Pep Rally. Entry is free with food and drink available for purchase.
Parking for the event is available at the following three locations:
- Thornton Park Central Garage - 10 N Summerlin Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
- Olde Town Brokers - Attended Parking Lot (11 N Summerlin Ave., Orlando, FL 32801)
- The Stubborn Mule - Valet Parking (100 S Eola Dr., Orlando, FL 32801)
The weekend fun will continue at FanFest on Sunday, Aug. 4. which will take place at Addition Financial Arena with doors opening to the arena lobby at 1:00 p.m. and autographs available from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet and get autographs from UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn, as well as members of the football team and other fall sports teams.
Note: Fans are allowed to bring one item to be autographed and football posters will be distributed throughout the event. In order to accommodate as many fans as possible, coaches and players can only sign one item per person and photo opportunities are very limited.
- Free parking is available in Garage D
- Fans should enter through the main Addition Financial Arena doors
- Admission to FanFest is free
- The Bookstore on East Plaza Drive will be open on Sunday from 12-4 p.m.
Fast Pass Entrances:
- Shareholder Society members can enter through the VIP Entrance to Black & Gold Club
- The Kingdom members and Addition Financial UCF debit card holders will be able to enter through the staircase on West Plaza Drive
Weekend Events
Friday, August 2 – Downtown Orlando
Location: Thornton Park (808 E. Washington St., Orlando FL, 32801)
Time: 5-8 p.m.
https://foundation.ucf.edu/ucffans2024
Sunday, August 4 – UCF FanFest
Location: Addition Financial Arena (12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL 32816)
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m.