Elevating The Experience: What’s New At Davis Wade Stadium In 2025
August 27, 2025 | Football
STARKVILLE – Following the unveiling of this season's lineup of helmets and the introduction of a new alternate uniform, Mississippi State Athletics is set to roll out significant gameday enhancements at Davis Wade Stadium this fall.
Fans can look forward to the unveiling of a state-of-the-art LED lighting system and a series of additional upgrades designed to elevate the game-day atmosphere throughout the season.
"Mississippi State fans and students are at the heart of everything we do, and we know the importance of taking a customer-focused approach to the gameday experience at Davis Wade Stadium and each of our home venues," MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. "Our team has worked tirelessly over the last year to bring elements from both the collegiate and professional levels to ensure our fan experience is second to none. I can't wait for Bulldog fans to see what we have in store for them starting with the debut of our new LED lights on Sept. 6."
Mississippi State has invested $9 million in enhancements to Davis Wade Stadium and the gameday experience over the past year as part of a multi-year approach.
Gameday Preparation & Tailgating Experience
New Gameday Page
A revamped gameday page (HailState.com/Gameday) will help redefine the gameday experience for football ticket holders by connecting them with everything needed to plan their campus visit in one centralized location. Launching in the coming days, the site will feature interactive stadium maps, seating charts, parking information and directions to concessions and retail locations, providing everything fans need for a seamless driveway-to-driveway experience.
New Tailgating Layout
Fans will experience a new era in tailgating for Mississippi State football games with a new-look Junction layout. Southern Tradition Tailgating will relocate their specialized tailgating services from the Amphitheater to the Junction creating a vibrant, energetic and family-friendly atmosphere in one of the premier gameday tailgating locations in the SEC.
Pregame & Postgame Radio Show
Mississippi State is also proud to welcome Bulldog letterwinner and WCBI anchor Marcus Hunter to its gameday broadcast team. Hunter will serve as a new host on the Bulldogs' pregame and postgame radio shows, bringing both his professional broadcast experience and firsthand knowledge of Mississippi State Athletics to fans.
Fan Experience & Stadium Enhancements
LED Lighting System
The custom-designed, state-of-the-art system will be the first lighting upgrade to Davis Wade Stadium since 2010 and will bring best-in-class technology while providing cleaner and more uniform light levels on the field. Choreographed LED lighting sequences will be added to key moments during the game with color-changing lights and a variety of special effects features.
Field Level Audio System
Another addition will be the introduction of a new field level sound system that will bring both volume and clarity to the gameday experience.
Drone Show & Enhanced Fireworks
Kicking off the 2025 home slate in style, fans will be treated to a halftime drone show against Arizona State on Sept. 6. In addition, stadium fireworks will be expanded with new launch points, creating bigger and more dynamic displays during key moments throughout the season.
New Videoboard Production Elements
Fans will experience new video features throughout the game that celebrate the history of Mississippi State Football, including a refreshed introduction, fourth-quarter tradition, hype segments, and more.
Technology Upgrades
Fans will see an increase in in-venue cameras to capture on-field action and fan reactions in real time, along with new videoboard features designed to maintain and elevate the energy during timeouts and quarter breaks. New north end zone fascia LED boards will enable key corporate partners to display their marks in alignment with Mississippi State Athletics.
Cleaner West Concourse
Fans will notice a cleaner, more spacious west concourse with the removal of outdated wall graphics and center-aisle beverage tubs along with the addition of better directional section signage.
East Concourse Restroom Upgrades
Fans on the east side of the stadium will notice upgrades to the main concourse restrooms, designed to provide a cleaner, more efficient experience, enhancing convenience and helping them return to their seats more quickly.
New Chairback Rental Options
Fans will have access to upgraded mesh chairbacks that are more comfortable, durable and breathable than ever before. Season rentals are available now at BulldogCushions.com, and for the first time, individual game rentals will be offered at three locations inside the stadium.
Food & Beverage Upgrades
Refreshed Gameday Concepts
Fans will notice refreshed food concepts around Davis Wade Stadium including the introduction of new and specialty items throughout the season.
Fans will notice a cleaner walk-in cooler concept located behind Section 3 that reduces the number of coolers in the concourse, provides a more efficient checkout process, and adds much-needed cold storage to the west side of the stadium.
Beverage Express Additions
Two new beverage-only stands on the west and east main concourses will provide a quick grab-and-go option for fans who don't want to miss a moment of the game, with the west location featuring AI-powered checkout technology for a seamless, frictionless experience.
Frost Buddy Partnership
New to Mississippi State venues in both the concessions and retail operation is the "most innovative drinkware in the world" featuring exclusive universal can cooler designs throughout the season.
Student Experience Enhancements
Cowbell Yell
An annual tradition for Mississippi State students and the entire Starkville community, Cowbell Yell is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, with more details to follow.
Designated Tailgating Area
For the first time in school history, Mississippi State will offer a student-specific tailgating area, with the Amphitheater Bowl designated as a space exclusively for students to gather on game days.
Student Section Upgrades
The student section at Davis Wade Stadium will feature several new enhancements this fall to elevate the gameday experience. Additions include a new DJ (DJ Skip) to keep the energy going throughout the game, cryo delivery systems, upgraded field-level sound, complimentary sunscreen available at first aid rooms and information booths, and the continuation of Dawg Dollar acceptance at the concession stand behind Section 14.
Tickets
Mississippi State opens the 2025 season on the road at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT. The Bulldogs' home opener is set for Sept. 6 against No. 11 Arizona State in the annual "First Saturday in StarkVegas" game. Right now, tickets start at less than $25 when you click here.
Special First Saturday 4 Packs – which include four tickets and a parking pass to the Arizona State matchup – are also available starting at $49 and can be purchased here.
Fans can look forward to the unveiling of a state-of-the-art LED lighting system and a series of additional upgrades designed to elevate the game-day atmosphere throughout the season.
"Mississippi State fans and students are at the heart of everything we do, and we know the importance of taking a customer-focused approach to the gameday experience at Davis Wade Stadium and each of our home venues," MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. "Our team has worked tirelessly over the last year to bring elements from both the collegiate and professional levels to ensure our fan experience is second to none. I can't wait for Bulldog fans to see what we have in store for them starting with the debut of our new LED lights on Sept. 6."
Mississippi State has invested $9 million in enhancements to Davis Wade Stadium and the gameday experience over the past year as part of a multi-year approach.
Gameday Preparation & Tailgating Experience
New Gameday Page
A revamped gameday page (HailState.com/Gameday) will help redefine the gameday experience for football ticket holders by connecting them with everything needed to plan their campus visit in one centralized location. Launching in the coming days, the site will feature interactive stadium maps, seating charts, parking information and directions to concessions and retail locations, providing everything fans need for a seamless driveway-to-driveway experience.
New Tailgating Layout
Fans will experience a new era in tailgating for Mississippi State football games with a new-look Junction layout. Southern Tradition Tailgating will relocate their specialized tailgating services from the Amphitheater to the Junction creating a vibrant, energetic and family-friendly atmosphere in one of the premier gameday tailgating locations in the SEC.
Pregame & Postgame Radio Show
Mississippi State is also proud to welcome Bulldog letterwinner and WCBI anchor Marcus Hunter to its gameday broadcast team. Hunter will serve as a new host on the Bulldogs' pregame and postgame radio shows, bringing both his professional broadcast experience and firsthand knowledge of Mississippi State Athletics to fans.
Fan Experience & Stadium Enhancements
LED Lighting System
The custom-designed, state-of-the-art system will be the first lighting upgrade to Davis Wade Stadium since 2010 and will bring best-in-class technology while providing cleaner and more uniform light levels on the field. Choreographed LED lighting sequences will be added to key moments during the game with color-changing lights and a variety of special effects features.
Field Level Audio System
Another addition will be the introduction of a new field level sound system that will bring both volume and clarity to the gameday experience.
Drone Show & Enhanced Fireworks
Kicking off the 2025 home slate in style, fans will be treated to a halftime drone show against Arizona State on Sept. 6. In addition, stadium fireworks will be expanded with new launch points, creating bigger and more dynamic displays during key moments throughout the season.
New Videoboard Production Elements
Fans will experience new video features throughout the game that celebrate the history of Mississippi State Football, including a refreshed introduction, fourth-quarter tradition, hype segments, and more.
Technology Upgrades
Fans will see an increase in in-venue cameras to capture on-field action and fan reactions in real time, along with new videoboard features designed to maintain and elevate the energy during timeouts and quarter breaks. New north end zone fascia LED boards will enable key corporate partners to display their marks in alignment with Mississippi State Athletics.
Cleaner West Concourse
Fans will notice a cleaner, more spacious west concourse with the removal of outdated wall graphics and center-aisle beverage tubs along with the addition of better directional section signage.
East Concourse Restroom Upgrades
Fans on the east side of the stadium will notice upgrades to the main concourse restrooms, designed to provide a cleaner, more efficient experience, enhancing convenience and helping them return to their seats more quickly.
New Chairback Rental Options
Fans will have access to upgraded mesh chairbacks that are more comfortable, durable and breathable than ever before. Season rentals are available now at BulldogCushions.com, and for the first time, individual game rentals will be offered at three locations inside the stadium.
Food & Beverage Upgrades
Refreshed Gameday Concepts
Fans will notice refreshed food concepts around Davis Wade Stadium including the introduction of new and specialty items throughout the season.
- Junction Grille – Serving up traditional gameday favorites, Junction Grille is your go-to spot for the classic stadium experience such as the famous double-patty Hail State Burger.
- 1878 Smokehouse – Enjoy the taste of Southern tradition with savory smoked meats and classic gameday barbecue options including Pulled Pork Nachos and Smoked Pork Sandwiches.
- Bully's Pizza Co. – Fresh flatbread pizzas, a new addition to this year's gameday menu.
- The Dawg House – A new take on a fan favorite, The Dawg House features bold and flavorful sausage dog creations made for Bulldog fans.
Fans will notice a cleaner walk-in cooler concept located behind Section 3 that reduces the number of coolers in the concourse, provides a more efficient checkout process, and adds much-needed cold storage to the west side of the stadium.
Beverage Express Additions
Two new beverage-only stands on the west and east main concourses will provide a quick grab-and-go option for fans who don't want to miss a moment of the game, with the west location featuring AI-powered checkout technology for a seamless, frictionless experience.
Frost Buddy Partnership
New to Mississippi State venues in both the concessions and retail operation is the "most innovative drinkware in the world" featuring exclusive universal can cooler designs throughout the season.
Student Experience Enhancements
Cowbell Yell
An annual tradition for Mississippi State students and the entire Starkville community, Cowbell Yell is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, with more details to follow.
Designated Tailgating Area
For the first time in school history, Mississippi State will offer a student-specific tailgating area, with the Amphitheater Bowl designated as a space exclusively for students to gather on game days.
Student Section Upgrades
The student section at Davis Wade Stadium will feature several new enhancements this fall to elevate the gameday experience. Additions include a new DJ (DJ Skip) to keep the energy going throughout the game, cryo delivery systems, upgraded field-level sound, complimentary sunscreen available at first aid rooms and information booths, and the continuation of Dawg Dollar acceptance at the concession stand behind Section 14.
Tickets
Mississippi State opens the 2025 season on the road at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT. The Bulldogs' home opener is set for Sept. 6 against No. 11 Arizona State in the annual "First Saturday in StarkVegas" game. Right now, tickets start at less than $25 when you click here.
Special First Saturday 4 Packs – which include four tickets and a parking pass to the Arizona State matchup – are also available starting at $49 and can be purchased here.
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