November 12, 2021

Dear Students,

Saturday, November 20th, Yale hosts “The Game," the legendary football contest that brings students and alumni from Yale and Harvard to New Haven. As you make your plans for the weekend, here’s information about what’s going on and how to stay safe, especially as we navigate an event during the pandemic.

Given the continually changing public health landscape, the restrictions on campus visitors are still in place. Under the restrictions, you may not host visitors on campus. Harvard is bringing students directly to the Yale Bowl on Saturday; with very limited exceptions, visitors are not permitted in any campus buildings.

Visiting fans are welcome to stay in area hotels or short-term rentals, as individuals, but neither Yale nor Harvard is organizing or recommending this option. If you live off campus and plan to host guests, please use caution—make sure they are vaccinated, keep your windows open, and wear masks indoors.

The Game is a reunion of friends, but ultimately is a sporting event. We expect that all fans will respect the hard work of the student-athletes and will remain off of the playing field at all times. Violations are subject to disciplinary action.

Ticket Information

Yale Student and Yale Student guest tickets will be available at various athletic events in addition to an early bird pick-up at the Payne Whitney Gym Box Office. Guest tickets, which will not be available on game day, are $15 each; cash and electronic payment are accepted. For additional questions, please call the Yale Ticket Office at 203-432-1400.

Each Yale Student with ID may receive:

• Complimentary Yale Student Ticket (Limit 1)
• $15 Yale Student Guest tickets (Limit 2)

Pick Up Option 1: Friday, November 12

John J. Lee Amphitheater, 5:30 p.m.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL VS. NORTHEASTERN
Ticketed event

• Free Beat Harvard Again t-shirt for the first 100 students
• Student Raffle!
• Yale student ticket distribution at halftime inside JLA
• Purchase guest tickets

Ingalls Rink, 6:00 p.m.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY VS. HARVARD
Non-ticketed event

• Free Beat Harvard Again t-shirt for the first 100 students
• Yale student ticket distribution after 2nd period at the Ingalls box office
• Purchase guest tickets

Pick Up Option 2: Saturday, November 13

Ingalls Rink, 3:00 p.m.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY VS. DARTMOUTH
Non-ticketed event

• Free Beat Harvard Again t-shirt for the first 100 students
• Students Raffle!
• Yale student ticket distribution after 2nd period at the Ingalls box office
• Purchase guest tickets

Pick Up Option 3: November 15-18

Payne Whitney Gym Box Office, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• Yale Student Pick Up ONLY
• Student tickets will be available for pick up
• Guest tickets will be available for $15, cash and debit/credit payments will be accepted

Pick Up Option 4: Thursday, November 18

Payne Whitney Gym Box Office, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Student tickets will be available for pick up
• Up to 2 guest tickets will be available for purchase
• Students should enter through the side door of Payne Whitney Gym that opens directly to the box office, marketing/ticket staff will give access to 20 students at a time

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Game Information

Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m.

Fan Buses

The Athletics Department provides round-trip transportation for the Yale Community from Payne Whitney Gym (PWG) to the Yale Bowl beginning at 8:45 a.m.

There is no charge for these buses. Yale IDs are required.

Food

Enrolled Yale and Harvard students who present ID can pick up a boxed lunch at one of two locations:

• the Yale Avenue entrance where buses will be dropping off students. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
• inside the gates of the Yale Bowl, just outside of portal 7. Hours are 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (or the end of the first quarter).

The boxes will contain sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, cookies, Yale bottled water, and condiments and plastic utensils. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available, and food is available for purchase inside the stadium.

A portable water station, with cups, will be available along Central Ave.

Only the water bottles provided by Yale Dining are permitted in the stadium. Personal water bottles will not be allowed.

Students are encouraged to grab their food and then head toward their seats or visit with friends around the Bowl complex.

Yale Dining will remain open through November 24 in Murray and Franklin Colleges to make sure everyone who remains on campus will have access to food. You should already have a message from Dining outlining its schedule.

There will be a secured bag-check area near the food pick-up area and shuttle drop-off for any visiting Harvard students who have luggage.

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Tailgating Information

Yale University is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans, both in our venues and in the parking lots.

You are responsible for your conduct. For specifics on the fan tailgate policies, you will find information here.

For more information about tickets, bag restrictions, and shuttles, please visit the Yale Athletics Website.

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COVID-19 protocols

• Fans MUST NOT come to the Yale Athletics complex if they are not feeling well and have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Additional hand sanitizer stations have been added throughout the athletics complex. Wash your hands before and after drinking and eating.
• Fall outdoor sport venues will operate at normal capacities. Distancing between unrelated persons is recommended, where practicable.
• While outdoors in crowds at the Yale Bowl complex (and not actively eating or drinking), masks are encouraged.
• Unvaccinated persons must distance six feet from others and mask at all times.
• Masks are required in all indoor spaces (including the rest rooms).
• Pre-game tailgates must occur outdoors only.
• All current and applicable University COVID-19 policies and protocols must be followed regardless of visitor and program participant vaccination status.

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Staying Safe

We want the day to be a relaxing and enjoyable for everyone, and with that in mind here are important tips on staying safe, for yourself and others:

In an emergency involving alcohol or other drugs, the Yale College medical emergency policy prevents disciplinary action against students who ask for medical help for themselves or for someone else.

If you need help or you see someone who does, please head to the Relief Tent, where emergency medical personnel can provide water, snacks, and a place to rest.

You can also get help for any kind of situation by messaging YPD through the LiveSafe app, which connects directly to YPD’s central dispatcher, or by calling (203) 432-4400.

Remember, we are a community where we take care of each other and our guests.

Have fun and stay safe at The Game…
…and GO BULLDOGS!

Burgwell J. Howard
Assoc. Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Student Engagement
Yale University