UCLA Offered Free Tickets to Students
The university is providing free entry for students to home football and basketball games starting this season.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Football
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UCLA Athletics announced that students will receive one free ticket per home football and basketball game. The move comes as the university aims to address declining attendance numbers at the Rose Bowl.
Why it matters
The decision follows a multi-year period of low stadium attendance, with last season seeing the lowest home game turnouts since 1982.
Last season, home games averaged 37,782 attendees, the lowest mark since 1982. Students can still purchase Rooter Bus transportation for $15-$20 per game.
The players
UCLA Athletics
This is the official department responsible for managing collegiate sports programs and student ticketing policies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Central Ticket Office
The administrative unit serves as the primary hub for university event ticketing, managing the digital distribution of game access to the student body.
The details
Students can claim their free individual tickets by logging into the Central Ticket Office website using their UCLA Logon ID. Anyone who previously purchased a Den Pass will have their money refunded by the university by Friday.
Timeline
1982: The year marking the previous record for the lowest home attendance.
September 18, 2026: UCLA Athletics distributed the announcement via email.
September 25, 2026: The final deadline for Den Pass holders to receive refunds.
Mid-October 2026: Expected announcement for men's basketball ticket instructions.
Season Trajectory
By removing financial barriers for students, UCLA is attempting to stabilize its home-field advantage and reverse a long-term slide in stadium engagement. This policy shift mirrors efforts by major athletic programs to fill seats amid broader national struggles with declining in-person sports attendance.
Students should ensure they claim their tickets on the Monday before game week at 10 a.m. using their university credentials. While entry is now free, students must still manage their own transportation costs if they choose to utilize the Rooter Bus service for travel to the venue.
The takeaway
This initiative attempts to prioritize student engagement over revenue generated from individual season passes. Students should check their university email regularly for upcoming instructions regarding basketball ticket availability.
Further reading
For more on local sports updates, visit Football.
More information
To claim your entry or view the latest updates, visit the Central Ticket Office ticket holder site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bruin.
Live Poll
Does the availability of free tickets make you more likely to attend university sports games?
