ORLANDO, Fla. – As the University of Central Florida's football team begins its 2015-16 season, there will be quite a few changes inside and outside of the stadium.
This year, tailgating is a little different at the campus' most popular spot, Memory Mall.
Instead of showing up and claiming your square early in the morning, you now have to reserve it online. UCF officials say it's a way to keep things more organized, but for fans, it's a flawed system.
"We wanted to get squares next to each other because we always came out really early, making sure we can sit next to each other because it's more fun that way when you have all your friends," said Steven Harrison, a UCF alumnus.
Another change is that UCF split up undergrads and alumni into sections by herding the students to the back of the lot with a DJ.
"I don't know if I like it," said UCF student Jordan Delorenzo. "I mean, I like the DJ and all, but everyone is split up. You got the alumni in the front. We'll see how long it lasts."
Regardless of the changes, it's football season and there's nowhere else Knight Nation would rather be.
"It's fantastic. We can't wait. All summer long, we can not wait for football season. It's a little difficult when it's 95 degrees outside, but it's still a good time," said UCF fan Jeff Kujawa.
As fans head into Bright House Networks Stadium, they'll also be seeing some big changes.
UCF officials have been touting a beach-themed bar. Construction began on the project in February and will add nearly 1,000 new high-quality seats right on the 50-yard-line.
"All those improvements are going to bring new people into the stands," said Kujawa. The school's fantastic, it's grown so much in the last 10 years."
But what do UCF students think? Delorenzo says he's on board for a few reasons.
"I like that," he said. "I think it's great for our future. Hopefully it brings more of a crowd."
Delorenzo also added to the fact that in some sections of the stadium alcoholic beverages will be sold, which is the first UCF has done that since they moved from the Citrus Bowl.
The stadium upgrades cost the school around $2.6 million.