With the Queen's Gaels football team ready to return to the field, Queen's Athletics is introducing a number of game day themes and enhancements for the 2018 season.

The exhibition season kicks off at home on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 4 pm when then Gaels take on the Waterloo Warriors at Richardson Stadium. The regular season home opener is set for Sunday, Sept. 2 for as the Gaels host the Laurier Golden Hawks.
Queen's students will once again receive free admission to all regular season games – simply arrive at the gate with your valid student card, swipe and enter. This special offer now includes Homecoming. Free student shuttle buses to Richardson Stadium from Tindall Field start 45 minutes before kickoff for all games. 

Also kids aged 12 and under will receive free admission to all exhibition and regular season games. New this year is the designated family zone in Section 103 and special family zone season ticket pricing for parents. On game day, families can find face painting and kid-friendly activities on the concourse behind Section 103. There will also be a special Kids Day on Saturday, Sept. 8 (details below).

During the upcoming season a number of theme days will be held for Gaels games being hosted at Richardson Stadium.

2018 Themes:
Saturday, Aug. 18, 4 pm vs. Waterloo 
Community Heroes (Service Member Appreciation)

• Calling all Community Heroes – police, fire, paramedics and military members are eligible for a special ticket promotion. Fill out this form to receive your discount. To nominate a Community Hero to be recognised during the game for their service, email gaelsfootball@queensu.ca
• Emergency response and military vehicles will be on site for kids to learn and explore.

Sunday, Sept. 2, 6:30 pm vs Laurier 
Home Opener, Tricolour Pride Night

• Athletics and Recreation hosts “Kickoff the year with the Gaels” to welcome new and returning students to campus.
• Queen’s staff and faculty are eligible for a special ticket promotion. Please fill out the following form to receive your discount.
• Kicking off Queen's Orientation Week, the Tricolour Pride Night game will welcome all first-year students to Queen’s.
• Inviting upper-year students who have returned to campus; new and returning graduate and professional students 
• Wear Tricolour gear or pick something up at the Q-Shop at the ARC. Present your Sept 2 game day ticket and receive a 10 per cent discount at the Q-Shop (Aug. 26-Sept. 1).

Saturday, Sept. 8, 1 pm vs Toronto 
Kids Day

• Queen's Athletics and Recreation is excited to partner with Kingston Boys and Girls Club for Kids Day.
• Kids Day will feature a kid-friendly pre-game fan fest with inflatables, games, autographs, face painting and prizes. Kids can run through the Gaels tunnel onto the field after the game. This event is free with the purchase of an adult ticket to the game. 
• We are pleased to welcome Kingston Special Olympics athletes and Motionball Marathon of Sport participants to this game.
• Halftime will feature future football stars as local TIMFL youth football players will take the field.

Saturday, Sept. 29, 1 pm vs Western 
Blood Battle, Queen's Football Alumni Celebration  

• Taking the Queen's-Western rivalry to the next level, the Queen's and Western football teams are participating in a “Blood Battle” to promote blood donations to Canadian Blood Services. Make an appointment at the Canadian Blood Services booth at our home games on Sept 2 or Sept. 8, to have your appointment go towards the Queen's Football count. The team with the most appointments will be crowned the 2018 Blood Battle champion on Saturday, Sept. 29.
• Members of the Queen's Football 1963, 1968, 1978 and 1983 championship teams will be recognized on field during the pre-game ceremony. All Queen's Football alumni are invited to join the pre-game celebration and can register and purchase tickets to sit in the Queen's football alumni section.

Saturday, Oct. 20, 1 pm vs Ottawa
Homecoming, Think Pink

• Queen's Athletics and Recreation is excited to partner with the AMS ReUnion Street Festival and the Canadian Cancer Society for Think Pink Day.
• Varsity athletes and other Queen's student groups will be participating in the Kingston Run for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 30.  Queen's University has been named the top fundraising postsecondary school the past six years , and once again requests the community’s support.
• Grab your pink ribbon when you arrive and check out the Think Pink tent featuring exclusive Queen's Think Pink gear, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society and breast cancer research projects.  
• Other events supporting the cause on game day include Men's Rugby and Men's Hockey. Details to be released soon.
• This will be the final regular season home game for Queen’s graduating student-athletes. Student-athletes and their families will be recognized.
• For details about Queen's Homecoming weekend are available on the Queen’s Alumni website.

Season, group and single-game tickets can be purchased on the Queen’s Gaels Box Office website.