Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Football Home Opener Brings a Block Party Atmosphere to Rynearson Stadium
9/4/2025 4:41:00 PM | Football
From the Eagle Walk to the Block Party, fans will find more than a game
Click Here to Purchase Tickets | Shuttle Information | Gameday Guide
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Football returns to Ypsilanti in grand fashion on Saturday, Sept. 6, when Eastern Michigan University hosts Long Island University under the lights at Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., but the game is only part of what promises to be a full day of entertainment, community spirit, and celebration.
The evening will center around the EMU Block Party, presented by Michigan Rose Construction, which turns a football Saturday into something much bigger. Beginning hours before kickoff, fans will find a festive atmosphere both outside and inside the stadium. Live music will set the tone, while student and campus groups will host interactive booths. Families can also explore activity zones designed for younger fans. The food options will stretch well beyond the typical game day menu, with an expanded lineup of food trucks serving BBQ, Italian, shawarma, mini donuts, and other favorites. Combined with traditional stadium fare, the concourse will feel more like a local fair than a sports venue.
For students, the Block Party is the perfect way to mark the start of the school year. New students will get their first taste of EMU's game day traditions, while returning students will reconnect with friends and campus groups. Families across Southeast Michigan will find the event to be one of the most affordable ways to spend a Saturday night together. Admission for students is free with a digital ticket, while season packages and single-game tickets remain among the lowest priced in the region.
The excitement begins well before the first whistle. At 4:45 p.m., fans are invited to gather outside Gate 2 for the Eagle Walk, where the Pride of the Peninsula marching band, EMU Cheer, and Dance will lead the charge in welcoming the team. This pre-game tradition sets the stage for the evening, uniting students, alumni, and community members in a shared show of support.
For fans, who want to meet before heading to the stadium, Water Tower Distillery is the new "Pre-Game" Location of EMU Athletics.
Inside the stadium, EMU has made several upgrades designed to improve the fan experience. The Kroger Kooler on the west concourse returns for fans to grab snacks and drinks quickly, reducing wait times. Last year, Eastern Market Brewing Co. joined forces with EMU to introduce "Water Tower Power," a crisp American lager chosen by fans and brewed as a tribute to both the university and the city of Ypsilanti. The video board has been enhanced with new graphics, sharper replays, plus a new third quarter break video for fans in a revitalized "Eastern Lights". Download the Eastern Rewards App to use in and around the game. Fans can submit photos through the app's Crowd Cameo gallery and earn points for checking in and staying longer at the game.
Meanwhile, the North End Zone now features the Eastern Tailgate Zone open for all fans featuring the Little Caesars truck, on-field bar and high top tables, with tailgate games and activities and ability to be on the field to see the team's break down the wall up close.
Shuttle services begins two hours prior to kickoff and will run from campus to the stadium, ensuring fans can travel safely and efficiently to the game. Dropoff locations include the Eastern Eateries, Pease Auditorium, EMU Student Center, Westview Apartments, and of course, Rynearson Stadium. For post-game, the shuttle will start in the 4th quarter and run one hour following the end of the game.
The matchup itself adds intrigue. Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between EMU and LIU. The Sharks are led by Head Coach Ron Cooper, who began his head coaching career at Eastern Michigan in 1993. His return to Rynearson brings the story full circle, adding another layer of connection to the evening. Both teams enter the game with 0-1 records and a desire to claim an early-season win, making the showdown on Crosby Field all the more important.
Fans planning to attend should be aware of the updated security procedures. Metal detectors will be in place at all entrances, and the clear bag policy remains active, aligning EMU with stadium standards across the NCAA and NFL. These steps may cause slight delays at the gates, so we encourage you to arrive early.
Tickets are available now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669. The Ticket Office itself will open four hours before the game. Season ticket packages remain an excellent option, with reserved seats starting at $135 and family or alumni bundles offering even greater value.
With so much happening on and off the field, the home opener is designed to be more than a football game. It is a celebration of campus life, community pride, and the start of a season filled with opportunities. Whether you come for the Eagle Walk, the Block Party, the food, or the football, Saturday promises an atmosphere that showcases the best of Eastern Michigan.
Game Day Basics
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium.
- Eagle Walk: Begins at 4:45 p.m. outside Gate 2.
- Tickets: Available at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Atrium starting four hours before kickoff, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Football returns to Ypsilanti in grand fashion on Saturday, Sept. 6, when Eastern Michigan University hosts Long Island University under the lights at Rynearson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., but the game is only part of what promises to be a full day of entertainment, community spirit, and celebration.
The evening will center around the EMU Block Party, presented by Michigan Rose Construction, which turns a football Saturday into something much bigger. Beginning hours before kickoff, fans will find a festive atmosphere both outside and inside the stadium. Live music will set the tone, while student and campus groups will host interactive booths. Families can also explore activity zones designed for younger fans. The food options will stretch well beyond the typical game day menu, with an expanded lineup of food trucks serving BBQ, Italian, shawarma, mini donuts, and other favorites. Combined with traditional stadium fare, the concourse will feel more like a local fair than a sports venue.
For students, the Block Party is the perfect way to mark the start of the school year. New students will get their first taste of EMU's game day traditions, while returning students will reconnect with friends and campus groups. Families across Southeast Michigan will find the event to be one of the most affordable ways to spend a Saturday night together. Admission for students is free with a digital ticket, while season packages and single-game tickets remain among the lowest priced in the region.
The excitement begins well before the first whistle. At 4:45 p.m., fans are invited to gather outside Gate 2 for the Eagle Walk, where the Pride of the Peninsula marching band, EMU Cheer, and Dance will lead the charge in welcoming the team. This pre-game tradition sets the stage for the evening, uniting students, alumni, and community members in a shared show of support.
For fans, who want to meet before heading to the stadium, Water Tower Distillery is the new "Pre-Game" Location of EMU Athletics.
Inside the stadium, EMU has made several upgrades designed to improve the fan experience. The Kroger Kooler on the west concourse returns for fans to grab snacks and drinks quickly, reducing wait times. Last year, Eastern Market Brewing Co. joined forces with EMU to introduce "Water Tower Power," a crisp American lager chosen by fans and brewed as a tribute to both the university and the city of Ypsilanti. The video board has been enhanced with new graphics, sharper replays, plus a new third quarter break video for fans in a revitalized "Eastern Lights". Download the Eastern Rewards App to use in and around the game. Fans can submit photos through the app's Crowd Cameo gallery and earn points for checking in and staying longer at the game.
Meanwhile, the North End Zone now features the Eastern Tailgate Zone open for all fans featuring the Little Caesars truck, on-field bar and high top tables, with tailgate games and activities and ability to be on the field to see the team's break down the wall up close.
Shuttle services begins two hours prior to kickoff and will run from campus to the stadium, ensuring fans can travel safely and efficiently to the game. Dropoff locations include the Eastern Eateries, Pease Auditorium, EMU Student Center, Westview Apartments, and of course, Rynearson Stadium. For post-game, the shuttle will start in the 4th quarter and run one hour following the end of the game.
The matchup itself adds intrigue. Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between EMU and LIU. The Sharks are led by Head Coach Ron Cooper, who began his head coaching career at Eastern Michigan in 1993. His return to Rynearson brings the story full circle, adding another layer of connection to the evening. Both teams enter the game with 0-1 records and a desire to claim an early-season win, making the showdown on Crosby Field all the more important.
Fans planning to attend should be aware of the updated security procedures. Metal detectors will be in place at all entrances, and the clear bag policy remains active, aligning EMU with stadium standards across the NCAA and NFL. These steps may cause slight delays at the gates, so we encourage you to arrive early.
Tickets are available now through the EMU Athletics Ticket Office, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669. The Ticket Office itself will open four hours before the game. Season ticket packages remain an excellent option, with reserved seats starting at $135 and family or alumni bundles offering even greater value.
With so much happening on and off the field, the home opener is designed to be more than a football game. It is a celebration of campus life, community pride, and the start of a season filled with opportunities. Whether you come for the Eagle Walk, the Block Party, the food, or the football, Saturday promises an atmosphere that showcases the best of Eastern Michigan.
Game Day Basics
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium.
- Eagle Walk: Begins at 4:45 p.m. outside Gate 2.
- Tickets: Available at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Atrium starting four hours before kickoff, online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, or by calling 734.487.3669.
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