The countdown to football season has begun for the Texas Tech football team's first home game of the season on Saturday against Abilene Christian University in Lubbock.

Before heading to Jones AT&T Stadium, there are a few things Red Raider fans should know about the gameday experience. Parking, traffic, pregame entertainment, security and concessions will all have some new wrinkles for the 2024 season with the addition of the new south end zone building and the on-going construction on the Womble Football Center.

Here's everything Texas Tech football fans need to know about going to Jones AT&T Stadium this season.

What to know about parking, traffic for Texas Tech football games

While the new south end zone building is near completion, construction continues on the Womble Football Center, eliminating the parking directly outside the stadium on the east side.

A temporary donor parking lot has been set up just behind the DK gas station across the street from the stadium. Permits are required for that lot.

All other parking remains generally the same with the C1 lot on the west side of the stadium and the Raider Park parking shelter the closet options. Free parking options between 4th Street and Texas Tech Parkway are also available.

Citibus will provide a roundtrip shuttle service for fans for $6 per person. Beginning three hours before kickoff, fans can park north of the John Walker Soccer Complex (Texas Tech Parkway & 10th Street) and northwest of Health Sciences Center (ADA Only, Texas Tech Parkway & 5th Street). Citibus will only accept payment through the "Go Pass" app. Signage and QR codes will be posted near pickup locations for fans to access the app.

All parking permit plans can be found by searching "Texas Tech Football Parking 2024."

Traffic flow will also be a bit different. Those using the temporary donor lot, C2, entry flow will go through 4th Street and exit flow will be on Mac Davis Lane or Avenue X.

For those parking in the C1 parking lot — west of the stadium — the entry will be the same as it has been in the years past; however, exiting will allow individuals to either exit westbound onto the Marsha Sharp Access Road or Eastbound to the Marsha Sharp or North University.

Safety, staying hydrated while at Jones AT&T Stadium

Fans can bring in one unopened bottle of water that is less than 20 ounces into the stadium. Athletics will also provide cooling stations around the stadium with shade, sunscreen, and cold towels.

The stadium will once again institute a clear bag policy. Bags cannot exceed 12" x 6" x 12" in size. Exceptions will be made for necessary medical items. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be permitted.

Safety and security of the stadium is a group effort through various local agencies such as EMS, Lubbock Fire Rescue, Lubbock Sheriff's Office and the Texas Tech Fire Marshal, according to Amy Ivey, captain of the Texas Tech University police department.

The Lubbock police department's Special Response Group will once again handle security at the stadium throughout the season. These officers are given special training and have made trips to the stadium throughout the summer to prepare for new entry points and other areas of concern.

Sgt. Chris Paine said about a dozen SPG officers are deployed during game days with more being on standby if needed. Paine encouraged fans, "If you see something, say something," at a recent press conference to discuss safety strategies at Texas Tech football games.

You've arrived at Jones AT&T Stadium. Now what?

The addition of three new gates at Jones AT&T Stadium will allow fans to get into the venue quicker. A total of nine gates will be open with the additions of Gates 8 and 10 serving all fans. Gate 9 is reserved for fans who purchased premium seating in the new south end zone building.

The new south end zone also allows fans to access the entire stadium in a full circle without having to go back outside the venue.

Sixth Street will once again be open for foot traffic. The area between the stadium and the Sports Performance Center was closed to the public last year as construction continued. Access around the Womble Football Center will still be restricted until the project is completed later in the season.

The Raider Alley concert series is making a return for the 2024 season. The area just south of the stadium in the middle of campus will open four hours before kickoff with a series of musical acts set to perform throughout the season two hours before kick. The first concert of the season will be Natisha Bedingfield of "Pocketful of Sunshine" fame.

Jones AT&T Stadium remains fully cashless, so have those credit and debit cards handy.

New concession options inside Jones AT&T Stadium

Texas Tech has introduced two new grab-and-go marketplaces throughout the stadium and also added Big Chicken, the poultry establishment founded by NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal.

Touchdown Tavern is located on the west side for premium ticket holders only. It will serve hot food options as well as grab-and-go items for a self-serve option. The other, accessible to the rest of the stadium, is Matador Marketplace, also on the west side of the stadium.

There are a total for four grab-and-go options available, including one near Gate 1 and the "Take Three" marketplace near Gate 4.

Big Chicken will be on the east side of the new south end zone concourse.

The Texas Tech mobile app is the key

Once at the stadium, fans will want to make sure to have their Texas Tech app downloaded and ready to go.

Tech will once again have a fan-drive lights show before the game, just before kickoff and between the third and fourth quarters. Fans can take part by opening their apps during these times and find the Red Raider Lights tab on the app.

Fans will also need the app to utilize the new concession delivery service, which is new for the 2024 season. Attendees can order food and drinks through the app and a concession worker will bring the goodies directly to their seats.

Senior associate athletics director Robert Giovannetti said Tech has worked with StadiumDrop, who Tech has partnered with for this venture, to ensure the operation runs smoothly. Some fans voiced concerns about the cell reception in the stadium that could cause problems for this.

Giovannetti said Tuesday there still isn't a dedicated Wi-Fi network for The Jones, but Texas Tech has worked to have a better signal inside the stadium for fans.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Parking, traffic tips for Texas Tech football games at Jones AT&T Stadium