JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Jaguars fans, the wait is almost over. Kickoff of the Jags’ first preseason game is just around the corner.
They will take on the Chiefs at 7 p.m. Saturday at EverBank Stadium, and the fans will see the 2024 draft class in game action for the first time.
That class, of course, is headlined by first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
And while they might be facing the reigning Super Bowl champs. History might just be on the Jags’ side for this preseason meeting.
The Jags actually hold a slight edge over the Chiefs in the preseason with a 3-1 record against Kansas City from 1998-2001.
Beloved Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville will get some special recognition at halftime of the game. He will be honored with a ring ceremony for his induction to the Mascot Hall of Fame.
He’s one of just three NFL mascots in the Hall of Fame.
On a more somber note, there will be a special moment ahead of Saturday’s game for Michael Patterson, the co-founder of the Jaguars Drumline.
The D-Line will share a special performance honoring Patterson, who spent 20 years as the co-director of the D-Line. He passed away at age 44 in February.
Traffic & parking
Construction and gameday street closures around the sports complex can impact traffic patterns. Fans are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early as parking lots open four hours before kickoff.
Fans arriving at the stadium complex after 5 p.m. should expect moderate to heavy traffic delays.
Mobile parking passes should be downloaded and saved before arrival to be easily scanned upon entry to assigned parking lots.
Specific directions to each parking lot and additional parking information can be found here.
Guests using rideshare for transportation after the game should arrange a meeting location on the west side of the stadium on Beaver Street, near Lot Z.
Guests are encouraged to exit near Gate 1 or the West Club gate, of the stadium for the most direct route to meet rideshare drivers.
Other important reminders
- Be Clear on Game Day: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in effect at EverBank Stadium. Fans are encouraged to leave all bags at home, but, if one is necessary, it should be either a clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.” Non-clear belt bags and fanny packs are prohibited.
- Stay Hydrated: Guests are permitted to bring one, commercially branded, factory-sealed, plastic, 16.9 oz. or less size bottle of water. Complimentary cups are also available at all guest services booths to use at stadium water fountains.
- Cashless Transactions: Cash is no longer accepted anywhere in the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.
- No Drone Zone: Drones are not permitted to fly anywhere over EverBank Stadium or any of its adjacent parking lots.
More gameday spectacle
The First DUUUVAL presented by Farah & Farah will be delivered by Lanea Hanalei Mons, a 15-year-old professional surfer from Atlantic Beach.
She is the Girls’ U16 individual silver medalist from the ISA World Junior Championships in Brazil and helped Team USA to win silver and copper medals.
Mons has won eight East Coast titles and has numerous national podium finishes in addition to World Surfing League Qualifying Series events.
To align with Play Football Month, the American flag will be held by members of the Choctawhatchee (Choctaw) High School (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) and Niceville High School (Niceville, Fla.) girls flag football teams. Choctaw won the overall Nike Summer Tournament Championship for a second-consecutive year, while Niceville won the Tug-of-War competition at the Nike Girls’ Flag Football Tournament hosted by Jaguars PREP, presented by Dream Finders Homes.
The Jaguars will honor Jacksonville’s 9U Boys flag team, the Immortals, which won their division at the recent NFL Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio; and Tocoi Creek, Ponte Vedra and Bartram Trail high schools in the South End Zone, recognizing the three newest programs to start girls’ flag in St. Johns County.
More information on Jaguars PREP and the Jaguars organization’s contributions to developing flag and tackle football can be found here.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” will be performed by Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Cassandra DiFruscio. The Ontario, Canada, native has performed with stars such as Keith Urban and has been the opening performer for KC and the Sunshine Band, in addition to several Canadian country artists. DiFruscio has also performed the national anthem at a number of major-league sporting events.
Jonah Abenchuchan will interpret “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the hearing impaired.
The Colors for the game will be presented by members of the Beaches Honor Guard.
Chief Petty Officer Steve Williams will be honored as the Bell Ringer presented by the University of North Florida for Saturday’s game. Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Williams enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard in 2001. Out of Boot Camp, he first served aboard the CG Cutter Bainbridge Island out of Sandy Hook, N.J. In 2003, his unit deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From there, Williams transferred into the aviation sector, maintaining avionics and electrical systems while flying as a flight mechanic on the 65 Dolphin helicopter. His aviation units include Air Station Miami, Air Station Atlantic City, Air Station Savannah and Coast Guard HITRON Jacksonville.
Cpl. David Burgess will be honored as Veteran of the Game. Burgess joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012. He was deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, in 2013 as a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. After being wounded during a firefight that year, Burgess was medically retired from the Marine Corps. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
During the game’s third quarter, the Jaguars will be honoring Nicole Hamm, executive director of the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville as the Community Champion of the Game, presented by Florida Blue.
Hamm was selected due to the transformative impact she is having in some of the city’s historically underserved communities to foster healthier environments, encourage active lifestyles, promote social connections and support healthier food options. Long term, the net impact of Hamm’s work will contribute to longer lifespans and increased quality of life for Jacksonville residents.
Saturday schedule
3 p.m.: All parking lots open, game day ticket office opens (North End Zone between Gates 2 and 3), Miller Electric Center opens for team store and DJ
4 p.m.: Media Will Call opens near Gate 1; Gates 1 and 4 open; Fan Entertainment Zone and Cool Zone opens (South End Zone between Gates 1 and 4)
5 p.m.: All stadium gates and areas open
6:52 p.m.: D-Line performance
6:53 p.m.: First DUUUVAL
6:56 p.m.: THE ROAR of the Jaguars performance
7 p.m.: Jaguars team introductions, followed by game kickoff