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The three changes Texas is considering to improve football game-day experience

The athletic director is looking to attract more fans by providing pre-game entertainment options at football games.

Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Another survey sent out by the Texas Longhorns athletic department sheds light on some changes Steve Patterson and his staff are considering to improve the game-day experience for football games next fall.

The news that attendance at Texas games has now declined by eight percent since the national championship run of 2009 has illustrated the need for greater success on the field, but also a better experience for fans at the stadium and before games.

Stadium improvements like better WiFi and possibly an in-game app to provide fans with real-time stats and highlights are likely in the offing at some point to improve how fans experience the actual games.

Until those changes arrive, it appears that Patterson is focusing on altering what fans do before the games.

Here are the relevant parts of the survey:

  • Tailgate packages: Given package A ($580 per game for premium reserved spot within a 10-minute walk of stadium, drop-off zone for supplies, 10'x10' tent, six chairs, 6' table with linens, catering and beverage options, post-game cleanup, security to protect your stuff during game), package B ($1,440 for premium reserved spot within a 10-minute walk of stadium, drop-off zone for supplies, 20'x20' tent, two 120-quart coolers w/ 40 lbs ice in each, 15 chairs, three 6' tables with linens, catering and beverage options, post-game cleanup, security to protect your stuff during game), and package C ($2,400 for premium reserved spot within a 10-minute walk of stadium, drop-off zone for supplies, 20'x20' high-peak tent, two tent fans, two 42" TVs w/ sports viewing packages, four 120-quart coolers w/ 40 lbs ice in each, 15 chairs, four 6' tables with linens, two cocktail tables with linens, paper plates/towels/cups/utensils/koozies, catering and beverage options, post-game cleanup, security to protect your stuff during game)...how likely are you to purchase one of the packages for the 2015 season?
  • Pregame party pass ($30/game for admission to pregame party area, access to food trucks, stage(s) with live music, vendors selling alcohol, screens displaying other CFB games)...for how many games during the 2015 season would you be likely to purchase a pass?
  • Considering a Kids Party Zone area that would be free - how many kids under the age of 18 are in your household? How many grandchildren under 18 do you have?

The considered changes span the fan spectrum from those wealthy individuals who can afford to spend up to $14,400 a season for the ease of not having to completely set up and take down a tailgate to younger fans looking to party before the game to parents who want to keep their children occupied in a non-tailgate environment.

In coming years, having a pre-game party pass may be even more important for fans as tailgating spots dwindle with the Dell Medical School set to take up much of the land where there are currently parking lots.

So, Texas fans, are any of these changes enticing?