Jaguars fan guide to preseason game vs. Tampa Bay Bucs at EverBank Stadium

It's the last chance for fans to see the Jacksonville Jaguars in their final preseason tuneup, just two days before the final cutdown to the 53-man roster for the 2026 season.

The Jaguars host the Tampa Bay Bucs (7:30 p.m., FOX-30) at EverBank Stadium on Aug. 27 to close the preseason after 20 training camp practices, four of them joint practices, and three games. The next time fans can see the Jags on the field will be the opening game on Sept. 13 against the Cleveland Browns.

The stadium capacity has been reduced to 42,500 (27,000 fewer than normal) as construction on the Stadium of the Future continues and the Jaguars urge fans to arrive early to lessen traffic and parking issues.

Stadium of the Future

Due to the Stadium of the Future construction, which is scheduled

for completion in August of 2028, the upper bowl of the stadium is closed, along with the cabanas (pools) and standing room only areas.

Entry gates will direct fans to the main concourse, which will provide full 360-degree access to the lower bowl seats. New this year are Grand Staircases 2 and 3 in the North End of the stadium, joining the previously opened Grand Staircase at Gate 1. Ramps 2 and 3 and the escalators at the South End Zone are open as well, providing access to the main concourse and Gate 2 and the West Club gate have merged into one access point.

Some gate entries have been adjusted, so ticket holders should view the recommended gate entry on their mobile ticket for each game to access the most direct route to a seat location. The East Club gate is only accessible to Club or Suite ticket holders. Guests should exit at the gate closest to their transportation.

Mobility assistance will be offered to those who request it near each stadium entry gate. Signage and Guest Services will be available to guide ticket holders.

Fans can stay up to date on the Stadium of the Future by visitingjaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture.

Stay cool with the Jaguars

The Jaguars are offering ways for fans to beat the heat:

Fans will be allowed to bring up to two commercially branded, factory-sealed, plastic, 16.9 oz. size or less bottles of water per ticket holder. They can be refilled at bottled water stations throughout the stadium.

Complimentary cups are also available at all guest services booths to use at stadium water fountains.

A JTA cooling bus is available near Gate 1 by Grand Staircase One and the South End Zone and Daily’s Place provide shaded space with concessions and seating.

Should assistance be needed, guests should alert the nearest Guest Services Team member or visit a Guest Services booth situated in the following locations: Main Concourse, north end zone at Section 123, southeast corner at Section 144, southwest corner at Section 102, near ramp 3 at Section 130 and at ground level, immediately outside the elevators at the Gallagher East and West Clubs.

Play Football Month

The Jaguars will spotlight the future of football by highlighting youth tackle football throughout the night. Youth tackle football players and coaches from organizations across Northeast Florida will be recognized in the South End Zone and players and coaches will hold American flags during the National Anthem.

Fan Entertainment Zone

Located in the Flex Field behind Daily’s Place, the Fan Entertainment Zone is the premier pregame destination for Jaguars fans on game day. Due to Stadium of the Future construction and limited plaza access, fans can experience the activities by entering the stadium through Gate 1, 4 or 7 beginning three hours before each home game.

At the FEZ, fans can get photo opportunities and autographs with past Jaguars players, and see appearances by mascot Jaxson de Ville, The Roar of the Jaguars and the D-LINE. Youth fans can also put their skills to the test at the Nemours Children’s Health Combine.

First 'Duuuval!'

The first 'Duuuval!' will be delivered by former Jaguar wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, who played from 2008-11. He led the team with 63 receptions, 869 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions in 2009.

Jaguars Legends of the Game

Wide receiver Arrelious Benn is the Jaguars Legend of the Game. He played for both teams, with the Buccaneers from 2010-12 and the Jaguars from 2016-17.

Game Day Patriotism

Sunshine Aurora will perform the National Anthem. She is a third-year music business major at Belmont University in Nashville who also plays guitar and ukulele. … The anthem will be signed by Dylan Orcutt, a student from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. … The Colors will be presented by members of the Beaches Honor Guard, a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1981 that provides military funeral honors and participates in patriotic ceremonies across Jacksonville’s beaches and surrounding areas. … Chief Petty Officer Matthew Bunora will be the Bell Ringer of the game. He will retire in 2027 after nearly 22 years in the U.S. Navy. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn … Master Sgt. Floyd Key will be the Veteran of the Game. A Jacksonville native and a Douglas Anderson graduate in 1966, Sgt. Key was drafted into the U.S. Army at just 18 years old, where he served in the Vietnam War, Fort Riley, Kan., Fort Stewart, Ga., and Jacksonville. He served for 37 years. He and his wife of 53 years, Curley, are involved in community activities such as organizing food drives.

Happy Birthday to Jaxson

Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville is celebrating his 30th birthday and will be honored at halftime. Since becoming the Jaguars' mascot in 1996, he has become known for his unpredictable behavior, including becoming the first NFL mascot to travel overseas to visit U.S. troops and the first to perform a zip-line jump into a stadium.

Community Champion of the game

Here Tomorrow Founder and Board Chair Joe Kenney will be honored during the third quarter. Through Here Tomorrow, Kenney has helped build a community where suicide prevention support is accessible without barriers, providing no-cost, no-wait, peer-based support and hope to thousands of individuals and families.

Fan reminders

Clear Bags: 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.

Mobile Ticketing and Parking: Fans are urged to have their mobile tickets and parking downloaded and ready to scan before arriving at parking lots and stadium entry gates. To access, download the Official Jaguars Mobile App.

Cashless Transactions: Cash is not 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.

Rideshare Pick-Up: Guests using rideshare for transportation after the game should meet their driver on the west side of the stadium on Beaver Street, near Lot Z. Guests are encouraged to exit on the west side of the stadium for the most direct route to meet rideshare drivers.

No Drone Zone: Drones are not permitted to fly anywhere over EverBank Stadium or any of its adjacent parking lots.

Game Day timeline

• 3:30 p.m.: Stadium parking lots open; Miller Electric Center Pro Shop open.
• 4:30 p.m.: Gates 1, 4 and 7 open; Fan Entertainment Zone and Cool Zone open, South End Zone near Gate 1.
• 5:30 p.m.: All stadium gates and areas open.
• 7:20 p.m.: D-LINE performance.
• 7:21 p.m.: The Roar of the Jaguars performance.
• 7:27 p.m.: Jaguars team introductions.
• 7:36 p.m.: First "Duuuval!"
• 7:37 p.m.: Jaguars-Bucs kickoff.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars fan guide to preseason game vs. Tampa Bay Bucs at EverBank Stadium