Football | 8/14/2026 4:38:00 PM

August 14, 2026-During Wednesday's Fall Kickoff Event in the ESU Memorial Union, Athletic Director Steve Rodecap and President Matt Baker announced that faculty and staff will receive free general admission access to all Emporia State regular season home games.
 
"For Emporia State to be successful we need everyone on campus pulling in the same direction," said Rodecap. "Faculty, maintenance crews, custodial staff, administration, cafeteria workers, everyone plays a role in creating a championship culture and we want to make sure they know they are a part of the process."
 
All benefits-eligible faculty and staff are eligible to receive one complimentary ticket to each University-sponsored regular season athletic event at Emporia State University. To redeem a complimentary ticket, employees must present a valid ESU identification card at the gate prior to admission.
 
Following a successful "Year of Celebration" that provided free general admission to anyone for all home athletic events, Emporia State Athletics announced earlier this summer the resumption of general admission ticket sales for the 2026-27 school year. The sports of football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball are all part of a restructuring plan. The sports of soccer, tennis and disc golf will continue to offer free general admission for all fans to regular season events while track and field ticketing will be determined on a meet per meet basis.
 
As part of the updated ticketing structure, fans under the age of 18 will receive free general admission to any regular-season home athletic events when accompanied by a paid adult. One adult admission will cover free entry for accompanying youth under the age of 18, allowing families to enjoy Hornet Athletics together at an affordable cost.
 
To help maintain an affordable option for the general public, Emporia State will be offering a Hornet All Sports Pass for just $275 that will provide one general admission entry to each of the nearly 100 regular season Emporia State home events during the 2026-27 seasons. That is a savings of nearly $750 over purchasing an individual ticket to each event on game day.
 
The Hornet All Sports Pass, football and volleyball tickets are on sale now at esuhornets.com while basketball season tickets will be available starting in early October. Baseball and softball tickets will be available after the new year.
 
NOTE
Under IRS regulations, the ticket will not be taxable to the employee unless the event completely sells out. If an event completely sells out, the value of the complimentary tickets is considered a taxable fringe benefit and will be reported as taxable income.