It's designed to accommodate ticket holders without reserved season parking.Paid parking was available near the stadium, but the soccer/softball complex construction and other South Campus renovations have reduced parking space.
"We've lost 4,500 spaces due to the construction of the new soccer fields," said Rodney Stiles, director of administrative services for the UK Athletic Department.
Over the past eight years, UK has lost a number of parking spaces due to the development of South Campus.
Spaces have been lost to the construction of the Gluck Equine Research Center and the establishment of the UK Arboretum.
This year parking will be free at parking structures located at the intersections of Cooper and University and mid-campus at Rose Street and Washington Avenue.
"This is very important because we are basically having to retrain people who have been accustomed to accessing paid general parking in the stadium area," said Stiles, who supervises football parking. "Paid parking no longer exists."
Stiles said the University is not considering building a parking structure by the stadium because too many fans enjoy tailgating.
"Fans would not enjoy tailgating in a parking structure full of fumes," Stiles said.
Hundreds of UK fans tailgate before the fall football games, making it a tradition all its own.
The Wildcats' season-opener against Louisville kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Free shuttle buses will start circling campus 2 1/2 hours before the game.
They will only run until 7 p.m., so fans will have to find their own way back to their cars.
Metro police officers will restrict traffic flow into the stadium area to reserved parking pass holders, Stiles said.
Beginning at 4 p.m., intersections will be controlled at Limestone Street and Cooper Drive, Nicholasville Road and Alumni Drive, Tates Creek Road and Alumni Drive, Cooper and University Drive, and Cooper and Sports Center Drive.
"It's less convenient for people off campus," said Jenny Baker, a fifth-year accounting student.
"But, convenient for my household because we live across from the stadium, and we'll let people park at our house," Baker said
Fans attending Saturday's game are urged by UK officials to arrive early, thereby avoiding possible traffic gridlock near the stadium.
Students with K-Lot Parking Passes must remove their car from the Stadium Lot by 9 a.m., Saturday.
All reserved parking for the 1996 season has been sold out.