The excitement is building in the Rio Grande Valley with UTRGV halfway through its first spring camp in program history.

The Vaqueros will hold their spring game at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville on April 17. While UTRGV remains committed to playing one home game each season in Brownsville, the rest of their home contests will be inside Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium.

The university acquired the venue formerly known as H-E-B Park in February 2024. The facility was the home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League until the club ceased operations at the end of 2023. The stadium was renamed in honor of Robert & Janet Vackar to recognize their $20 million gift to UTRGV athletics in March 2024. 

“(This) Stadium gives both our community and football program immediate access to a premier facility while also providing additional possibilities for our university,” UTRGV president Guy Bailey said in a press release. “Its location off Expressway 281 also ensures convenient access for our fans, as well as visitors who make their way into the Valley for games.”

Some of the money donated by the Vackars is being used to enhance the facility ahead of their inaugural season. Phase 1 consisted of lowering the field to improve sight lines for those sitting in the 39 existing field-level suites and patios, which are being renovated and will have 400 square feet of outdoor space. Synthetic turf will be installed to allow the stadium to host various events.

In an incredible show of support, season tickets are sold out for the 2025 campaign. Due to an overwhelming demand for tickets, UTRGV is adding 184 premium seats, including 19 loge boxes, each with six seats in the north end zone. The new seats are in addition to the existing 30 luxury suites. The Vaqueros are also adding 2,000 bleacher seats, increasing the seating capacity to roughly 12,000. 

“We have seen a tremendous outpouring of interest in and support for our football program,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “We will be playing in one of the top facilities in NCAA Division I FCS, and we look forward to using the next year and a half to create an unforgettable game day experience for our fans.”

UTRGV owns 20 acres of festival grounds around the stadium that will be used for various activities and events such as tailgating, concerts, and campus and community events. 

“This has been the goal since Day 1, and it’s the final piece of the puzzle for UTRGV football,” UTRGV head coach Travis Bush said. “This stadium adds to our facilities that are under construction as being the best in our conference and on top of FCS Football, which will only help us continue to recruit top talent to UTRGV. It will be the perfect college football environment for the Rio Grande Valley, and we can’t wait to see it packed with fans wearing orange.”

See renderings of Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium below courtesy of UTRGV Athletics: