For the first time this season, UAB will be playing football in Birmingham this weekend! Not only will Saturday mark the Blazers' home opener, but it will also be the grand opening of the highly-anticipated Protective Stadium.In a Monday morning letter penned to "Blazer Nation," UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram started out by saying he is excited to say it is game week in the Magic City and he is looking forward to a fantastic and historic night.The Blazers' home opener will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday against Liberty. Ingram said tickets are still available starting at $20 and he recommends not waiting until game day to purchase.Spectators are highly encouraged to arrive to Protective Stadium early.Read Ingram's full letter below:Dear Blazer Nation,Thank you for the vision and dedication of so many to make Protective Stadium a reality for UAB and Birmingham. Anticipation is at an all-time high as we open the new home for UAB Football, and we are excited to show the nation what we have collectively built. After much preparation by everyone involved in the project, I am excited to say, it is game week in Birmingham!The long-awaited opener on October 2nd against Liberty will be nationally televised and serves as an incredible platform for our city and university that many of us have been working hard to bring to fruition. I am looking forward to having many of you join us for a historic night. Tickets are still available starting at $20 and can be purchased here. I would highly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets and parking to avoid the lines on gameday. I have said this many times, and I truly believe that Protective Stadium is the nicest college football stadium in America. The fan amenities are incredible, and we are excited to provide you with the best experience possible throughout the season.To help you and your guests best plan for important information about UAB Football gamedays at Protective Stadium, please visit BlazerGameday.com. Because this is the first event in the new stadium, we encourage you to arrive early and enjoy this historic day. Directions to all season parking lots were printed on the back of the 2021 parking passes, and the BJCC has partnered with the WAZE app which provides directions for attendees to plug in and be guided straight to lots via the app. UAB will also be providing a free game-day shuttle service beginning four hours prior to kickoff which departs from the Hill Student Center on campus.All parking and tailgating lots will open six hours prior to kickoff, and Protective Stadium tailgating policies can be here. Blazer Village opens at 2 p.m. and is located directly behind the restaurants in Uptown. Blazer Walk takes place two hours prior to kickoff through the heart of uptown and adjacent to Blazer Village. With kickoff on Saturday set for 6 p.m., we encourage you to get in early to avoid long lines at the gates. The pre-game show will feature the raising of the 2020 Conference USA championship flag along with the Marching Blazers before your UAB Blazers take the field at Protective Stadium for the first time. We will also be recognizing UAB Football alumni on the field at halftime.As a reminder, season tickets are still on sale starting as low as $75 and provide you with the best seating locations in our new home. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are also available to groups of 15 or more on a pre-ordered basis and make for a memorable outing for any corporation or organization. For more information, contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221 or tickets@uab.edu.We are looking forward to accommodating fans safely this season. UAB requires wearing a mask indoors — regardless of vaccine status — unless actively eating or drinking and encourages masks during outdoor events. In addition, the Jefferson County Department of Health is offering free COVID-19 vaccines prior to the game, and a mobile vaccine station will be set up adjacent to Blazer Village beginning at 2 p.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. Those who receive the vaccine on Oct. 2 will receive two complimentary tickets to a future 2021 UAB Football home game of their choice. More information can be found here.Thank you again for your support and for joining us on what is sure to be a memorable night!GO Blazers! Mark IngramDirector of AthleticsUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham