Fayetteville — Country music legend Garth Brooks appears Saturday at the Arkansas Razorbacks’ Donald W. Reynolds Stadium as the venue’s first freelance concert performer.
Follow live updates from the event.
The first fans enter the event
The first spectators enter Razorbacks Stadium just after 5 p.m. CT.
The main act has been pushed back from the original 7 p.m. start due to the size of the arriving crowd.
Nichols makes his first trip to Fayetteville
Frisco, Texas resident Kelly Nichols traveled far and near to see Garth Brooks and wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to see the country star for what is believed to be the 17th time.
Coming with a group, Nichols drove about five hours, stayed at an Airbnb in Fayetteville, starting last night, and visited the Arkansas Razorbacks football stadium for the first time. The loyal fan was seen tailgating and playing cornhole around 2:35 p.m.
“It was close and it was a good weekend, so we said, ‘Let’s do a Fayetteville road trip,'” Nichols said.
The music fan has been listening to the star since 1989 or 1990 and first saw Brooks at Texas Stadium near Dallas in 1993 and has since seen the top-selling solo artist in the US in cities like San Diego , Las Vegas, Denver, Houston, St. Louis and many others. Nichols was also present at Brooks’ last Arkansas State gig, the one held in North Little Rock in December 2014.
“It’s high energy all the time,” Nichols said of Brooks enhancing the fan experience. “Everyone likes him. My favorite thing is when he comes out with his guitar towards the end of the show and he just does random songs that you don’t hear. People are holding up signs and he’ll sing whatever anyone wrote on this sign.”
Country music star preparations
megastar country Garth Brooks stood on the stage at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and strummed his six-string guitar.
He let his Arkansas fans know he was ready on their home turf for his stadium tour stop at 7 p.m.
“Arkansas!!!!! Can’t wait!!! love, g,” Brooks tweeted Friday night.
More than 80,000 people are expected in a gameday atmosphere. Brooks appeared in an Arkansas baseball jersey for reporters on Friday and took lessons to call the Hogs.
Garth Brooks Fayetteville Concert Parking Lot
For those heading into Fayetteville on Saturday, parking could be a challenge or a concern.
University of Arkansas officials report that parking passes are sold out. Fans are encouraged to use Uber or Lyft.
Fayetteville High School will accept onsite payments to park in its parking lot.
Parking may be available at Spring Street, 221 N. School Ave. just off Dickson Street. Shuttle buses run from the Walton Arts Center (Dickson St side) to Razorback Stadium.
In addition, in the Harmon Avenue parking garage and others, residential and private land will be used. There will likely be an assortment of private and residential lots being sold on Saturday.
Garth Brooks Fayetteville Concert Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 7 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday for northwestern portions of the state and the River Valley for those returning home Sunday.
You can follow Bryant Roche on Twiiter @BRocheSports and you can email him at [email protected]. Other Times Record reports contributed to this story.
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