Birmingham, October 2, 2025
News Summary
The Birmingham City Council has approved a $200,000 allocation for purchasing 1,200 football tickets to support UAB’s home games. The initiative aims to enhance community attendance by prioritizing schools and youth leagues for ticket distribution. This investment showcases the city’s commitment to UAB’s football program, bolstered by a lodging tax. Although beneficial, the funding decision has faced criticism regarding the allocation of taxpayer money.
Birmingham
The Birmingham City Council has approved an allocation of $200,000 dedicated to purchasing 1,200 football tickets for the remaining home games at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). The decision aims to boost community attendance and support for UAB’s football program, which plays its home games at Protective Stadium.
The distribution of these tickets will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis and will primarily prioritize schools, youth football leagues, neighborhood groups, and other community organizations. This investment reflects the city’s ongoing support for the UAB football team and its development.
This funding decision was made during a council meeting on Tuesday. Councilman Darrell O’Quinn emphasized the importance of these tickets being distributed across various council districts through council offices. O’Quinn also highlighted that the funding comes from the Sporting and Entertainment Recruiting Fund, which is bolstered by a $3 lodging tax collected by the city.
The initiative to support UAB football follows the completion of Protective Stadium in 2021, which required a $200 million investment. The project was initiated in response to the revival of the UAB football team after it had been shut down in 2014. City officials noted that the ticket purchase represents a long-standing line item in Birmingham’s annual operating budget, recently ratified ahead of the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2025.
O’Quinn described UAB as the largest employer in the state, underscoring the importance of supporting the football program for the benefit of the city as a whole. However, the funding decision has met with some criticism. Individuals such as Justin Bogie from the Alabama Policy Institute raised concerns regarding the use of taxpayer money to subsidize game attendance, suggesting that these funds may be misaligned with city priorities.
Additionally, some residents expressed their concerns that the funds could be better allocated to meet other community needs, such as parks maintenance. As of now, Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office has not commented on the allocation decision. Residents interested in receiving tickets are encouraged to reach out to their city council representative for more information.
Key Details of the Ticket Allocation
- Amount Allocated: $200,000
- Number of Tickets: 1,200
- Target Groups for Distribution: Schools, youth football leagues, neighborhood groups, community organizations
- Location of Games: Protective Stadium
- Funding Source: Sporting and Entertainment Recruiting Fund
- Lodging Tax: $3 per lodging
- Budget Approval Date: Prior to July 1, 2025
FAQ
What is the total amount allocated for UAB football tickets?
The Birmingham City Council has approved an allocation of $200,000 dedicated to purchasing 1,200 football tickets for the remaining home games at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB).
Who will be prioritized for the ticket distribution?
The distribution of tickets will prioritize schools, youth football leagues, neighborhood groups, and other community organizations.
What is the funding source for the ticket purchase?
The funding comes from the Sporting and Entertainment Recruiting Fund, supported by a $3 lodging tax collected by the city.
Chart: Key Features of the UAB Football Ticket Allocation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount Allocated | $200,000 |
| Number of Tickets | 1,200 |
| Distribution Basis | First-come, first-served |
| Target Groups for Distribution | Schools, youth football leagues, neighborhood groups, community organizations |
| Location of Games | Protective Stadium |
| Funding Source | Sporting and Entertainment Recruiting Fund |
| Lodging Tax | $3 per lodging |
| Budget Approval Date | Prior to July 1, 2025 |
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Additional Resources
- ABC 33/40: Birmingham Spending $200,000 on UAB Football Tickets
- WVTM 13: Birmingham Approves Purchase of UAB Football Tickets
- ABC 33/40: City of Birmingham Buying $200K Worth of UAB Football Tickets
- CoStar: Birmingham City Football Club Acquires Land for Multi-Use Stadium
- BBC News: Birmingham City Makes Headlines
- Wikipedia: Birmingham
- Google Search: Birmingham City Council
- Google Scholar: Birmingham Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham
- Google News: Birmingham Events
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
