Ohio State to Welcome Fans to Select Preseason Practices for Third Straight Year, Offering Rare Glimpse Into Team Preparations
For the third consecutive year, Ohio State University will open a limited number of its preseason football practices to fans, continuing a relatively recent but increasingly cherished tradition among Buckeye faithful. This initiative, which grants fans a unique and up-close view of the team’s preparation ahead of the college football season, reflects the program’s ongoing effort to foster community engagement and fan involvement while also maintaining the competitive integrity of its practice sessions.
The decision to continue opening a small portion of preseason practices stems from the overwhelmingly positive reception in previous years. These open sessions offer an otherwise unavailable behind-the-scenes look at how the team prepares for the grueling schedule ahead, while also giving younger fans and local community members a chance to feel closer to their heroes on the field. For many, it’s not just about watching drills or formations—it’s about sharing in the culture and spirit that defines Ohio State football.
Typically held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the open practices are expected to be limited to a few carefully selected dates during the preseason. These sessions are usually announced with limited notice and often come with specific guidelines regarding attendance, photography, and media sharing. The university has found this balance necessary in order to protect the team’s strategic preparation while also offering fans something tangible to get excited about ahead of the season kickoff.
The format of these open practices tends to follow a structured routine: warm-ups, position group drills, and some full-team scrimmage-like sequences. While they are far from a full-speed game situation, they still offer a significant glimpse into player development, position battles, and the intensity that head coach Ryan Day and his staff demand from their athletes. These elements can be particularly appealing to hardcore fans who analyze depth charts and roster moves with the same intensity others reserve for actual games.
One of the most compelling aspects of these practices is the early opportunity to see the latest incoming class of recruits. Fans are often eager to see how five-star freshmen and highly touted transfers adjust to the collegiate level. With the constant turnover in college football due to graduation, transfers, and NFL Draft declarations, each season brings new faces and renewed intrigue, and these practices serve as the first real introduction of the new team to the public.
Additionally, these open practices allow fans to begin forming impressions of players vying for starting spots. Quarterback battles, wide receiver rotations, and defensive unit alignments are all storylines that captivate Buckeye Nation during the offseason. While the coaching staff remains tight-lipped about official depth charts until closer to the season opener, fans in attendance at these sessions can begin to draw their own conclusions based on repetitions, coaching emphasis, and player performance.
While the event provides plenty of excitement for fans, it also comes with logistical considerations. In order to maintain a controlled environment, Ohio State typically implements a registration system or limit on capacity. In past years, these practices have filled up quickly, especially as social media and local sports media have helped to amplify awareness and interest. The athletic department also usually enforces rules that prohibit video recording and live streaming, largely to keep potential opponents from gaining insight into formations, tendencies, and other strategic information.
Despite these precautions, the goodwill generated by allowing fans into practice far outweighs the risks. The excitement, the photographs, the conversations afterward—these all help to feed the energy that surrounds the program. At a school like Ohio State, where football serves as a cultural cornerstone, every opportunity to deepen the bond between team and fanbase is seized with enthusiasm. Players, too, often appreciate the atmosphere. The presence of fans, even in a practice setting, can inject extra motivation and simulate a more game-like energy.
Ohio State’s decision to continue this tradition also positions the program as more transparent and fan-oriented compared to some other blue-blood programs that tightly restrict preseason access. While schools across the country manage their programs differently, Ohio State seems to understand that fan engagement is an essential component of long-term success. This openness also contributes to recruiting, as high school prospects see the love and passion that surrounds the team and imagine themselves as future stars in the same environment.
There is also a broader context to consider. As college football continues to evolve—through changes in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rules, the transfer portal, and conference realignment—fan loyalty and program identity remain critically important. Schools that maintain strong ties to their fan bases are more likely to thrive amid change. By inviting fans into the heart of the preparation process, even if only briefly, Ohio State underscores the message that Buckeye Nation is a vital part of its football family.
From a historical perspective, this openness marks a shift in how programs like Ohio State relate to their fans. Decades ago, it was not uncommon for practices to be public, especially in the earlier days of college football. But as the sport became more competitive and more lucrative, secrecy became the norm. Film study, scouting reports, and opponent preparation turned practice sessions into closely guarded events. For Ohio State to now open parts of that process, even in a limited fashion, is a notable and welcome evolution.
Of course, the team itself must balance the excitement with a sharp focus on preparation. For head coach Ryan Day and his staff, the primary objective remains building a team capable of competing for championships. Every practice is a step in that journey, and distractions—however well-meaning—must be carefully managed. But the staff appears to have found a model that works, one that keeps the team focused while still sharing a piece of the process with the outside world.
Fans attending these open practices also gain an appreciation for the amount of work that goes into game-day excellence. Watching a perfectly executed touchdown pass or a bone-jarring tackle on Saturday is thrilling, but seeing the repetition, discipline, and coaching required to get to that moment offers a different, deeper kind of respect for the athletes and staff. It turns fans into more informed supporters, which in turn strengthens their connection to the team.
Moreover, these open practices often coincide with key moments in the calendar, such as fan appreciation days or alumni reunions. The school has used them in the past to bolster community initiatives, student outreach, and charitable efforts. From signing autographs to interacting with young fans post-practice, players and coaches have used these moments to give back in meaningful ways. These efforts only reinforce the values Ohio State espouses: excellence, community, and connection.
Looking ahead, it seems likely that Ohio State will continue to refine and possibly expand this initiative. As technology changes and fan engagement strategies evolve, the university may explore new ways to enhance the open-practice experience—perhaps through augmented reality features, live commentary from coaches, or even limited digital access for fans who can’t attend in person. The potential is vast, and the appetite among fans is certainly strong.
Ultimately, the decision to hold open preseason practices reflects Ohio State’s broader mission—to be not just a football powerhouse, but a program that understands and embraces its role in the larger fabric of community and tradition. In a time when elite college football can feel increasingly commercialized and distant, these open practices bring the game back to its roots: people, pride, and passion.
Whether it’s a young child seeing their first Buckeye practice, an alumnus reminiscing about years past, or a die-hard fan analyzing every movement on the field, these open sessions remind everyone why they love the game—and why Ohio State remains one of its most revered institutions.
