JONESBORO, Ark. (7/30/26) – Presented by title-sponsor St. Bernards Medical Group and supporting-sponsor Jonesboro A&P, the Arkansas State Athletics Department announced Thursday it is hosting a free pregame concert featuring country-music star Lauren Alaina ahead of its 2026 football home opener Sept. 12 against West Georgia at Centennial Bank Stadium.
 
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and stay late for an exciting game day experience that begins with all-day tailgating and family entertainment, followed by the football team's traditional Red Wolf Walk at 3:45 p.m. and the pregame concert in Dustin White Realty Tailgate City at 4:00 p.m.
 
A-State, the only current Sun Belt Conference program to win a bowl game in both 2024 and 2025 and one of just 18 Group of Six programs to appear in a bowl game each of the last three seasons, will kickoff its game against West Georgia at 6:00 p.m.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Alaina to Jonesboro for a free concert in Dustin White Realty Tailgate City ahead of our September 12 football game," said Chris Pezman, A-State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. "This is an incredible opportunity to bring together our students, alumni, fans and the entire Northeast Arkansas community for a first-class game day experience. Lauren Alaina is one of country music's most recognizable and dynamic performers, and her concert will create even more excitement around what promises to be a memorable day for Red Wolves football.
 
"We are grateful to presenting sponsor St. Bernards Medical Group for their partnership and support to make this event possible. We also want to thank Jonesboro A&P for their tremendous help with this event. The commitment by both St. Bernards Medical Group and Jonesboro A&P to enhancing the quality of life in our region and creating unique experiences for our community continues to make a positive impact. We encourage everyone to come early, enjoy the concert and help create an electric atmosphere as we celebrate together and cheer on our Red Wolves."
 
Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats after the final whistle for a postgame fireworks show lighting up the sky over Centennial Bank Stadium, thanks to title-sponsor St. Bernards Medical Group. Arkansas State University students are also invited to an "OT in the Pines" after-game party, co-sponsored by the Student Activities Board (SAB), in the student-tailgating area that will feature a live DJ, food and drinks and student-focused entertainment.
 
Affordable game-ticket and parking options are available for fans looking to be part of the excitement. Upper East general admission and Lower East reserved tickets are available for just $5 and $10, respectively, by clicking HERE or calling the A-State Ticket Office at 870-972-2781. Red lot (First National Bank Arena) parking passes can also be purchased for $10 using the same link.  A-State students get into all home games by presenting their student ID.
 
For fans seeking an all-inclusive, turn-key pregame option, the Alpha Pack Tailgate is back for all six home games in 2026. Located southwest of Tailgate City next to the Den Zone (A-State Pavilion), the Alpha Pack puts fans steps away from the Red Wolf Walk route.

Every Alpha Pack ticket includes premium food and beverages, live music, a private tailgate area, an exclusive Alpha Pack credential, a game ticket and a parking pass (one pass provided for every four tickets purchased). Alpha Pack tickets can be purchased by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/AlphaPack.
 
One lucky fan will win an upgraded game-day experience on Sept. 12 with a four-person ticket package in the a premium seating section. Fans can enter by clicking HERE or visiting AStateRedWolves.com/concert, which provides additional information about the pregame concert and activities surrounding the action-packed day at Centennial Bank Stadium. The winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 8.
 
Lauren Alaina, praised by Rolling Stone for her "powerhouse, honey-toned vocals that meld timeless twang with modern sass," continues her "limitless upward trajectory" (American Songwriter) as one of  country music's most magnetic entertainers. Her forthcoming new album Stages, due out Aug. 28, builds on the momentum of smash "All My Exes (feat. Chase Matthew)" that marked the biggest first-week streaming numbers of her career.
 
A dynamic live act, she will support Darius Rucker on his Songs of Summer Tour this year along with various festivals. A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2022, Alaina has earned three No. 1 hits: Platinum-certified "Road Less Traveled," the 4x Platinum "ONE BEER" with HARDY and Devin Dawson, and Diamond-certified "What Ifs" with Kane Brown. With "What Ifs," Alaina became the only solo female country artist in history to receive the RIAA's Diamond song certification.
 
The vocalist has performed on some of the highest-profile stages in the world, including PBS' A Capitol Fourth, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, CBS' Beyond The Edge, ABC's The Bachelorette, TODAY, Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, ABC's CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, Nickelodeon's All That, Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime performance, MLB's World Series national anthem performance, a performance at the White House for President Obama and more.
 
The Sept. 12 game serves as the culmination of a week-long Paint the Town Red celebration of Red Wolves pride, including a 9:00 a.m. pep rally at the Fox Meadow School of Creative Media on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and a downtown Jonesboro event, the Great A-State Block Party, hosted by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday night beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear RED to the game against West Georgia in conjunction with Paint the Town Red week.
 
A-State football season tickets are available online by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/tickets or by calling the A-State Ticket Office at 870-972-2781.