University of Maryland holds free-tuition raffle to keep students in seats for 2-5 football team

The University of Maryland is trying a marketing strategy to get students to stay through the fourth quarter of its home football games. 

On Saturday, one student will be granted free tuition for the spring 2027 semester if they stay for the entire game, WBAL-TV reported. 

Rachel Palmer, the assistant athletic director for fan development and marketing at UMD, told WBAL that the marketing department has tried a number of ideas over the years, and the idea for the raffle was the result of a brainstorm last summer. 

Palmer said students must claim their student ticket and scan it at the gate. During the game, a QR code will come up on the big screen for students to scan and enter. 

The organizers will select five finalists from those who enter, and they will be brought down to the field during the fourth quarter. One winner will be selected from the five finalists. 

The total value of the award is approximately $8,000, according to university officials.