The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2018 training camp will offer a little bit of everything to fans who attend open practices: sunshine and air-conditioning, grass and turf, bleachers and lawn chairs and, most notably, countless new vantage points for all the onfield action. The Buccaneers will train at their One Buccaneer Place headquarters for the 10th straight year, but for the first time will have access to their new indoor facility, and fans in attendance will be able to follow them inside and outside.
The Buccaneers announced the dates of the practices that will be open to the public during this year's camp. There are a total of six fully open dates this summer, and they have been scheduled to provide the most comfortable environment as possible, with five of the six starting at 8:45 a.m. In addition, half of the six open practices will be held on weekend dates, making attendance possible for a greater number of fans.
To attend a training camp practice fans will be required to have a digital ticket, which will be free and available here on Buccaneers.com. Visit the site in weeks to come for additional details on tickets and other camp information.
Here is the schedule for the open practices at the Bucs' 2018 Training Camp:
Day | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
Sunday | July 29 | 8:45 - 10:50 a.m. ET |
Saturday | August 4 | 8:45 - 10:50 a.m. ET |
Tuesday | August 7 | 8:45 - 10:50 a.m. ET |
Saturday | August 11 | 8:45 - 10:50 a.m. ET |
Tuesday | August 14 | 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. ET |
Wednesday | August 22 | 8:45 - 10:50 a.m. ET |
An additional nine practices will be open to season pass members and private groups. Here is the schedule for those dates:
Day | Date | Time | Group |
---|---|---|---|
Saturday | July 28 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Military |
Tuesday | July 31 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Private Group |
Wednesday | August 1 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Private Group |
Thursday | August 2 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. * Mock Game | Members |
Friday | August 3 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Hall of Fame Club Members |
Monday | August 6 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Luxury Suites Members |
Monday | August 13 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Private Group |
Monday | August 20 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Private Group |
Tuesday | August 21 | 8:45-10:50 a.m. | Private Group |
The total of 15 practices conducted in front of fans is the most the team has held since 2009, the first year training camp was held at One Buccaneer Place.
The practices open to the public will begin outside on the team's three highly-rated grass fields behind One Buccaneer Place. Unlike at previous training camps, in which fixed bleachers defined the areas in which fans could sit and watch, fans in attendance this year will be able to roam the perimeter of the practice fields. This will give viewers the opportunity to get closer to the particular drills and position groups in which they are most interested. Fans may also bring chairs for their own use during the portions of practice held outside.
At select open practices, the team will move into the indoor facility located behind the three grass fields for the second half of their two-hour workout. Fans are invited into the facility for that portion of practice, though they may not bring their own chairs in for safety reasons. The facility offers bleacher seating for thousands along the one indoor field as well as air-conditioned comfort.
"We are excited about the unprecedented level of access that our fans will enjoy as they get even closer to the action this year at training camp. The new, air-conditioned indoor practice facility will provide a comfortable viewing experience and create an unmatched atmosphere for those practices open to the general public," said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. "We are always focused on providing memorable experiences for our fans and this year's training camp offerings will be one of the most entertaining to date."
Buccaneer veterans report to training camp on Wednesday, July 25, and the whole team hits the field for the first time on Thursday, July 26th. However, as is mandated by NFL rules, the team must hold three initial practices in "shells." The full pads first go on for the Sunday, July 29 session that is open to the general public, and that's when training camp kicks into full-contact mode.
One Buccaneer Place is framed by ample – and free – parking for fans. The lots will open an hour before the start of each practice and the gates to the fields will subsequently open 30 minutes before the start time.
While this year's training camp will be a different and exciting experience for fans than in years past, many of the fan-favorite elements of camp at One Buccaneer Place will still be in place, including discounted concessions and merchandise tents with the latest Bucs gear. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Captain Fear will make regular appearances, and younger fans will also be entertained by the Kids Zone and the Street Team RV. As always, players will be signing autographs at the end of each open practice.