O'Connell Center

Greetings | The Stephen C. O'Connell Center welcomes you! If you have any questions about visiting our venue, please contact the Box Office at 352-392-1653, that's 3. 5. 2. 3. 9. 2. 1. 6. 5. 3. or the O'Connell Center administrative offices at 352-392-5500.

Great Gator Welcome Speed Friending

Come check out Speed Friending—a fun and easy way to meet new people! You’ll go through a few rounds of five-minute conversations to break the ice. After that, stick around to play games, hang out with your new friends and enjoy some light refreshments!

Come check out Speed Friending—a fun and easy way to meet new people! You’ll go through a few rounds of five-minute conversations to break the ice. After that, stick around to play games, hang out with your new friends, and enjoy some light refreshments!

Event Information

  • Doors: 4:30pm
  • Gates: Students enter through Gate 1
  • Camera Policy: Small personal cameras are allowed. No professional cameras and NO DETACHABLE LENSES. The use of a flash is also prohibited.
  • Video/Audio Recording Policy: Video and audio recording is not allowed
  • Disabled Patron Services: Accessibility Information
  • Security: See the Security Policies listed here »
  • Prohibited Items: Check security link above
  • Parking: Parking is lifted at 3:30pm on weekdays in the garage and flat lot adjacent to the arena. Parking is first come, first served. For more information on locations, please refer to our Parking Information page.
  • Directions: Map and Driving Directions »

UF New Student Convocation 2026

New Student Convocation is the University of Florida’s official welcome for all first-year students. Convocation celebrates the UF Class of 2030’s entry into higher education and inducts them into a community of learners. New Student Convocation invites student to fully embrace their student experience and understand the expectations that come with being a Gator. In learning more about the university, our first-year students will create their unique identity as a class and see how they can make a positive impact on the world as a member of the Gator Nation.

Event Information

  • Doors: 4:30pm
  • Start Time: 6:00pm
  • Gates: gate 1 and 3 will be open for this event.
  • Camera Policy: Small personal cameras are allowed. No professional cameras and NO DETACHABLE LENSES. The use of a flash is also prohibited.
  • Video/Audio Recording Policy: Video and audio recording is not allowed
  • Disabled Patron Services: Accessibility Information
  • Security: See the Security Policies listed here »
  • Prohibited Items: Backpacks and oversized bags will not be permitted. Bags of any size are discouraged for this event. Please leave bags at home. Please see above security link for more prohibited items.
  • Parking: Parking restrictions are lifted beginning at 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. It is open parking past 3:30 pm on these days. Please be advised that the only General Public parking near the O’Connell Center will be in the O’Connell Center parking garage as well as the lot. Parking is first come, first serve. For more information on locations, please refer to our Parking Information page.
  • Directions: Map and Driving Directions »

Gators Volleyball Camps

Gators Volleyball Camps will take place over the course of June and July in 2026. Please see below for camp dates and a link for more information on the Florida Gators website.

Dates and Times

  • Youth Skills Camp – June 9 – 11
  • Gator Serving Camp – June 11 (Evening Only)
  • College Prep Camp – June 12 – 13
  • All Skills Camp – July 6 – 9
  • Serving Camp – July 9 (Afternoon Only)
  • Team Camp Orange – July 10 – 12
  • Specialty Position (Hitter/Blocker) Camp – July 14
  • Specialty Position (Setter/Hitter) – July 15
  • Specialty Position (Passing/Defense) Camp – July 16
  • Team Camp Blue – July 17 – 19

Additional Information

For complete information on age restrictions, pricing, and other information, please visit FloridaGators.com.

Gators Gymnastics Camp

Come experience a fun-filled gymnastics camp where many memories and new friendships will be made! The Gators Gymnastics Summer Camps are committed to providing a championship-caliber environment where campers can work hard and enjoy achieving their goals.

Emphasis will be placed on reinforcing basics while using safe progressions to pursue new skills—very similar to what the Gators gymnastics team does every day. Training will include all four competitive events, as well as Tumbl Trak/trampoline, dance, and educational opportunities.

Dates and Times

July 4-July 6, 2025

Details

  • Three exciting days of gymnastics
  • Five structured training sessions and one Open Gym
  • Campus tour led by staff
  • Friday Night Dinner Provided (Bring Your Own Lunch Sat./Sun.)
  • Daily Q&A/Educational Session with current and former Gators

Additional Information

For complete information, please visit FloridaGators.com

14th Annual Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Affair

The 14th Annual Red Shoe Affair promises to be an extraordinary evening in support of Ronald McDonald House families and in celebration of our new house. The festivities will be packed with a silent & live auction, heart-warming family stories, exquisite cuisine as well as open bars, dancing, and much more!

For more event details, please visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities website.

Additional Information

UF Summer Commencement – Master’s & Bachelor’s Degrees #2

Excited to celebrate these University of Florida graduates as they take their next step in the Gator Nation!

Entrance: Gate 1- Doors open @ 8:30am for guests
Processional: Begins at 9:30am

Participating Degrees: Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS); Education (EDU); Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS); Warrington College of Business (WCB)

Additional Information

For more information on UF Commencements, please visit the Commencement website.

UF Summer Commencement – Master’s & Bachelor’s Degrees #1

Excited to celebrate these University of Florida graduates as they take their next step in the Gator Nation!

Entrance: Gate 1- Doors open @ 8:30am for guests
Processional: Begins at 9:30am

Participating Degrees: Arts (ART); Design, Construction and Planning (DCP); Health and Human Performance (HHP); Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (H.W. ENG); Journalism and Communications (CJC); Medicine (MED); Nursing (NURS); Pharmacy (PHARM); Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP); Veterinary Medicine (VET MED)

Additional Information

For more information on UF Commencements, please visit the Commencement website.

UF Summer Commencement – Doctoral Degrees

Celebrate these University of Florida graduates as they take their next step in the Gator Nation!

Entrance: Gate 1- Doors open @ 12:30pm for guests
Processional: Begins at 1:40pm

Additional Information

For more information on UF Commencements, please visit the Commencement website.

Gator Growl 2026

PLEASE NOTE: The UF student pre-sale for this event will take place on Wednesday, May 20th at 12:00pm. UF Students can purchase their tickets on ticketmaster.com. Click “Unlock Offer” to enter your 8-digit UFID to unlock the student pricing. Four ticket maximum per purchase.

Additional Information

  • Doors: 6:00pm
  • Gates: Gate 1 will be open.
  • Camera Policy: No cameras are permitted for this event. Cell phone cameras are allowed.
  • Video/Audio Recording Policy: Video and audio recording is not allowed
  • Concession Information: Open at Gate 1
  • Disabled Patron Services: Accessibility Information
  • Security: See the Security Policies listed here »
  • Prohibited Items: Please see above security link
  • Parking: Please be advised that the only General Public parking near the O’Connell Center will be in the O’Connell Center parking garage as well as the lot. Parking is first come, first serve and is lifted at 3:30 pm on the weekdays.
  • Directions: Map and Driving Directions »
  • Tickets: UF Student tickets will be available starting at 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 20th on Ticketmaster.com.