BERKELEY – Football games at California Memorial Stadium this season will feature a balance between innovative and appealing fan experience elements while also preserving the rich tradition of Golden Bear football.

Fans attending Cal home games this season will be treated to pregame concerts, an expanded Blue & Gold Zone for children and a new "Cannon Call" from the Victory Cannon on Tightwad Hill that goes off 30 minutes before kickoff to alert fans the on-field pregame show is about to commence. There are other enhancements as well, but not at the expense of more traditional elements such as the Cal marching band, Oski and cheerleaders.

"We really care about our fans and want to make sure everyone has a great time and that there is something for everyone," Cal assistant athletic director Lauren Carey said. "We're still focused on tradition. That is not going away. We're just really trying to enhance our overall presentation of what we have to offer – just trying to stay in line with industry standards but remembering always that we are Cal."

The biggest enhancement to the Cal football fan's experience this season is a pregame concert series, which begins Saturday with the season-opener against North Carolina when Tainted Love plays at Tailgate Town on Maxwell Field. Tainted Love is an '80s tribute band from San Francisco. Other free concerts include Petty Theft on Sept. 29 against Oregon (Tom Petty cover band) and Foreverland on Oct. 27 vs. Washington (Michael Jackson tribute band).

All concerts are free and begin two hours before kickoff.

"Aside from the game itself, you have to think about events around the game, too," Carey said. "Bringing in the concerts for a couple of games at Tailgate Town is really creating an event around the game. They're free, so it's added value to fans."

The popular Blue & Gold Zone has expanded in size and duration this season. Still centered on the 50-yard line on the concourse, it will cover a greater area and remain open until the end of the game. It had previously closed in the third quarter. It opens when stadium gates open before the game.

Children attending the Blue & Gold Zone can use coloring sheets, get autographs from student-athletes from other teams on campus and make use of a photo station.

"It gives kids something to do where after you've watched a quarter of football," Carey said. "It's a great place to take your kids to play for a little bit and then go back to your seats."

The Cannon Call is another new feature this season that encourages fans to be in their seats to see the band and the rest of the on-field pre-game show. The Victory Cannon will still fire after every Cal score and at the end of the game, but will now also go off 30 minutes prior to kickoff.

"We're really highlighting that fans get in the stands to see the band," Carey said. "Hopefully, people will start to learn that when they hear the cannon they need to start making their way to their seats."

Other fan experience elements in store for this season include a cooling misting station on the east side of the stadium on warm days, a pregame photo scavenger hunt for prizes and new food items for sale at concession stands.

"We are trying to add more amenities for all of our different demographics of fans," Carey said. "We want to make sure we are always staying up with industry standards and trends but still also always focusing on tradition and remembering that we are Cal football and what that stands for."