Photo by Aryah Britt

Knights’ fans get an up-close look at football and more ahead of the 2026 season

A crowd of Knights’ fans took over Addition Financial Arena on Saturday as they brought their excitement to UCF’s 2026 Fan Fest.

Fans had the chance to meet and get autographs from football head coach Scott Frost, as well as the players for the football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and spirit teams.

Among those fans was UCF alumnus Adam Winter, who said his favorite part was being able to see the personalities of the football team.

“I know this team is pretty new under Scott Frost and they almost all seem very personable and very excited about the season,” Winter said. “Just in that one-on-one really quick with them and seeing their energy.”

Winter, accompanied by his daughters, recalled fun memories from football games and his enjoyment of partying it up with friends back in the day. He hopes his girls also get the chance to do so in the future.

Even fans from afar made the drive to Orlando to meet and interact with the Knights.

Originally from New Jersey, UCF fan Josh Norton and his two sons made the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tampa to come and support the Black and Gold.

Norton said the importance of this event is to make that connection to the community, making it easier for the fans to root for the team come this fall.

“I think it’s huge for the kids especially but also season ticket holders,” Norton said. “We get to actually put faces to names so it’s easier to root for these guys when we come out on Friday, Saturday nights.”

Photo by Aryah Britt

Norton also recalled meeting Malachi Lawrence at last year’s Fan Fest and how cool it was to see him achieve his dream of making the NFL, making these events even more special.

The parents of the athletes find the privilege of seeing their child interacting with fans in the community just as important.

Dave Patrick, father of redshirt senior forward Payton Patrick of the women’s soccer team, said that it’s great to get the word out to fans to come out and support a program that has seen past success.

“I think it’s great being able to get out in the community to talk to people that are coming to the games,” Patrick said. “It’s great to be able to get the word out to everybody, ‘UCF women’s soccer is pretty darn good.’”

As you looked across the arena, you could feel the excitement in the room from all the sports, and the fans didn’t lack for it.

With women’s soccer already in gear and men’s soccer and volleyball set to kick off in the coming weeks, the countdown until the Knights’ First Bounce has fans excited for what’s to come.