The roar of the crowd.

The sounds of the band echoing throughout the stadium, providing a background track for the dancers and cheerleaders on the sidelines.

Thousands of students crowd together, creating a sea of blue and gold, leaning anxiously over the barrier as helmets clash and the leather ball rises before dropping into the waiting hands of a Bruin receiver in the end zone.

Commotion.

UCLA football is less than a month away from its home opener against San Diego State. But gameday starts way before kickoff.

The Bruins play home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which means for students living on or near campus, a commute of at least 30 minutes is required to reach the festivities. UCLA offers a Rooter Bus, where students can purchase a ticket to secure their ride to and from the game, with the earliest buses leaving from campus three hours before kickoff.

Upon reaching the Rose Bowl, swarms of Bruin faithful set up around the stadium. Clubs and organizations often set up tents for tailgating, with plenty of games, food and music ready to set the stage. Walking through the parking lot and surrounding grass, fans are immersed in a high-energy atmosphere with pom-poms, banners and flags decorating pop-up tents and truck beds.

But football season is for more than just the students.

While the seating behind the field goal and end zone is typically packed with current Bruins, the surrounding areas are made up of sections dedicated to families, season-ticket holders and alumni.

“We were in the family section,” said Jason Vo, a rising third-year civil engineering major. “It was a really nice experience where you see alumni and their kids and all these happy families celebrating every play.”

Alumni often continue to represent their alma mater, with special appearances from the alumni band or graduation classes of the dance and cheer teams.

But the abundance of speakers and eight-clap cheers isn’t the only musical background throughout the day.

The UCLA Marching Band, known as the “Solid Gold Sound,” is made up of over 250 students.

Brass, woodwinds, drumline and color guard create the ensemble that performs on the field before the game and during the half.

“When I got here, I saw the already-present school spirit within the student section and all the traditions that we have,” said Rylan Post, a rising second-year biology student and a member of UCLA’s marching band. “And I knew being in the band is going to help me maximize this and boost the school spirit that’s already there.”

The band welcomes the team into the stadium before they warm up. Then, they march out to begin the festivities in the stadium with a pre-game show. They continue to play in the stands throughout the match, with sections of “Crazy in Love” and “California Love” echoing in the Rose Bowl to continue energizing fans.

At halftime, the Solid Gold Sound descends the stands for a themed show featuring a collection of songs before returning to the stands once more.

“Whether you’re spirit squad, whether you’re part of the Den, or just a general member of the student section, it’s such a uniting experience that makes you feel all the more passionate for your school,” Post said.

With the band, UCLA has a sole baton twirler. Former Bruin Oliva Pacheco, decked out in a gold, rhinestoned uniform, twirled alongside the band for the past three seasons. Now, the baton will be passed down to someone new to represent UCLA on the field.

Throughout the game, the UCLA Spirit Squad – made up of cheerleaders, dancers and the Joe and Josie Bruin mascots – surrounds the edges of the field. Joe and Josie often roam in front of the crowd, pausing for pictures with fans or a jumbotron appearance. The cheerleaders and dancers split, with a group going to the sideline on either side of each end zone.

“The Rose Bowl is a historic stadium, and so having these people add to that environment, whether it’s the cheerleaders or the Bruin mascots walking around, it all adds to the experience, Vo said. “It hypes you up, gets you engaged, keeps you rooting for your team when there might be a lull in the game itself. The energy might still be coming from the cheerleaders or the band putting on a great performance.”

Often the cheerleaders and dancers will have short, quick routines while on the sideline. During larger pauses in the game, such as between quarters or during a TV timeout, they will perform longer numbers in the end zone.

About to enter their fourth season, the Elegant Bruinettes stand tall on the turf of the Rose Bowl, performing danceline – a style of dance that originated at historically Black colleges and universities. They take part in the pregame show, before lining up in a section of the stands to continue dancing.

Every moment of the day brings something new, and everyone in attendance brings their full energy.

“Feeling the roar of the crowd at the Rose Bowl … being a part of that iconic UCLA energy,” said rising-senior Kaelani Keese in a UCLA Spirit Squad Instagram caption. “I’ve dreamed of performing at major college games, and now I get to live that dream at one of the most spirited campuses in the country.”

Game days are more than just football. They bring together communities, highlight a multitude of Bruin talents and offer a chance for alumni and current students to share their Bruin pride.

And no matter the outcome, the day isn’t one to miss.

“Show out with UCLA merch,” Vo said. “It’s a great experience. … Just make the most of it by letting yourself live in the moment.”