Jungle Village begins Thursday ahead of Auburn-Alabama matchup at Neville Arena

AUBURN, Ala. — Students at Auburn University began camping out Thursday morning ahead of Saturday’s men’s basketball game against Alabama at Neville Arena, a tradition known as Jungle Village that kicks off the rivalry atmosphere days before the Iron Bowl of Basketball.

The Jungle Village, set up along Thach Concourse and around the arena’s student entrance, allows students to secure their places in line for first-come, first-serve access to student tickets and prime seating in the famed lower level “Jungle.” Tents, sleeping bags and folding chairs have been lining the campus walkways, and students are rotating shifts between classes, studying and watching media on outdoor screens while they wait.

Auburn Athletics officials require that registered groups maintain attendance at their tents throughout the daytime hours, and random checks ensure compliance ahead of wristband distribution — typically beginning about three hours before tip-off. Students who leave the area risk losing their place in line under the camping rules.

Many students say the ritual is as much a social event as a way to lock in a spot. Some play cards or spikeball, and they trade watching duties so classmates can attend classes or support other athletic events, such as the Auburn gymnastics meet, without forfeiting their place in line.

The energy reflects the importance of the rivalry matchup, with Auburn and Alabama set to square off Saturday afternoon in a nationally anticipated SEC contest at Neville Arena.