Thousands of Miami Hurricanes fans are voicing their frustration this week after receiving what appeared to be game tickets printed on fast-food napkins, sparking widespread backlash, ridicule, and confusion. The bizarre situation unfolded just days after the University of Miami began mailing out physical tickets for the upcoming home opener against long-time rivals, the Florida State Seminoles.
The tickets, described by many fans as “flimsy,” “greasy,” and “absurd,” were delivered in plain white envelopes with no official logo or tracking information. Inside, recipients found what looked like used restaurant napkins with faded, barely legible text listing the date and time of the game. Some included misprinted seat numbers, incorrect team names (such as “Miamee” and “Florda”), and even promotional offers for unrelated businesses.
“I thought it was a joke,” said longtime season ticket holder Vanessa Ortiz. “My ticket literally had a salsa stain on it and an ad for a taco truck on the back. I’ve been supporting this team for 15 years, and this is the thanks we get?”
Social media erupted with photos of the questionable tickets, and by Tuesday evening, the hashtag #NapkinGate was trending across platforms. Many fans mocked the university’s quality control, while others demanded full refunds or complimentary replacements.
In a now-deleted tweet, the university’s official athletics account initially responded with confusion, stating, “We are investigating reports of irregular ticket printing.” But hours later, a more formal statement was issued, attributing the error to a third-party vendor contracted for the 2025 season. “Due to an unforeseen error in the fulfillment process, a portion of our ticket inventory was misprinted on unsuitable material. We are working quickly to reissue all affected tickets in standard form,” the statement read.
However, not all fans were satisfied with the explanation. Local sports radio host Benny Torres called the mishap “the most Miami thing ever,” adding, “Only here would you buy a $500 ticket and get something you could wipe your hands with after a Cuban sandwich.”
Some fans took a lighter approach to the situation. One group planned to wear T-shirts to the season opener that read, “I got sacked by NapkinGate.” Others turned the mistake into a collectible moment, listing their napkin-tickets on eBay, with one reportedly selling for over $200 to a memorabilia collector.
Still, many remain outraged. Several fan advocacy groups are calling for accountability from the university’s administration, demanding transparency in how such a mistake could occur with an event of this scale.
“This is about respect,” said fan club president Marcus DeJesus. “We pour our money, time, and heart into this team. The least they can do is make sure our tickets aren’t printed on something from a food court.”
As of Wednesday morning, the university has begun reissuing properly printed tickets and offered affected fans a free voucher for a hot dog and soda at the stadium — a gesture some appreciated, though others described it as “too little, too greasy.”
The Hurricanes have yet to comment on whether the taco truck featured on the napkins will be present at the game.
