Garth Brooks rolls into Razorbacks Stadium: updates from the record-breaking concert

Fayetteville -- Country music legend Garth Brooks appears Saturday at the Arkansas Razorbacks' Donald W. Reynolds Stadium as the venue's first independent concert headline performer.

Follow along for updates live from the event.

Garth starts his concert

Brooks introduces the crowd with a "Hello Arkansas" at 9 p.m. CT and sings "Let me hear you say all night long" to an enthusiastic crowd filling both football stadium seats and chairs arranged inside on top on where the football field is.

While official attendance numbers haven't been released, the concert appears to have broken the previous venue record of 76,808 set in a Southeastern Conference college football game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 10 Arkansas on Sept. 25, 2010.

First fans enter the event

The first spectators enter Razorbacks Stadium just after 5 p.m. CT.

The main act has been pushed back from the original 7 p.m. start because of the size of the crowd coming in.

Greenwood group gathers

A mixture of family and friends traveling about an hour and a half from just southeast of Fort Smith made their way to Fayetteville.

Among the group of 10 was Machelle Black, an avid fan who has the entire Brooks box set. Traveling there and back without staying overnight, part of the group called it a "bucket list" event. They were seeing Brooks for the first time.

Part of the Garth Brooks Stadium Tour, it is the only concert in the series set for the state of Arkansas or Oklahoma for the Tulsa, Oklahoma native who yesterday said "It's like coming home."

"I think it's really good," Black said. "I know a lot of people probably around here listen to him, so they knew who he is and grew up with him, just being from the south. So I think that's a great advantage for him to be here."

Nichols takes first trip to Fayetteville

Frisco, Texas resident Kelly Nichols has traveled near and far to see Garth Brooks and wasn't going to miss an opportunity to see the country star for what is believed to be the 17th time.

Coming with a group, Nichols made about a five-hour drive, stayed in a Fayetteville Airbnb, beginning last night, and made it over to the Arkansas Razorbacks' football stadium for the first time. The loyal fan was seen tailgating and playing cornhole around 2:35 p.m.

"It was close and it was a good weekend, so we said, 'Let's take a road trip to Fayetteville," Nichols said.

The music fan has listened to the star since 1989 or 1990 and first saw Brooks at Texas Stadium near Dallas in 1993 and has since seen the United States' No. 1 selling solo artist in cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Houston, St. Louis and several others. Nichols was also present at Brooks' most recent concert in the state of Arkansas, one that took place in North Little Rock in December 2014.

"It's high energy the whole time," Nichols said on Brooks enhancing the fan experience. "Everybody enjoys it. My favorite part of it is when he comes out with his guitar towards the end of the show and he just does random songs that you don't hear. People hold up signs and he'll sing whatever somebody has written on that sign."

Country Music Star Preps

Country megastar Garth Brooks stood on the stage at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and strummed his six-string guitar.

He let his Arkansas fans know he is ready on their homefield for his stadium tour stop at 7 p.m.

"Arkansas!!!!! I can't wait!!! love, g," Brooks tweeted late Friday.

More than 80,000 people are expected with a gameday atmosphere. Brooks appeared in an Arkansas baseball jersey for reporters Friday and took lessons in calling the Hogs.

Parking for Garth Brooks' Fayetteville concert

For those headed to Fayetteville Saturday, parking could be a challenge or concern.

University of Arkansas officials report parking passes are sold out. Fans are urged to use Uber or Lyft.

Fayetteville High School will be accepting payments onsite to park in their parking lot.

Parking may be available at Spring Street, 221 N. School Ave. just off of Dickson Street. Shuttles do run from the Walton Arts Center (Dickson St side) to Razorback Stadium.

Also, in the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage and others will resort to residential and private lots. There will likely be an assortment of private and residential lots that are being sold on Saturday.

Weather outlook for Garth Brooks' Fayetteville concert

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for 7 a.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday for northwestern parts of the state and the River Valley for those traveling home Sunday.

You can follow Bryant Roche on Twiiter @BRocheSports and you can email him at BRoche@gannett.com. Other Times Record reporters contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Garth Brooks arrives in Fayetteville at Razorback Stadium for concert