Jack Trice Stadium only accepts digital tickets. What you need to know on Cy-Hawk game day.

Cy-Hawk spectators are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday after a new digital ticketing process caused delays at last weekend's season opener.

Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard released a statement Sunday apologizing for the inconvenience.

“Unfortunately, the combination of many fans arriving closer to kickoff, our staff’s inability to help fans understand the technology, and the excessive heat, came together to create a perfect storm of poor customer service,” Pollard said in the statement.

Get to the stadium early for the Cy-Hawk game

Pollard recommended that fans be in line by at least 1:45 p.m. for the Cy-Hawk game’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

Jack Trice Stadium's new digital ticketing system relies on mobile apps and mobile device wallets. Last Saturday’s Cyclone win over UNI was the first time fans entered the stadium with digital-only tickets.

Iowa State launched a successful pilot last year, using 20 turnstile scanners at Gate 2. The stadium went digital at all three gates for the first time last week.

All other Iowa State venues have transitioned to digital tickets, as well.

“PDF tickets have been discontinued and will no longer be accepted at any ISU Athletics venue to further combat fraud and counterfeiting commonly associated with PDF tickets. As a reminder, a mobile device is the ticket,” the Athletics Department advises on its website.

More: Cashless concessions and CyTown construction: What you should know before gameday

Here are some tips for making the ticketing process go smoothly:

• Before you leave for the game, download the ISU Cyclones app from the App Store or Google Play.

• Do not print your ticket at home. Paper tickets will not be accepted.

• Do not take a screenshot of your ticket. To avoid fraudulent resale of tickets, screenshots are not accepted.

• View your tickets and add them to your mobile device’s digital wallet before you leave for the game. Since digital wallets don’t rely on wireless service or mobile connectivity, you’ll have access to your digital tickets when you get to the stadium.

• Transfer digital tickets to members of your party if they are arriving at a separate time.

• Concessions are cashless at Jack Trice Stadium. Be prepared to use a card or mobile device if you want to buy food, beverages or merchandise.

More: Hungry on Cy-Hawk gameday? Here are some of Ames' favorite restaurants

What to do if you have problems on game day

If your phone battery goes dead on game day, you’ll need to visit the ticket office and show a photo ID for the name on the ticket account.

The Jack Trice ticket office is located inside the Jacobson Building on the north end of the stadium.

What to do if you don’t have a smart device

Fans who don’t have a smart device should contact the ISU Athletic ticket office, where staff will help determine the best way to enter the game.

The office is available by phone at (888) 478-2925 or by email at tickets@iastate.edu.

Ronna Faaborg is a reporter for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: How to avoid mobile ticket delays for the Cy-Hawk game in Ames