UCLA spring football practice to start early this year, on March 6

UCLA is getting an unusually early start to spring football practice under new coach Chip Kelly.

The Bruins will open their spring practices March 6, almost a month earlier than they did last year under Kelly’s predecessor, Jim Mora. The practices will take a two-week break for winter quarter finals and spring break before resuming and then concluding with the spring game at on April 21 at Drake Stadium on campus.

Practices will be held on Spaulding Field next to the Wasserman Football Center and will be open to the public, with a viewing area from the top of the adjacent Parking Lot 8.

Tickets for the spring game set for 11 a.m. will be free for current season ticket-holders. There will be a $10 charge for advance purchases at uclabruins.com/springgame that increases to $15 on the day of the game. Tickets will be $5 for kids ages 3-12 and $5 for UCLA students.

The winter quarter practices will be held at 7:15 a.m. on March 6, 7:15 a.m. on March 8, 10 a.m. on March 10, 7:15 a.m. on March 13, 7:15 a.m. on March 15 and 10 a.m. on March 17. Practices will resume for spring quarter at a date to be announced later.

ben.bolch@latimes.com

Twitter: @latbbolch