Everything you need to know about attending ESPN’s College GameDay as a fan in Charlotte

Evan Moore
·2 min read
ESPN broadcasters Desmond Howard, Chris Fowler, Mark Sanchez, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit on the College Gameday set at the 109th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. in Jan. 2023.

Thousands are expected to attend ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Charlotte ahead of Saturday’s football matchup between North Carolina and South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Classic.

The show, known for its rowdy fans, creative signs, and celebrity pickers will broadcast live from Charlotte on the morning of the game.

The Tar Heels and Gamecocks will square off at Bank of America Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

The two teams last met in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl — also in Charlotte — in a game in which Shane Beamer’s squad capped off a 7-6 debut season with a 38-21 win.

If you plan on attending College GameDay, here’s what you need to know.

What time does College GameDay start?

College GameDay in Charlotte will be televised live from 9 a.m.-noon at Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St. But the pit, where fans have an up-close and personal view of the show, opens at 6:30 a.m.

Is College GameDay free to attend?

Yes, GameDay is free to attend.

How do you get selected to stand in the pit?

Selection for the pit is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fans are encouraged to wear school colors, according to ESPN.

What are the rules for the pit?

Pit participants are not allowed to bring bags, food, drinks, pens, pencils, markers, or dry-erase boards, according to ESPN.

Fans are allowed to have signs, but they cannot include vulgar, political, or religious language or the names of websites.

Where do I park?

Parking costs will vary, but there are more than 30,000 parking spaces within a 10 to 15-minute walk of Bank of America Stadium.

  • Legacy Union Parking: The Seven20 Garage, located across from the Lowe’s Gate Entrance at Bank of America Stadium, will be open for fans. You can pre-schedule a mobile parking pass for the game online.

  • Reserved parking: If you’d like to plan ahead and book a paid parking space for the game, you can do so online. On the Bank of America Stadium SpotHero Parking Page, you can find a list of available parking options that can be reserved in advance.

How to purchase football game tickets?

Single-game tickets can be purchased on third-party websites, such as Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $75-$475 per seat, depending on location inside Bank of America Stadium.

What is the weather forecast?

As of Thursday morning, there is no rain in the forecast for Charlotte for Saturday night.

Unfortunately, if it does rain, fans are not allowed to bring umbrellas to the game, according to the Bank of America Stadium policy, but rain jackets and ponchos are permitted.