Tailgating at Jerry Richardson Stadium

Quick answers

The game-day timeline

1. 8 hrs beforeLots open for weekend games, no earlier than 8 a.m. (3 hours before for weekday games)
2. 4 hrs beforeMost campus entrances close. Use the main entrance off University City Blvd or John Kirk Rd
3. 2 hrs beforeFootball shuttle and ADA shuttle to Gate 1 start
4. 90 min beforeStadium gates open
5. KickoffTailgating stops. None at halftime or during the game
6. 2 hrs afterTailgating areas must be cleared

Where to park

Every car on campus on game day needs a paid pass, and the pass color tells you the lot and the entrance.

Tailgate lots

Green CRI lots, Blue Lots 7 and 7A and Red Lot 25 (propane allowed), plus the Union Deck and West Deck rooftops (propane only).

Deck parking

Cone, North, Union and West decks inside: no grills, but you can tailgate at your car without blocking traffic.

Drive up

Pink Cone Deck only, credit or debit. Cash isn't accepted on game day.

Season passes

For 49er Club members with season tickets, by giving level, through the 49ers Ticket Office.

RV

Red Lot 25, sold for single games. No overnight parking, and RVs follow the same tailgate hours.

Accessible

Orange Snyder Deck (formerly the CRI Deck), with an ADA shuttle to Gate 1 from 2 hours before kickoff to 1 hour after the game.

Clearance

North Deck 8 ft 2 in. Cone, Union and Snyder 7 ft 2 in. West Deck 6 ft 8 in.

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Each pass color has its own campus entrance. Check the number on your pass before you leave home.
Cars parked in football parking areas after 5 a.m. on game day get towed, and tailgate lots must be empty by midnight before game day.
No car? Ride the LYNX Blue Line. The JW Clay Blvd stop is a walk from the stadium, and a game-day shuttle runs from the end of the line at UNC Charlotte Main. The football shuttle starts 2 hours before kickoff.

The rules

Rules last verified Oct 15, 2026 against charlotte49ers.com and charlotte.edu.

UNC Charlotte writes its tailgating rules into university policy. The ones that change your packing list:

Grills

Propane and charcoal at outdoor tailgates, attended, with a lid, 15 ft from buildings. None inside covered decks, propane only on rooftops.

Propane

Tanks up to 20 lbs, with 1 spare at most, kept 10 ft from the grill. Take empties home.

Alcohol

Beer and unfortified wine only, 21 and over with photo ID. No sales, no drinking games, no funnels.

Tents

Up to 10 x 20 feet. No stakes, so bring sandbags or water barrels. Tents near grills must be open on all sides.

Your space

Surface lots: the space right behind your car. Keep travel lanes and sidewalks clear.

Not allowed

Glass, couches, personal portable toilets, golf carts and scooters, and plugging into campus outlets.

When it ends

Tailgating stops at kickoff and isn't allowed during the game. Clear out within 2 hours after it ends.

Bags at the gate

Clear, up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a 1-gallon clear bag or a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches.

Gates open

90 minutes before kickoff. No re-entry.

Getting out

Campus funnels out through two main gates, so plan the exit before the final whistle. Your options, best first:

1. 01Ride the light rail. The LYNX Blue Line stops at JW Clay Blvd and UNC Charlotte Main, and the football shuttle runs until 1 hour after the game.
2. 02Hang back in your space. You have up to 2 hours after the game to pack up and clear out.
3. 03Take the ADA shuttle. From Gate 1 back to the Snyder Deck, running until 1 hour after the game.
4. ✕

   Skip this

   Floor it out the main gate. With every other pass holder on campus, through the 2 entrances that stay open.