UNC Charlotte’s new Tailgate Village is all-you-can-eat and drink for $20

It’s exciting times for Charlotte football and here are a few reasons why:

• Charlotte 49er football kicked off the first week of September in the Georgia Dome. The 49ers are currently 2-1 and will have their first home conference game under the lights this Saturday at Jerry Richardson Stadium at 7 p.m.
• This is our first year in Conference USA and FBS play – the 49ers are finally bowl eligible. We are playing with the big boys now. 
• Our lights at the stadium were installed this past spring, which means we have more opportunities for prime TV time.
• The new Hauser Alumni Pavilion opened this season – so for everyone who wants an all-inclusive, hassle-free tailgating experience, we have the perfect place for you: the Alumni Tailgate Village.

I’m a native Charlottean and I also graduated from UNC Charlotte. This, of course, makes me a proud 49er and I would love to see you on football Saturdays. My objective working as the assistant director of alumni affairs at UNC Charlotte is to further connect the Charlotte community that I love to this dynamically growing university located in its own backyard. UNC Charlotte isn’t just for students and alumni – and neither is the Alumni Tailgate Village.

The village is open 2.5 hours before every home football game. The cost is $20 for adults (discounts for children) and is all-you-can-eat and drink (yes, of course this includes adult beverages). We just constructed the Hauser Alumni Pavilion with an open tailgate feel.  This Saturday, we will be dedicating the Pavilion to David and Nancy Hauser (both class of ’77) for their generous gift to make this dream a reality.

Alumni Tailgate Village averages around 600 alumni and friends prior to each game. Instead of you hauling around food and equipment, we do all the work for you. You just show up. Each tailgate includes restroom facilities, protection from the elements, a live DJ, as well as our Kids and Game Zone, which includes bounce houses, corn hole, and picnic area.

Our newest sponsor, Brewpublik, has jumped on board and will be pouring at each tailgate, as well as our Second Annual Oktoberfest following the Homecoming game (another event you do not want to miss, coming October 24). Fun Fact: Most of the Brewpublik team graduated from UNC Charlotte. Niners supporting Niners!

The Pride of the Niner Nation Marching Band also took the field for the first time this year and adds an entirely new feel to the game day experience.

So let’s break down the costs real quick with a few Agenda pro tips:

• Parking: $20 (carpool to save on per person costs!)
• Alumni Tailgate: $20 (make sure to register by midnight Wednesday to get this early bird pricing)
• Game Ticket: $30 (all tickets in the stadium are this price and there isn’t a bad seat in the house)

TOTAL COST: $70 for a full day of football and all-you-can-eat and drink.

For more information on how to register for this Saturday’s tailgate, visit alumni.uncc.edu/events. The tailgate will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with kickoff against Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m.

For more information on Alumni Tailgate Village, please contact Tyler Wessel at [email protected].

For more information on Homecoming Oktoberfest or other ways to get involved with UNC Charlotte, please contact me at [email protected].

(Photo credit: Fan and band photo via Charlotte Sports Information, field photo via Norm Bulance on Facebook)