2024 guide to Charlotte-area college football
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Johnson C. Smith's facility upgrades included a new field. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
College football is nearly here. Here's what you need to know about the Charlotte 49ers, Davidson Wildcats and Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls.
Why it matters: Charlotte isn't a college town that lives and breathes football like Clemson or Chapel Hill in the fall, at least not yet.
- But there's still plenty of college football to go around, from a gorgeous campus in University City, to an intimate atmosphere off Lake Norman, to the HBCU experience with the Charlotte skyline as the backdrop.
Editor's note: Schools are listed in alphabetical order.
Charlotte 49ers
Context: Charlotte will play its second season in the American Athletic Conference, which includes in-state rival East Carolina, in the Football Bowl Subdivision — or FBS, which includes schools like Georgia and Clemson.
- The 49ers play at Jerry Richardson Stadium (8701 Phillips Road).
Catch up quick: Charlotte is preparing for its second season under head coach Biff Poggi. The 49ers went 3-9 last season. Among their new additions is former Florida quarterback Max Brown.
Dates to know:
- Season/home opener: Aug. 31 vs. James Madison at 8pm. Tickets start at $35.
- Homecoming: Nov. 16 vs. South Florida. Time TBD. Tickets start at $35.
- East Carolina: The 49ers host the Pirates on Oct. 5. Time TBD. Tickets for this game will only be available as a part of a season ticket package or season mini-plan, per a 49ers spokesperson. East Carolina will also have an allotment to sell to their fans.
- On the road: The 49ers head to Chapel Hill to face the UNC Tar Heels on Sept. 7 at 3:30pm. Tickets start at $35.
- Full schedule
Tailgating details can be found here and parking details here.
What we're watching: Charlotte is expected to break ground on expanding its football stadium in 2025. The first phase of expansion will include more general seating, plus a state-of-the-art tower with a press box and premium seats.
- The expansion is part of the program's EverGreen Athletics Facilities Master Vision, which impacts more than just football.
Go deeper: UNC Board of Governors approves $60M expansion of Charlotte 49ers stadium
Davidson Wildcats
Context: The Wildcats will move into a brand new, privately funded $54.5 million stadium, which the school completed earlier this year. You'll find the 5,000-seat Davidson College Stadium at 109 Patterson Court Circle.
- Davidson plays in the Pioneer Football League in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the second-highest level of college football.
Catch up quick: Davidson went 7-4 last season.
Dates to know:
- Season opener: Aug. 31 at Georgetown at 12:30pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
- Home opener: Sept. 7 vs. Catawba at 7pm. Tickets start at $16.58 for adults and $8.83 for kids.
- Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Butler at 1pm. Tickets start around $13 for adults and $6 for kids.
- Full schedule
Parking details can be found here. Tailgating details will become available as the season approaches.
What we're watching: Keep an eye on running back Mari Adams, who has been named to the 2024 Walter Payton Award preseason watch list. The award annually goes to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS football.
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
Context: The Golden Bulls are a Division II HBCU. They play in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), which is based in Charlotte, at Irwin Belk Complex at 500 N Summit Ave.
Catch up quick: 2023 was the program's first winning season in years and it included an appearance in the Florida Beach Bowl. Plus they're adding tailback Quavaris Crouch, a Harding High graduate who had stops at Tennessee and Michigan State before joining the Golden Bulls.
Dates to know:
- Season opener: Sept. 1 at Tuskegee at 7pm in the Red Tails Classic in Montgomery, Alabama. Tickets start at $28.
- Home opener: Sept. 14 vs. Lincoln at 1pm. Tickets are $20.
- Homecoming: Oct. 19 vs. Shaw at 1pm. Tickets are $25.
- Commemorative Classic: Nov. 9 at Livingstone at 2pm. The annual game celebrates the oldest rivalry in Black college football.
- Full schedule
Tailgating and parking details can be found here.
