We are now just two weeks away from UNC football’s first game of the 2026 season against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. While the first game won’t even be in the United States, fans are still constructing their plans for the home games that they will be in attendance for. So, we would like to help by providing a guide to game day in Chapel Hill so that you can have the best experience possible.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the best local food options as well as pre-game/tailgating activities. Let’s
go ahead and dive in.
Local Food Options
Chapel Hill has undergone some changes when it comes to food options over the last five years, but there are still some good options if you are looking for something to eat that won’t break the bank. My personal favorite remains Merritt’s, whose claim to fame is their BLT sandwich. While they have other items, their BLT is the best that I’ve ever had, and it’s been really hard to order anything else. Ordering your food for pickup will be your best bet, as they are usually slammed on Saturdays. But you shouldn’t wait long at all as long as you order ahead.
Another great food option is Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen. Located on Franklin Street less than 5 minutes from campus, Sunrise has delicious biscuit sandwiches at an affordable cost. They also do online pickup, but ordering via their drive-thru is rather painless. My personal recommendation is the Bad Grandpa Biscuit, which has chicken breast, bacon, egg, and cheese.
My final recommendation if you aren’t too concerned about time constraints is Top of the Hill. As many of you know, TOPO is a Chapel Hill staple that has great food, and also has their own beer/spirits made in-house. It is a bit more challenging to get into TOPO without a reservation, so make sure you plan accordingly if you would like to check it out before the game.
There are a handful of other options on or near campus, but these three are my personal favorites. For anybody who is local, please share your own recommendations in the comments below.
Tailgating Options
Tailgating isn’t quite as expansive as it is on other college campuses, but Carolina fans still show up and show out before each Carolina home game. There are turnkey tailgating options available through REVELxp, such as all four quads at the Bell Tower, Dorrance Field, and Kenan Amphitheatre. These options are available by contacting 919-869-5486, or by e-mail at unc.revelxp.com.
If utilizing one of the turnkey options isn’t appealing, you can also set up shop at the various parking spots that are reserved for game day. The Bowles Lot is the most popular one given its flat, open space near the Dean Smith Center, and is a relatively short walk to Kenan. The Hibbard, South Chiller, and Manning Lot would also be good spots if you would rather not tailgate in a parking deck. Do note that there are is no available RV parking on campus, but there is a Friday Center Park and Ride Lot that will take you to the game once you are done tailgating.
Pre-Game Traditions
If you haven’t been to a Carolina football game in a while, there’s a lot more going on before kickoff. The big thing you may or may not know about is the Chapel Thrill Concert Series that will take place throughout the season. UNC will host artists DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), Chase Rice, Parmalee, Neon Trees, Waka Flocka Flame, and 38 Special. The concert series will take place two hours before kickoff, but if you’re interested in attending the Old Well Walk, please be advised that this takes place 30 minutes before each concert.
Once the Chapel Thrill concert ends, the Carolina Drumline and the Marching Tar Heels will perform for fans in the Pit. This is the last major event that takes place before fans can expect to finish up any pre-game activities they’d like to do before making their way to Kenan Stadium. If you want a more detailed breakdown of the Chapel Thrill series, please check out this link to see who is performing for which game.
I hope this game day guide helps prepare you for the ultimate Carolina football experience. Please share your game day tips, recommendations, and overall experiences in the comments below.
Happy Kickoff Month, and Go Heels!
