Carolina Panthers Tailgating
Plan an RV trip of a lifetime by celebrating the Carolina Panthers with an epic RV tailgating experience in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Event information
Carolina Panthers football fans turn the City of Charlotte, North Carolina to blue and black during every home game. The Panthers play in the city center at the Bank of America Stadium, a facility that seats over 75,000 fans cheering on their beloved team. Because of the stadium's location, game day celebrations and tailgating aren't isolated to just the stadium. Numerous locations across the Queen City host parties geared to involve every fan.
Panther tailgating is a one-of-a-kind experience. The stadium hosts differing levels of tailgate parties on site for corporate events and special activities. Traditional car tailgating is permitted in tailgating lots, and there are several offsite venues where tailgaters may visit to get the tailgating experience without needing a vehicle. Whatever kind of tailgating you desire, the Carolina Panthers will make it happen.
RVing football fans hoping to turn a football game into a vacation should plan their RV tailgating trip early. Parking lots that permit oversized vehicles tend to fill up quickly, and only certain lots allow RV tailgating. RV parking must be purchased before game day, so don't let your chance to score a spot, slide. If you plan on taking your RV to Charlotte, but you want to avoid driving on crowded downtown city streets, consider staying at an RV park close by and taking public transportation or a tow vehicle to the tailgating parties near the stadium.
Tickets
Attending an NFL game in North Carolina is exciting and a favorite event for locals and for out of state guests. Plan your trip early by buying your tickets online at the official Carolina Panthers website. The website provides fans with everything they need to know about finding the best available seats in the stadium. Once you've found your seats, don't forget to purchase your parking pass because parking lots fill up fast.
Explore Carolina Panthers Tailgating RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Bank of America Stadium is located next to I-277 in the center of Charlotte, North Carolina. Two interstates, I-77 and I-85, lead from different directions into the city and link to I-277 and the sections nearest to it. Drivers might also use US-29, US-74 and Highway 16, depending on which direction they arrive. On game days, several apps use information from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to provide up-to-date traffic and road information. Visit the Carolina Panthers website for details on which apps support game-day traffic conditions.
Parking areas
Carolina Panther tailgating is parking-lot specific, and the tailgating areas vary depending on the parking lot vendor. People interested in tailgating should contact the vendors to determine which lots are pre-game celebration lots.
RV fans who wish to tailgate in an RV or park in an RV on game day will have to use one of the offsite vendors to purchase offsite parking passes. All RV parking areas permit tailgating as long as the RV and vehicle fit within the allocated parking space. Space size varies from vendor to vendor, so it's best to contact the preferred vendors for RV-specific questions. All of the RV tailgating lots permit overnight parking after the game, but no overnight parking is allowed before game day. RVs should be self-contained because there are no hookups and no services other than portable toilets. Information on the Panther's preferred vendors is listed on the Carolina Panthers homepage.
Public Transportation
Since the stadium is located in the city's center, game-day public transportation is convenient and straightforward. The city has a light rail system with park-and-ride lots situated around the route for fans to park a car and ride to the stadium. People who want to park RVs should contact the light rail company to determine if the station you'd like to park at allows RV parking. The city also has a bus line, taxi service, rideshares, and several private transportation companies fans may use to get to the stadium.
Where to stay
Onsite
Although people who park in the RV-friendly parking areas may stay overnight after the game, the parking lot isn't a camping area. Check out some of Charlotte's best RV camping spots, or venture outside of Charlotte to see what else North Carolina has to offer.
Nearby
Some RVers like to stay at resort-style parks with pull-through sites, full hookups, and other amenities such as laundry rooms, pools, and pet runs. The Charlotte area has more than one RV park within 20 miles of Bank of America Stadium. If the resort-style camping isn't your vibe, then try a more rustic campground next to the water. Lake Norman State Park, one of the Charlotte area's more popular parks is approximately 40 miles away, and there are plenty of outdoor activities and scenic spots to check out during your stay.
Getting around
Walking is the best way to maneuver through the stadium and the tailgating areas. ADA guests who need assistance finding a wheelchair should contact the Bank of America Stadium Guest Relations for help finding accessibility information. The stadium has different levels with escalators and stairs. Elevators are available for guests who need help with accessibility within the stadium. ADA guests who require a shuttle to get from the parking area to the stadium should contact Guest Relations before game day to arrange parking and a fee-based shuttle service.
What to pack
Clothing
When packing for your trip to the Carolina Panthers game, pay close attention to the weather. Football season spans the end of summer through winter, and the open-air stadium doesn't protect against the elements. Depending on the weather, you might want to pack your favorite Carolina Panthers jersey or hoodie as well as your black and blue hat or beanie. Don't forget your gloves if you are attending a winter game.
Gear
It's almost impossible to attend an NFL game without bringing an excess of gear. When you pack for your trip, pack for both tailgating and the game. Bring chairs, grills, and coolers for the best tailgating experience, and for the game, don't forget your NFL-approved clear plastic bag. If you forgot any team gear, or you need to stock up on koozies, Panthers clothing, and other Carolina Panthers themed items, stop by the Carolina Panthers Team Store.
Health & Safety
Attending a Carolina Panthers tailgate and a football game is an exciting experience that requires football fans to spend most of the day outside. No matter the weather, it's possible to get a sunburn, so pack sunscreen and lip balm that contains an SPF. It's also a good idea to pack a small first-aid kit, so you have some necessary medical supplies on hand and don't have to leave your tailgate or campsite for a minor medical problem.
Where to eat
Cooking
Crank up the grill and cook your favorite tailgate dishes for you and your friends. Charcoal grills make cooking easy and safe, plus who doesn't like the flavor of grilled hot wings and a smoky hot dog? Before setting up your tailgate, make sure your open-flamed grill meets the stadium's approved minimal distance between a vehicle and a grill. When you are done serving up your snacks, dispose of your hot coals in any of the coal and ash disposal bins located throughout the parking lot.
Restaurants
The food and drink choices in Charlotte are a mix of southern-comfort foods with trendy local restaurants. The Uptown area of the city, where the stadium is located, has restaurants within walking distance and food choices to tempt any palate. If you are looking for a local brewery or distillery, you won't have to go far. Charlotte has many local watering holes sure to quench your thirst.
Vendors
You may not want to fill up too fast at your tailgate party as you may miss out on some of the best southern-styled concessions in the stadium. Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers want every fan to have a taste of the Carolinas, that's why so many of the food choices are Carolina-based foods or some of North Carolinian's favorite flavors. Bring cash and charge cards with you, but if you find yourself needing more Carolina-style BBQ, and you are out of cash, visit any of the ATMs located throughout the concourse.
Safety
Security
To ensure the safety of all of its patrons, all guests must go through security before entering the Bank of America Stadium. During the winter months, fans are permitted to bring blankets into the stadium. The Carolina Panthers adhere to the NFL Clear Bag Policy. Please make sure to check the website for up-to-date information on prohibited items before heading to the game as policies may change.
Weather
Fans heading to the Carolina Panthers football game and tailgating events should come prepared for all types of weather because the NFL football season runs from summer to winter. September temperatures average between 62° and 82°, and January temperatures average between 31° and 51°. It's best to bring rain gear during your trip because rain is a possibility during any season.
Medical
While every football fan hopes that his or her tailgating and football experience be injury and illness free, occasionally, medical emergencies come up. Should you need medical assistance during the game, locate a member of the event staff. Bank of America Stadium has emergency care centers open during home games. If you prefer offsite medical care, the nearest hospital is less than three miles from the stadium.
