First ever game!

[luke262]

Hi guys, 

Similar thread to Huddle Help! In CLT 1st time ever - long story short I have booked to come over to Charlotte from 15th September to 18th for the home opener and this will be my first game. I managed to get tickets for Sec 516 row A. did a bit of research and basically everyone said sitting in the upper tier is where the atmosphere is best and the view is as good as anywhere round the stadium, good decision or not?

Staying in the Hilton City Centre which is right by the stadium - any advise on best way to do things - get in the ground early or hang about outside the ground before the game etc? And best places for nightlife?

Cannot wait for September to come around. Thanks in advance!

[Jeremy Igo]

The 500s are a lot of fun and you get a great view of the entire field. 

You should really join Roaring Riot and head to their tailgate . Its 25 bucks a year which is worth the price of just 1 tailgate. Plus you get a friggin shirt. They really do it up right. 

https://roaringriot.com/

Head to the stadium the day before if you can to get pictures of the statues and such. Its really crowded on gamedays to get a nice shot without people in the shot. 

 

[luke262]

50 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

The 500s are a lot of fun and you get a great view of the entire field. 

You should really join Roaring Riot and head to their tailgate . Its 25 bucks a year which is worth the price of just 1 tailgate. Plus you get a friggin shirt. They really do it up right. 

https://roaringriot.com/

Head to the stadium the day before if you can to get pictures of the statues and such. Its really crowded on gamedays to get a nice shot without people in the shot. 

 

Glad I got the 500's then, I spent an awful lot of time deliberating over where to sit believe me. I did see Roaring Riot were trying to get links with fans in the UK so I'll check that out now.  Thanks for the heads up. 

Glad I picked the Bills game, can't wait to see Tolbert play in the flesh (all of it)...obviously.

[panther4life]

 

2 hours ago, luke262 said:

Hi guys, 

Similar thread to Huddle Help! In CLT 1st time ever - long story short I have booked to come over to Charlotte from 15th September to 18th for the home opener and this will be my first game. I managed to get tickets for Sec 516 row A. did a bit of research and basically everyone said sitting in the upper tier is where the atmosphere is best and the view is as good as anywhere round the stadium, good decision or not?

Staying in the Hilton City Centre which is right by the stadium - any advise on best way to do things - get in the ground early or hang about outside the ground before the game etc? And best places for nightlife?

Cannot wait for September to come around. Thanks in advance!

September games can be brutal in the heat. You are going to be on the visitors side, which is where the sun will hit the hardest. Whatever you do prepare for that. Also Bills fans travel well, so outside the gates a few likely join together in their lil chant and they will continue until we have a 2 score lead on them.

[blackcat]

I sit in the 500's and love it, wouldn't sit anywhere else.  Have fun, as @panther4life said, prepard to get roasted.  September games are brutal in the heat.  

[Darth Biscuit]

You'll like Hilton City Center and the 500s is definitely the place to sit.

The Riot tailgate is excellent as everyone has said.  Plenty of stuff to do around there to just walk to.

Hope you enjoy!

[Carl Spackler]

The epicentre isn't that great for nightlife but Vida is a hell of a taco bar if you like mixed drinks and awesome tacos

[Still Brooklyn]

If you're really from London, sad to say you may burn to a crisp in the sun section. But don't worry, we here at the Huddle will hold a special special wake for you. ;)

Also, be prepared for a culture shock coming from London. Yes, the 500s are WAY WAY WAY more lively, but you can get all that fun at the tailgate, IMHO. If I were you, I'd exchange (if possible) tickets for the shady side and the lower bowl. That way you can enjoy your first ever game by soaking it all in in a bit more comfort. 300 level are quiet, snobby rich people, but it's air conditioned inside with better food, bathrooms and liquor.

I guess it's all about what you want out of a first game.

[Jeremy Igo]

They aren't kidding about the sun. Be sure to wear a hat and lather up in Sun screen . Can't stress this enough.

[Arroz con Panther]

Us locals get tired of the Epicentre, but it's really the only major nightlife downtown and a good place for out-of-towners, so I'd go there if you're looking for clubs.  It's walkable from your hotel.  There's also a string of bars on 5th street, but those tend to get a bit crowded for their size.  

[UpstatePanther]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

They aren't kidding about the sun. Be sure to wear a hat and lather up in Sun screen . Can't stress this enough.

And drink as much water as you can both before and during the game.

during the home opener in 2015, people kept passing out cus the heat index was 110 or some ungodly number.

oh the memories though. Cams superman flip into the end zone (and the ensuing Spanish broadcast of it). Personally, I got to hold the 100-yard American flag that day, and while we were carrying it out, I got to shake hands with Jadaveon Clowney (big deal for a Gamecock fan like myself). 

Long story short OP, we're glad to have you! Get to the stadium early, cheer hard and only when the Panthers are on defense or have just made a huge offensive play, and taunt the fug out of any opposing fans in your section!

[luke262]

Cheers for the heads up on everything ,appreciate it - I'll bring the sunscreen. (The UK does get heat as well you know, I nearly wore shorts last summer!)

[luke262]

16 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

And drink as much water as you can both before and during the game.

during the home opener in 2015, people kept passing out cus the heat index was 110 or some ungodly number.

oh the memories though. Cams superman flip into the end zone (and the ensuing Spanish broadcast of it). Personally, I got to hold the 100-yard American flag that day, and while we were carrying it out, I got to shake hands with Jadaveon Clowney (big deal for a Gamecock fan like myself). 

Long story short OP, we're glad to have you! Get to the stadium early, cheer hard and only when the Panthers are on defense or have just made a huge offensive play, and taint the fug out of any opposing fans in your section!

Beer has water in it right?

[panther4life]

5 minutes ago, luke262 said:

Cheers for the heads up on everything ,appreciate it - I'll bring the sunscreen. (The UK does get heat as well you know, I nearly wore shorts last summer!)

Its not just the temperature. Its the sun sucking the life out of you.