I love college football season and attending games at Carter–Finley Stadium, the beloved home to the North Carolina State Wolfpack football team. Known as A Den For The Pack, the stadium was officially opened in 1966 and has a current seating capacity of 56,919 fans.
The opening football game on Oct. 8, 1966, was when the Wolfpack hosted South Carolina for Dedication Day. Unfortunately, the crowd went home disappointed following a 34-24 loss to a Gamecock team that won only once all season, but this new chapter had begun.
In case you’re new to Raleigh, or you’re not a college sports fan, the NC State Wolfpack football team represents NC State University in the sport of American football.
The Wolfpack competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
If you’re interested in learning all about Carter-Finley stadium, or wandering what it’s like to attend a game, this guide is for you.
Originally named Carter Stadium in honor of Harry C. & Wilbert J. Nick Carter, both graduates of NC State who were major contributors to the original building of the stadium. The name of Albert E. Finley, another major contributor to the university, was added in September 1979. 
It was designed by primary designer, Charles H. Kahn, under the guidance of Milton Small and Associates, Raleigh’s biggest engineering firm. When completed in 1966 for the start of the football season, the new home of Wolfpack Football was considered a modernist marvel, described as a “sleek, 20th-century stadium of rare beauty and functionalism, on a site that will be protected and grow in beauty in the years ahead.” Over the years, the stadium has been upgraded from its original state, and while not the largest of college football stadiums in the US, it encompasses many of the features that make game day exciting and enjoyable for Pack fans and visiting teams! 
The stadium has been split into two zones, the South Side and North Side. The south end zone is the home of the 103,254 square-foot Wendell H. Murphy Football Center, well respected for its design for the training and preparation of athletes. Inside is the “Hall of Champions”, locker rooms, coaches offices, and a weight room spans the entire length of the building. 
In the past decade, TowneBank Center, also known as Vaughn Towers, was built. This is a four-level facility that boasts 117,000 square feet and holds 51 luxury suites, 1,000 club seats, and luxurious quarters for the media covering NC State games. 
In the north end zone, the A.E. Finley Fieldhouse houses two spacious, state-of-the-art locker rooms that can be divided into smaller locker rooms when Carter-Finley plays host to high school championship games. Carter-Finley has since earned a reputation as one of the most exciting venues to watch college football, mainly due to the energy and dedication of Wolfpack fans, and just one feature that makes game day special is the stadium has the smallest clearance between the stands and the sidelines of any stadium in the ACC. 
Not only is it a great venue for football games and concerts, but on February 18, 2023 it will play host to the NHL’s Stadium Series game which will feature Raleigh’s very own Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals in an outdoor hockey game – more on that down below!
Raleighwood, a 25,000 sq. ft. fan zone is free and open to all fans when the gates open. Located in the northeast corner of Carter-Finley, this concourse area includes food trucks, beverage stations and amenities such as tents, tables (picnic & cocktail) and live music and entertainment options.
Carter–Finley Stadium is a 5-mile drive west of downtown Raleigh (approximately 15-minute drive) via Hillsborough St that runs past the North Campus of NC State University. Drive times and distances from other locations include:
I have not personally done this, but you can get to Carter-Finley Stadium by Bus. Route 60 (blue route) on the NC State University Wolfline is open to the public and offers services the stadium. It departs from campus on Hillsborough St.
See route map here. (Note: current schedule is only for weekdays).
While the stadium is located on university land, it is a mile west of the academic campus so it is essentially an off-campus stadium.
Note to hockey fans: it is located right next door to PNC Arena, home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and you can walk easily between both.
NC State football fans are noisy, passionate, and love to tailgate which provides for a super fun environment and atmosphere during game day at Carter-Finley.
Whether you’re a seasoned football fan, an NC State alumni, or it’s your first ever college game in Raleigh, you’re guaranteed a good time whether they win or lose.
The energy of the place makes it hard not to enjoy it, especially during night games – keep in mind they’ve been tailgating ALL DAY!
As for tailgating, they say it’s second to none in the state of North Carolina. Personally, I haven’t been to East Carolina (ECU) or Appalachian State (ASU) games yet, but from personal experience the tailgating at State games is way better than at UNC or Duke football games and one of the best in the ACC I’ve been told.
As Australians who grew up without tailgating at any of our sporting codes, the first time we experienced a State ‘game day’ it was a site to behold.
From the full-size RV setups with everything you could possibly need to grill-out, to the various tailgate lots surrounding the stadium filled with State fans (including the setups among the nearby forest – this is Raleigh after all, the City of Oaks), if you haven’t been to a Wolfpack football game yet and tailgated, have you even lived in Raleigh?
Even if you don’t know anyone, like we didn’t our first time, the fans are friendly and will be glad to welcome you in, or just walk around and take in the pre-game atmosphere and festivities.
Game day atmosphere
Go big or go home as they say, and yes, there is a football game to watch, too!
Watching the home team get off the bus and enter the stadium is another cool gameday experience at Carter-Finley.
Just head to the car parking area out front of the 103,254 square-foot Wendell Murphy Football Center (corner of Trinity Rd & Peter Karmanos Jr Dr) and Stadium Gate B and join a large gathering of fans, the NC State band, and cheerleaders who really add to the experience in welcoming the Wolfpack to Carter-Finley Stadium (approximately three hours prior to kickoff).
You can’t miss the “Wolfpack Turf” sculpture, an iconic symbol of the university which marks the entrance to the Murphy Center.
All seating inside Carter-Finley Stadium is reserved seating, and all patrons 3 years of age and older require a ticket.
Most seats are your traditional bleachers, which can get a little uncomfortable over the length of a football game, and if you’re with a large group it is kind of hard to stay seated in your own seat.
The numbering system could also be improved upon, and we found it hard to locate our seats in the upper deck on the eastern side the last game we attended.
But almost every seat has an unobstructed view of the field and sight lines are good throughout so no matter where you sit I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience.
Check out this seating map. And if you know your seat number, check out your view from this 3D interactive seating map. For all Wolfpack football tickets, go here.
Tuffy’s Terrace is an outdoor Premium Area located in the North End Zone.
Enjoy Wolfpack Football with fantastic views from the 1st and 2nd Row Rail Seats, 30-person premium Suites, or with general admission standing room only Tuffy’s Terrace Deck Pass! All packages include access to a private bar and all-inclusive food offerings.
TowneBank Center rises above the west stands and stretches from endzone to endzone. The 117,000 square-foot structure includes four levels, 51 private luxury suites and 955 club seats, as well as a University Suite for the Chancellor.
The state-of-the-art facility also includes accommodations for the media, with 112 press seats. For more premium seating information and Wolfpack Membership click here.
Note, the following parking information I’m sharing below is related to NC State Football games. I don’t know how they operate the parking situation for concerts.
All parking on the ground of Carter-Finley Stadium is reserved and requires a valid permit for entry, so unless you have football season tickets, are a student or a Wolfpack Club Member, the parking situation for single-game tickets can be a little confusing and spread out all over the place, some lots quite a distance from the stadium.
I wish they made it clearer and easier on how to pre-purchase parking if you have a single-game ticket.
Our first visit we drove around for an hour trying to figure out where to park and ended up parking near the NC State Fairgrounds with about a 15-minute walk back.
Look at this interactive parking map and hover over each section with your cursor for instructions. Here is another map with more information.
Pay Lots:
There are other lots scattered about. NOTE: bring CASH for all these lots!
There are plenty of food and beverage options in the stadium, including new additions for the 2024 season – think your typical stadium food and prices – all concession stands use a cashless pay system!
For the 2024 season, new food options have been released including specialty barbecue, hot honey fried chicken sandwiches, new grill carts, and hot-pressed sandwiches.
If you have nutrition requirements e.g. gluten free, your options will be limited!
Alcohol is available during games, much to the joy of most fans. Try the New Belgium ‘old tuffy’ which was brewed in partnership with NC State.
Don’t forget you can visit Raleighwood on game days at Carter-Finley located in the Northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 11 to enjoy food trucks, the Lowes Food Beer Den, and live entertainment pre-game and at halftime.
Stadium entrance gates typically open 1.5 hours prior to kick-off for access to general seating areas, and all gates are accessible entrances into Carter-Finley Stadium. The Carter-Finley Stadium Map can be found here.
TowneBank Center patrons may enter 2 hours prior to the game through Gates 4, 8, and 14 only.
Make sure you know what you can, and cannot bring, into the stadium since it may be a long walk back to your car and you can miss out on some of the fun!
They are pretty strict on their bag size and clear bag policy, so I would recommend getting a wristlet or clear bag if you want to bring one. For more information on their bag policy and sizes click here.
Smoking is prohibited in any form through the use of tobacco products (pipes, cigars and cigarettes) or “vaping” with e-cigarettes throughout the Carter-Finley Stadium complex in TowneBank Center, the seating bowl, the concourses and restrooms.
Violators of this policy will be ejected from the stadium. Smoking is permitted in the designated smoking areas at Gates 2 and 8.
Most people will be driving to the stadium, unless you get dropped off by one of the ride-share services or a bus. Driving directions:
A west Raleigh favorite and one of the best sports bars in Raleigh is Brickhouse located off Hillsborough Street (directly across from Meredith College) and relatively close to NC State and PNC Arena.
Popular for NC State college games and Carolina Hurricanes fan. In fact, the Wolfpack Weekly radio show with Dave Doeren is held here offering fans the opportunity to attend each recording. It also happens to be the headquarters of the Ohio State Buckeyes alumni club, and New England Patriots fans.
Located across from NC State University’s North Campus, the Players Retreat is a tradition with NC State students and alumni. If you can’t make it to Carter-Finley Stadium to cheer on the Wolfpack, join the pack fans here.
Established in 1951, it’s the oldest continuously operating tavern between Atlanta and Washington D.C. one of the storied sports bars in Raleigh and a true landmark in the city!
Cool murals
Raleigh Brewing’s mission with every beer brewed is to embrace the City of Oaks (Raleigh), and from the murals of the capital city on the taproom walls, to their beer names and their involvement with local community organizations and nonprofits, this is what they do.
20+ beers on tap with a wide selection of styles. This brewery is very spacious, with a large outdoor patio area (often with a food truck), a nice casual atmosphere and is pet friendly.
The above-mentioned sports bars all sell quality bar food. As for restaurants, there’s nothing within walking distance of Carter-Finley but the below establishments are a relatively short drive away:
If you’re heading downtown, check out our list of 23 restaurants in downtown Raleigh we recommend to all first timer’s to Raleigh.
Need a place to stay close to the action at Carter-Finley, consider these options:
For downtown Raleigh hotels check out this list. And for hotels near Raleigh Airport check these.
If you’re an NC State basketball fan, don’t miss our guides to Reynolds Coliseum and PNC Arena.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions? Or, if you have any of your own tips or suggestions about visiting and watching an event at Carter-Finley Stadium?
