Get Ready For ECU Football: Know Before You Go

ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club are looking forward to welcoming fans to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the 2024 football season. The home opener is set for Saturday, August 31 against Norfolk State at 6 p.m. (ET) and is sponsored by Optimum.

All parking lots will open at 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, and gates to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium open at 4 p.m., two (2) hours before kickoff. The ECU Athletics Ticket Office will open at 3 p.m. (ET).

Here is everything you need to know to get ready for the 2024 season:

Aramark Concessions; Dowdy-Ficklen To Remain Cashless
When Aramark took control of the overall concessions' infrastructure at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in 2023 when Aramark Sports + Entertainment taking over operations. Pirate fans will continue to see a variety of new service innovations and food and beverage offerings for the upcoming Pirates football season.

In a move to improve the gameday experience, concessions at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will be cashless. Aramark Sports + Entertainment will only accept credit cards, debit cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay to enhance efficiency. This is a national trend at collegiate and professional sporting events.

Cashless transactions reduce touch points and increase speed of service, improving the overall fan experience and getting fans back to their seats faster so they can enjoy the game.

Aramark has 130 checkout registers throughout the concourse which increases the registers within the stadium to 300. Among checkout locations will be two self-service offerings – one AI powered Mashgin touchless checkout system, and one GRUBBRR self-service kiosk.

Fans will also be able to place mobile orders for beer and water and pick up from four designated areas within the stadium in Sections 2, 6, 14, and 18. More details will be announced on the mobile ordering process.

Food Offerings
Aramark Sports + Entertainment expanded the food and beverage offerings for fan favorite items in 2023. With the addition of more than a dozen new food and beverage locations – including new concession stands, portables, and food trailers – fans will have more options than ever to choose from.

Some highlights include:
- "Fire in the Hole BBQ" - An all-new, in-house smoked BBQ concept will be introduced in time for the home opener with six locations throughout the stadium (Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level, Williams-Clark Club Level, and Section 4, 20, 25, and 126).
- New food and beverage offerings and branded souvenir cups will be available within the Williams Clark Club Level.
- Three new food trailers offering Big Dippers Chicken Tenders, Fire in the Hole BBQ, and the Black Sail Grill.
- 14 new portable food service stations – eight for beer and water; six with both food and beverage.

Alcohol
Beer and wine will be sold at select locations inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Fans will be able to purchase alcohol at 24 stand-alone locations around the stadium, including five new Walk Through Bru locations.

Individuals consuming alcohol must always be able to produce a valid photo ID as stadium personnel may ask to see an ID at locations away from the original point of sale.

Two alcoholic beverages may be purchased per person per transaction. Sales will begin two hours prior to kickoff with all alcohol sales scheduled to end at the end of the third quarter.

In partnership with Aramark Sports + Entertainment, a variety of domestic, imported and craft beers will be available for purchase.

Carl And Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level
If you are a Pirate Club member, make sure you stop by the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each game. This is a great area for Pirate fans to gather and socialize before entering the game or to discuss the game at halftime. Pirate Club members and their guests will be admitted with at least one Pirate Club membership card.

The ECU Pirates Flagship Station, 94.3 The Game, will broadcast live from right outside the area each home game day. Special guests will make appearances on the pregame show throughout the season.

Social Media
If you are not already, make sure to follow us on social media to get the latest updates on all things ECU Athletics: @ECUAthletics and @ECUPiratesFB

Stadium DJ
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will continue to be the home of DJ Mista Illz. A native of North Carolina, he has an extensive background in working UFC fights, collegiate sporting events, and most recently as the in-stadium DJ for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. He is committed to finding the right mix of music to cater to all the different musical tastes of Pirate Nation.

Charley's Kids Zone
The 2024 season will see the return of Charley's Kid Zone, the grass area located behind Sections 10-11 near Gate 4. Thanks to a generous gift from the Carl Rogers Family, the area is named in honor of Charley Swing.

This area will have inflatables, games and other activities for kids to enjoy. Charley's Kids Zone will operate into the third quarter. Parental supervision is required in Charley's Kids Zone.

Pirate Walk
This season the Pirate Walk sponsored by Simply Natural will begin two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff on the Howard & Lyn Swain Pirate Promenade in front of TowneBank Tower. The Pirate Walk for the home opener against Norfolk State will be at 3:45 p.m. The ECU Marching Band and members of the Spirit Squad will lead head coach Mike Houston and student-athletes down the walkway leading to TowneBank Tower. The group will walk in front of historic Scales Field House toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's locker room. After the Pirate Walk, PeeDee and the cheer team will be available for photos with fans!

Clear Bag Policy
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina University has implemented safety policies for fans bringing bags into the stadium.

Only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans are allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Diaper bags and non-medically necessary items are allowed if accompanied by an infant or young children. Each member of a family, including children, can carry an approved clear bag and clutch purse into the stadium.

Fans interested in purchasing an approved clear bag may visit the Dowdy Student Store in the ECU Main Student Center as well as other area retailers.

North Side Weatherproofing
ECU Athletics is finishing up a weatherproofing project on the upper deck of the North Side of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. This project was part of our ongoing maintenance project that will help ensure the safety of everyone who attends our games.

Rideshare Service
East Carolina Athletics has established a pickup and drop-off point for Uber and Lyft on Saturdays.

Prior to kickoff and during and after game, ride-sharing drop-offs will continue at 14th Street between Elm and Berkley. Ride sharing and personal vehicles, including golf carts & low speed vehicles, will NOT be allowed access beyond campus roadblocks without proper credentials. This policy includes all ride sharing services.

Season Tickets
Season tickets for all six home games are available with packages starting as low as $115, while single-game tickets are priced between $40 and $65 for the home matchup against the Roadrunners. Purchases can be made by calling the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500, through the Online Ticket Center, or by visiting its Minges Coliseum Box Office location. For all the latest information on ECU Athletics, follow us on X (@ECUAthletics).

We can't wait to see all of you inside of Dowdy-Ficklen this fall cheering on our Pirates! Thank you for your continued support of ECU Athletics, GO PIRATES!

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