ECU Athletics Announces 2026 Football Game Day Fan Information and Game Day Experiences

Pirate Nation is counting down the days until football returns to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, and ECU Athletics has announced its lineup of gameday events, promotions and fan experiences for the 2026 season.

Season Tickets
Season tickets for all six home games remain available, with packages starting as low as $81. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500, visiting the Minges Coliseum Box Office or through the Online Ticket Center.

Mini Plans are also available, allowing fans to select the home games that best fit their schedules.

2026 Home Schedule & Game Themes

Sept. 12 - App State | Noon | ESPNU

Paint It Purple
Pirate Club Weekend
Game Sponsor: ECU Health

Sept. 26 - NC Central | 4 p.m. | ESPN+

Family Weekend
Jr. Pirate Dancers Performance
Pirate Kids Club Day
Game Sponsor: Pepsi

Oct. 10 - Rice

Homecoming
Letterwinners Weekend
Jr. Pirate Cheer Performance
Game Sponsor: Pirates Cove

Oct. 31 - Temple

Fan Appreciation Day
Game Sponsor: Hyster-Yale

Nov. 6 – USF | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Military Appreciation Day
Night of the Boneyard
Halftime Drone Show
Band Day
Skydiving Performance by the Golden Knights
Game Sponsor: Optimum

Nov. 27/28 – FAU (Date TBA)

Senior Day
Game Sponsor: Farm Bureau

New for 2026

ECU 50/50 Raffle
ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club are introducing a new fan experience for the 2026 season with a 50/50 raffle at each home football game. One participating fan will win half of the total raffle jackpot, while the remaining proceeds will benefit the Pirate Club to provide scholarship support and critical resources for ECU student-athletes.

Fans will be able to purchase raffle entries by scanning QR codes located throughout Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Additional information, including entry prices, purchase deadlines and official rules, will be announced before the season.

ECU Health To Serve as Field Sponsor
ECU Athletics is proud to welcome ECU Health as field sponsor of Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the 2026 season. ECU Health will have an on-field logo for all six home games.

The partnership furthers strengthen the longstanding relationship between ECU Athletics and ECU Health while providing increased visibility for one of Eastern North Carolina's most visible organizations throughout the football season.

Shreve Family Lot Debuts
The former Lower Minges parking lot off Charles Boulevard has been renamed the Shreve Family Lot. The lot is named after East Carolina University graduates, Bill and Lisa Shreve, who are longtime Pirate Club members that have consistently invested in the future of ECU Athletics through major initiatives including the Pirates Unite Campaign, Circle of Excellence, and Second Century Campaign.

PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL

Digital Parking Debuts for the 2026 Season
ECU Athletics will transition to digital parking passes for the 2026 football season. Fans should access their parking pass through their ECU Ticket Account and add it to their mobile wallet before arriving on campus. Fans should visit the Digital Parking Information page for updated information.

Upon arrival at the assigned parking lot, fans will present the digital pass on their phone to the parking attendant. Once the pass is scanned, the attendant will provide a small printout displaying the assigned parking space number. Fans should place the printout on their dashboard where it is clearly visible before proceeding to their assigned space.

Each parking pass permits one entry into the assigned lot. Re-entry will not be permitted once the pass has been scanned. Fans should not share screenshots or copies of their parking pass because each pass is valid for only one scan and cannot be reused after entry.
Parking passes may be transferred digitally through the ticket holder's online account.

A valid state-issued ADA placard or license plate must be accompanied by a valid game-day parking pass to enter an assigned parking lot. An ADA placard alone does not provide access to a reserved lot. Fans with an ADA placard who do not have a valid game-day parking pass may pay to park at the Christenbury lot and utilize the ADA shuttle to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Pay-to-Park Lots Go Cashless
All ECU Athletics-controlled pay-to-park lots will transition to cashless payment for 2026.

This change applies to the ADA pay-to-park lot at Christenbury Memorial Gymnasium and the public pay-to-park lot at Belk. Parking will cost $20 per vehicle, and debit or credit cards will be required. Cash will not be accepted.

Fans are encouraged to have their payment card ready upon arrival to expedite entry.

For additional information, visit the Digital Parking Information page.

Rideshare Service
ECU Athletics has established a designated pickup and drop-off point for Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services on home football game days.

Before, during and after the game, ride-share drop-offs and pickups will be located on 14th Street between Elm Street and Berkley Road.

Rideshare and personal vehicles, including golf carts and low-speed vehicles, will not be permitted beyond campus roadblocks without the appropriate credentials.

Clear Bag Policy
To enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, East Carolina University has established guidelines for bags brought into the stadium.

Fans may bring one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag. A small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches is also permitted.

Small bags containing medically necessary items are permitted and are subject to inspection. Diapers and other non-medically necessary items for babies and young children must be carried in an approved clear bag. All bags and items are subject to search at stadium entrances.

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.

PREGAME ACTIVITIES

Tailgate Plaza
Located at the former site of Scales Fieldhouse, Tailgate Plaza is a gathering place where all Pirate fans are invited to bring a chair, meet up with friends and enjoy the excitement surrounding Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium before kickoff.

The open plaza will feature live music, a beer garden, and a video wall showing college football action throughout the day. Food and beverages, including beer, wine and Sup Crushes, will also be available for purchase. A new permanent shade sail has also been installed to provide additional comfort for fans gathering in Tailgate Plaza.

The Pirate Walk will pass directly through Tailgate Plaza, giving fans an up-close view as head coach Blake Harrell and the Pirates make their way toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's locker room.

Fans and groups looking for a dedicated location within Tailgate Plaza may reserve a designated tailgate space beginning at $2,000. Spots are filling up fast so those interested should complete the Tailgate Space Interest Survey.

Treasure Island
Treasure Island, ECU's dedicated pregame tailgating and live entertainment area for students, will return to its former location near Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the 2026 season.

Located next to the Isley Performance Center, Treasure Island will feature live music, guest DJs and other game-day activities before kickoff. Winyah will be performing at 10am before the September 12^th match-up with App. State.

Student groups interested in reserving a space in Treasure Island should contact Pirate Club Assistant Director of Development Harrison Martin at martinh25@ecu.edu.

Pirate Walk
The Pirate Walk will begin two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff on the Howard & Lyn Swain Pirate Promenade in front of TowneBank Tower.

The ECU Marching Pirates and members of the ECU Spirit Squad will lead head coach Blake Harrell and the football team along the promenade. The group will walk through the Tailgate Plaza toward the Ward Sports Medicine Building and the team's locker room.

Following the Pirate Walk, PeeDee and the cheerleading team will be available for photos with fans.

The Pirate Walk for the Sept. 12 home opener against App State is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.

Carl And Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level
Pirate Club members are invited to visit the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each game day. This is a great area for Pirate fans to gather and socialize before kickoff or to discuss the game at halftime.

Pirate Club members and their guests will be admitted with at least one Pirate Club membership card per group.

The ECU Pirates Flagship Station, 94.3 The Game, will broadcast live outside the Carl and Connie Rogers Pirate Club Level each home game day. Special guests will appear on the pregame show throughout the season.

INSIDE THE STADIUM

Cashless Concessions
With Aramark Sports + Entertainment in charge of all the concessions' infrastructure at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium since 2023, Pirate fans have continued to see a variety of new service innovations and food and beverage offerings at Pirate athletic events.

Concessions at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will remain cashless with Aramark Sports + Entertainment accepting all major credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay.

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 Sports + Entertainment has over 400 points of sale throughout Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Food Offerings
Aramark Sports + Entertainment has expanded the food and beverage offerings for fan favorite items for this season. 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:

Leaning into family concepts this year. Williams-Clark Club will offer family style nachos, Nye's Ice Cream Sandwiches and family style "Tailgate Nacho's" served in a souvenir football bowl at both stands.
"Tenders for Two" is being introduced at The Buccaneer located behind Section 128 and will be served in a souvenir football bowl.
"Treasures and Treats", a new concept to at the stand behind Section 115 will offer an assortment of dessert style foods including Dippin' Dots, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Cotton Candy and limited-edition Yeti and Frost Buddy cups.
Ty's Treats will be a new vendor at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium serving roasted nuts, cotton candy, funnel cakes, fried Oreo's and fresh squeezed lemonade.

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 Walk Through Bru locations. A new Pirate branded beer called "No Quarter" is being introduced by Hi-Wire Brewing Company. The collaboration provides Pirate fans with a light lager and will be offered at all beer selling areas throughout the stadium.

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 beer or wine beverages may be purchased per person per transaction. One liquor beverage may be purchased 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.

Chaley's Kids Zone & PeeDee's Sensory Trailer
Named in honor of Charley Swing, the free area features inflatables, games and other activities for young Pirate fans.

The area is open through the third quarter and parental supervision is required at all times.

Guests to PeeDee's Sensory Trailer may benefit from a quieter, more sensory-friendly environment, will again have access to PeeDee's Sensory Space during home football games this season. The mobile unit offers a break from noise and stimulation, providing a sound modulated space with sensory integrative lighting, motor sensory boards, soft music, in-house television (so you don't miss a play!), and comfortable seating.

Sensory Bags consisting of headphones, fidget spinners, communication boards, and other sensory tools are available FREE of charge, to those fans who need support inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. These bags can be checked out at the Sensory Space, which will be located adjacent Charley's Kids Zone, near Sections 10 & 11. The space will be available 30 minutes prior to kickoff and will operate until there are five minutes remaining in the game. See inside PeeDee's Sensory Space here.

In-Stadium Entertainment
DJ Mista Illz will return as ECU's in-stadium DJ, providing music throughout each home game to energize Pirate Nation and enhance the atmosphere inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mista Illz is also the in-stadium DJ for the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes.

Prior to kickoff, a different accomplished former Pirate or notable guest will lead the Purple/Gold chant, followed by PeeDee's signature entrance approximately 17 minutes before kickoff, presented by Big Rock Powersports & Marine.

Pregame and in-game pyrotechnics will also return in 2026, courtesy of Minges Bottling Group. Fans can expect additional purple smoke during team introductions and updated firework sequences throughout the game-day presentation.

One of the season's largest entertainment showcases is scheduled for the Nov. 6 matchup against USF, which will feature a halftime drone show, Band Day, and a skydiving performance by the U.S. Army Golden Knights as part of Military Appreciation Day and Night of the Boneyard.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans are encouraged to follow ECU Athletics throughout the season for the latest ticket information, parking reminders, game-day updates and team news.
Follow @ECUAthletics @ECUPiratesFB and @ECUPirateClub on social media.

Pirate Nation, we'll see you in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this fall.

ECU Athletics Announces 2026 Football Game Day Fan Information and Game Day Experiences

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