College Football Is The Best Kickoff To Your Labor Day Weekend

Source: Jared C. Tilton / Getty

While the pros (and Panthers) are two weeks away from opening the NFL regular season, the kickoff to college football coincides with Labor Day Weekend.

It’s time to tailgate with the Dukes Mayo Classic, the Niners home-opener and a very special broadcast in the heart of the city.

So, let’s break it all down.

The premier event is the Duke’s Mayo Classic at 7:30pm on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium featuring a matchup of the Tarheels versus the Gamecocks.

But! A mere 12-24 hours earlier, ESPN’s College Game Day will set up temporary shop Uptown at Romare Bearden park.

As we told you when it was accounced that GameDay would be here, it’s the first time ever for the pre-game show airing in Charlotte. It goes on-air at 9am on ESPN and runs till noon. Spectators can show up early, as it’s encouraged to get in line and secure a spot.

Also on Saturday, The Forty-Niners football season gets underway at 6pm with Charlotte hosting South Carolina State.

If you’d like to cram before you go (there’s something about UNCC and studying for Charlotte alum Liz), you can watch the show about Charlotte’s football team on ESPN+.

Feeling more musically inclined? They’re here without you, baby – or preferably with you – as Three Doors Down plays at Skyla Credit Union Amphiteatre Saturday night. To add to your emo, their opening act is Candlebox.

Getting lightly lost in the shuffle… It’s Labor Day Weekend!

You can check out the festival Matthews Alive…

It starts on Friday at 6pm runs through Monday with different things to check out every day. Including our own Matt Harris who will be in the parade on Saturday!

The Whitewater Center holds Labor Day events. They invite you to enjoy the holiday outdoors with the Labor Day 5K and 15K Trail Race, SUP yoga, activities, and live music throughout the weekend.

Charlotte’s Labor Day Parade runs through Uptown on Monday at 11am.