Experience the Thrill of North Carolina College Sports!

Discover the excitement of collegiate sports in North Carolina, from thrilling Duke basketball games to supporting local HBCUs like NCCU. Find out why attending these events is the perfect outing for sports fans and families alike!

Imagine the electric atmosphere of a packed arena, where the air is filled with excitement, competition, and school spirit. That’s what makes the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area one of the best places to experience collegiate sports! In the RDU Metropolitan area, there are more than 20 colleges and universities within a 30-mile radius, which makes for the perfect outing for sports lovers!

Whether you’re into basketball, football, track, baseball, or even golf, there’s a sport for every fan to enjoy! Show your support to local HBCUs such as my alma mater, North Carolina Central University or Shaw University,  as well as smaller or private colleges such as Meridith College and William Peace University, which is home to a beautiful campus, and many of the sporting events are free entry.  And, of course, you can attend events at larger Universities such as NC STATE, UNC, or Duke.

Now, all North Carolinians must decide which “Carolina Blue” rules their household, for some of us, the household is unanimous, while others have a household divided, especially those with intense rivalries during basketball season. In our house, there's no gray area—it's either Duke Blue or nothing! Trust me, game nights can get heated when the rivalry kicks in! And when we’re lucky, we can root for the Blue Devils from within Cameron Indoor Stadium!

If you’ve ever attended one of the iconic Blue Devils at-home games, then you know from start to finish, the experience is full of energy and excitement. In addition to the intense game being played, the roar of the crowd as the Blue Devils make a last-second shot, the rhythmic beats of the live band, and the adrenaline of the Cameron Crazies all come together to create an experience like no other. Other exciting highlights include the halftime performance, charity and organization spotlights, interactive contests, and, of course, don’t forget to keep an eye on the Jumbotron—you might just find yourself featured in one of the crowd participation games! You can also explore a collection of iconic moments and team memorabilia just outside of the arena. Also, take a few fan-favorite pictures in front of the Duke logo near the footprints of current players on the team.

Whether it’s a basketball or football game at Duke, NCCU, or even a 60-minute drive to Greensboro to watch the Aggies, we enjoy supporting and visiting various collegiate sporting events. If you're looking for a fun date night, an exciting day to watch live sports, or simply want a weekend outing, consider visiting your local colleges and university’s websites to check out any upcoming events. Equally, don’t limit yourself to sporting events. Several colleges host events that are open to the public, the great thing about attending public events is the opportunity for institutions to raise money to support the efforts of their mission and to showcase the talent of their students. So go out, enjoy yourself, and give back to your local community!

What’s your favorite college sports memory? Share your pics or stories in the comments—I'd love to hear about the electric moments that have made you a lifelong fan!

-Teyona Rakell

The information and photos shared reflect my personal experience and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Duke University or the NCAA.