Want free tickets to UNC, NC State or Duke games? Here’s how to get them (+ other schools)
Want free tickets to some of the most nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat college sports games in the Triangle?
In addition to the higher profile games like football and basketball, every college in the Triangle has a long list of free games and sporting events. Which ones have free passes?
Here’s a guide, so you can get your college sports fix in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill without spending a penny.
Free sports games at NC State University
The following sports — for both men’s and women’s teams — are free and open to the public:
Cross-Country
Golf
Soccer
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Post-season events may be ticketed, depending on the sport, said Annabelle Myers, associate athletics director for communications.
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Gymnastics
Softball
Volleyball
Wrestling
For information and tickets, visit gopack.com.
Free sports games at Duke University
The following sports — for both men’s and women’s teams — are free and open to the public:
Cross Country
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Rowing
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Soccer
Softball
Lacrosse
For information and tickets, visit goduke.com.
Free sports games at UNC Chapel Hill
The following sports — for both men’s and women’s teams — are free and open to the public:
Cross Country
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Rowing
Softball
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Post-season events would require tickets, said Dana Gelin, UNC’s director of communications.
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Soccer
For information and tickets, visit goheels.com.
Free sports games at NC Central University
The following sports — for both men’s and women’s teams — are free and open to the public:
Cross Country
Golf
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Basketball
Football
For information and tickets, visit nccueaglepride.com.
Free sports games at Saint Augustine’s University
The following sports are free and open to the public, including both men’s and women’s teams:
Track & Field
Softball
Volleyball
The school does not host cross country, track or golf matches, but those may be free at host schools, said sports information director Mike Ramel.
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Basketball
Football
For information and tickets, visit saintaugfalcons.com.
Free sports games at Shaw University
The following sports are free and open to the public, including both men’s and women’s teams:
Bowling
Cross Country
JV Basketball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
The following sports require fans to buy tickets:
Basketball
Football
For information and tickets, visit shawbears.com.
Do all colleges offer free sports games for fans?
Generally, yes.
Here’s how it usually works, said Saint Augustine’s Ramel.
Division 1 schools: These colleges charge for revenue sports (football and basketball), then they decide which non-revenue sports draw enough fans to warrant charging. For example, NC State charges for volleyball, while Duke doesn’t. D1s in the Triangle include UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke and NC State.
Division 2 schools: These colleges charge for revenue sports (football and basketball), while all others are free. D2s in the Triangle include Saint Augustine’s and Shaw.
Division 3 schools: These colleges don’t charge admission for any events, though they may for a playoff game. D3s in the Triangle include William Peace and Meredith.
