Charlotte football returns to Jerry Richardson Stadium this Friday night to host Tulane, looking to build on the first win of its season after a 15-game losing streak finally ended against Temple. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the game airing live on ESPN2.
The 49ers enter the matchup at 1-6 overall and 1-2 in the American Conference, while Tulane comes in at 3-4 overall and also 1-2 in conference play, according to charlotte49ers.com. Charlotte picked up that elusive first win with a 38-31 victory at Temple on Oct. 17 before heading into its bye week, a result that snapped a 15-game losing streak stretching back through the program's recent struggles.
Military Appreciation Night and a Discounted Tailgate
Friday's contest doubles as Charlotte's Military Appreciation Game, presented by ServPro, per the same athletics department report. Fans looking to make a night of it can take advantage of the Spooky Budget Blitz Bundle, which for the Tulane game only costs $15 total and includes a game ticket and a food voucher.
Game tickets are sold separately through the university's athletics department, and prospective tailgaters should note that Alumni Tailgate admission does not include entry to the game itself, according to the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association. The alumni office also confirms that season passes are not being offered for the 2026 tailgate season, so fans will need to purchase access game by game.
Alumni Tailgate Kicks Off at Hauser Pavilion
The Alumni Tailgate begins two and a half hours before kickoff, putting the start time at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hauser Alumni Pavilion, the report notes. Each tailgate ticket includes two hours of food and drinks, entertainment, visits from the spirit squads, games, and giveaways.
Hauser Alumni Pavilion, an 8,000-square-foot venue, serves as the year-round home of the 49er Tailgate Village during Charlotte football season, according to the alumni association's facilities page. The space has become the traditional pregame gathering spot for Charlotte fans and graduates ahead of home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
A National Spotlight on Teachers
The October 30 Charlotte-Tulane game falls outside the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers Week, which runs September 12–19, 2026. The week is a nationwide effort in which universities, conferences, and ESPN join together to recognize educators across the country. The program has grown considerably since its launch, with more than 4,000 PK-12 teachers nationally having received recognition through its Game Ball initiative, per the CFP Foundation.
With the 49ers carrying fresh momentum into a nationally televised Friday night game, the Military Appreciation theme gives the Jerry Richardson Stadium crowd a reason to turn out early for the tailgate and stay through the final whistle.
