Get loud! The 2026 football season is here

August 31, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
new eats at jerry richardson

Niner Nation, get loud — the 2026 football season is here!

Game days are built for pure energy with a new value menu, fresh food options, more beverage stations, an in‑stadium DJ, on‑field viewing moments and an upgraded internet radio experience — all designed to make game days feel bigger, brighter and unmistakably Charlotte. 

  • Come hungry: There are new eats at Jerry Richardson Stadium this season, along with a lineup of $2.99 concession favorites.
  • Get your tickets: Secure your discounted faculty and staff tickets for Saturday, Sept. 5, when the 49ers take on The Citadel. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
  • Football parking and transit: Please note on game days, some campus entrances and parking lots are designated for football traffic and parking only. Football parking permits are required to park in designated lots; resident students may be asked to move their vehicles from football lots.
  • College Colors Day: Show your Niner pride and celebrate College Colors Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, at the Barnes & Noble Charlotte Bookstore. Wear your favorite green and white Charlotte gear and enjoy games, food and giveaways while supplies last.
  • Zero-waste volunteers needed: Get your hands dirty for good and help keep Jerry Richardson Stadium zero waste. The Office of Sustainability is looking for volunteers to help sort items after this weekend’s football game to divert as much as possible away from the landfill. 

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: Unsatisfactory grading for the first term is now open. Learn more about the deadline, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest.
  • NinerAlert test: The quarterly NinerAlert test will occur at approximately 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, and will last approximately 10 minutes. No action is required of you, and the messages will be clearly marked as test messages.
  • Content migration: Perceptive Content Phase 1 migration takes place at 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10. The migration impacts all finance-related documents including FTRs and SEAs.
  • AI helpful tip: Save time reading long reports, meeting packets and email threads by uploading your files to Google’s Gemini Notebook for fast summaries and answers. 
  • Verify your contact info: Faculty and staff should verify and update their address and phone number in My UNC Charlotte to ensure they continue receiving important information from the University, the State Health Plan, NCFlex and the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System.
  • New and expanded online degrees: UNC Charlotte broadens online learning for the 2026-27 academic year.
  • Info Session: Learn about the application process for the Gambrell Faculty Fellows program, which funds fellows each year to conduct short-term, community-engaged projects, at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Sycamore or virtually. Attendees will receive an overview of the program, hear insights and project highlights from former fellows and have an opportunity to ask questions.
  • Faculty Fellow opportunity: The Charlotte AI Institute for Research is seeking a faculty fellow to support accelerating the University’s AI research prominence and catalyze interdisciplinary partnerships. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 18.
  • Lake Days are back: Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 1, lake days are back and will be happening throughout the month! Enjoy boating, music, snow cones and fun from 2 to 6 p.m. by Hechenbleikner Lake.

what you need to know: students

  • NinerAlert test: The quarterly NinerAlert test will occur at approximately 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, and will last approximately 10 minutes. No action is required of you, and the messages will be clearly marked as test messages.
  • Fall STEM fair: The fall STEM fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4th, focusing on opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
  • SURG Small Grants program: The Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting student-authored proposals for the Scholarly Undergraduate Research Grant program. Applications close Tuesday, Sept. 8. 
  • Imagination Library: UNC Charlotte English professor Mark West explains Dolly Parton’s lasting impact on childhood literacy.

the difference is charlotte

Charlotte nonprofit Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D) teamed up with the University’s Office of Transition and Belonging to provide nearly 250 laptops to first‑generation Niners. Students began lining up an hour before the doors opened to receive the tool that E2D recognizes as essential for academic success. 

Get your hands dirty for good and help keep Jerry Richardson Stadium zero waste. The Office of Sustainability is looking for volunteers to help sort items after this weekend’s football game to divert as much recyclable material as possible away from the landfill.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • New accessibility policy: Learn how Policy 319 impacts teaching, course design and digital learning materials at a virtual information session from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
  • September OneIT training: The September OneIT training schedule is live. Boost your skills this month with hands-on workshops including new sessions on Gemini Notebook and Adobe Express.
  • Fulbright Scholar reminder: The Fulbright Scholar Program application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Faculty interested in pursuing teaching, research or professional projects abroad are encouraged to submit an application.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Submit your telework/remote agreement: Agreements for 2025-26 end today, Monday, Aug. 31. Employees must submit a new request for 2026-27. Please review University Policy 101.22, supplemental procedures and the job aid for guidance. 
  • Seeking undergraduate research students: Encourage experienced undergraduate research students to apply for the SURG program. Applications are due Tuesday, Sept. 8.
  • Connect with nature at the Botanical Gardens: The next Gratitude in the Gardens Walk is from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, and the next Nature Therapy Walk is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 5. Registration is required for both events.
  • Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students

upcoming: faculty and staff

  • Deadline approaching: The Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting submissions through Thursday, Sept. 10, for mentored project proposals for the 2027 OUR Spring Research Program. 
  • Niner Nation Week kickoff: Join Niners from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, on Cauble Quad to celebrate Niner Nation Week. Enjoy food, T-shirts and giveaways while supplies last, along with showcases from units across campus and more. Register to indicate you are coming.

upcoming events: students

Lake Days are back starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 1, and will be happening throughout the month of September! Enjoy boating, music, snow cones and fun from 2 to 6 p.m. by Hechenbleikner Lake. 

  • Fireside chat: Join Niner Finances for a fireside chat with Mike Cowell, chief risk and compliance officer at TIAA, at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9. The event includes networking, food, conversation and a Q&A session. Please RSVP on Niner Engage.
  • Niner Nation Week kickoff: Join fellow Niners from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, on Cauble Quad to celebrate Niner Nation Week. Enjoy free food, T shirts, music and more, while supplies last.