Get ready for the Tar Heels vs. Richmond football game

Carolina football players high-five fans during the Old Well Walk before the Tar Heels' season opener against TCU. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Chapel Thrill Game Day presented by Frost Buddy kicked off the 2025 Carolina football season in style on Sept. 1, and the festivities – including a free concert in Polk Place – return this Saturday, Sept. 13.

The Tar Heels kick off against Richmond at 3:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know.

John Stone to perform free concert

John Stone, “The King of Lower Broadway” in Nashville, Tenn., is set to headline this weekend’s Chapel Thrill Concert Series, brought to you by The Rams Club. Stone will hit the stage, located just in front of Wilson Library, at approximately 1:15 p.m. at Polk Place.

Stone’s career in country music has spanned over two decades and includes performances for the White House Christmas Party, a 10-year residency on Kid Rock’s Chillin’ the Most Cruise and 16 years performing at the World Famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville.

The full schedule of performers will be announced soon.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ tour

The UNC Visitors Center will be open from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday. Stop in for all the fun game day activities:

Grab a photo with Rameses.
Take the limited-run “The Summer I Turned Pretty” tour. (Register in advance.)
Enjoy our interactive features to learn about Carolina.
Find out about all the fun Chapel Thrill festivities.

Fans pack Polk Place to listen to a free concert by Chase Rice before Carolina's football game against TCU.

Tar Heel fans filled Polk Place for a free concert by country star Chase Rice ’09 before the season opener against TCU. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Game day information

The Old Well Walk will also return Saturday. Approximately three hours before kickoff, the team will walk from the Old Well through Polk Place and around the Bell Tower to the stadium, allowing fans enjoying Chapel Thrill Game Day to cheer on the Tar Heels on as they prepare for the game.

In addition to the new concert series, The Modelo Kickoff Club has doubled in size and moved to a premium position in front of the stage within Polk Place. The Kickoff Club remains the perfect spot for fans to grab a drink before the game. Entry is free, and alcohol will be available for purchase. Food trucks will also be available in and around Polk Place along with large LED screens, plus a new and dedicated student tailgate area allowing all of campus to join the pre-game fun.

UNC will work with its tailgate activation partner REVELxp to execute Chapel Thrill Game Day and will provide turnkey tailgating on all four quads at the Bell Tower, the Kenan Amphitheater and Dorrance Field. Fans may upgrade their game day with hassle-free, full-service tailgates at some of the most scenic locations on campus by contacting REVELxp at 919-869-5486 or unc@revelxp.com.

Carolina alumni will also continue to host the pregame tradition of climbing 128 steps from the ground floor to the fourth floor of the iconic Bell Tower before home football games.

Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, located in the Pit, remains a great place for fans to grab giveaways and enjoy fun activities for all ages. The area features kids’ activities, golf simulators, bounce houses, sponsor activations, autograph sessions with Carolina student-athletes, a large LED screen and more.