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Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium - home of NC State in Raleigh, NC
Photo: Alexisrael · CC BY-SA 3.0
NCAA FBS

Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, North Carolina

NC State

About Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium

Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium holds 56,919 and is home to the Wolfpack. Named for benefactors Harry C. Carter and A.E. Finley, it sits on the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The stadium is known for its intense atmosphere and passionate red-clad fans.

Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium History

Origins

Opened October 8, 1966 with a 10-10 tie against South Carolina, replacing Riddick Stadium. Built on state fairgrounds land for $3.7 million. The field was named for Wayne Day in 2023 after his family's $30M gift.

Major Renovations

2004$100M expansion: club seating, suites, south end zone
2021Vaughn Towers rebuilt with premium hospitality
2023Field named for Wayne Day after $30M donation

Notable Moments

Nov 25, 2017NC State upset #9 Florida State 27-21
Oct 28, 2023Record crowd of 60,000 for Miami game
Nov 9, 2024NC State upset Duke 26-21

Visiting Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium

Best Seats

The Wolfpack Club Tower has premium seating. Sections 9-11 offer midfield views. West side has afternoon shade. Student section is in sections 22-25.

Parking Tips

State Fairgrounds lots surround the stadium. Pass required for premium lots. General parking in outer fairgrounds lots. Free shuttle from PNC Arena. Blue Ridge Road gets congested.

Game Day

Wolfpack Walk starts 2 hours before kickoff at Murphy Center. Join the "Wolf-Pack!" chant (fans alternate syllables). Red Out games create electric atmosphere. PNC Arena lot has great tailgating. Clear bag policy enforced.

Local Recommendations

Bars & Drinks

Players' Retreat

$$

Raleigh's oldest tavern (since 1951), a beloved NC State institution with great burgers and cold beer.

3.5 miles105 Oberlin Rd

A Wolfpack tradition for over 70 years. Try their famous burgers.

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Mitch's Tavern

$$

Iconic Hillsborough Street tavern since 1974, featured in the film Bull Durham. Known for chili and Reubens.

3 miles2426 Hillsborough St

Named one of the top 25 college bars in America. Try the chili.

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Backyard Bistro

$$

Sports bar and grill steps from Carter-Finley and PNC Arena with full menu and tailgate catering.

0.2 miles1235 Hurricane Alley Way

The closest bar to the stadium. Perfect for pregame food and drinks.

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Restaurants

Raleigh Brewing Company

$$

Local craft brewery with 20+ beers on tap, a spacious taproom, and a pet-friendly patio.

4 miles3709 Neil St

Grab a growler fill for your tailgate. Relaxed, casual atmosphere.

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Trophy Brewing & Pizza

$$

Award-winning Raleigh brewery with excellent wood-fired pizza and craft beers.

5 miles827 W Morgan St

Worth the drive downtown for some of the best pizza and beer in Raleigh.

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Hotels

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh West

$$

Convenient hotel near Carter-Finley and PNC Arena with free breakfast and parking.

2 miles1920 Ivy Creek Blvd

One of the closest hotels to the stadium. Book early for big games.

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Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel

$$$

Upscale hotel in the popular North Hills shopping district with walkable dining and shops.

4 miles4100 Main at North Hills St

Great base for a football weekend with plenty of restaurants nearby.

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Attractions

NC Museum of Art & Park

Free

Free art museum with 164-acre park featuring outdoor sculptures and trails.

1 mile2110 Blue Ridge Rd

A peaceful walk through the sculpture park makes a great pregame warmup.

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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Free

Four floors of exhibits with live animals, a dinosaur skeleton, and a 10,000-gallon aquarium.

6 miles11 W Jones St

Free admission. Great option if you are making a weekend of it in Raleigh.

View on map →

Suggest a Tip

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NC State Rivals

Frank Howard Field at Clemson Memorial StadiumClemson · Clemson, SCTextile BowlBrooks Field at Wallace Wade StadiumDuke · Durham, NCBagwell Field at Dowdy–Ficklen StadiumEast Carolina · Greenville, NCKenan StadiumNorth Carolina · Chapel Hill, NCAllegacy Federal Credit Union StadiumWake Forest · Winston-Salem, NC

Closest Stadiums to Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium

O'Kelly–Riddick StadiumNorth Carolina Central Eagles · Durham, North Carolina16 miBrooks Field at Wallace Wade StadiumDuke · Durham, NC18 miKenan StadiumNorth Carolina · Chapel Hill, NC20 miBarker–Lane StadiumCampbell Fighting Camels · Buies Creek, North Carolina27 miRhodes StadiumElon Phoenix · Elon, North Carolina49 miTruist StadiumNorth Carolina A&T Aggies · Greensboro, North Carolina62 mi

Frequently Asked Questions About Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium

What is the capacity of Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium?
Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium has a seating capacity of 56,919.
Where is Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium located?
Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium is located in Raleigh, NC.
What team plays at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium?
Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium is the home stadium of NC State in the ACC.
When was Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium built?
Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium opened in 1966.
Where are the best seats at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium?
The Wolfpack Club Tower has premium seating. Sections 9-11 offer midfield views. West side has afternoon shade. Student section is in sections 22-25.
What are the best parking tips for Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium?
State Fairgrounds lots surround the stadium. Pass required for premium lots. General parking in outer fairgrounds lots. Free shuttle from PNC Arena. Blue Ridge Road gets congested.
What type of surface does Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium have?
Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium has a tifway 419 bermuda grass playing surface.
What stadiums are near Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Wayne Day Family Field at Carter–Finley Stadium are O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium (16 mi), Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium (18 mi), Kenan Stadium (20 mi), Barker–Lane Stadium (27 mi), Rhodes Stadium (49 mi), Truist Stadium (62 mi).
Who are NC State's biggest rivals?
NC State's rivals include Clemson (Textile Bowl), Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina, Wake Forest.

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.