Minnesota, Virginia Tech set for Duke’s Mayo Bowl: What to know this week at BofA Stadium
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl returns to North Carolina this week.
Charlotte’s annual college football bowl game pits Virginia Tech and Minnesota this season, marking the first meeting between those programs.
The Hokies, who played in the Belk Bowl in 2016 and 2019, are making their third postseason appearance in the Queen City. It’s the Golden Gophers’ second trip to North Carolina in program history, after Minnesota played at UNC last season.
“This is unbelievable for our players,” Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry said after taking hot laps during an event Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “It’s gotta be one of the best bowl experiences across the country.”
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will be televised on ESPN.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting to and from Bank of America Stadium, along with events happening around the venue leading up to the game:
Fan events return to Uptown Charlotte leading up to the game
▪ “Fan Central” in Truist Plaza — 214 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202 — starts at 7 p.m. Thursday. Both schools’ marching bands and cheerleaders will join music performers and more at the annual pep rally.
▪ The pregame “FanFest” gets going at 1 p.m. Friday. Food trucks, live music, a kids’ zone and more will be set up outside Bank of America Stadium throughout the afternoon, near the stadium around Mint Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue.
When do gates open Friday?
With kickoff at 7:30 p.m., gates are set to open at 6 p.m. Friday.
Where to park on game day of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
There are more than 30,000 parking spaces located within five blocks of the stadium.
Legacy Union Parking Deck: The Seven20 Garage is at 720 S. Church St., directly across from the Lowe’s Gate Entrance at Bank of America Stadium. Open flames and tents are not allowed in the parking deck. All parking passes for this lot are mobile and can be purchased online.
Reserved parking: Paid parking spaces can be booked in advance online at the stadium’s SpotHero parking page, where rates are up to 50% off the drive-up.
What about public transportation?
Fans are encouraged to use the Charlotte Area Transit System, including its buses, LYNX light rail service and CityLYNX streetcar line.
The LYNX Blue Line offers light-rail service between Uptown and Interstate 485 at South Boulevard with stops at the Carson, Stonewall and Convention Center stations, which are close to the stadium. Tickets can be purchased at a ticket vending machine at each station platform or online through the CATS-Pass mobile app.
You can find more information about the 2025 Duke’s Mayo Bowl online at charlottesports.org/event/dukes-mayo-bowl.
This story was originally published January 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
