Charlotte-area sporting goods stores gearing up for Panthers Super Bowl win

Should the Carolina Panthers score a win over the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s Super Bowl, Charlotte-area Dick’s Sporting Goods stores will extend their hours and open early to let fans stock up on their championship gear.

Pending a Panthers win at Super Bowl 50, 13 Dick’s Sporting Goods locations in the region will stay open after Sunday’s game and reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, the company said. A rally wall will go up this weekend at the South Park location, where fans can write notes cheering on the team.

Also on tap: A drumline immediately following the game, and a scavenger hunt-type contest with Wilson Sporting Goods, the company that manufactures footballs used by the National Football League.

To participate, fans can check Dick’s Sporting Goods and Wilson social media platforms to find the location of a giant Wilson football, dubbed “The Duke,” in Charlotte. They can then take their pictures with the ball and post it on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to win a gold panel Super Bowl 50 Wilson football.

Twitter-users should tag @dicks in the photo. If using Instagram, tag @dickssportinggoods and @wilson_football, using the hashtags “#sweepstakes” and “#findtheduke.”

The contest starts Friday.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 7:40 AM with the headline "Charlotte-area sporting goods stores gearing up for Panthers Super Bowl win."