Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Charlotte’s bowl game, an ACC team against an SEC team the day after Christmas, with the winning coach getting a cooler of mayonnaise dumped on him at the end. It is the 25th edition of the game, which started in 2002 when Virginia and West Virginia drew more than 73,000 to Bank of America Stadium, and it kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC this year.

Teams are announced on selection Sunday in early December, so the matchup is not set until then, but the bowl has a week of events around it and the two schools’ fan bases fill Uptown hotels and bars between Christmas and New Year’s. Last year Wake Forest beat Mississippi State 43 to 29.

What to expect

• ACC vs. SEC matchup, announced in early December
• 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC, the day after Christmas
• The mayo bath for the winning coach
• Bowl week events around Uptown

Schedule

• Early December Teams announced on bowl selection Sunday
• Bowl week Fan events and team arrivals
• Sat, Dec. 26, 3:30 p.m. Kickoff

Plan your visit

Tickets go on sale before the matchup is set. Uptown hotels fill with two fan bases, so book early if family is coming in for the holiday.

Good to know

• The stadium is two blocks from the Blue Line. Stonewall and Carson stations are the closest stops, and the train is the fastest way out after the final whistle.
• Uptown decks fill an hour or more before kickoff. If you drive, park south of the stadium along South Tryon or in South End and walk in.
• Clear bag policy is enforced at every gate. Small clutches are fine; backpacks are not.
• Lots around the stadium open well before game time, and the tailgate scene along Mint Street and in the Morehead lots is worth arriving early for.