Tag: Kenan Stadium

Kenan Stadium undergoing massive change, UNC announces

Kenan Stadium will look a little different this coming football season

The UNC football program is undergoing some massive changes this offseason, ones that we’re confident are massive victories for the future.

North Carolina’s greatest change came at head coach, when it hired 8-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick to replace Mack Brown. As a result of Belichick’s hiring, the Tar Heels are suddenly a destination for talented recruits – both from high school and the transfer portal.

On Monday, January 27, we learned of one more for UNC – but not within the team.

Kenan Stadium, which installed AstroTurf before the 2019 college football season, will change back to natural grass for North Carolina’s upcoming 2025 campaign.

The Tar Heels previously played on a grass surface from 1927-2018. They now return to a surface much safer for players, as turf is known to cause serious injuries, particularly in the NFL.

UNC will get plenty of practice time on grass, with its first game on grass coming Monday, September 1 against TCU in the season-opener at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFV9YZGR9HW/

North Carolina heads to Charlotte on September 6, then returns to Kenan on Sept.13 to face Richmond. UNC won’t return to Chapel Hill until October 4, facing what’s expected to be an ACC contender in Clemson, then plays Virginia at home on Oct. 25.

The Tar Heels host ACC newcomer Stanford on November 8, then close out their home sale on Nov. 22 against archrival Duke.

As I mentioned before, I’m excited for the change back to natural grass. It’s healthier for the players and contributes to the overall game experience – how many times have you watched football and said, “man, that turf is really nice?”

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

New UNC football coach Bill Belichick makes bold suggestion on Pat McAfee Show

Bill Belichick wants college football’s top pregame show in Chapel Hill during 2025.

There isn’t one college football program with more excitement surrounding it than the North Carolina Tar Heels.

On Wednesday, December 11, UNC hired Bill Belichick to be its next head football coach. North Carolina’s decision to land Belichick, a 6-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots and 3-time AP NFL Coach of the Year, created an immediate buzz around the football program we haven’t seen in ages.

You’re already starting to see some early effects of Belichick’s hiring, with several Tar Heels withdrawing their names from the transfer portal. Quarterback Bryce Baker, UNC’s top 2025 football recruit, re-assured his commitment after recent uncertainty.

North Carolina’s 2025 opponents are set, but recently on the Pat McAfee Show, Belichick suggested the College GameDay crew take a trip to Chapel Hill next fall.

“Why don’t you come down and talk about it in person,” Belichick said. “How about we do GameDay down here (in Chapel Hill)?”

“I would be honored to go down there,” McAfee responded. (UNC GM Michael) Lombardi tells me it’s the most beautiful place that he’s ever been. We can’t wait to get down there.”

McAfee didn’t guarantee a 2025 College GameDay appearance in Chapel Hill, but he certainly sounds more excited about that possibility. The Tar Heels should be much improved under Belichick in 2025 – and Belichick attracts national media attention – so what more could McAfee and his team want?

UNC has a 1-2 record in three previous appearances on College GameDay, with the most recent being its 2023 opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks. North Carolina won that game, 31-17, to kick off its 6-0 start.

If the Tar Heels start hot in 2025, I have a good feeling College GameDay will come to Chapel Hill. Maybe McAfee already has a date in mind?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions

Kenan Stadium honoring Tylee Craft for remainder of 2024 UNC football season

When you watch UNC’s last two home football games, you’ll notice a new decal on the 25-yard line.

After four straight weeks of suffering, the North Carolina Tar Heels are playing watchable football again.

UNC has dominated its past two opponents, Virginia and Florida State, outscoring them by a 75-25 margin. North Carolina’s offense played the best it has all year, headlined by a 5-touchdown day from Omarion Hampton against FSU, but the Tar Heels’ defense was the real difference-maker – with 17 combined sacks in their past two victories.

Before that, though, UNC truly looked like it wouldn’t win another game after losing to Georgia Tech. That wasn’t the worst part of that afternoon, though, as North Carolina lost wide receiver Tylee Craft to a long-term battle with cancer.

The Tar Heels may not phyiscally have Craft with them anymore, but they’re doing everything they can to honor his legacy.

That includes UNC’s final two homes games: Saturday, Nov. 16 against Wake Forest and Saturday, Nov. 30 against NC State, in which Kenan Stadium will have a “Tylee Strong 13” decal on the 25-yard line.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCNVvG-vFvy/

The outpouring for Craft this season has already exceeded expectations. A different North Carolina player wears Craft’s jersey each week, starting with top wide receiver J.J. Jones during the Georgia Tech game. Virginia players donned Tylee Craft stickers on their helmets, then Florida State painted a “Tylee Strong 13” circle on the brick wall inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

With three more games to go in their current campaign, the Tar Heels can honor Craft in one more way: making their sixth-straight bowl game. UNC needs just one more victory, which is well within reach.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC basketball 2005 national title team honored on Saturday

The UNC men’s basketball program has six National Championships under its belt. The 2005 title squad was at Kenan Stadium Saturday.

When you think about the best UNC basketball teams, which ones come to mind?

Is it the 2009 squad with the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington? How about the 1957, 1982 or 1993 title-winning squads? Does the 2017 title-winning squad with Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks count, or is the most talented team one that didn’t even win a championship?

We’d like to give the 2005 National Championship-winning squad consideration. Complete with future NBA players Raymond Felton, Marvin Williams and now-UNC assistant coach Sean May, these Tar Heels completed their 33-4 season with a close, 75-70 victory over Illinois in the National Championship.

This was the first of three national titles for legendary North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, who also coached the 2009 and 2017 title-winning teams.

North Carolina’s 2005 title-winning squad was honored again on Saturday, Sept 7 between the first and second quarters of UNC’s home football opener against Charlotte.

Rashad McCants, Jawad Williams and David Noel also played in the NBA for several years after the Tar Heels’ title run. North Carolina’s starting lineup of May, McCants, M. Williams, J. Williams and Felton all averaged double-digit points totals, but May led the way with 17.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Headlined by RJ Davis’ return and plenty of young talent, most notably 5-stars Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, UNC is hoping to capture its seventh National Championship in 2025.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Photos from Manchester City-Celtic FC match at Kenan Stadium

If you’re a soccer fan, take a look at some photos from Manchester City’s international friendly against Celtic FC at Kenan Stadium.

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program is lucky to call Kenan Stadium its home.

Situated in the heart of UNC’s campus, Kenan Stadium is amongst the country’s most beautiful college football venues. No matter where you’re sitting inside, you can clearly see pine trees, blue sky, the Bell Tower and other campus buildings.

There are too many memorable games to count inside Kenan, but a few that come to the top of my mind are: Giovani Bernard’s game-winning punt return against NC State in 2012, then North Carolina’s near-upset of top-ranked Clemson in 2019.

Kenan Stadium hosted plenty of UNC lacrosse games in the past, but it’s recently expanded to host a couple of soccer friendlies. Last year was the first-ever international soccer match in Chapel Hill, with Chelsea and Wrexham facing off July 20.

This year – on Tuesday, July 23 – Premier League power Manchester City FC hosted top Scottish club Celtic FC. Celtic won, 4-3, in a game that all in attendance appeared to enjoy.

If you couldn’t make the friendly in person, ESPN2 broadcasted the match. I caught the last 20 minutes of the second half – seeing Kenan, even though it wasn’t for a Tar Heels football game, increased my hunger for the Sept. 7 home opener vs. Charlotte.

Let’s take a look at photos from Tuesday’s match, which featured plenty of Carolina blue:

Premier League Trophy makes its way across the pond to UNC basketball team

European soccer is the gold standard for professional soccer. The Premier League trophy, won by England’s best-performing club, made its way to the UNC basketball team Thursday.

Last summer was a pretty historic one at Kenan Stadium, as UNC’s home football venue hosted a Premier League soccer match for the first time ever.

For those who are wondering, the Premier League is the United Kingdom’s top tier of professional soccer (or, as they call it in Europe, football).

Chelsea, the 6-time Premier League Champions, faced off against the Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham club. It was a one-sided affair, with Chelsea winning 5-0, but an historical event in which the Tar Heels should be proud of hosting.

Premier League soccer returns to Kenan Stadium this summer, as 10-time league champion Manchester City will face off against Scottish club Celtic FC on Tuesday, July 23. Manchester City is the most successful European team of late, winning the past four Premier League titles.

To help generate hype for the event, the Premier League trophy made its way to Chapel Hill.

The trophy’s first stop on campus was at the Dean Dome, with several Tar Heel basketball players and coaches taking pictures with it on Thursday, June 13.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8KhaIUJEdT/?img_index=1

If you scroll through the Instagram slide show, you’ll notice North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, star transfer addition Cade Tyson, projected starting center Jalen Washington and several assistant coaches, including 2005 National Champion Sean May.

Just a few months after Manchester City and Celtic FC clash, the UNC basketball team will open its 2024-2025 season on Monday, Nov. 4 against Elon.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Twitter reacts to UNC hosting Chelsea-Wrexham

Fans from all over packed Kenan Stadium on Wednesday, July 19 for the historic Chelsea-Wrexham match. See how people reacted on Twitter.

Wednesday was a historic day at UNC’s Kenan Stadium, as it hosted Chelsea-Wrexham for the first-ever professional soccer match in its 95-year history.

Normally covered in Carolina Blue for Tar Heel Football games, Kenan was decked out in English soccer gear. There were team shops for both squads on the main concourse, Chelsea and Wrexham banners donning the lower bowl, plus the 50,000+ fans in red, white and blue – several from out-of-state – packing the stands to watch an English power go up against a mighty, up-and-coming squad.

The match did not disappoint. Wrexham kept things close early, going into halftime down just 2-0 and even earning a couple of solid scoring chances in the box, but ultimately ended up losing 5-0.

It almost felt like a home-field advantage for Chelsea – nearly everywhere fans looked, they saw royal blue. Despite the thousands of “Let’s Go Wrexham” chants, Chelsea fans roared after each of their five goals.

UNC should evaluate the impact of Chelsea-Wrexham and the benefits of hosting such a historic soccer match. Wednesday night was certainly a success and hopefully, it paves the way for other opportunities.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Chelsea-Wrexham match delivers an epic night in Kenan Stadium

UNC hosted the first-ever stateside matchup between Chelsea and Wrexham, and fans got their money’s worth—a look inside the historic game.

July 19th, history was made as Kenan Memorial Stadium opened its doors to a sold-out crowd with 50,596 in attendance for the first-ever stateside meeting between Chelsea and Wrexham.

As fans lined up at the gates for the doors to open, high-fives and chatter filled the void of waiting. The temperature was perfect, with Carolina blue skies in 80-degree weather with a nice breeze.

Once doors opened, it was on as fans poured in the entrances rocking dark blue for Chelsea and red for Wrexham; it felt like Kenan Stadium was under attack by UNC in-state rivals. However, a Tar Heel chant broke out, echoing louder than UNC’s bell tower, to end any color alliance.

The game started with the national anthem performed by North Carolina’s oldest cappella group with current and alums members of the UNC Clef Hanger. The coin toss was as particular as the atmosphere, with North Carolina’s women’s soccer coach, Anson Dorrance, doing the honors of the game’s ritual coin flip.

Fans were greeted with an early treat as Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen got things going early with a goal before the three-minute mark. The thrill continued throughout the first period as fans cheered at fast breaks, held their breath for lob passes, and booed refs for suspect calls. Before the half was over, Maatsen scored his second goal to give Chelsea the 2-0 lead.

The quick 15-minute half-time show, or lack of one, did not bring the house down, but that did not waiver the energy in the second half.

Despite both teams going scoreless in the first 35 minutes of the second period, fans still found ways to erupt, whether due to a sweet pass or insane crossover. At the 81 minute, the blue sea erupted again with Conor Gallagher’s goal to give Chelsea the 3-0 lead. Chelsea added salt to injury by tacking on two more goals in the 89th and 90th minute to push the lead to 5-0.

Fans stayed seated and cheered until the end, even with the shutout on the horizon.

Chelsea would go on to win 5-nil. The excitement would not end there as men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis and football coach Mack Brown presented the Man of the Match to Maatsen, voted by the fans.

It is no telling if UNC will get another chance to host such an event, but with the atmosphere brought tonight by fans, it would be hard not to.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

[lawrence-related id=15899,15868]

LOOK: Kenan Stadium’s new turf for Chelsea vs. Wrexham

We get first looks at Kenan Stadium’s new turf for the F.C. series between Chelsea vs. Wrexham.

The University of North Carolina is just days away from making history by hosting its first F.C. series between Chelsea vs. Wrexham at Kenan Stadium, and now we have first looks at the turf.

Chelsea will take on Wrexham Wednesday, July 19th. The preseason friendly is a part of the F.C. series, marking a historic moment for UNC as Kenan Stadium hosts its first international soccer match.

The 100,000-square-foot turf installation started July 12th, and by the 15th, fans got their first looks at what was to come. UNC displayed photos of the new look of Kenan Stadium, highlighting the dark green turf surrounded by Carolina Blue.

The sold-out event should deliver an electric atmosphere. These two historic clubs will meet for the first time on neutral grounds.

The game will kick off at 7:30 E.T.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Chelsea vs. Wrexham match at Kenan Memorial Stadium sells out

UNC set to host a sold-out crowd for Chelsea Vs. Wrexham at Kenan Stadium.

On April 20th, it was announced that North Carolina’s Kenan Stadium would host Chelsea vs. Wrexham on July 19th as a part of the 2023 FC Series. However, after four days of being on public sale, the event has been sold out, according to Unified Events.

The special stateside meeting between these two clubs is the first time they will play on a neutral site. In a press release, Molly Pendleton, the Head of Touring Business and Operations for Unified Events, gave her input on the early sell-out.

“As a North Carolina native and Tar Heel grad, I cannot wait to see Kenan Stadium packed with Chelsea and Wrexham fans this July.”

In the same press release, Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan explained why he was not shocked about ticket sales.

“It is no surprise that the pairing of global football and one of American college football’s great venues is a hot ticket,” said Hogan. “This a must-see match on the summer soccer calendar in America.”

The big international match is enormous for all UNC fans, reaching another milestone before the rival down the street could.

Follow all of your favorite Carolina teams at Tar Heels Wire and Panthers Wire!