Bank of America Stadium Tailgating
Carolina Panthers · Charlotte, NC
Charcoal is out at Bank of America Stadium: charcoal grilling is not permitted in the stadium-operated lots at all, and any open-flame cooking device has to sit at least 25 feet from a building or structure and 10 feet from any motor vehicle, with 10 feet of clearance from dry vegetation, combustibles and dumpsters. Lots using tailgating must provide metal containers labelled for coal and ash disposal only. Tailgating policy varies by lot and is prohibited outright for some events, so the lot on your pass decides what you can do. The consolation is supply: more than 30,000 spaces sit within a ten to fifteen minute walk of the stadium, leased match-by-match or seasonally.
Tips & Fan Reports
Eat and catch a buzz in the parking lot before going in. It's way cheaper to pregame in the lot and then maintain it inside the stadium.
There are over 30,000 spaces within a fifteen-minute walk and they are bookable in advance, so arriving without a plan is the avoidable mistake.
Do not bring charcoal to a stadium-operated lot — it is prohibited there outright, whatever your grill looks like.
The 25-foot and 10-foot clearances are the real limit on open-flame cooking in a full lot; check what you are parked next to before lighting anything.
Tailgating rules change by lot and some events ban it entirely, so confirm against the specific lot on your pass rather than the stadium in general.
Where to Tailgate
Stadium-operated lots
The lots the stadium runs itself, where charcoal grilling is not permitted at all. Open-flame devices need 25 feet of clearance from any building and 10 feet from any vehicle, which in a packed lot is the binding constraint.
Known for No charcoal grilling · 25ft from buildings · 10ft from vehicles
The wider uptown lots
More than 30,000 parking spaces sit within a ten to fifteen minute walk of the stadium, leased by operators on a match-by-match or seasonal basis and bookable in advance through SpotHero.
Known for 30,000+ spaces · 10-15 minute walk · Bookable ahead
The coal and ash containers
Any lot used for parking and tailgating has to provide metal containers clearly labelled "For Coal and Ash Disposal Only". Where charcoal is permitted at all, that is where the remains go.
Known for Metal containers · Clearly labelled · Required in tailgate lots
Rules to Know
What Bank of America Stadium allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating policies differ by parking lot, and tailgating is prohibited at the stadium for certain events.
- Charcoal grilling is not permitted in stadium-operated parking lots.
- Open-flame cooking devices must not be operated within 25 feet of any building or structure, or within 10 feet of any motor vehicle.
- A minimum clearance of 10 feet must be maintained between any open-flame cooking device and dry vegetation, combustible materials, or trash dumpsters and receptacles.
- Any parking area used for parking and tailgating must provide metal containers for the safe disposal of coals, cinders or hot ashes, clearly labelled "For Coal and Ash Disposal Only".
- The Fan Code of Conduct is enforced across all stadium parking and tailgate areas, and a violation there may cost you your parking privileges.
- More than 30,000 parking spaces are available within a ten to fifteen minute walk of the stadium, leased match-by-match or seasonally.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Permitted bags include a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches and a purse, bag, clutch, or fanny pack no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited except for up to two sealed, unflavored 16.9-ounce plastic water bottles per person.
- A card or a phone wallet
Bank of America Stadium is cashless and accepts credit cards, debit cards, touch-free payments, prepaid debit cards, and Panthers app payments.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Entry uses mobile tickets in the Panthers app or through Ticketmaster.
- Layers, gloves and a hat
January lows average 32°F, and the seats are open to it.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
September highs average 83°F at Bank of America Stadium, with no roof over the seats.
- A poncho, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Bank of America Stadium's prohibited list, and September averages 3.7 inches of rain.
Carolina Panthers Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Carolina Panthers gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Bank of America Stadium official site: Traffic & Parking and Fan Guide, with the Carolina Panthers traffic and parking page
- Venue policies
Current 2026 Panthers game-day, stadium policy, accessibility, concessions, and ticket-term guidance reviewed for every supportable structured venue-policy topic.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals