When football fans go to a Carolina Panthers game, it's easy to get pumped up for the home team before stepping foot inside Bank of America Stadium.
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Here are some spots where fans can see performances by the PurrCussion drum line, meet Sir Purr and get autographs from TopCats cheerleaders on game days:
Panthers on Mint, a free street festival, opens three hours before kickoff on Mint Street between Stonewall and Morehead streets. You can find food trucks here and also watch the live broadcast of WSOC-TV's pregame show in the preseason and the NFL Network's pregame show in the regular season.
The Panthers Lair opens two hours prior to kickoff on the corner of Mint and Morehead streets. It is free and open to the public. In addition to food trucks, there will be games and sponsor giveaways.
Another spot for pregame entertainment is at Panthers in the Park, at Romare Bearden Park between Church and Mint streets. Kids can check out the Fuel Up to Play 60 Kids Combine, a series of football skills and drills. This event opens 2 1/2 hours prior to game time and closes 30 minutes before kickoff.
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New this season, the Panthers Backyard Tailgate, featuring Wild Wing Cafe, will take place in the Panthers’ new climate-controlled indoor practice facility near the stadium.
Available to all fans, including those without game tickets, tailgate passes can be purchased for $80, and include a Wild Wing Cafe all-you-can-eat buffet with wings, burgers, bratwursts and more, a cash bar, tailgate games, pregame entertainment, appearances by Panthers legends and a live DJ. The tailgate opens 2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff and ends 30 minutes before the start of the game. Click here for more details or to purchase passes.
Once you're inside Bank of America Stadium, don't miss Sir Purr's Play 60 Den, on the 100 level by section 138. The area features a miniature artificial turf field where kids can play like the pros by practicing their kicking and passing skills. Boys and girls can also suit up like a player, announce play-by-play at the "You Make the Call Studio" and compare their weight to Panthers players, along with other fun activities.
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If you want to check out a game, a limited number of single-game tickets may be available. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Bank of America Stadium Ticket Office. Click here for more information.
Upcoming home games:
Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. vs. Atlanta
Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. vs. Washington
Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. vs. Seattle
Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. vs. New Orleans