Cullowhee, N.C. – The best game day atmosphere in the Southern Conference revs up again on Saturday for the 2026 season opener as the Catamounts look to "Blackout Whitmire" as they host Eastern Kentucky at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the Catamounts debut their new Night Cat black Nike uniform.
 
Fans are encouraged to wear their black WCU gear to the stadium and the first 3,500 fans in attendance will receive a free black WCU T-shirt, while 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks, courtesy of The Everson, will also be distributed in the WCU student section. Ahead of kickoff, the 15th Annual Freshmen Run returns as members of WCU's Class of 2030 – the largest incoming class in school history – lead the Catamounts onto the field.
 
The home opener will conclude with a special drone light show presented by Catamount Athletics and Vannoy Construction and produced by Sky Elements, and an encore postgame presentation of the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band. The game is presented by Ingles and media partners Kiss Country and Star 104.3.

Kickoff between the Catamounts and Colonels is scheduled for 7 p.m., and will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required), with live audio from the Catamount Sports Network beginning at 6 p.m. with the Pepsi Tailgate Show. Live stats are also available online through a link at CatamountSports.com.
 
Tickets and game day parking passes for Saturday's game can be purchased in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.

Here are the "Things You Need to Know Before You Go" ahead of Saturday's "Blackout against Eastern Kentucky."
 
Catamount Gameday Timeline Basics (Sat., Aug. 29 - vs. Eastern Kentucky)

• All on-campus parking lots open at 8 a.m.
• Tailgating officially begins at 3:30 p.m. (when alcohol consumption is permitted)
  • 3.5 hours ahead of kickoff, according to University Policy 103
• On-campus pregame football team "CatWalk" for the football team begins at 4:35 p.m.
• Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1) Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m. for walk-up ticket sales and Will Call pickup
• Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 each open at 2 p.m.
• Stadium Gates open for all admission at 5:30 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff
  • WCU Students: Gate 2 is now the Band entrance; students should all enter Gate 3
• The Catamount "Spirit March" to the stadium begins at 6:10 p.m.
• Kickoff is at 7:02 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Catamount Sports Network (6 p.m. airtime)

 
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Game Day Promotions:  

• Black Out Whitmire – Fans are encouraged to wear their Black WCU apparel to Saturday's season opener against EKU. The first 3,500 fans will receive a free Blackout T-shirt and the WCU student section will receive FREE black Thundersticks, courtesy of The Everson.
• Postgame Drone Light Show – Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats following Saturday's action against EKU as the skies will be filled with a Drone Light Show, courtesy of Vannoy Construction. The drone show will be followed by the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. 
• Game Sponsor – Ingles, 99.9 Kiss Country and Star 104.3 

 
Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking: 
Purchase tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com – have the option to print OR download to your mobile phone for gate entry.
 
Where to Park: 
$20 – Single Game on game days | $15 – in advance (available until Friday evening ONLY)
 
Paid Parking Lots (while availability lasts): North Baseball Parking Deck / South Baseball Lot, HFR Admin Building (SOLD OUT), Field House ADA & Van Accessible (ALL ADA PARKING MUST be accompanied by verified ADA documentation for admission into the parking lots)
- Please note that the St. David's Episcopal Church Parking Lot this year is MEDIA RESERVED
 
Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (pass required): Camp Lab Festival Parking, Field House Lot, Stadium Lot, Creek Lot, Belk Lot, and Ramsey Lot. 
- A reminder to please park within the numbered spot designated by the parking pass. 
 
Student Tailgate Lot: Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center (tailgating spots must be reserved by student groups; the tailgate lots open at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday) 
 
Additional Game Day Parking Information:

• Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29 … For fans who have purchased a game day parking spot, please print out the ticket or have it on your mobile device upon arrival at the parking lot to show the attendant to gain admission;  
• In accordance with University policy, tailgating that includes the consumption of alcohol begins three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time – on Saturday, Aug. 20, that time is 3:30 p.m. … NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED before the designated time;
• Tailgating activity involving grills, tents, etc., is NOT permitted within/inside the North Baseball Lot Parking Deck … Also, please be reminded to park in assigned numbered parking spots;
• Please be reminded that parking is NOT permitted along NC Hwy 107 or along the sides of Forest Hills Drive on campus … Please comply with placards and instructional signs;
• General Admission parking: A few FREE parking options are also available down Little Savannah Road behind the Catamount Travel Center and past the Cullowhee Post Office at the WCU Health & Human Science (HHS) parking lots, subject to availability (FREE SHUTTLE, see below) … It is also suggested that fans consider taking Old Cullowhee Road to the old entrance to the WCU campus and utilize parking in the lots in the middle of campus or behind Hunter Library on game day;   
• Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (parking pass required) include Camp Lab (Lot13), Belk (Lot14), Jordan-Phillips Field House (Lot12), Creek (Lot9C) Lot, and Camp Lab Festival Parking (Lot4A) ... All patrons with parking passes should enter the main entrance of the WCU campus, display parking credentials to gain access to their designated, assigned parking lots … Reminders to please park in the designated numbered spot;   
• Student Tailgating Lot (pass required): Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center Lots (Lot 13) … those spaces are reserved on-campus by student organizations for each game day; 

 
Note: WCU Parking & Transportation will run a FREE "Tailgate Express" CatTran Shuttle, courtesy of Ingles, for each home football game this year, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29. Vehicles will be directed to park at the Health & Human Services (HHS) Lot and HHS Adjacent Lot down Little Savannah Road where patrons will be picked up. The FREE shuttle will transport fans to both the Ramsey Center circle drive for West Side seating and Gate 1 entrance for patrons with East Side tickets. Shuttles will also be available after the game for return trips to these lots.
 
Please note that this is not a shuttle service around campus – it is only for transportation to and from the parking lot to the stadium.
  
STADIUM CLEAR BAG POLICY: 
REMINDER – Western Carolina Athletics enforces a clear bag policy. Only standard clear bags, 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches in size, small purses approximately 4.5 inches by 5 inches, excluding the strap, and clear gallon-size storage bags are permitted. Diaper bags (child must be present upon entry) and any medical-related bags will be allowed
 
Stadium cushions and seats are permissible, but note that they are restricted to 18 inches in width to fit within the standard stadium bleacher seat. Please be reminded that umbrellas are NOT permitted within the stadium per policy.
 
Please note that again that one (1) EMPTY PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE will be permitted to be carried into the stadium for use at the stadium water fountains.
 
The Catamount Club: 

• The Purple Zone (pregame only; requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members; 
• Paws Porch & Champion Credit Union Corner (requires a game ticket and appropriate credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 6:30 p.m., 30 minutes before kickoff; 

 
 ON GAME DAY: 

• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open at 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. for ticket information and phone orders ONLY – NO WALK-UP SALES through the Ramsey Center Ticket Office; 
• Grattan Family Gate 1 Ticket Sales on the West Side of the stadium open at 10 a.m. for walk-up sales and for Will Call pickup 
• Ticket sales at all other gates begin at 2:30 p.m. at Gates 2, 3, and 4; 
• All stadium gates open to the public at 5:30 p.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 5:30 p.m. when the stadium gates are opened;

 
 WILL CALL: 

• Remember to bring proper photo identification to pick up tickets at WCU's Will Call; 
• Main Will Call for picking up purchased tickets or tickets being left for pick-up is at the ticket booth at the Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1); however, fans can receive Will Call at any entrance gate ticket booth; 
• WCU Football Player's Guest, as well as Dance/Cheer guests, will utilize Gate 6 ... Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up tickets ... Player Pass Will Call does not open until 5:30 p.m. when the stadium gates are open; 
• Visiting Team Will Call is at Gate 5 on the upper level of the East Side stands;
• Football Recruits: go to Gate 6 starting at 5:30 p.m. as well as all other recruits. 
• High School Coaches: Present valid ID card to any ticket booth and receive up to TWO free admission tickets ... Pick up tickets from any ticket booth -- NOT the school's player pass location.

  
TICKET PRICES - (purchase in advance online): 

• Chair Back Reserved: Adult $38 Youth (Ages 3-12) $28 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL; 
• Bench Back Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections JJ, MM 
• Bleacher Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L, M, N
• General Admission: Gameday $23 Adults and $18 for Youth (Ages 3-12) G, GG 
• Full-time WCU students: FREE with Cat Card 
• WCU Student Guest: $13 (WCU students can purchase two guest tickets and sit in the WCU student section; note that there is a $5 service charge on student guest tickets purchased with credit cards) 
• Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.

 - Please note – there is a transaction fee charged on each ticket when using a credit card 
 
PLAYER PASS/HIGH SCHOOL COACHES/COMPLIANCE

• Player pass is located near Gate 6;
• Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up their tickets … Once player pass tickets are picked up, the individual MUST enter the game;
• High school coaches can pick up their two complimentary tickets from any ticket booth - not at the player pass entrance;

 
Catamount Merchandise: 

• The Catamount Store will have merchandise stands on both the east (behind Section GG near Gate 4) and west side (main concourse) of the stadium for the purchase of Catamount merchandise;
• The Catamount Store will also have a stand outside Gate 6 on game days;
• The main WCU Bookstore (311 Memorial Drive, between the Campus Rec Center and Hinds University Center) will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fans can also purchase online by visiting books.wcu.edu. 

 
Other Helpful Game Day Hints: 

• Arrive early to avoid long lines entering Whitmire Stadium ... Also, numerous gates allow entry to the stadium – familiarize yourself with the best gates to get you to your seats for all the pregame festivities … Those with tickets for the West Side (press box), please consider entering the stadium on the West Side, and vice versa for those with tickets on the East Side;
• Be sure to enjoy a variety of traditional stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concessions stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products, Cherokee water, and Gatorade – or other vendors include:
  • East Side – Wood Fire Grill, Zaxby's, Chubby Chicks, Appalachian Snow, Sunset Slush, Farmhouse Lemonade
  • West side – Bens Backdraft BBQ, J&K Lemonade, Kona Ice, Bojangles, Glazed & Infused, Dragon Pit BBQ
• Western Carolina students will be able to use their declining balance with their CatCard ID at the football stadium concessions stands – it does not apply to alcohol or the other vendors that have sales points at the stadium on game day, only the Catamount Dining concessions stands at WCU home football games only.
• Alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east and west concourses of the stadium. Beer, wine, cider, and hard seltzers will be available in Whitmire Stadium for fans 21 years of age or older. Fans will need to show their valid ID when purchasing alcohol and may only purchase two (2) alcoholic beverages per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when the gates open 90 minutes before kickoff and close at the end of the 3rd quarter. No alcohol will be permitted to enter or exit the stadium … Please drink responsibly.