Upcoming Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Wake Forest football in brief: an ACC original in Winston-Salem
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons play home football games at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a 31,500-seat open-air stadium that opened in 1968. Home games fall on Saturdays, with some weeknight television dates, from late August or early September through November. Wake Forest has played in the Atlantic Coast Conference since the league began play in 1953.
The program dates to 1888, before the university moved from the town of Wake Forest to Winston-Salem for the fall 1956 term. The Demon Deacons name came from a 1923 newspaper account of a win over Duke, in which a reporter wrote that the Deacons "fought like demons." Wake Forest has won two ACC championships: in 1970, finishing first in the league with a 5–1 conference record, and in 2006, when Jim Grobe's team went 11–2, won the ACC for the first time in 36 years and played in the Orange Bowl.
Other high points include Bill Dooley's 8–4 team in 1992, which won the Independence Bowl and finished ranked No. 25, and the 2021 team, which started 8–0 for the first time in program history and won the ACC Atlantic Division. The best-known Deacon may be Brian Piccolo, the 1964 ACC Player of the Year whose story became the film Brian's Song. Wake Forest holds a 12–6 record in 18 bowl games.
Where to sit at Wake Forest's stadium
The stadium has carried several names: Groves Stadium from 1968 to 2007, BB&T Field, Truist Field and, since June 2023, Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The athletics department's 2026 fan guide calls it Allegacy Financial Stadium, so expect to see both names on tickets and maps. Major renovations in 1996, from 2005 to 2008 and in 2011 added Deacon Tower (the press box and premium-seating structure that opened in 2008), FieldTurf in 2006 and a new scoreboard.
Sideline vs. end zone
The layout is simple: two bowed grandstands run along the sidelines, with open ends. Because the stadium is small, nearly every sideline seat is close to the field, and mid-level rows between the 30-yard lines give the best overall view. The front rows of the lower bowl sit behind the team benches and sideline traffic, which blocks part of the near side; a few rows up is better for following the game.
Deacon Hill
The southeast end zone is Deacon Hill, a grass berm used for general-admission seating. It is the most relaxed place in the stadium, popular with families and students who want room to spread out, but you watch the far end of the field from a low, flat angle and there are no seatbacks. The athletics department lists Deacon Hill as sections 11 and 12, served by Gate 5. Students enter through Gate 4.
Sun and comfort
Early-season afternoon games in North Carolina are often hot and humid, and much of the seating is uncovered. Check the kickoff time and bring sun protection for a day game; late-season night games can be cool.
Tobacco Road rivals and the Deacons games that draw a crowd
With 31,500 seats, Wake Forest's stadium is small by ACC standards, which means a big opponent can shrink public inventory fast. The most-wanted home games tend to be these.
- North Carolina, Duke and NC State: the Tobacco Road rivals, all within a short drive. Duke leads its long series with Wake Forest, as do North Carolina and NC State. Visiting fans travel easily for these games, which pushes up demand on both sides.
- Clemson: a longtime ACC opponent with a large traveling fan base.
- Virginia Tech: the two schools were paired as annual opponents under the ACC's 2023 scheduling model, and Blacksburg is within driving distance.
A ranked Wake Forest team or a ranked visitor, especially at night, raises demand further. Early-season non-conference games are the easiest tickets to find.
Rolling the Quad and Wake Forest gameday
Wake Forest's best-known tradition happens after a win. Since the 1950s, students have celebrated victories by rolling the Quad, covering the trees on the main campus Quad with toilet paper, with extra enthusiasm after wins over Tobacco Road rivals. If you are in town after a home win, the Quad that night is worth the trip.
- Tailgating: as of the 2026 season, gameday parking lots open at 7 a.m. Kegs are permitted at tailgates, glass containers are not, and anyone providing alcohol is responsible for preventing excessive drinking.
- The Grounds trail: a multi-use pedestrian path near the stadium opens three hours before kickoff and stays open 90 minutes after the final whistle.
- Premium spaces: McCreary Tower and Bridger Field House open two hours before kickoff for ticket holders with access.
How Wake Forest football tickets work
Wake Forest sells season tickets, single-game tickets and group packages through its athletics ticket office. Donors to the athletics fund generally receive priority for the best season-ticket locations and parking, and students attend through their own allotment.
Because the stadium is small, games against North Carolina, Clemson or a ranked opponent can sell through public inventory well before game day, and the resale market becomes the main way in. Resale prices follow the opponent, the kickoff time and the team's form that season. Sideline seats near midfield and premium seats in Deacon Tower draw the most demand; Deacon Hill general admission and seats near the corners are usually the least expensive.
Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee, so a resale ticket for a sold-out rivalry game comes with protection if something goes wrong.
Bag policy, parking and shuttles
As of the 2026 season, the stadium enforces a clear-bag policy: bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch about 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and all concession stands are cashless. Check the athletics department's football gameday page for current rules before you go.
Paid lots surround the stadium, and the athletics department also lists free remote parking at 2400 Reynolda Road and 3730 University Parkway, with free shuttles beginning two hours before kickoff. Golf-cart shuttles help fans with disabilities, older fans and injured fans get from the lots to the gates. The stadium sits at 411 Deacon Boulevard, beside the Wake Forest baseball park.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Wake Forest play home football games?
Wake Forest plays at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which opened in 1968 as Groves Stadium and seats 31,500. The 2026 fan guide refers to it as Allegacy Financial Stadium.
What is Deacon Hill?
Deacon Hill is the grass berm in the southeast end zone used for general-admission seating. It is a relaxed, family-friendly spot, but the view of the far end of the field is limited.
Is there free parking for Wake Forest football games?
As of the 2026 season, the athletics department lists free remote lots at 2400 Reynolda Road and 3730 University Parkway with free shuttles starting two hours before kickoff. Paid lots near the stadium open at 7 a.m.
What is rolling the Quad?
Since the 1950s, Wake Forest students have celebrated wins by draping the trees on the main campus Quad with toilet paper, especially after wins over Tobacco Road rivals.
Has Wake Forest won the ACC?
Yes. Wake Forest won ACC championships in 1970 and 2006, and the 2006 team played in the Orange Bowl. The 2021 team won the ACC Atlantic Division.