University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina To Celebrate 100th Season Of Kenan Stadium In 2026
May 13, 2026 | Football
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina football will celebrate the 100th season of Kenan Stadium during the 2026 season with a series of special events, facility enhancements and fan experiences to honor 100 years of one of the most picturesque athletic venues in the country.
With the first game in Kenan Stadium on Nov. 24, 1927, Kenan Stadium has hosted 551 football games with the Tar Heels owning a 328-207-16 (.596) record in those contests. UNC has been unbeaten at home in 11 seasons, most recently during the 2015 ACC Coastal Division championship campaign.
The 100th season celebration will pay tribute to some of the most memorable moments in the history of Kenan Stadium, as well as provide fans with an upgraded experience on gamedays.
"We are excited to recognize 100 seasons of Kenan Stadium by honoring the program's alumni, elevating the fan experience from pregame to postgame and enhancing our historic facility," said Steve Newmark, executive associate director of athletics. "As we cheer on the 2026 Tar Heels, we will also commemorate the past while continuing to build toward the future."
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Commemorative Logo
In conjunction with the announcement, a special 100th season logo has been created and will be available on merchandise and other commemorative items during the season. Additionally, a dedicated website will follow, serving as a hub for event information, historical features and fan engagement opportunities.
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Enhanced Game-Day Experience
One of the most significant upgrades to Kenan Stadium for the 2026 season will be two new Daktronics videoboards on the east and west end of the stadium. The new displays will measure 31.5 feet high by 106.5 feet wide, which is a notable difference from the current videoboards, featuring eight-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility to appeal to fans in every seat of Kenan Stadium.
Additionally, nine LED ribbon boards will be installed around the full seating bowl of the stadium to give fans an upgraded experience with statistics and other gameday content rotating on the displays.
The sound system at Kenan Stadium will also be replaced with state-of-the-art speakers to deliver enhanced vocal clarity and wide coverage throughout the stadium.
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Chapel Thrill
Expanding on last year's pre-kickoff footprint of opportunities for fans of all ages to enjoy, the Chapel Thrill Concert Series, brought to you by the Rams Club, returns for the 2026 season. National recording artists will take the stage in front of Wilson Library and perform a free pregame concert for each home game beginning approximately two hours before kickoff.
The full schedule of performers will be announced soon.Â
Honoring Alumni
Former Tar Heel players will be honored during home games this season, including honorary captains, in-game recognitions and participating in the Old Well Walk that returned to gamedays last season.
Additionally, plans are in place to feature the program's five retired jerseys and highlight other honored jerseys around the stadium to highlight the program's history.
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Throwback Jersey
Carolina Football will debut a throwback uniform from the 1980 ACC Championship season when the program went 11-1 overall and finished No. 9 in the final Coaches Poll. The jerseys, which were donned by Tar Heel greats such as Lawrence Taylor, Amos Lawrence and Donnell Thompson, have Carolina across the front and the helmets feature the UNC stairstep logo.
The game that the Tar Heels will don their throwback uniform is to be determined.
Press Box Renovation
The press box at Kenan Stadium is undergoing a comprehensive renovation, featuring upgraded furnishings, modernized flooring, and an enhanced dining area designed to elevate the overall media and guest experience.
Additionally, the upgraded layout will create a more functional environment for media, broadcasters and guests with the Koman Family helping make the enhancements possible.
Throughout the press box, graphics will be installed along the walls to tell the story of Carolina football, including historical photos of some of the top moments in Kenan Stadium history as well as the upgrades to the stadium since its opening in 1927.Â
For more information, please visit GoHeels.com and follow Carolina football on social media.
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With the first game in Kenan Stadium on Nov. 24, 1927, Kenan Stadium has hosted 551 football games with the Tar Heels owning a 328-207-16 (.596) record in those contests. UNC has been unbeaten at home in 11 seasons, most recently during the 2015 ACC Coastal Division championship campaign.
The 100th season celebration will pay tribute to some of the most memorable moments in the history of Kenan Stadium, as well as provide fans with an upgraded experience on gamedays.
"We are excited to recognize 100 seasons of Kenan Stadium by honoring the program's alumni, elevating the fan experience from pregame to postgame and enhancing our historic facility," said Steve Newmark, executive associate director of athletics. "As we cheer on the 2026 Tar Heels, we will also commemorate the past while continuing to build toward the future."
Â
Commemorative Logo
In conjunction with the announcement, a special 100th season logo has been created and will be available on merchandise and other commemorative items during the season. Additionally, a dedicated website will follow, serving as a hub for event information, historical features and fan engagement opportunities.
Â
Enhanced Game-Day Experience
One of the most significant upgrades to Kenan Stadium for the 2026 season will be two new Daktronics videoboards on the east and west end of the stadium. The new displays will measure 31.5 feet high by 106.5 feet wide, which is a notable difference from the current videoboards, featuring eight-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility to appeal to fans in every seat of Kenan Stadium.
Additionally, nine LED ribbon boards will be installed around the full seating bowl of the stadium to give fans an upgraded experience with statistics and other gameday content rotating on the displays.
The sound system at Kenan Stadium will also be replaced with state-of-the-art speakers to deliver enhanced vocal clarity and wide coverage throughout the stadium.
Â
Chapel Thrill
Expanding on last year's pre-kickoff footprint of opportunities for fans of all ages to enjoy, the Chapel Thrill Concert Series, brought to you by the Rams Club, returns for the 2026 season. National recording artists will take the stage in front of Wilson Library and perform a free pregame concert for each home game beginning approximately two hours before kickoff.
The full schedule of performers will be announced soon.Â
Honoring Alumni
Former Tar Heel players will be honored during home games this season, including honorary captains, in-game recognitions and participating in the Old Well Walk that returned to gamedays last season.
Additionally, plans are in place to feature the program's five retired jerseys and highlight other honored jerseys around the stadium to highlight the program's history.
Â
Throwback Jersey
Carolina Football will debut a throwback uniform from the 1980 ACC Championship season when the program went 11-1 overall and finished No. 9 in the final Coaches Poll. The jerseys, which were donned by Tar Heel greats such as Lawrence Taylor, Amos Lawrence and Donnell Thompson, have Carolina across the front and the helmets feature the UNC stairstep logo.
The game that the Tar Heels will don their throwback uniform is to be determined.
Press Box Renovation
The press box at Kenan Stadium is undergoing a comprehensive renovation, featuring upgraded furnishings, modernized flooring, and an enhanced dining area designed to elevate the overall media and guest experience.
Additionally, the upgraded layout will create a more functional environment for media, broadcasters and guests with the Koman Family helping make the enhancements possible.
Throughout the press box, graphics will be installed along the walls to tell the story of Carolina football, including historical photos of some of the top moments in Kenan Stadium history as well as the upgrades to the stadium since its opening in 1927.Â
For more information, please visit GoHeels.com and follow Carolina football on social media.
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