Niner Nation Week Is Here | Inside UNC Charlotte

The Tradition Continues.

UNC Charlotte is gearing up for the biggest celebration of the year: Niner Nation Week 2022! Join in as we paint the town green during a week filled with celebrations, social gatherings, parties, award ceremonies and more, culminating with our signature Homecoming events.

NINER NATION WEEK SCAVENGER HUNT

Feeling competitive? Join the Niner Nation Week Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win incredible prizes including UNC Charlotte gear and $300 worth of Niner-owned business gift cards! All of Niner Nation can earn points by participating. 

Join the hunt by: 

SPIRIT CONTESTS

Staff Council Pride Competition

UNC Charlotte Staff Council wants to see your spirit during Niner Nation Week 2022! Enter as an individual or as an office to prove who has the most Niner Pride on campus. Register by Saturday, Oct. 15 to be included; judging will take place on Friday, Oct. 21.

Student Homecoming Banner Competition 

The Center for Student Involvement hosts the annual student Homecoming Banner Competition with a chance to win $300 for top prize! Enter by Friday, Oct. 14 to be included; judging will take place during Niner Nation Week.

EVENTS, HAPPENINGS AND GATHERINGS

Monday, October 17

ACE AWARDS AND APPRECIATION LUNCH 

11:30 a.m., Popp Martin Student Union, 340 

Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber hosts the annual Alumni Campus Employee (ACE) Awards and Appreciation Lunch honoring the 2022 Awards Recipients. Lunch is free for all alumni employees and $10 for all other guests. Register here.

NINERS LIVE HAPPY HOUR

6 p.m., Cabarrus Brewing

Join your fellow Niners at Cabarrus Brewing for great drinks, delicious food, and even better company. After the happy hour, Charlotte 49er Football Coach Will Healy hosts Niners Live. Join the fun.

Tuesday, October 18

UPTOWN CELEBRATION 

Noon, Truist Center Plaza, 214 N. Tryon Street

Join Chancellor Gaber and special surprise guests Tuesday, Oct. 18 for a spirited Uptown Celebration treating attendees to lunch and snacks, free UNC Charlotte gear and major giveaways, including Panthers and Hornets tickets! Register here.

FACULTY & STAFF SOCIAL

5 p.m., Armored Cow Brewing

University City’s Armored Cow Brewing will be hosting UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and community partners for a Niner Nation Week Social filled with food, drinks, branded gear and Niner Spirit. Register for the celebration.

CAMPUS ACTIVITY BOARD (CAB) AUX CORD WARS

8 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union 

Do you enjoy competition? Do you enjoy music? Then you are going to love Aux Cord Wars! Come participate in the battle of who’s got “the best” taste of music, or just sit back and jam out! There will also be a special guest in attendance, so don’t miss out! Be sure to arrive early as space is limited.

Wednesday, October 19

HOMECOMING PEP RALLY

6:45 p.m., Halton Arena Plaza

Join us as we officially kick-off Homecoming weekend with some spirit from our student athletes and coaches and spirit squads!

HOMECOMING CONCERT 

8 p.m., Halton Arena

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) presents the 2022 Homecoming Concert featuring headliner Lucky Daye. Get ready for an energetic night as we officially kick off Homecoming weekend. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m. Get your tickets here. 

Thursday, October 20

STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HOMECOMING PALOOZA 

2 p.m., Star Quad

The Student Alumni Association invites you to come out with your friends for an afternoon of activities and games, while watching the student talent showcase and enjoying a variety of fun foods. Be sure to attend to grab your Niner Swag, homecoming t-shirts and much more!

UREC FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 

4 p.m., Jerry Richardson Stadium

Stadium Ball is designed to be fast and exciting! Two games will be played simultaneously at Jerry Richardson Stadium, one game being played on the north side and the other game on the south side of the field. Come out for all of the fun as a player or spectator!

10 UNDER TEN AWARDS 

6 p.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

UNC Charlotte proudly presents the 10 Under Ten Awards Thursday, Oct, 20 recognizing the accomplishments of alumni graduating  in the last decade. Join us for dinner and drinks as we recognize these Niners shaping their communities. See the list and register.

Friday, October 21

BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARDS

11:30 a.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

The Black Alumni Chapter presents their Excellence in Leadership Awards  recognizing the accomplishments of UNC Charlotte alumni and friends who have achieved excellence in the areas of Arts, Education, Entrepreneurship, Financial Services, Healthcare, Philanthropy, Public Service and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). See the list and register or consider a Party Pass for all the weekend fun.

FRIDAY FEST BLOCK PARTY

5:30 p.m., CHHS Plaza

Kick off your weekend with some great fun and excitement with fellow Niners. Enjoy food trucks, games, music and fun the night before the big game!

REUNION ZERO SOCIAL

6 p.m., Resident Culture Brewing

Join us at Resident Culture Brewing as we celebrate Homecoming and Niner Nation Week, with graduates of the last five years. Resident Culture features everything from seltzers to local craft beer, so there’s something for everyone. Registration includes a CLT branded pint glass, one drink ticket, a Charlotte sticker and a chance to win Niner prizes.

BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER WELCOME RECEPTION

6 p.m., Golden Owl Tavern, UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

Join the Black Alumni Chapter as they kickoff Homecoming Weekend in style at The Golden Owl Tavern in the UNC Charlotte Marriott and Conference Center. Admissions includes two complimentary drink tickets and appetizers. Register for this event or consider a Party Pass for all the weekend fun.

NPHC STROLL COMPETITION 

7 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union, 340

UNC Charlotte’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is going to show you who really runs the yard! Come out for the 2022 NPHC Stroll Competition, an annual cornerstone of Homecoming. Watch as all your favorite NPHC Fraternities and Sororities put on a show you won’t want to miss! Limited tickets remain. Register now!

Saturday, October 22

OKTOBERFEST AND HOMECOMING TAILGATE

12:30 p.m., Hauser Alumni Pavilion

The Alumni Association pulls out all the stops during the Homecoming Tailgate and Oktoberfest mini beer festival. Featuring multiple food and dessert stations, local beer and wine, live entertainment and family friendly games, this is a tradition you won’t want to miss. Claim your spot today! 

*Special pricing for Reunion Zero attendees.

GAMEDAY SPIRIT TENTS

1:30 p.m., Student Tailgate and Alumni Walkway

Check out all of the excitement and get geared up for the big game! Get your face painted, hair sprayed and get decked out in 49er spirit on your way to the stadium.

HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME

3:30 p.m., Jerry Richardson Stadium

Grab your Niner gear and fill the stands for Homecoming 2022 as we take face off against the Florida International Panthers Saturday, Oct. 22. Cheer on your 49ers and enjoy special halftime activities including recognition of the Golden Niner. Get you tickets now.

2022 SNEAKER BALL HOSTED BY THE BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER
Supported by Truist

9 p.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

Don’t miss the BAC’s finest green carpet affair with guests Doug E Fresh, DJ Kool and DJ Skillz. Come camera ready in semi-formal attire and stylish sneakers. Admission includes two complimentary beer or wine beverages and appetizers. Register for this event or consider a Party Pass for all the weekend fun.

Sunday, October 23

JAZZ BRUNCH HOSTED BY THE BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER

11 a.m., UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

What better way to close out a wonderful weekend than brunch with friends. Enjoy live music from Groovemasters Band at our farewell jazz brunch. Admission includes a buffet and a mimosa bar. Register for this event or consider a Party Pass for all the weekend fun.