UNC will begin selling beer and wine at men’s basketball games in the Dean Smith Center and women’s basketball games at Carmichael Arena this coming season. Sales at the Smith Center begin with the season opener on November 4, while sales at Carmichael will begin later in the month.

“Many of our fans have asked for us to expand alcohol sales to our indoor events, and after five years, we think the time is right,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “Not only is it consistent with many other events around the country, including NCAA championships and ACC tournaments, but it also adds a key financial stream as we prepare for revenue-sharing with student-athletes.”

The university first began selling alcohol at its outdoor sports venues in 2019. In the Smith Center, 20 locations will offer beer and wine, while Carmichael will offer up to six, depending on the event.

“Student sections will be closely monitored,” read a release from the university.

No more than two alcoholic beverages may be served per customer per transaction, according to North Carolina state law. Sales will begin when doors open and will stop when approximately three-quarters of the event is finished. For example, sales would stop at a men’s basketball game with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Basketball Programs Hosting Inaugural Dribble for Victory Over Cancer
The UNC men’s and women’s basketball programs are teaming up with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to host the first-ever Dribble for Victory Over Cancer on the UNC campus. The event will raise funds for pediatric cancer research, and is set to be held on August 28 at […]
'This is a Loud Voice': Former UNC Trustee Discusses Push to 'Renovate, Don't Relocate' Dean Smith Center
There are many contentious issues currently being discussed on the UNC campus. But perhaps none are more contentious than the state of the Dean Smith Center and its future. Decision-makers at UNC have reportedly been pushing for a new basketball arena on a parcel of land known as Carolina North, located on the former Horace […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Drop to No. 18, Women Rise to No. 21
The UNC men’s basketball team dropped two spots to No. 18 in the latest AP Poll, while the women’s team rose one spot to No. 21. Both polls were released Monday. The men’s team split its pair of games during the past week. The Tar Heels lost badly at NC State Tuesday night in Raleigh, […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men's and Women's Teams Both Drop in Latest Rankings
The UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams each dropped spots in the latest AP Poll Monday after both suffered losses during the week. The men dropped five spots from No. 11 to No. 16, while the women dropped one spot from No. 21 to No. 22. The men’s team’s previous ranking of No. 11 had […]
Chansky's Notebook: Different Challenges
David Glenn compares the situations of the UNC men's and women's basketball teams as both enter the home stretch of the regular season.
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Rise to No. 11, Women Rise to No. 21
After the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams each picked up big wins last week, both squads have risen in the latest edition of the AP Poll. The men’s team rose three spots to No. 11, while the women’s team rose four spots to No. 21. For the men, No. 11 is the team’s highest […]
Financial Report Shows UNC Athletics Operated at $15 Million Deficit in 2024-25 Year
The newest financial report from the UNC athletic department to the NCAA shows the department operated at a deficit of more than $15 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The department reported revenues of $172,951,034 and reported expenses of $187,967,260. The UNC athletic department had operated at a profit in each of the past three […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Men Up to No. 14, Women Back in at No. 25
Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams are ranked in the latest editions of the AP Poll, which were released Monday. The men (17-4, 5-3 ACC) rose two spots to No. 14, while the women (17-5, 6-3 ACC) are back in the poll at No. 25 after three consecutive weeks unranked. The men played […]
ESPN College GameDay to Visit UNC Before Feb. 7 Game vs. Duke
ESPN College GameDay, the network’s flagship college basketball studio show, will broadcast live from the Dean Smith Center the morning of Feb. 7 before the Tar Heels host rival Duke that evening. SEE YOU SOON 🗣️ @CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/al7eFPNPLi — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 31, 2026 The broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. on the Smith […]
Chansky's Notebook: Best of Both
UNC's Lee Roberts favors a compromise between Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Smith Center, and he is well schooled with what went wrong here.
›