University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
Know Before You Go: ESPN College GameDay
February 4, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Doors Open: 8:30 a.m. (students; Gate C) / 8:45 a.m. (general public; Gate D)
Show Starts: 10 a.m
Show Starts: 10 a.m
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—ESPN College GameDay will air live from Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The show will originate from the Dean Smith Center, site of that night's 6:30 P.M. game between Carolina and Duke.
UNC will be hosting the show from the Smith Center for the 14th time, tied with Duke for the most by any school in the nation. It will be Carolina's 30th appearance in a game at a College GameDay site, which trails only Duke (31) for most all-time. Of the Tar Heels' 14 times hosting, 10 of those games have been against Duke.
College GameDay will begin at 10 a.m., previewing all the day's games and discussing the biggest story lines in college basketball. The show is hosted by Rece Davis, who will be joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, Andraya Carter and Jay Williams.
Fans are encouraged to attend.
Smith Center doors will open at 8:30 a.m. to students and 8:45 a.m. to the general public. Lines may begin to form at 7:30 a.m. UNC students should use Entrance C to the arena and the general public should use Entrance D. Admission is free, and seating will be general admission in Sections 104-114.
Fans are encouraged to bring signs to GameDay. Signs with religious/political references, competitive/commercial brand references, personal/promotional hashtags and profanity will NOT be permitted. UNC will provide sign-making stations outside Entrance C of the Smith Center.
College GameDay Giveaways & Student Prizes
• Complimentary College GameDay rollabanas and net hats (while supplies last).
• Half-court shot contest: One lucky fan will have the chance to win $19,000.
• Dunkin' and Penn Station exit samples and giveaways (while supplies last).
• Lowes Foods and Modelo will be on-site with giveaways (while supplies last).
The UNC clear bag policy will be in place for GameDay, and weapons detection systems will be required for entry. Concessions will be available. Outside food & beverage are prohibited, but two unopened water bottles (20 oz. or less) per person are allowed.
Carolina Athletics encourages fans to leave all bags at home, but the following items will be allowed into the Smith Center:
- Any clear plastic or vinyl bag no larger than 12" x 12" x 20", including gallon freezer bags
- Small clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"
- Necessary medical items following inspection at entry gates
- All prohibited items must be returned to your vehicles or discarded at the gates.
- No weapons of any kind are allowed to enter Dean E. Smith Center.
Carpooling is encouraged for GameDay fans. Public parking will be available in the non-reserved sections of the Manning (middle and bottom tiers) and Bowles Lots adjacent to the Smith Center. Disability parking will be available in the Williamson Lot off Skipper Bowles Drive. All lots must be cleared by 1 p.m. for game preparations.
The Carolina Basketball Museum will be open from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tip Off Club presented by Modelo
- Tip Off Club located outside of the Smith Center opens at 4:30 p.m. and will remain open through the game and will host a viewing party on a giant LED board throughout the game (weather permitting).
For specific questions regarding GameDay policies, please text the GameDay team via the Fan Text Line at 919-238-9894.
Follow @goheels and @unc_basketball for updates throughout the week as the game approaches.
Beware of Counterfeit Tickets!
The University of North Carolina Department of Athletics wants to make all fans aware of potential counterfeit tickets and parking passes. Because of this risk and the enormous interest in the game on February 7 between UNC and Duke, the Department of Athletics encourages fans purchasing tickets and parking to ONLY purchase through UNC-authorized sources. A reminder that the best place to purchase tickets and parking for athletic events is through the UNC ticket office or through the SeatGeek link at GoHeels.com/tickets. SeatGeek is the official ticket marketplace of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
GameDay in Chapel Hill History
Jan. 20, 2007 – UNC 77, Georgia Tech 61
Jan. 17, 2009 – UNC 82, Miami 65
March 9, 2013 – UNC 53, Duke 69
March 7, 2015 – UNC 77, Duke 84
Feb. 18, 2017 – UNC 65, Virginia 41
March 4, 2017 – UNC 90, Duke 83
Feb. 8, 2018 – UNC 82, Duke 78
March 9, 2019 – UNC 79, Duke 70
Feb. 8, 2020 – UNC 96, Duke 98 OT
Feb. 5, 2022 – UNC 64, Duke 87
March 4, 2023 – Duke 62, UNC 57
Feb. 3, 2024 – UNC 93, Duke 84
March 8, 2025 – Duke, 82, UNC 69
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