DJ Diesel To Headline First Chapel Thrill Concert Of 2026

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Chapel Thrill Gameday returns for the second straight year, kicking off with DJ Diesel ahead of Carolina football's first home matchup against ETSU on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The pre-game party will open at 9 a.m., with the free concert taking place at 10 a.m., directly in front of Wilson Library. The action is located in Polk Place in the heart of Carolina's campus.

Shaquile O'Neal, known as "DJ Diesel," is a four-time NBA champion, 15-time NBA All-Star, 2000 NBA Most Valuable Player and a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who played for six NBA franchises in his 19-year career. Beginning his music career in 1993, he has released five studio albums and five compilation albums and began DJ'ing during the 1980s as a student-athlete at LSU.

"The return of Chapel Thrill Game Day will feature many exciting upgrades and new additions this season," said UNC Deputy Athletic Director/CRO Rick Barakat. "Hosting DJ Diesel as our first artist sets the tone for the season. He has a tremendous personality and is an incredible talent that I know our fans will enjoy."

In addition to the concert series presented by The Rams Club, multiple fan favorites return to the event, including the Old Well Walk. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Carolina football team will walk from the Old Well through Polk Place and around the Bell Tower to Kenan Stadium, allowing fans to cheer on the players, coaches and staff as they prepare for the game.

The Modelo Kickoff Club, located in front of the concert stage, will again give fans the perfect spot to grab a drink and hang with fellow Tar Heels before the game. Entry into the club is free, and alcohol will be available for purchase. Food trucks will also be available in and around Polk Place along with large LED screens allowing fans of all ages and across all of campus to join the pre-game fun.

UNC will work with activation partner REVELxp to provide turnkey tailgating options on all four quads at the Bell Tower, Kenan Amphitheatre and Dorrance Field. Fans may upgrade their game day with hassle-free, full-service tailgates at some of the most scenic locations on campus by contacting REVELxp at 919-869-5486 or unc@revelxp.com. Click here for more information. REVELxp and Romeo Entertainment Group will once again be partnering with UNC Athletics to deliver the complete entertainment solution for Chapel Thrill Game Day.

Carolina Alumni will continue to host the pregame tradition of climbing all 128 steps from the ground floor to the fourth floor of the iconic Bell Tower before home football games.

Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, located in The Pit, remains a great location for fans to grab giveaways and enjoy fun activities for all ages. The area will feature kids' activities, golf simulators, bounce houses, sponsor activations, a large LED screen and more. Also make sure to join the UNC Drumline and the rest of the Marching Tar Heels as they perform in The Pit starting about 90 minutes before kickoff.

Pre-game areas will open three hours prior to kick off with the following timeline:

Three hours prior to kickoff
• Modelo Kickoff Club and tailgating open; Chapel Thrill DJ begins
• Coca-Cola Fan Zone opens

Two and a half hours prior to kickoff
• Old Well Walk begins

Two hours prior to kickoff
• Chapel Thrill Concert Series, presented by the Rams Club, begins in Polk Place

One and a half hours prior to kickoff
• UNC Drumline and Marching Tar Heels perform in The Pit

One hour prior to kickoff
• Modelo Kickoff Club and Coca-Cola Fan Zone close

Chapel Thrill Concert Series Full Schedule:

Sept. 12 vs. East Tennessee State: DJ Diesel (Shaquille O'Neal)

Oct. 3 vs. Notre Dame: Chase Rice

Oct. 24 vs. Syracuse: Parmalee

Oct. 31 vs. Miami: Neon Trees

Nov. 14 vs. Waka Flocka Flame: Louisville

Nov. 28 vs. NC State: 38 Special

Fans looking for tickets at any of the Tar Heels' six home games can visit GoHeels.com/tickets or SeatGeek, the official ticket marketplace of Carolina Athletics.

University of North Carolina Athletics

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