Getting There
The main gateway for Elon is Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), located roughly 52 miles east via I-40/I-85, a drive of about 57 minutes under normal traffic. Renting a car at RDU is strongly recommended, as it is by far the most practical option for reaching Elon and getting around once you arrive. Uber and Lyft also operate from RDU, with an average UberX fare running around $85 and a ride time of approximately 56 minutes; note that rideshare pickup times in Elon itself can be longer than in larger cities, so booking in advance via Uber Reserve is a smart move.
Getting Around
Elon is a small college town where a personal vehicle or rental car is essentially required for visiting sports fans — public transit options are limited to Link Transit, the local bus system, whose Blue Line connects the Town of Elon to downtown Burlington and Gibsonville on weekdays and Saturdays only. Uber and Lyft are available but supply can be thin, especially after evening games, so pre-scheduling a return ride is highly advised. Schar Center is on or directly adjacent to the Elon University campus, making it walkable from nearby hotels in the immediate Elon/campus area.
Where to Stay
Visiting fans have two main clusters to choose from: staying right in Elon near campus (The Inn at Elon is the on-campus hotel, running around $170+ per night and ideal for proximity to Schar Center) or booking in Burlington, about 5-10 minutes away by car, where mid-range chains cluster along the I-40/85 corridor. Burlington options include the Drury Inn & Suites Burlington (around $115/night, highly rated), Hampton Inn & Suites Burlington (around $120/night), Tru by Hilton Burlington (around $110/night), and the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Burlington/Elon (around $115/night), all within a short drive of campus. Game weekends — especially rivalry matchups or conference tournament time — can tighten availability quickly in this small market, so book early. Burlington's downtown area along Main Street puts you close to pre- and post-game dining and bars.
Sports Fan Notes
Elon is a compact, intimate college sports environment where Phoenix fans are famously close to the action at Schar Center, one of the more atmospheric mid-major basketball arenas in the Colonial Athletic Association. Traveling fans get both the NCAAB and NCAAW Phoenix programs under one roof, making it easy to catch a doubleheader or plan around a multi-game weekend. The broader Piedmont Triad and Triangle region puts you within striking distance of ACC and other major-college sports action — Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh are all within 45 to 75 minutes — making Elon a potential anchor stop on a wider North Carolina sports road trip. The small-town, campus-centric atmosphere means tailgating culture is grassroots and community-driven rather than stadium-scale, so embrace the college-town vibe.
Venues in Elon
Schar Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from RDU to downtown Elon?
The fastest and most practical option is driving or renting a car — the trip is about 52 miles via I-40 West and takes roughly 57 minutes. Uber or Lyft from RDU averages around $85 and 56 minutes for an UberX; book in advance using Uber Reserve since rideshare availability in Elon can be limited. A multi-leg public bus connection via Link Transit exists but takes over 3 hours with transfers and is not practical for game-day travel.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Elon for a sports trip?
Your best bet is the immediate Elon University campus area (The Inn at Elon) for maximum walkability to Schar Center, or the Burlington hotel corridor along I-40/85 (Exit 141 area) for more options at lower price points — roughly $107 to $130 per night at chains like Holiday Inn Express, Drury Inn, Hampton Inn, and Country Inn & Suites. Burlington puts you about 5-10 minutes by car from campus and gives you access to more dining and nightlife options than the town of Elon itself.
Which sports teams play in Elon?
Schar Center on the Elon University campus hosts both the Elon Phoenix men's basketball team (NCAAB) and the Elon Phoenix women's basketball team (NCAAW), both competing in the Colonial Athletic Association. This makes it easy to plan a multi-sport weekend, as both programs play their home games in the same arena.
Is Elon a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Elon is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Dallas (AT&T Stadium in the Dallas/Fort Worth area), though other U.S. host cities such as Atlanta, Miami, and New York/New Jersey are also within driving or flying distance for fans looking to combine a Phoenix game with a World Cup match.
Sports cities near Elon
Close enough to pair with a Elon trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.