Truist Field: Guide for Visiting Fans

Winston-Salem has no light rail, no subway, and no commuter train to the stadium — this is a driving and ridesharing city. The closest you'll get on public transit is the WSTA Route 106, which runs from Clark Campbell Transfer Center and terminates on Deacon Boulevard near the stadium complex, covering about 5 km with 18 stops. The Clark Campbell Transportation Center downtown is the WSTA hub — it acts as the central hub for WSTA bus services and is located at 100 W. 5th Street, at the corner of Fifth, Trade, and Liberty streets. Route 106 is fine for getting there before kickoff, but post-game service thins out quickly — check schedules before you go. The nearest major airport is Piedmont Triad International (GSO) in Greensboro, roughly 30 miles east. Expect a 40–50 minute drive depending on traffic. Charlotte Douglas (CLT) is about 80 miles south — budget 90 minutes. Rideshare from downtown Winston-Salem to the stadium takes about 10–15 minutes and runs $12–20 depending on surge. The official rideshare pickup/drop-off zone is the Green Lot, entered from 32nd Street with exit onto Shorefair Drive.

Parking near the stadium is a mix of named lots (Gold, Orange, Red, Blue, Allegacy, Pepsi) spread around the LJVM Coliseum complex. Amid ongoing construction related to The Grounds — a mixed-use development that began in late 2024 — Wake Forest Athletics has realigned gameday parking and traffic patterns along the new Deacon Boulevard. Translation: the old maps are out of date. Due to construction, patrons entering the Blue, Orange, or Gold Lots will drive on temporary gravel and/or road plates. Plan accordingly and wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty. Day-of-game parking is available in the Allegacy and Pepsi Lots at LJVM Coliseum on a first-come, first-served basis, and for some matchups parking costs $20 per space. Season-long parking sells out fast — in 2024, the McCreary Tower, Gold, Orange, Red, and Starry Lots all sold out for the season. For away fans who haven't pre-purchased, your best bet is arriving 90+ minutes early for the LJVM Coliseum lots, or using the free parking at 2400 Reynolda Road with shuttle transportation to and from the stadium.

The clearest advice: stay downtown. Downtown Winston-Salem is a safe bet — you'll be in the heart of the city's dining and nightlife scene, only about two miles from the stadium, with more than a dozen lodging options ranging from cozy B&Bs to luxury hotel brands. The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel is the splurge pick — a striking art deco landmark in the heart of downtown featuring luxe décor, an onsite restaurant/bar, and ranked a top-12 hotel in NC by U.S. News & World Report. If you want walking distance to everything but don't need boutique flair, the Marriott Downtown works well — it's connected to the Benton Convention Center, fully renovated, with the upscale Butcher and Bull steakhouse on-site. For budget-conscious visitors who want to be right next to the stadium rather than downtown, the Courtyard by Marriott University sits 0.7 miles from campus and 0.7 miles from the stadium; the Best Western Plus University is even closer at 0.3 miles, with free hot breakfast.

The immediate stadium precinct is thin on stand-alone bars — it's a suburban college sports complex, not a ballpark neighborhood. Your move is to do your pre-game in the surrounding area or downtown, then catch Uber/Lyft back after.

Village Tavern (Reynolda Village) — The original location, a couple of miles from the stadium in the charming Reynolda Village shopping area. Solid craft beer selection, dependable food, and a patio that's genuinely pleasant on a fall afternoon. It's a known Wake Forest gathering spot before day games.

Fourth Street Filling Station (Downtown) — A converted gas station turned lively bar with a solid tap list and bar food that won't disappoint. It's a downtown standby for game-day crowds. Gets loud and fun before night games.

Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro (Downtown) — A downtown Winston-Salem restaurant with southern-inspired cuisine featuring fresh ingredients and a cozy, lively atmosphere. Better for a sit-down pre-game meal than a quick beer stop, but worth the time if you're doing a full game-day dinner before a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Little Richard's BBQ — This is the local institution. A long-time Winston-Salem BBQ staple, Little Richard's partners with Wake Forest on game days — fans can pre-order a tailgating catering package and pick it up near Gate 3 in the grassy area by Bridger Field House. If you're tailgating, this is the move.

Guests are permitted to enter with a clear bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12". A one-gallon clear plastic bag like a Ziploc is acceptable. A small clutch bag is permissible if it is approximately hand-sized — about 6.5" × 4.5" — with or without a handle. No outside food or beverage is permitted, with the exception of one sealed or completely empty clear plastic water bottle. The stadium is predominantly cashless as of 2023, with the exception of two concessions stands that can accept cash for food and drink purchases. There's an ATM on the concourse behind Section 7 if you need it.

Guest information booths outside the stadium are staffed starting 3 hours before kickoff. Inside, booths on both the East Side and West Side open when gates open — 90 minutes before kickoff. For away fans, entering via the east side gates tends to be less congested than the main west-side entrance. The DEACTOWN Fan Zone opens three hours before kickoff on Baity Street just west of the stadium, with food trucks, live music, and a beer station. It's technically for all fans with tickets, but it will be wall-to-wall Deacon gear.

A Flow Courtesy Shuttle is available on game day to help fans navigate around the stadium, and golf cart shuttles assist disabled, elderly, or injured patrons. Reserved handicapped parking passes are available on a seasonal basis in the McCreary Tower, Gold, and Red parking lots. The stadium has ADA-accessible seating distributed around the concourse level; companion seating is available alongside. Game productions involve flashing light sequences throughout, including after each Wake Forest score — an important heads-up for fans with photosensitive conditions. For specific ADA accommodations, Wake Forest's guest services operates a gameday text hotline at 336-758-GAME for quick assistance from the fan support team.

Away fans are typically seated in the upper reaches of the east stands — the Deacon Hill side — which is a natural grass berm that gives the stadium some of its old-school character. The sightlines from the upper east sections are surprisingly decent given the compact size; you're never really far from the field in a 31,500-seat stadium. Avoid the very top rows of Deacon Hill if you're not big on the berm seating — there's no chairback, and it can get slick in damp conditions. The lower sideline seats on the west side (McCreary Tower side) have the best protected views and proper seating. If you're buying on the secondary market and want to be near whatever away contingent shows up, aim for sections in the upper east endzone or east upper deck — you'll find other traveling fans congregating there organically.

All concessions stands are cashless, operated by Wake Forest's partner Proof of the Pudding, which offers a wide selection of food and beverage options. Concession options on the west side include "Arnie's Corner Store," Pepsi beverages, and Smoke Revival Co. — the barbecue option is the one worth tracking down. Expect to pay roughly $10–13 for a beer and $9–14 for a meal item. Picnic tables are available on the concourse near the Bob McCreary Video Board, designed to feel like an outdoor brewery or restaurant experience.

Wake Forest fans have helped make Allegacy Stadium one of the more electric environments in college football — the program has hosted more than a dozen sellouts since 2021, averaging over 95% capacity and 80% student attendance since 2022. In other words: don't show up expecting a half-empty stadium where you can taunt freely. The student section is loud, packed, and directly behind one end zone. That said, the fan base is generally well-mannered by ACC standards — you'll get chirped, not menaced. The thing that surprises most first-time visitors is how close the east stands bring you to the field. The compressed size of the venue means crowd noise bounces in ways that make it feel louder than the capacity suggests. Wear your colors, find your people in the upper east, and embrace the fact that you're watching a P4 game in what is essentially a big high school stadium that figured out how to be rowdy.

Driving: Construction around Deacon Boulevard in 2025 has shifted lots; a new Grounds Lot near LJVM Coliseum adds 500 spaces but also adds congestion on a new road grid. The lots off Shorefair Drive typically clear faster than those funneling back onto Deacon Boulevard — if you're in the LJVM/Allegacy lots, exit toward Shorefair and cut north to University Parkway rather than trying to fight back down Deacon. Realistically, budget 30–45 minutes before you're on a moving road after a capacity game. Wait 20–25 minutes after the final whistle inside the stadium to let the main crush thin out.

Rideshare: The official rideshare zone is the Green Lot, accessed from 32nd Street with exit onto Shorefair Drive. Surge pricing after night games is real — $25–40 back to downtown isn't unusual. Walk 10 minutes away from the stadium perimeter toward University Parkway before requesting a ride; you'll get cheaper pricing and a driver who can actually reach you. Don't try to get picked up right at the Deacon Boulevard gates.

Bus: WSTA Route 106 runs back toward Clark Campbell Transfer Center downtown, but post-game frequency is limited and the last runs can fill quickly. If you're relying on transit, leave your seat with 3–4 minutes left in the fourth quarter — the stop on Deacon Boulevard is a short walk but you want first position in line.

Best tip: For night games, the single best move is to walk to the DEACTOWN zone on Baity Street, grab a post-game drink at a remaining food truck, and wait 30 minutes for the parking lot gridlock to dissolve. You'll have a more pleasant exit and save yourself a solid half-hour of idling.

Is there a subway or light rail to Allegacy Stadium? No. Winston-Salem has bus service only. The Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates bus routes throughout the city , with Route 106 running along Deacon Boulevard near the stadium. Most fans drive or rideshare.

What is the bag policy at Allegacy Stadium?

Clear bags only, with a maximum size of 12" × 6" × 12". Small clutch bags up to approximately 6.5" × 4.5" are also permitted. No outside food or drink; a sealed or empty clear water bottle is the one exception.

How much does parking cost at Allegacy Stadium?

Day-of parking is available in the LJVM Coliseum lots on a first-come, first-served basis, with prices around $20 per space for standard games and up to $30 for marquee matchups. Free parking with shuttle service is available at 2400 Reynolda Road.

Is Allegacy Stadium cashless?

The stadium is predominantly cashless, with the exception of two concessions stands that accept cash. An ATM is located on the concourse behind Section 7.

What time do gates open?

Guest information booths inside the stadium open when gates open — 90 minutes before kickoff. Exterior booths are staffed starting 3 hours before kickoff.

Where is the best seating for away fans? Away fans typically cluster in the upper east stands and east end zone sections. Sightlines are good throughout the stadium given its compact size. Avoid Deacon Hill berm seating if you prefer a proper seat.

When was Allegacy Stadium built?

The stadium opened in September 1968, with the Demon Deacons losing to rival NC State in the first game. It was renamed Truist Field in 2020 following a bank merger, then renamed again to Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in June 2023.

Is there a fan zone before the game? Yes. The DEACTOWN Fan Zone opens three hours before kickoff on Baity Street just west of the stadium. It's free and family-friendly, with live bands, food trucks, inflatables, and a beer station.