WakeMed Soccer Park: Guide for Visiting Fans

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is approximately 15–20 minutes by car, and WakeMed Soccer Park is situated in Cary, a thriving suburban town west of Raleigh. If you're flying in, a rideshare from RDU will cost you roughly $20–30 depending on surge and will drop you right on-site — it's the single most practical option.

Interstate 40 and Interstate 540 are the primary arteries for reaching Cary, with exits connecting to local roads that lead directly to the soccer park. From I-40, take exit 293 toward Cary/Chatham Street — Soccer Park Drive is a short jog from there.

For transit, it's genuinely limited but not impossible. The nearest bus stop to WakeMed Soccer Park is "Chatham St at WakeMed Soccer Park," which is just a 3-minute walk away. Bus routes 300 and 1 serve the area, along with Amtrak train connections. The Cary Amtrak/commuter depot is nearby, and you can take GoTriangle Route 310 bus from the Regional Transit Center (connected from RDU) to the Cary Depot, with the full trip running about 1 hour 51 minutes and costing $0–$3. Honest assessment: unless you're staying in downtown Cary, a rideshare is faster and less stressful on matchday.

There are 2,600 parking spaces at WakeMed Soccer Park , which sounds like plenty — and most of the time, it is. Parking typically costs $15, and it's recommended to arrive early, especially for popular events, as entry can be slow. VIP parking is located on the north side of the stadium, while the VIP C lot is on the east side; VIP pass holders should enter the west entrance off Chatham Street and follow signs.

The caveat: parking can be wildly disorganized — you pay $15 and then you're on your own to find a spot. For a sellout or big match, arrive 60–75 minutes before kickoff. Parking lots generally open two and a half hours before the start of the game , so early arrivers have no excuse. If the lots look chaotic, you can park on the street outside of the stadium for free and just walk in — it's a legitimate move and worth scouting on arrival.

You have two smart base camps. The first is right off I-40: the Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh/Cary I-40 is one mile from the soccer park (about a 20-minute walk) and 13 minutes from RDU, with a hot buffet breakfast and a fitness center overlooking an outdoor pool. Reliable, sensibly priced, and easy to get in and out of. The Hyatt Place Raleigh/Cary is about 1.5 miles from the stadium and also 13 minutes to RDU, with a pool and jacuzzi.

The more interesting option is downtown Cary itself: The Mayton Inn is only 2 miles from the soccer park and is positioned perfectly for walking to Downtown Cary's restaurants, bars, and breweries — their Peck & Plume restaurant is popular for brunch and cocktails. It's a boutique hotel in a genuinely charming small downtown, and if you're making a proper trip of it rather than just rolling in for the match, it's worth the premium.

The stadium sits in a woodsy corridor that's not exactly bar row, so plan your pre-game eating before you leave your hotel or head into town.

Woody's — Woody's serves wings and beer and is close to WakeMed Soccer Park. This is your most obvious pre-game local: casual, unpretentious, the kind of place where you can get a pitcher and an order of wings without anyone looking at you sideways for wearing away colors.

Carolina Ale House (Cary) — A family-friendly sports-themed restaurant perfect for large groups with more than 40 TVs. Their hand-breaded wings are a go-to. It's a chain, but for a pre-match sports bar experience it delivers, and they'll actually have other games on the screens while you wait.

Backyard Bistro — Home to some of the best BBQ in the area with burger options and vegetarian choices, and one of the better spots to catch games on TVs with group seating. Get there early for the brisket.

Colletta (at Fenton) — Located at Fenton in Cary, this casual yet polished family-style Italian restaurant features 120 indoor dining seats, 60 outdoor patio seats, and a 12-seat bar. Fenton is a walkable mixed-use development a short rideshare away that has become the Triangle's go-to dining cluster. Good for a post-match dinner with a more relaxed crowd.

The bag policy is enforced — don't test it. Only clear bags are allowed into the stadium. Diaper bags with an infant and clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted, but backpacks, bags, and purses beyond those exceptions are not allowed. People get turned away at the gates for purses that are too big, and bags with multiple pockets are also refused.

There are three gates: East, West, and South. The East Gate is always open. The South Gate provides easy access to and from the back parking lots. If you've parked in a south or rear lot, use the South Gate and skip the East Gate bottleneck. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, with lots opening two and a half hours out. Tailgating is permitted , and it's a genuinely popular activity here — the wooded lot atmosphere actually makes it pleasant. Bring sunscreen for daytime or early evening games: for day and early evening events, the south-facing side gets full sun and can get toasty.

Handicap-accessible seating is available, and the team recommends contacting the ticket office at (919) 459-8144 before attending to discuss all available options. Accessible seating is limited, so calling ahead is strongly advised.

An emergency medical technician (EMT) is stationed behind the box office in the northeast corner of the stadium. If an injured person cannot move, notify the nearest Staff-1 security member in a yellow shirt who will alert the EMT. The stadium's relatively compact footprint makes navigation manageable, but given that most seating consists of backless aluminum bleachers with only a few areas featuring plastic theater-style seats , fans with mobility considerations should confirm specific section needs when booking.

The stadium offers eight seating categories: Owner's Suite, Field Level, Manager's Row, Premier Midfield, East Midfield, Lower Level Sideline, Supporters, and South & North Stand. For away fans, the Supporters section and North/South Stands are your natural habitat — the north end bleacher section is where the organized supporter culture lives, and visiting fans who want to be loud will feel at home there rather than spread through the sidelines. North Stand seats are in the north end zone and are bleacher seating , which means standing and noise.

The seating bowl keeps fans close to the field, helping create a strong connection between the crowd and the action throughout the match. Honestly, there's almost no bad view in this place. One thing to know: you can buy cheaper tickets and move to any open seat once the game starts — there is free movement around the stadium , so buying in and upgrading yourself is an accepted and common practice.

The venue sells local NC craft beer and international options like Budweiser, with Bud Light seltzer available at the Goal Post kiosk. On many game days, food trucks are also available outside the concourse — check these first, as they typically offer better food than the standard stand fare. Expect to pay around $4 for water, $8–$12 for a beer, and $6–$10 for a basic hot food item; bringing in a sealed water bottle and refilling it at the drinking fountains near the restrooms is a good move and is permitted.

WakeMed is one of the more pleasant away experiences in the NWSL precisely because it doesn't try to intimidate you. The Courage fanbase is passionate and knowledgeable, but it's a soccer crowd — they'll applaud a good touch from your team and give you grief if you celebrate too hard, but nobody's throwing anything. What catches away fans off guard is the sun situation: for day or early evening events, the south-facing side gets full sun , and the mostly open-air bowl offers minimal relief. Come armed with sunscreen and a hat for afternoon kickoffs, or your afternoon will be memorable for the wrong reasons. The walk-in experience from the wooded parking lots — pine trees, cross-country trail signs, the quiet suburban forest — genuinely does not feel like walking into a professional sports venue, which is part of the charm. Once you're inside, the public address system is good and the sightlines are excellent.

By car: I-40 and I-540 are your main arteries out. The lots are large but funnel onto a limited road network. Expect 20–35 minutes to reach a moving highway after a sold-out match. The south lots generally empty faster because they feed away from the main Chatham Street pinch point — if you parked there, go south and use back streets to reach I-40 from the west rather than fighting traffic east on Chatham. Wait at least 20 minutes after the final whistle before attempting to leave; the first wave is the worst wave.

By rideshare: Surge pricing will kick in at the final whistle — apps pick up the 10,000 people all requesting at once. Your move: wait 20–25 minutes inside the stadium or at the tailgate area, then request. Prices typically normalize within 30 minutes of the match ending. Walk slightly away from the main entrance — even 200 yards toward the street — to get picked up faster and cheaper than someone standing directly at the gate.

By bus/transit: The GoCary bus stop at "Chatham St at WakeMed Soccer Park" is a 3-minute walk , but be aware that post-match bus frequency on evenings and weekends is limited — check the GoCary Route 300 schedule before the game so you're not standing at a stop waiting 45 minutes. If you're connecting to the Cary Amtrak depot, it's a 15-minute walk , which is doable in good weather and avoids all traffic entirely.

The opinionated tip: Walk to your car, open a cold drink from the cooler (tailgating is allowed), and just wait it out. The lot atmosphere is relaxed post-match and the wooded setting is actually pleasant. Thirty minutes of patience beats an hour of brake-light misery.

What is the nearest airport to WakeMed Soccer Park?

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is approximately 15–20 minutes away by car. The road distance is about 9 miles — it's one of the most accessible NWSL venues from an airport.

What is the bag policy at WakeMed Soccer Park?

Only clear bags are allowed. Clutch purses no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" and diaper bags with an infant are permitted exceptions. Backpacks with multiple pockets are specifically prohibited. People do get turned away at the gates , so don't push it.

How much does parking cost at WakeMed Soccer Park?

Parking is typically $15 on-site. Lots open 2.5 hours before kickoff. Street parking near the venue is free if you're willing to walk a few minutes.

What time do gates open?

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff for regular season games.

Where should away fans sit at WakeMed Soccer Park? The Supporters and North Stand sections are the most welcoming for vocal visiting fans. North Stand is bleacher seating in the north end zone — it's the standing/singing end. Alternatively, grab any lower-level sideline ticket and move to open seats after kickoff; there is free movement around the stadium .

Is there public transit to WakeMed Soccer Park?

The closest bus stop is "Chatham St at WakeMed Soccer Park" on GoCary Route 300, about a 3-minute walk from the stadium entrance. However, service frequency is limited, especially on evenings and weekends — plan your schedule carefully.

Is the stadium cashless? Payment policies vary by event; cash has historically been accepted, but bring a card to be safe. Verify on the NC Courage official website before your visit.

Can I tailgate at WakeMed Soccer Park?

Yes, tailgating is permitted , and the wooded lot setting makes it one of the more atmospheric pre-game scenes in the league. Arrive early — lots open 2.5 hours before kickoff.