The countdown to kickoff is officially underway as college football programs across North Carolina prepare for a busy stretch of 2025 Media Days later this month. North Carolina will host three kickoff events, featuring the ACC and the American Athletic Conference in Charlotte, and the CIAA in Durham.
Here’s a roundup of scheduled media day events relevant to North Carolina college football fans. We’ll update this list with more information as other conferences announce their media day plans:
🟣 CIAA (Division II)
Wednesday, July 16 | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel RDU Airport, Durham, NC
The CIAA football championship will move from Salem, Va., to Durham this year. So, too, will the league’s preseason kickoff event.
Head coaches and players from all 11 football-playing schools will be in attendance, including six from North Carolina: Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith, Livingstone, Shaw and Winston-Salem State. The preseason All-CIAA team and predicted order of finish will be released.
📺 Watch live on the CIAA Sports Network.
🟡 MEAC (FCS)
Tuesday, July 22 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
North Carolina Central will be in the national spotlight as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference holds its football media day at the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. Coaches and players from all MEAC schools will speak, with a full schedule to be released in early July. The Eagles open their season in the nationally televised MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Aug. 23.
🔴 ACC (FBS)
July 22-24 | Hilton Charlotte Uptown, Charlotte, NC
The ACC returns to Charlotte for a three-day media event covering all 17 teams. North Carolina, NC State, Duke and Wake Forest will take the stage along with each of their league comrades. Coverage will be provided by the ACC Network with live press conferences, interviews and commentary.
🗓️ Tuesday, July 22: Commissioner Jim Phillips, plus Cal, Stanford, SMU, Miami, and Virginia
🗓️ Wednesday, July 23: Florida State, Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, Wake Forest
🗓️ Thursday, July 24: UNC, NC State, Duke, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Boston College
⚫ SUN BELT (FBS)
July 22-23 | Marriott Warehouse Arts District, New Orleans, LA
Appalachian State will appear on Wednesday, July 23, during the Sun Belt’s two-day media event. The Mountaineers are one of seven East Division teams scheduled that day, with new head coach Dowell Loggains making his debut. The event will be streamed on ESPN+, and Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill will open festivities with a State of the Conference address on Tuesday.
🔵 AMERICAN ATHLETIC (FBS)
July 24-25 | Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC
The AAC heads to the Queen City for the first time, where Charlotte and East Carolina will be among the 14 teams participating in a two-day event. Opening remarks and interviews with each head coach begin Thursday, with full ESPN+ coverage on Friday.
Notable appearances include new Charlotte coach Tim Albin and ECU head coach Blake Harrell. The AAC will also preview the Aug. 29 Duke’s Mayo Kickoff Classic, where Charlotte faces App State at Bank of America Stadium.
🟢 CONFERENCE CAROLINAS (D2)
Thursday, July 24 | Hyatt Regency, Greenville, SC
The newly re-formed football conference will host its first-ever media day featuring Barton, UNC Pembroke and Chowan from North Carolina. Interviews begin at 9:30 a.m., with each school represented by its head coach and one offensive and one defensive player.
📍 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE (FCS)
July 22 | Details TBD
Western Carolina and its SoCon peers are scheduled for a one-day event on July 22. As of now, the location and schedule have not been released, but expect WCU and its new-look roster to draw regional interest after a strong showing in 2024.
📅 Still Awaiting Dates/Information
- Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) – Includes Elon, Campbell and NC A&T
- Big South/OVC Association (FCS) – Includes Gardner-Webb
- Pioneer Football League (FCS) – Includes Davidson
We’ll update this list as soon as information becomes available on kickoff and media day events.
📣 Don’t Miss a Beat
NC Football News will provide coverage throughout media day season, including recaps, quotes, player spotlights and social media highlights. Follow us all summer for updates on every North Carolina team — from the ACC to D2 and D3.
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