CHARLOTTE – The 2018 college football season will kick off at Bank of America Stadium. The University of Tennessee from the Southeastern Conference will play West Virginia University from the Big 12 in September. Game time and ticket information for the first ever meeting between the two programs will be announced at a later date.
"It's exciting. It's always terrific to open the college football season here at Bank of America Stadium with two great teams," said director of stadium operations Scott Paul. "It's a great testament to the partnership we have with the city of Charlotte."
Other college matchups currently hosted at Bank of America Stadium include the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game and the Belk Bowl.
The 2018 Tennessee-West Virginia game will mark the second time in four years that the college football season kicks off at Bank of America Stadium. North Carolina and South Carolina will open the 2015 season in Charlotte.
"This will be a tremendous game featuring the SEC and Big 12," said Will Webb, executive director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. "Both Tennessee and West Virginia have very active, supportive fan bases. The game offers local, regional and national attraction. And Charlotte is a premier location between the two schools."
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said: "The game in Charlotte presents a tremendous opportunity for our football program to play against a quality opponent in West Virginia in a first-class NFL venue. The Charlotte area is in close proximity to many of our fans, and the state of North Carolina is a key component in our recruiting efforts. We very much look forward to such a unique opportunity for our student-athletes and our program."
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said: "Our players enjoy playing in NFL Stadiums, and this a great matchup for our program. We recruit the state of North Carolina, and Charlotte is a strong football area. Our fans have always supported us strongly in previous games in Charlotte and I think this is a matchup that they will really enjoy."
