Ahead of the nationally televised matchup against the Detroit Lions on October 4, 2026, the Carolina Panthers will mark the return of Sunday Night Football in the Carolinas with several special gameday integrations, including a blackout theme, pregame festivities on Mint and Graham Street and recognition of the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative.
The pregame festivities on Mint and Graham Street are free, and require no game ticket. They take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
If you do want game tickets, there are some available. Purchase here. The game starts at 8:20 p.m.
This Sunday’s game marks the first time since 2016 that the Panthers have appeared on Sunday Night Football and the only time all season that the Panthers will wear their black helmets with black jerseys and black pants. Fans are also encouraged to wear black to show their Panthers pride.
Prior to kickoff, fans can enjoy a full slate of free pregame entertainment on Mint and Graham streets, including the Bud Light Block Party, Panthers Play Yard presented by Atrium Health and a live taping of NBC’s Football Night in America. Highlights include:
- Bud Light Block Party (5-7 p.m.) featuring a live pregame concert by country music star and Panthers fan Chris Lane, plus appearances from Panthers Legends, TopCats and other entertainment teams.
- Football Night in America (6:30-7 p.m.) live pregame show taping for NBC’s Sunday Night Football by the North Gate.
- Panthers Play Yard presented by Atrium Health (6-7:30 p.m.), featuring Play 60 inflatables, face painting, LED seesaws, a photo booth, balloon artists, a live DJ and other family-friendly activities.
- Atrium Health and Panthers Gameday Giveaway will be distributed on Legends Row (6:00 – 7:50p.m.) with a Crucial Catch photo moment for fans to enjoy.
- Lowe’s Earn Your Sunday Tour (5-8 p.m.) on Graham Street outside of the Panthers Team Store featuring interactive games, free giveaways, fan photo opportunities and EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 gaming stations.
- Coca-Cola’s Big Red Activation (5-8 p.m.), featuring a custom hat bar, exclusive team-themed bracelet giveaways, AI-generated touchdown videos, Coca-Cola can samples, and interactive recycling initiatives that will give fans a fun, personalized, and memorable way to celebrate game day.
Admission is free with no game ticket required to access activations on Mint and Graham streets.
Sunday’s game will also spotlight the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative presented by Atrium Health, recognizing cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through a series of special experiences and community-focused events leading up to Sunday, including:
- A special visit by Panthers players to Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Cancer Clinic, where they surprised patients and shared messages of encouragement and Keep Pounding spirit.
- A Crucial Catch dinner on the field at Bank of America Stadium hosted by the Panthers and Atrium Health, bringing together Levine Cancer patients and their care teams for a special evening.
- A pregame ceremonial moment featuring three Atrium Health patients serving as honorary Crucial Catch captains. Each captain will receive a custom jersey before participating in the on-field ceremony.
- Continued support for cancer research and patient assistance programs through the Panthers and Atrium Health’s partnership and the Keep Pounding campaign.
Traffic Alert: Fans heading to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday are encouraged to visit BankofAmericaStadium.com for more information about updated traffic patterns around the stadium, parking and public transportation options.
All info from press release.
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