Carter-Finley Stadium has been the home of NC State Wolfpack football since it opened on October 8, 1966, on university-owned land a few miles west of NC State’s main academic campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. The stadium takes its name from major donors Harry C. and Wilbert J. Carter, with Albert E. Finley’s name added in 1979 after a major gift funded further expansion.
Over the decades the stadium grew from a simple horseshoe into a fully enclosed bowl, gaining the Murphy Center, Vaughn Towers luxury suites, and a north end zone grandstand along the way. Today it seats nearly 57,000 fans and has hosted events well beyond college football, including the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games and the 2023 NHL Stadium Series outdoor hockey game.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): NC State Wolfpack (NCAA, ACC)
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Opened: October 8, 1966
- Capacity: About 56,900
- Surface: Bermuda grass with artificial turf sidelines
- Notable fact: Hosted the 2023 NHL Stadium Series outdoor game
From Carter Stadium to a Full Bowl
The venue opened in 1966 as Carter Stadium, honoring brothers Harry C. and Wilbert J. Carter, who helped fund its construction. It carried that name for over a decade before businessman Albert E. Finley made a major contribution in 1979, prompting the university to rename it Carter-Finley Stadium in recognition of his support.
The stadium’s expansion happened in phases rather than all at once. In 2001 the south end zone was enclosed with seating and the Murphy Center was built for football operations. A 2005 project added the Vaughn Towers, bringing luxury boxes and club seating, and in 2006 a north end zone grandstand closed the bowl completely, adding roughly 7,360 seats and giving the stadium its current enclosed shape.
More Than a Football Field
While NC State football is the primary tenant, Carter-Finley Stadium has hosted a wide range of events. It served as a venue for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and in February 2023 it was transformed into an outdoor ice rink for the NHL’s Stadium Series, drawing hockey fans to a stadium built for the gridiron.
The stadium sits on Trinity Road just off Hillsborough Street, next to PNC Arena and the NC State Fairgrounds in West Raleigh, putting it in the heart of the area’s sports and entertainment complex.
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Carter-Finley Stadium FAQs
How many people does Carter-Finley Stadium hold?
Carter-Finley Stadium has a capacity of about 56,900 seats following its most recent configuration.
Why is it called Carter-Finley Stadium?
It opened in 1966 as Carter Stadium, named for donors Harry C. and Wilbert J. Carter. Albert E. Finley’s name was added in 1979 after he made a significant contribution to the university.
Has Carter-Finley Stadium hosted events other than football?
Yes. It hosted the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games and was converted into an outdoor rink for the NHL’s 2023 Stadium Series game.
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Photo: SMaloney / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.