Coastal Carolina Football 1st Team Ever to Offer Free Concessions for Fans at Games

Coastal Carolina has devised a novel way to attract fans to Brooks Stadium for the 2025 college football season.

The school announced Monday it will provide hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and fountain drinks free to fans. Alcohol and other premium concessions will continue to be available only for purchase.

"Our fans are the heartbeat of Teal Nation, and we're always looking for ways to elevate their game day experience," athletic director Chance Miller said. "With the CCU Kickoff Meal Deal, we're excited to offer free concessions this fall as a way to say thank you for the energy, passion and support they bring to Brooks Stadium every game."

ESPN's Michele Steele noted no other FBS program will hand out complimentary concessions. She added that schools with average attendances close to that of Coastal Carolina can collect around $250,000 per game through food and drink sales.

Thankfully, this was revealed on March 31. If the Chanticleers had waited until Tuesday, some fans might've wondered whether it was part of an elaborate April Fool's Day joke.

Coastal Carolina didn't have a lot of trouble drawing at Brooks Stadium in 2024. While it only ranked 111th in average attendance (17,128), that was 85.64 percent of the venue's total capacity (20,000). Free concessions are bound to boost the attendance figures a bit.

The team's 2025 home opener is Sept. 6 against Charleston Southern.