Hey Raleigh — Rachel here. 👋 I recently went to WakeMed Soccer Park (101 Soccer Park Dr.) in Cary to cheer on the NC Courage as they competed in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final. Here's how it went (and how you can cheer them on this season). ⚽

What we tried (with pricing):

WakeMed Soccer Park is home to the NC Courage, NC’s NWSL women’s professional soccer team, and the North Carolina FC, NC’s USL League One men’s professional soccer team. Both teams recently kicked off their 2022 seasons.

Fun fact: As a life-long soccer player and fan, I’ve followed professional soccer both in the US and abroad — but I’ve never attended a women’s soccer game in person. It was a treat to see this game from the stands and live in an area where we have two professional teams right in our backyard.

Tickets for Courage matches start at $20. Pro tip: Buy tickets + parking passes online ahead of the game. Getting through the line is stress-free with digital tickets. Gates open ~1 hour before kickoff — get there early to check out pre-game festivities + entertainment before the action starts on the field.

No matter where you sit in the soccer stadium, you feel like you're front row to the action. | GIF created by the RALtoday team

What not to miss:

The soccer stadium features action both on and off of the field. Interactive games and inflatables live in each corner of the stadium, so if your little one is getting restless, you can get some of their energy out before heading back to your seats.

What we’re still talking about:

It’s important to stay hydrated. | GIF created by the RALtoday team

The food + drinks. Don't forget to check out the concession stands (featuring everything from candy and soft pretzels to nachos). We snacked on hot dogs and a (local) pulled pork sandwich during the second half.

How you can experience this:

The Courage’s season is just getting started. The newly-crowned Challenge Cup Champions are back on the field tomorrow night, Wed., May 18, to take on the Orlando Pride. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. — grab tickets here.

The Courage celebrates their win. | GIF created by the RALtoday team

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Attend an NC Courage or North Carolina FC soccer game
Price: $15+ for North Carolina FC; $20+ for NC Courage
Website: https://www.nccourage.com/; https://www.northcarolinafc.com/
Address: WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary, NC
Hours: Game times vary; view the full schedule here
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