Let's start with some links and key dates.
Carolina Panthers | Training Camp Overview
The Carolina Panthers 2016 training camp presented by Lowe's will be July 28-August 16 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. All training camp practices are free and open to the public with each practice session lasting about two hours. Please be aware that practice times and lengths are subject to change without notice.
Key Dates
- July 28 - First practice at Wofford College
- August 5 - Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium
- August 11 - Preseason begins
- August 16 - Training camp ends
- August 30 - Roster cutdown to 75 players
- September 3 - Roster cutdown to 53 players
- September 8 - Regular season begins
The weather: No matter what day you go it will be humid. You might lucky and get an overcast or even rainy day but you will still sweat so dress appropriately. Take a hat or even better a big umbrella to create some shade because there is little to no shade at the practice fields. The bowl shape and woods on the east side of the practice fields block any wind that might give you a bit of relief. Be sure to lotion up all exposed skin as well.
Getting Autographs: If you are big into getting autographs you'll have to get there earlier enough (at the opening of the gate) to grab a spot on the fence line over towards the locker room (walk straight down to the fence line and go all the way to the right). If you get a good spot you'll have to squat on it the whole practice to keep it. Should Cam come your way beware of the stampede.
Parking: Another benefit of getting there earlier is better parking spots. Those that get there at the start of practice will probably have to walk a 1/4 mile or so. If you're real late you might have to walk up a massive hill as well.
Hydration: Bring your own because the lines for drinks are long and slow.
Lodging: If you want to consider a campground I would recommend Pine Ridge Campground. Ask for Brad, he's a CSR member and huge Panthers fan. Plenty of hotels though you might have to go up the highway a minute.
CSR Meet Up Location: CSR members are encouraged to meet up at the far end of the patio area on the top of the hill before and after practice. It's near the back entrance of the practice fields which is up to the right through some trees from the main entrance. I know Goose Creek will be there. It might give you some additional die hard fans to converse with while watching practice.
Dining: We recommend Monster Subs for lunch and Mellow Mushroom for dinner meet ups.
Seating: While bringing a chair seems obvious know that most of the viewing area is on a hill so really just a blanket and umbrella works.
We will have open thread every day and will be tracking the Twitter feeds of the beat writers. The advent of social media has been great for training camp. Ten years ago all we got from the writers is a single synopsis every evening that was about 10 bullet points. Now we get minute by minute updates 140 characters at a time.
So I'm asking you share your experience if you attend. Pictures, videos or even better, Periscope. Let us know in advance if you plan to Periscope any of it.
If you have any questions throw them in the comment thread and we'll try to answer them.