The DEACTOWN Student Tailgate space behind the East stands of Allegacy Stadium was developed to offer students an elevated tailgate experience featuring a stage with live music, activities, free food and a large video screen to watch games from around the country.
The area provides a dynamic outdoor club atmosphere for Wake Forest students and their guests. A variety of seating and eating areas surround the stage and video screen that provide opportunities for relaxation and engagement for all.
Tailgate spaces come with a hassle free set-up. Tents, tables and chairs are set-up in advance so all students have to do is show up on gameday and enjoy!
General Information
The DEACTOWN Student Tailgate is available for registered student organizations as well as the general student body. Festivities begin three hours prior to each home football game and students should enter via Gate 4 of Allegacy Stadium near the Wake Forest Tennis Complex. Each student will need a game ticket, which can be claimed for free with their Screamin' Demon Rewards app and their Wake Forest DeaconOne Card to enter.
All individuals age 21 and older must present an acceptable form of ID (e.g., valid driver's license, military ID, North Carolina state ID, or passport) at the tailgate wristband table located inside of gate 4 prior to entering the student tailgate area.
Student organizations are required to sign and submit the football student tailgating policy to Wake Forest Athletics before tailgating. Once signed, email the form to rewards@wfu.edu. Register your group to tailgate this football season with the button below!
Tailgate Space Selections
On game weeks, a student tailgate meeting with student group leaders takes place on Wednesday evenings at 5 p.m. in Benson Center.* At this meeting, group leaders can select their designated tailgate location for the upcoming game. Deacon Cup Points are used to rank order the groups for the selection process and also is used as the tie-breaker criteria in the event of more groups wanting to tailgate than spaces available. If you are requesting funding for a tailgate via use of a SAF mini grant. Please note, the SAF mini grant needs to be applied for two weeks in advance of the game you would like to have a tailgate for.
*The meeting during the week of Opening Night will take place on the Monday of that week due to the game being on a Thursday.
Meeting Dates:
- Monday, August 26th @ 6pm Benson 409
- Wednesday, September 4th @ 5pm Benson 410
- Wednesday, September 11th @ 5pm Benson 410
- Wednesday, September 25th @ 5pm Benson 410
- Wednesday, October 9th @ 5pm Benson 410
- Wednesday, November 6th @ 5pm Benson 410
Priority Points Structure (Deacon Cup)
Only a limited number of tents are available to be reserved each game. In order to set a priority for site selection for student organization tailgate spaces within the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate, Deacon Cup standings will be used. Points will be calculated as the total number of SDR points accumulated by each organization. All ticketed and non-ticketed Wake Forest athletic events will have point values associated with them.
Each home game week, the current standings will be announced at the space selection meeting, and a representative from each organization will be able to select their tailgating site in order of the standings.
With the exception of Opening Night, Deacon Cup points are calculated as the total accumulation of SDR Points earned by individuals who are part of a registered group, for attending events beginning the date of the last space selection meeting, up until the day before the next space selection meeting. By adding up points this way, all athletic events are counted as part of the equation.
New this season – Group points will be weighted based on the size of each each student organization to give smaller organizations a more equitable chance to space selection priority.
In order to participate in the Deacon Cup, Each organization should:
- Email an Excel spreadsheet with ALL of your organization's members to rewards@wfu.edu. Be sure to include each individual's first and last name, student ID number, email, and classification (grad year). Complete this by 5pm on Wednesday, August 28th in order to maximize points for the second home game of the season. This list will be used to manage the awarding of points for each organization on a week-to-week basis.
- Download the Screamin’ Demon Rewards app. This app will be used to track attendance at all events, and will also be the only way to attend athletic events in person - by claiming a ticket in advance.
Tailgating in DEACTOWN 101
- Do I need a football game ticket to attend the tailgate? – Yes, all students are required to claim a ticket in order to attend the DEACTOWN Student Tailgate. Students can claim a free ticket in the Screamin Demon Rewards App. For more information on tickets, click here.
- How do I reserve a tent? – Student organizations looking to reserve a tent for an upcoming football game should fill out a Tailgate Application and plan to attend a space selection meeting on Wednesday’s of a home game week in Benson center.
- What all is included in my tent reservation? – All student organizations need to do is show up! Tent, tables and chairs are provided.
- Does it cost money to reserve a tent? – Nope! Tailgate spaces and equipment are provided free of charge to all Wake Forest University student organizations! However, if you’d like to request funds for items to bring to your tailgate, student organizations can request funding for a tailgate via use of a SAF mini grant. Please note, the SAF mini grant needs to be applied for two weeks in advance of the game you would like to have a tailgate for. Please plan accordingly!
- What if I need help planning my tailgate? – Student Organizations can schedule time with the Office of Student Engagement to plan a tailgate!
- Can I bring my own food and beverage? – Yes! Student organizations may bring in their own food and beverage to their tailgate tent. Only registered organizations with individuals wearing designated wristbands are permitted to bring food and drink into the tailgate area. If you are planning on bringing your own food, it is recommended that an event planning meeting be scheduled.
- Can my group serve alcohol at our tailgate? – Alcohol is permitted to be served by organizations that have specific outside insurance coverage. For those organizations only designated TIPS trained individuals are permitted to serve alcohol. Any other organization may individually purchase alcohol from a vending station and have it at their tailgate. Beer from kegs, cans or malt beverages cannot exceed 6% ABV. All individuals must be 21 and over in order to consume alcohol at the tailgate. For a complete list of rules and regulations on alcohol, please see all alcohol rules in the student tailgate policy located in the General Information section above.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to reserve a tent in order to tailgate? – No, a tent reservation is NOT required to join in on the fun! Any student can attend the tailgate area by claiming a ticket and entering through the student Gate (4) on gameday. All students have the same access to live music, and free food and non-alcoholic beverages from our food truck.
- Can I bring guests who aren’t Wake Forest students? – Yes, student guest tickets are available for purchase. For more information on guest tickets or to purchase, please call the Bridger Field House ticket office at 336-758-3322.
- How do I get to the football stadium? – Students are able to catch a ride to Allegacy Stadium from campus via our free shuttle system. Shuttles are scheduled to run 4 hours prior to kick. The pick up location will be at Lot P and they will drop off on Shorefair Dr. (behind the Tennis Center). Rideshare drop offs will also be the same location as shuttle drop offs.
- Who can I contact if I have additional questions? – Please email rewards@wfu.edu if you have any questions or concerns regarding your student tailgate experience.
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