Getting a chance to be up close and personal to their favorite athletes can be a real thrill for fans, and never is there a better opportunity for Carolina Panthers fans to meet and greet Cam Newton and the gang than during Carolina Panthers training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. With the Panthers releasing the dates and details of training camp yesterday, most fans are starting to make their preparations. And we are here to help. We’ve compiled the best information from our years of attendance in order to guide you to the best possible experience in Spartanburg.

Training Camp Dates & Locations

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The Panthers have been holding their annual training camp at Wofford College since the team’s inception in 1995 and all workouts are open to the public. The first practice annually is preceded by a Kickoff Party with tons of team and sponsor swag, live music, kids activities, and appearances by both the TopCats and Sir Purr; this year’s party will be held just outside of Gibbs Stadium on July 26 beginning at 4 PM. To be honest, the party is really fun, but you don’t need to be there right at 4 PM for two and a half hours of swag getting. You can head there after work and catch the end of the party plus practice if you arrive at 6 PM. Interesting in hitching a ride with the Roaring Riot? Check out the details here.

What To Bring

If you’re heading down to Spartanburg, you’re going to need some basic supplies:

• Water – GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY it is hot down there, and you’re going to be sitting outside in little to no shade for at least two hours. Throw a bottle of water in the freezer the night before you leave and grab it on your way out the door. It’ll be nice and melted about halfway through practice and you’ll be super glad it’s not lukewarm.
• Sunscreen – Don’t get burnt up, nobody likes a lobster. I like to bring a hat and a very loose, light, long sleeve (the three L’s!) shirt to cover up when it gets really hot and I’m sick of reapplying. If you’re going to wear a Panthers jersey (and you know you are), don’t wear your black one. Trust me.
• Sharpies/Something To Sign – If you’re an autograph seeker (more on this later), bring more than one Sharpie. The players will accidentally take yours to the kids down the row, you’ll drop yours in a puddle, you’ll get yours stuck in Curtis Samuel’s hair, there’s all kinds of things that might happen. Bring a 4-pack. If you’re thinking about what to have players sign, think outside the box! Did you know you can buy most Panther rookie cards for less than $2 on eBay? GENTLEMAN START YOUR BIDDING!

Photo: eBay

• Camping Chairs – Want to be the coolest person at camp? Bring an extra! Nothing says “Let’s be best training camp buds!” like offering someone sitting on the grass a seat.
• Roster List – There’s nothing more lame than yelling “Hey, 42! Can you sign this?” Colin Jones is number 42. You want that Colin Jones autograph. Hey, here’s a roster right here!
• Binoculars – The endzone of Fields 2 & 3 allow the most shade in the entire seating area, and if you try to stay cool for as long as possible and Cam is throwing darts on Field 1, you’re going to want some spyglasses. If you don’t want to stay in the endzones, you can always sit on the hill with most of the crowd and bake, unless you bring an umbrella to shade yourself. But did anyone tell you to bring an umbrella?
• Umbrella – There we go.

Source: Panthers.com

Special Events

• Panther Pals: Per Panthers.com: “Panther Pals offers children ages 6-13 an opportunity to watch part of practice from field level and then spend time with a player afterward. Kids can register to be a Panther Pal at the Academy Kids Field located outside the entrance to the practice fields. Five names will be randomly chosen 45 minutes before the end of practice. The children selected will receive a Panther Pal T-shirt and will be escorted to a special area to watch the conclusion of practice.”  This sounds awesome. Does anyone know where I can get a fake ID that says I’m 12 years old?
• TopCat Tuesdays: Every Tuesday practice, you can meet select TopCats, take pictures and get autographs.
• FanFest: This annual event is one of the most fun of the year. More details will come out soon, but mark your calendars for Friday, August 4 at Bank Of America Stadium.

Photo Courtesy J Cox

Autograph Seekers

If you’re reading this, you’re probably an adult. In which case, the first rule of autograph getting is LET THE KIDS GO FIRST. If you are waving a football still in it’s cardboard box in Cam Newton’s face while a small child stands meekly between you and the fence, you’re a jerk. LET THE KIDS GO FIRST. Most of the players will sign as much as they can, so just wait your turn and LET THE KIDS GO FIRST. If you’re a kid reading this, GO FIRST.

When you come through the entrance, hang a right and try to get as close as you can to the fence along the path to the fields, the closer to the locker room the better. Your best bet to get autographs is as the Panthers come out for practice or as they head back, which means GET THERE EARLY if autographs are important to you. The gates will open an hour before practice begins, so that’s the time you should try to arrive. It also means you’re probably going to miss practice (unless you brought binoculars like someone recommended in a previous section), so if you’re only going for one session, get your autographs before practice and head to the hill. Once you leave the fence, your spot will get taken. So stay at the fence if you want that Colin Jones autograph, and we know you do.

Where You Can Eat

Most folks will recommend going to the Beacon Drive-In and having a double chili cheeseburger a-plenty and a sweet tea, but I think the Beacon is overrated. I’d rather drive a couple minutes and grab a Carolina Burger at Ike’s Korner Grille or a beef brisket plate at Carolina BBQ (PRO TIP: You want to add 2 ribs to whatever you order for only $4); after an afternoon session, swing by RJ Rockers for a pint of Son Of A Peach and some live music.

But if you truly want to find me, just follow the map below.

Closest Bojangles

Don’t forget to look for us, we’ll be there all summer. And yes, you can buy us a biscuit.

Josh Klein

Editor-In-Chief at The Riot Report

Josh Klein is Editor-In-Chief of The Riot Report. His favorite Panther of all time is Chad Cota and he once AIM chatted with Kevin Greene. Follow Josh on Twitter @joshkleinrules.