The last few years when we’ve sat down to write the State of the Riot, it felt like we were all just trying to convince ourselves to hang on. Trying to find little signs of hope and build on some kind of momentum.
This year… not only feels different… it is different.
For the first time in years, this isn’t the “Ok, it’s May optimism, talk me into caring about the season again” kind of feeling.
We are truly PUMPED.
The Panthers just won the division (let’s not get caught up in the details of how). We hosted a playoff game – and a playoff tailgate. And yeah, they came up a little short – but for the first time in a long time, it didn’t feel like they were pretending to belong.
They did belong.
Photo Via Griffin Zetterberg
And now the question isn’t “are we close?”… it’s “what’s next?”
And this season feels like we’re about to get that answer.
On the field, there’s a lot to be excited about. T-Mac looks like a dude. Coker looks like a dude. Derrick Brown is a grown-ass man. The front office made real, exciting moves this offseason. And the (very) early returns from the Draft look promising.
That’s actual momentum. Actual belief.
We don’t need to talk ourselves – or you – into being excited this year. We’re already there.
Photo Via Griffin Zetterberg
Now let’s talk about us. The Roaring Riot.
While the team finally gave us something to believe in again… this past year, we didn’t sit around waiting for that to happen. We went for it.
We were back to have a presence at every single away game. We had a full-on live wrestling match… at a tailgate. We brought in Carolina Mic for a live performance right before he blew up as THE Carolina Mic. We produced a freaking Petey Pablo concert.
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We hosted Cam Newton and his 4th and 1 podcast – with J-Stew, TD, Joe Webb, and LUUUUUUUKKKE in the building.
For being a Roaring Riot member, you got access to all of that – not to mention one of our favorite membership kits we’ve ever designed (shoutout Joe and Elyse) and what is clearly the best tailgate in Charlotte. Seriously…how ridiculous is that?
Last season was FUN. It was something you wanted to be a part of – and it certainly didn’t hurt that, for the most part, the team held up their end too.
At the end of the day, the Roaring Riot has never just been about wins and losses (although they definitely help). It’s about the experience. The stories. The people. The community.
It’s that feeling when you walk into the tailgate and know you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be on a Sunday.
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If last year proved anything, it’s this: We’re not going backwards – we’re just getting started with what we want to do!
Which brings us to this year.
If last year was about proving we could continue to put together next-level events no matter what… this year is about leveling up.
We showed what’s possible – now we’re doubling down. We’re putting even more into the tailgates. We’re pushing our away game trips to be even better experiences (Canton selling out in days is just the start).
We’re launching a new online community hub that’s going to bring everyone even closer together – more interaction, more access, and a place where the Riot Fam lives 365 days a year, not just on gamedays. More on this coming VERY soon but it’s something we’re really excited about.
We’re continuing to challenge ourselves and raise the bar on what it actually means to be part of this community – and what you all get out of it.
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And yeah… that does come with a small change.
Memberships will increase by $5 this season.
We won’t pretend that’s nothing. Everything costs more right now – across the board – and we’re feeling that just like everyone else. Food for our members at the tailgate. Gas to get the trailer full of beer to uptown CLT. Heck, even the vinyl bags we use to ship the membership kits have gone up in price. But it’s more than that – we’re reinvesting even more into this.
Into making it bigger, better, and more worth your time every single week. We want you going home after every game thinking “damn, we just did that.”
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So with that, our membership theme this year is Undefeated At Tailgating
This used to be something we’d say – a line we probably wore out – to make ourselves feel better about the one thing we knew we were winning on during tough seasons. Our events.
But now?
It means something different.
It represents what we’ve built. The new standard we’ve set. The experience we will always try and deliver. It’s what brings everyone together – and what makes this community different from anything else out there.
It’s what we do best. If you think we threw down last year on Sundays, just WAIT for what we’ve got cooking up for 2026. Canton is just the start – and to commemorate Luuuuuuke going into the Hall and us having 200+ Rioters cheering him on all weekend, we’re including a commemorative patch in every membership kit (plus some other cool stuff we’re keeping up our sleeves for now).
The Roaring Riot is still undefeated and will continue to stay that way.
To everyone who stuck through the down years – you already know what this is about. To the ones coming back now that things feel fun again – welcome back. We saved you a spot and we’re glad you’re here.
You’re not going to want to miss this season.
Cheers to 2026 – Let’s make it a BANGER!
When not cheering on the Panthers, Chris is hanging with his wife and kids.