Chapel Hill, NC — North Carolina has sold out all 20,000 season tickets for its first football season under new head coach Bill Belichick, Axios Raleigh reports.
The university also raised season ticket prices by 25 percent. Surprisingly, fans accepted the increase without much pushback. UNC is expected to see a boost in revenue from the ACC and higher-value sponsorship deals, thanks in part to Belichick’s high profile.
Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the New England Patriots, is making his debut as a college head coach. With eight total Super Bowl wins, he is approaching the program with an NFL mindset.
On Good Morning America, Belichick emphasized his focus on learning. “I learn every day,” he said. “Being back in college football means understanding recruiting, new rules, strategy, and building a team. I’ve learned a lot and have a great staff to support me.”
He praised Michael Lombardi, who helps manage personnel. Belichick explained their coach-general manager model mirrors the NFL approach, helping with the transition.
Looking ahead, college football could evolve to resemble the NFL more closely. The upcoming NCAA House Settlement may change revenue sharing and player compensation. Belichick believes solutions will emerge to balance players’ earning potential with competitive fairness.
With less than four months before the season starts, UNC will open at home on September 1st against TCU at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The excitement around the team is already high, driven by Belichick’s arrival and the promise of a new era in Tar Heel football.
