The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
11/1/2026 9:39:00 AM | Football
Game Day Guide: Charlotte, November 7
Kids Takeover: UAB vs. Charlotte
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m. CT | ESPN+ | Protective Stadium
Theme: Kids Takeover | Entitlement Sponsor: Regions Bank
A Special Saturday for Blazer Families
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team returns to Protective Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, to host Charlotte in an American Conference matchup presented by Regions Bank. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Saturday is Kids Takeover, featuring family-friendly activities, special ticket offers, giveaways and a celebration of the 10th annual Children's Harbor Game.
UAB will honor 99 children served by Children's Harbor by wearing specially designed gray jerseys featuring the children's names on the back. Fans are encouraged to wear gray in support of the tradition.
The celebration will also feature the Blazer Buddies Kids Club Game, inflatable attractions in Blazer Village, the newest addition to Blaze's Home Field Collection, a Gridiron Great appearance and more.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and bring the entire family for a special afternoon at Protective Stadium.
Game At A Glance
| Opponent | Charlotte 49ers |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 7 |
| Kickoff | 2:30 p.m. CT |
| Television | ESPN+ |
| Radio | JOX 94.5 FM |
| Theme | Kids Takeover |
| Entitlement Sponsor | Regions Bank |
| Venue | Protective Stadium |
| Special Event | 10th Annual Children's Harbor Game |
Celebrating 10 Years of Children's Harbor
Saturday marks the 10th annual Children's Harbor Game, continuing one of the most meaningful traditions in UAB football history.
The partnership began in 2016 under former head coach Bill Clark as the Blazers prepared to return to competition. Since the inaugural game in 2017, UAB student-athletes have honored children and families facing serious medical challenges by replacing their own names on the backs of their jerseys with those of children served by Children's Harbor.
This season, 99 children will be represented on customized UAB jerseys, with each child receiving the jersey worn in their honor following the game.
More than 400 tickets and parking passes have been purchased for participating families, with Brasfield & Gorrie serving as the Champions for Our Children Game Day Sponsor.
UAB has compiled an 8-1 record in Children's Harbor games, including four consecutive victories. Last year's game featured a memorable 31-24 upset of No. 22 Memphis in Alex Mortensen's first game as head coach.
Children's Harbor provides no-cost counseling, resources, recreational opportunities and family support services through its facilities in Birmingham and at Lake Martin.
Learn more about the mission and history of Children's Harbor by clicking here.
WEAR GRAY! Blazer fans are encouraged to wear gray Saturday to support the Children's Harbor tradition and match the team's special green/gray/gray uniform combination.
Before Kickoff
Make BlazerGameDay.com your first stop before heading to Protective Stadium. The site features the latest game day updates, kickoff timelines, parking information, stadium policies and more.
Blazer Village – Opens at 10:30 a.m.
Blazer Village, UAB Athletics' official pregame fan fest, opens outside Protective Stadium at 10:30 a.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, sponsor activations and opportunities to get ready for Saturday's game.
Activities include:
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Inflatables for young Blazer fans
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Blaze's Home Field Collection: "Derail the Niners"
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Bud Light Beer Garden
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Games, interactive activities and sponsor activations
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Gridiron Great meet-and-greet with Carl Sanders following Blazer Walk
Be sure to stop by Blaze's Home Field Collection and check out the special "Derail the Niners" addition created for Charlotte week.
Blazer Express Shuttle Service
Complimentary Blazer Express shuttles are available to UAB students and the general public.
Fans may park free of charge in the 12th Street Parking Deck and board the shuttle at the Hill Student Center beginning at 10:30 a.m. Service runs continuously to Protective Stadium and concludes one hour following the game.
Visit BlazerGameDay.com for complete shuttle information and schedules.
Blazer Walk – Approximately 12:05 p.m.
Get ready to welcome the Blazers to Protective Stadium!
Fans are encouraged to line Uptown alongside the UAB Marching Blazers, spirit teams and fellow supporters as the football team makes its way into the stadium.
Following Blazer Walk, stop by the marketing tent in Blazer Village for a special meet-and-greet with this week's Gridiron Great, former UAB running back Carl Sanders.
Special Ticket Offers
Family Four Pack
Bring the whole family to Protective Stadium for Kids Takeover!
UAB Athletics is offering a special Family Four Pack ticket promotion for Saturday's matchup against Charlotte.
Fans can take advantage of the offer by clicking here.
New Family-Friendly Ticket Pricing
UAB Athletics has introduced new discounted youth ticket pricing for children ages 4-12 at its remaining 2026 home football games.
Youth tickets are available in designated seating areas at the following prices:
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Family Zone: $15
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Blaze's Corner: $20
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Public Seating: $25
Youth tickets must be purchased in conjunction with at least one regularly priced ticket.
Additionally, children ages 3 and under receive complimentary admission with the purchase of at least one regularly priced ticket. A complimentary ticket is required for entry and must be obtained through the UAB Athletics Ticket Office.
Fans can click here to purchase youth tickets or contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 for assistance.
Blazer Buddies Kids Club Game
Saturday is also the official Blazer Buddies Kids Club Game!
All Blazer Buddies Kids Club members receive free admission to Saturday's game and can take part in special activities throughout the afternoon.
Members can also pick up a special belt bag giveaway in the Family Fun Zone inside Protective Stadium.
Not a Blazer Buddies member? There's still time to join! The club is open to children ages 12 and under and provides exclusive benefits and opportunities to experience UAB Athletics throughout the year.
Click here to sign up for Blazer Buddies Kids Club.
UAB Students Get In Free
UAB students receive admission to all home football games at no cost through their mobile student ticket.
Students are encouraged to download and save their mobile ticket before heading to Protective Stadium.
In-Game Features
10th Annual Children's Harbor Celebration
UAB will celebrate a decade of its Children's Harbor partnership throughout Saturday's game.
The Blazers will take the field wearing special gray jerseys featuring the names of 99 children served by Children's Harbor, continuing a tradition that has become a defining part of the UAB football program.
Fans are encouraged to wear gray and join the Blazers in honoring the children and families who inspire this annual tradition.
Family Fun Zone
The Family Fun Zone, located on the north end of the stadium concourse opposite the student section, will be a popular destination for young Blazer fans during Kids Takeover.
Blazer Buddies Kids Club members can visit the zone to receive their special belt bag giveaway.
The Family Fun Zone offers activities for children and is free to enjoy with a completed waiver.
Gridiron Great: Carl Sanders
Former UAB running back Carl Sanders, a member of the UAB Class of 1997, returns to Birmingham as Saturday's Gridiron Great.
Sanders will be recognized during the game and will participate in a special meet-and-greet at the marketing tent in Blazer Village following Blazer Walk.
Dynasty Challenge Winner Recognition
UAB Athletics will recognize Sam Mann, winner of the Dynasty Challenge, during Saturday's game.
$5 Domestics
Fans ages 21 and older can enjoy $5 domestic beers stadium-wide throughout the game.
Game Day Timeline
| Time (CT) | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Tailgate lots open |
| 10:30 a.m. | Blazer Village, student tailgate and general parking lots open |
| 12:05 p.m. | Blazer Walk |
| Following Blazer Walk | Gridiron Great meet-and-greet in Blazer Village |
| 1 p.m. | Protective Stadium gates open |
| 2:30 p.m. | Kickoff: UAB vs. Charlotte |
Fan Checklist
Wear Gray
Help UAB celebrate 10 years of Children's Harbor by wearing gray in support of the children and families represented on the field.
Bring the Kids
Take advantage of the Family Four Pack, discounted youth ticket pricing and special Blazer Buddies Kids Club benefits to make Saturday a family outing.
Visit Blazer Village
Get to Uptown early for inflatables, the Bud Light Beer Garden, interactive activities and Blaze's Home Field Collection: "Derail the Niners."
Welcome the Team
Line the Blazer Walk route at approximately 12:05 p.m. and help welcome the Blazers to Protective Stadium.
Visit the Family Fun Zone
Blazer Buddies Kids Club members can pick up their special belt bag giveaway inside Protective Stadium.
Know Before You Go
Parking Information
Visit BlazerGameDay.com for the latest parking information, stadium entry details and game day updates.
General parking lots open at 10:30 a.m., four hours before kickoff. Fans are encouraged to review their parking arrangements and plan to arrive early.
Football Email Updates
Stay connected with Blazer Football throughout the season by subscribing to receive exclusive news, promotions, ticket offers and game day information.
Mobile Tickets
Fans are encouraged to download and save their mobile tickets before arriving at Protective Stadium to ensure a smooth entry experience.
Stadium Policies
Review the list of prohibited items and other stadium policies before game day at BlazerGameDay.com.
By The Numbers
| Number | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 10 | Annual Children's Harbor Game |
| 99 | Children represented on UAB's special jerseys |
| 8-1 | UAB's all-time record in Children's Harbor games |
| 4-0 | UAB's home record entering Charlotte week |
| 12:05 | Blazer Walk begins |
| 1:00 | Protective Stadium gates open |
| 2:30 | Kickoff against Charlotte on ESPN+ |
| $15 | Starting youth ticket price for ages 4-12 |
| 12 | Maximum age for Blazer Buddies Kids Club membership |
| $5 | Domestic beers stadium-wide for fans ages 21 and older |
See You At Protective
Kids Takeover brings together family-friendly fun and one of UAB football's most meaningful traditions as the Blazers host Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 7.
From the activities in Blazer Village and Blazer Buddies Kids Club experiences to the special Children's Harbor jerseys and in-game recognitions, Saturday provides an opportunity for the entire Blazer family to celebrate together.
Arrive early, wear gray and help make the 10th annual Children's Harbor Game a memorable afternoon at Protective Stadium.
Kickoff between UAB and Charlotte is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Tickets are available now. Fans can purchase single-game tickets online or contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 or tickets@uab.edu for additional information.
