Wake Forest Football to Host ‘Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game’ on Sept. 6 vs. Western Carolina
7/21/2025 10:22:00 AM | Football
In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness month in September, Wake Forest Football will once again partner together with community leader Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer on Saturday, Sept. 6 inside Allegacy Stadium.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Continuing a cherished tradition that aligns with Wake Forest University's Pro Humanitate motto, the Demon Deacons will partner with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital for the second annual Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, when Wake Forest football hosts Western Carolina at 2 p.m. inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Special Ticket Package: Give Back and Get Gold
A total of $15 from each ticket package directly benefits Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital's fight against childhood cancer. Ticket packages are available now. Shirts and gift cards will be available for pick-up at Gate 5 on game day.
The t-shirts, produced in partnership with Blue84, will also be sold separately online, at the Deacon Shop, and inside Allegacy Stadium while supplies last. Sign up here for an email alert when the shirts are available online! A portion of all retail sales will also support the Brenner Children's cancer fund. Fans are encouraged to wear gold on game day to stand united in support of young cancer warriors.
Community Activation and On-Field Recognition
Wake Forest and Atrium Health are collaborating to make this day one to remember for families impacted by pediatric cancer and those working tirelessly to treat and cure it. Plans include:
Opportunity for fans to donate during the game via QR code or text (Text GOLDRUSH25 to 44834, or visit https://onecau.se/goldrush25),
Additionally, Wake Forest will present a donation check during the game to signify the collective impact of this initiative. In 2024, over 560 packages were sold and nearly $30,000 was donated to childhood cancer research through this effort.
What They're Saying
Other Ticketing Options
Wake Forest Athletics recently announced that both single-game tickets and the fan-favorite Bojangles Four-Pack ticket packages are on sale now for all seven home games this fall. These offerings provide flexible, affordable ways for families, friends, and fans of all ages to experience Demon Deacon football live at Allegacy Stadium.
The Bojangles Four-Pack includes tickets in a reserved east side seating section and complimentary parking in the Diet Pepsi Lot at the LJVM Coliseum for select games. With demand already at record levels for several home games, only a limited number of Four-Pack packages are available. These tickets will sell out, so act fast!
Wake Forest Athletics has previously announced the full fan experience, group day and promotional plans for the 2025 football season.
Here is a full breakdown of the prices for each game:
SINGLE GAME TICKETS & PRICING
The quickest and most efficient way to order single-game tickets is to click the link above for the specific game you want to purchase or to call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bojangles Four-Packs
Bojangles Four-Pack ticket package prices are listed below. Each package includes four tickets and a parking pass, as well as a $20 Bojangles gift card with each Four-Pack purchase—courtesy of Bojangles and Wake Forest Sports Properties (limit one gift card per account, per season). With limited availability for high-demand matchups against Georgia Tech, SMU, and North Carolina, fans are encouraged to act fast. Prices will increase on June 23 and again throughout the summer and fall, so secure your Four-Pack now for the best value and availability!
Exciting Fan Experience Opportunities Await!
Throughout the 2025 season there are multiple ways to get involved and experience a Wake Forest football gameday! Here is the full promotional and game sponsor schedule for game days this fall inside Allegacy Stadium:
Group Days
Opportunities are now available for groups across the state of North Carolina to enjoy the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina through organized group outings. Make Wake Forest football the destination for your next group outing and join us in DEACTOWN for a game this season!
A number of organized group opportunities are available for the 2025 season. With limited inventory available, take advantage of these discounted rates now to bring your group to Allegacy Stadium. If an organized group outing does not currently exist to fit your needs, customized packages, including group promotional codes for online purchases, can be organized by contacting the Wake Forest Ticket Office sales team at 336-758-3322 ext. 1.
Fans can also purchase 15 or more tickets for any home Wake Forest football game and receive a discount on each ticket. Seating locations are in the Standard East, Standard West, and Value East & West sections, while supplies last, and discounted group prices by game are the following for the 2025 season:
2025 Season Tickets on Sale Now!
Ready to become a season ticket holder? Season tickets are available starting at just $149. Call the ticket office today at 336.758.3322 ext. 1 or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets to secure your seat for the upcoming season.
Parking Details for 2025 Season
Parking for the 2025 football season will look different for some as several parking lots for fans will be impacted by the construction of The Grounds mixed-use project on Deacon Boulevard. The popular Blue and Orange lots at Allegacy Stadium have decreased in size, but in effort to offset the loss of spaces, a new parking lot called The Grounds lot will be available for pass holders. This new Grounds Lot will be located right off Deacon Boulevard near the LJVM Coliseum and directly in line with the Gate 1 Fan Zone area of Allegacy Stadium. Season ticket holders are encouraged to purchase their season pass for parking at $150 and parking spots still remain in the Starry Lot located at the LJVM Coliseum. Please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or tix@wfu.edu for any specific questions or to purchase your season or single game parking pass for the 2025 football season.
New Multi-game Package Options
Save up to 40 percent with a multi-game package! Similarly to our fan favorite 4-Packs, two and three game packages are subject to timed price increases, incentivizing early purchasing. Multi-game packages will go on-sale starting May 12. Package options include; Opening Night Package (2-games) – Kennesaw State and Western Carolina OR Delaware, Family Weekend Package – NC State, Georgia Tech (Family Weekend), and Delaware, and the Homecoming Package – Western Carolina, SMU (Homecoming), and North Carolina.
Wake Forest Football Overview
Under the leadership of head coach Jake Dickert, the Wake Forest football program is ready to enter a new era heading into the 2025 season.
The Demon Deacons will look to build on previous success and that starts by "Protecting The Forest" and winning at home inside Allegacy Stadium. Since the start of the 2019 season, Wake Forest's 24 home victories ranks tied for seventh in the ACC during that span.
That standard will look to be upheld and more under Coach Dickert as he leads the program behind the core value, Deliver Your B.E.S.T.
Coach Dickert was a stabilizing force for the Washington State program in 2021 and turned it into one of the best programs on the west coast during his time in Pullman. He spent the final five games of the 2021 season as acting head coach, leading Washington State to a 3-2 record, earning a trip to the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. The Apple Cup win in 2021 snapped a seven-game skid to Washington and was the Cougar's largest margin of victory in series history. Additionally, he helped the program navigate PAC-12 turmoil in 2024, helping guide the team to 8-4 season.
Coach Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times during his time as a head coach. His teams started the 2024 season with a record of 8-1 and the 2023 season 4-0 while also beating three ranked teams in 2022 and 2023 and beat rival Washington multiple times.
During his time on the Palouse, he trained 2024 Heisman Finalist Cam Ward and 2024 Manning Finalist John Mateer. He also has had seven players drafted to the NFL in the last three years alone. With Dickert and Mateer this season, Washington State had the No. 11 scoring offense in the country in 2024, scoring nearly 37 points per game.
That identification of talent continued into his first offseason as the Wake Forest head coach, signing a top-30 transfer class in the country. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe, redshirt senior offensive lineman Devin Kylany, redshirt sophomore defensive back Sascha Garcia, redshirt junior defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke and junior wide receiver Carlos Hernandez bolster an impact class.
In total, Wake Forest added 17,703 career snaps across 30 incoming midyear transfers who will integrate into the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Those additions will play alongside a key group of high level talent that returns from the 2024 team, highlighted by All-American running back Demond Claiborne. The senior is the ACC's second leading returner rusher in the ACC with 1,049 yards and also the ACC's second leading returner in all-purpose yards with 1,579 yards. Last season, he ranked 11th nationally with 131.7 all-purpose yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Deacs return multi-year starters and rising stars in redshirt senior defensive back Nick Andersen, redshirt senior linebacker Dylan Hazen and redshirt sophomore defensive back Davaughn Patterson.
Andersen is one of 10 returning players in FBS to have 120 or more tackles in 2024. He led the ACC with 122 total tackles in 2024 which was also the most by a Wake Forest player since Marquis Hopkins in 2001 (125 tackles).
Hazen and Patterson both started all 12 games in the front seven for Wake Forest last season and both recorded over 74 tackles for the Demon Deacons in 2024.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Special Ticket Package: Give Back and Get Gold
- A total of 1,500 limited-edition Gold Rush ticket packages are available for just $35, and include:
- One game ticket (East Side seating).
- A special-edition gold Wake Forest t-shirt.
- A $20 Strickland Brothers Oil Change gift card.
A total of $15 from each ticket package directly benefits Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital's fight against childhood cancer. Ticket packages are available now. Shirts and gift cards will be available for pick-up at Gate 5 on game day.
The t-shirts, produced in partnership with Blue84, will also be sold separately online, at the Deacon Shop, and inside Allegacy Stadium while supplies last. Sign up here for an email alert when the shirts are available online! A portion of all retail sales will also support the Brenner Children's cancer fund. Fans are encouraged to wear gold on game day to stand united in support of young cancer warriors.
Community Activation and On-Field Recognition
Wake Forest and Atrium Health are collaborating to make this day one to remember for families impacted by pediatric cancer and those working tirelessly to treat and cure it. Plans include:
- Pre-game tailgate experience for guests of Atrium Health.
- On-field recognition of health care workers, donors, patients, and families.
- Stay tuned for Wake Forest's Open the Gate honoree for this game!
- Gold ribbon helmet decals and other branding throughout Allegacy Stadium.
- Distribution of 10,000 gold pom poms at stadium entrances, presented in partnership with Brenner Children's and Strickland Brothers
Opportunity for fans to donate during the game via QR code or text (Text GOLDRUSH25 to 44834, or visit https://onecau.se/goldrush25),
Additionally, Wake Forest will present a donation check during the game to signify the collective impact of this initiative. In 2024, over 560 packages were sold and nearly $30,000 was donated to childhood cancer research through this effort.
What They're Saying
- President of Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital Alisa Starbuck:
- "Wake Forest University's Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game goes far beyond the scoreboard and is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together—not just as fans, but as a community. The funds raised through this initiative will directly benefit Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital and fuel critical research and advance treatments that offer real hope to children and families facing the unimaginable. All of us at Brenner Children's Hospital are committed to transforming the future of pediatric care, and partnerships like this help us become one step closer to a world where no child is faced with cancer."
- Head Coach Jake Dickert:
- "This game is about more than football. Our team will have the chance to visit Brenner Children's Hospital this summer, and those moments make lasting impacts on our players and staff's lives. We're honored to support these incredible kids, their families and the life-changing work happening at Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "We're fired up to take on Western Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 6 in an in-state matchup at Allegacy Stadium. Supporting the incredible efforts of Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer, while filling the stands with gold-clad Demon Deacon fans, is a powerful reflection of our community spirit. All of us at Wake Forest University are proud to serve as the academic core of the nation's third-largest non-profit healthcare system."
Other Ticketing Options
Wake Forest Athletics recently announced that both single-game tickets and the fan-favorite Bojangles Four-Pack ticket packages are on sale now for all seven home games this fall. These offerings provide flexible, affordable ways for families, friends, and fans of all ages to experience Demon Deacon football live at Allegacy Stadium.
The Bojangles Four-Pack includes tickets in a reserved east side seating section and complimentary parking in the Diet Pepsi Lot at the LJVM Coliseum for select games. With demand already at record levels for several home games, only a limited number of Four-Pack packages are available. These tickets will sell out, so act fast!
Wake Forest Athletics has previously announced the full fan experience, group day and promotional plans for the 2025 football season.
Here is a full breakdown of the prices for each game:
SINGLE GAME TICKETS & PRICING
| Opponent | Date | Price Level | Price |
| KENNESAW STATE | Aug. 29 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value \West Super Value |
$90.00 $80.00 $45.00 $25.00 $15.00 |
| WESTERN CAROLINA | Sept. 6 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value East / West Super Value |
$85.00 $75.00 $40.00 $20.00 $10.00 |
| NC STATE | Sept. 11 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value East / West Super Value |
$115.00 $105.00 $70.00 $50.00 $40.00 |
| GEORGIA TECH | Sept. 27 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value East / West Super Value |
$125.00 $115.00 $80.00 $60.00 $50.00 |
| SMU | Oct. 25 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value East / West Super Value |
$125.00 $115.00 $80.00 $60.00 $50.00 |
| NORTH CAROLINA | Nov. 15 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East / West Value East / West Super Value |
$130.00 $120.00 $85.00 $65.00 $55.00 |
| DELAWARE | Nov. 22 | Chairback Premium Chairback Regular Standard East/ West Value East/ West Super Value |
$85.00 $75.00 $40.00 $20.00 $10.00 |
The quickest and most efficient way to order single-game tickets is to click the link above for the specific game you want to purchase or to call the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bojangles Four-Packs
Bojangles Four-Pack ticket package prices are listed below. Each package includes four tickets and a parking pass, as well as a $20 Bojangles gift card with each Four-Pack purchase—courtesy of Bojangles and Wake Forest Sports Properties (limit one gift card per account, per season). With limited availability for high-demand matchups against Georgia Tech, SMU, and North Carolina, fans are encouraged to act fast. Prices will increase on June 23 and again throughout the summer and fall, so secure your Four-Pack now for the best value and availability!
| 2025 WF FOOTBALL 4-PACK PRICING | ||||||
| GAME | STARTING PRICE | Increase #1 - June 23 | Increase #2 - July 14 | Increase #3 - August 15 | Increase #4 - September 15 | |
| KSU (8/29) | $39.00 | $44.00 | $49.00 | $54.00 | x | |
| WCU (9/6) | $34.00 | $39.00 | $44.00 | $49.00 | x | |
| NC State (9/11) | $99.00 | $109.00 | $119.00 | $129.00 | x | |
| Limited supply | Georgia Tech (9/27) | $129.00 | $139.00 | $149.00 | $159.00 | $169.00 |
| Limited supply | SMU (10/25) | $129.00 | $139.00 | $149.00 | $159.00 | $169.00 |
| Limited supply | UNC (11/15) | $139.00 | $144.00 | $149.00 | $154.00 | $169.00 |
| Delaware (11/22) | $34.00 | $39.00 | $44.00 | $49.00 | $54.00 | |
Exciting Fan Experience Opportunities Await!
Throughout the 2025 season there are multiple ways to get involved and experience a Wake Forest football gameday! Here is the full promotional and game sponsor schedule for game days this fall inside Allegacy Stadium:
| Date | Opponent | Game Promotions |
| Friday, Aug. 29 | Kennesaw State | OPENING NIGHT |
| Saturday, Sept. 6 | Western Carolina | GOLD RUSH UNRIVALED WEEKEND |
| Thursday, Sept. 11 | NC State | WEAR BLACK |
| Saturday, Sept. 27 | Georgia Tech | FAMILY WEEKEND |
| Saturday, Oct. 25 | SMU | HOMECOMING |
| Saturday, Nov. 15 | North Carolina | MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Delaware | FAN APPRECIATION DAY and SENIOR & GRADUATES DAY |
Group Days
Opportunities are now available for groups across the state of North Carolina to enjoy the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina through organized group outings. Make Wake Forest football the destination for your next group outing and join us in DEACTOWN for a game this season!
A number of organized group opportunities are available for the 2025 season. With limited inventory available, take advantage of these discounted rates now to bring your group to Allegacy Stadium. If an organized group outing does not currently exist to fit your needs, customized packages, including group promotional codes for online purchases, can be organized by contacting the Wake Forest Ticket Office sales team at 336-758-3322 ext. 1.
| Date | Opponent | Group Days | Contact Information |
| Friday, Aug. 29 | Kennesaw State | F/S Appreciation Triad Community Night Forsyth Tech Night Stars of Honor |
tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 Carter Birdsall | 336.758.4037 Kyler Anderson | 336.758.4036 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 |
| Saturday, Sept. 6 | Western Carolina | Furniture Industry Day High School Band Day Junior Spirit Day Scout Day Atrium Employee Outing |
tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 WFU Bands | wakeband@wfu.edu tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 Carter Birdsall | 336.758.4037 Carter Birdsall | 336.758.4037 |
| Thursday, Sept. 11 | NC State | First Responders Day Extra Yard for Teachers Climb to Remember Vendor Appreciation Licensing Night Construction Industry Day |
tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 Carter Birdsall | 336.758.4037 Kyler Anderson | 336.758.4036 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 Zach Bingham | 336.758.4021 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 |
| Saturday, Sept. 27 | Georgia Tech | Family Weekend | tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 |
| Saturday, Oct. 25 | SMU | Homecoming Jr. Deacs Day Faith and Family Night |
Carter Birdsall | 336.758.4037 Chase Walter | 336.758.4032 Chase Walter | 336.758.4032 |
| Saturday, Nov. 15 | North Carolina | Military Appreciation Youth Sports Day Extravadance |
tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Delaware | STH/Fan Appreciation Day Partner Appreciation Day Stars of Honor Student for a Day |
tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 tix@wfu.edu | 336.758.3322 |
| 2025 WF FOOTBALL GROUP TICKET PRICING | ||
| GAME | 15-99 TICKETS | 100+ TICKETS |
| KSU (8/29) | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| WCU (9/6) | $10.00 | $8.00 |
| NC State (9/11) | $25.00 | x |
| Georgia Tech (9/27) | $30.00 | x |
| SMU (10/25) | $30.00 | x |
| UNC (11/15) | $35.00 | x |
| Delaware (11/22) | $10.00 | $8.00 |
2025 Season Tickets on Sale Now!
Ready to become a season ticket holder? Season tickets are available starting at just $149. Call the ticket office today at 336.758.3322 ext. 1 or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets to secure your seat for the upcoming season.
Parking Details for 2025 Season
Parking for the 2025 football season will look different for some as several parking lots for fans will be impacted by the construction of The Grounds mixed-use project on Deacon Boulevard. The popular Blue and Orange lots at Allegacy Stadium have decreased in size, but in effort to offset the loss of spaces, a new parking lot called The Grounds lot will be available for pass holders. This new Grounds Lot will be located right off Deacon Boulevard near the LJVM Coliseum and directly in line with the Gate 1 Fan Zone area of Allegacy Stadium. Season ticket holders are encouraged to purchase their season pass for parking at $150 and parking spots still remain in the Starry Lot located at the LJVM Coliseum. Please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or tix@wfu.edu for any specific questions or to purchase your season or single game parking pass for the 2025 football season.
New Multi-game Package Options
Save up to 40 percent with a multi-game package! Similarly to our fan favorite 4-Packs, two and three game packages are subject to timed price increases, incentivizing early purchasing. Multi-game packages will go on-sale starting May 12. Package options include; Opening Night Package (2-games) – Kennesaw State and Western Carolina OR Delaware, Family Weekend Package – NC State, Georgia Tech (Family Weekend), and Delaware, and the Homecoming Package – Western Carolina, SMU (Homecoming), and North Carolina.
Wake Forest Football Overview
Under the leadership of head coach Jake Dickert, the Wake Forest football program is ready to enter a new era heading into the 2025 season.
The Demon Deacons will look to build on previous success and that starts by "Protecting The Forest" and winning at home inside Allegacy Stadium. Since the start of the 2019 season, Wake Forest's 24 home victories ranks tied for seventh in the ACC during that span.
That standard will look to be upheld and more under Coach Dickert as he leads the program behind the core value, Deliver Your B.E.S.T.
Coach Dickert was a stabilizing force for the Washington State program in 2021 and turned it into one of the best programs on the west coast during his time in Pullman. He spent the final five games of the 2021 season as acting head coach, leading Washington State to a 3-2 record, earning a trip to the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. The Apple Cup win in 2021 snapped a seven-game skid to Washington and was the Cougar's largest margin of victory in series history. Additionally, he helped the program navigate PAC-12 turmoil in 2024, helping guide the team to 8-4 season.
Coach Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times during his time as a head coach. His teams started the 2024 season with a record of 8-1 and the 2023 season 4-0 while also beating three ranked teams in 2022 and 2023 and beat rival Washington multiple times.
During his time on the Palouse, he trained 2024 Heisman Finalist Cam Ward and 2024 Manning Finalist John Mateer. He also has had seven players drafted to the NFL in the last three years alone. With Dickert and Mateer this season, Washington State had the No. 11 scoring offense in the country in 2024, scoring nearly 37 points per game.
That identification of talent continued into his first offseason as the Wake Forest head coach, signing a top-30 transfer class in the country. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe, redshirt senior offensive lineman Devin Kylany, redshirt sophomore defensive back Sascha Garcia, redshirt junior defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke and junior wide receiver Carlos Hernandez bolster an impact class.
In total, Wake Forest added 17,703 career snaps across 30 incoming midyear transfers who will integrate into the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Those additions will play alongside a key group of high level talent that returns from the 2024 team, highlighted by All-American running back Demond Claiborne. The senior is the ACC's second leading returner rusher in the ACC with 1,049 yards and also the ACC's second leading returner in all-purpose yards with 1,579 yards. Last season, he ranked 11th nationally with 131.7 all-purpose yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Deacs return multi-year starters and rising stars in redshirt senior defensive back Nick Andersen, redshirt senior linebacker Dylan Hazen and redshirt sophomore defensive back Davaughn Patterson.
Andersen is one of 10 returning players in FBS to have 120 or more tackles in 2024. He led the ACC with 122 total tackles in 2024 which was also the most by a Wake Forest player since Marquis Hopkins in 2001 (125 tackles).
Hazen and Patterson both started all 12 games in the front seven for Wake Forest last season and both recorded over 74 tackles for the Demon Deacons in 2024.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballQB Robbie Ashford takes it himself for the score
Thursday, September 11
Chris Barnes scores the TD on the game's first kick
Thursday, September 11
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10