CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — The Tar Heels and Blue Devils are getting ready to face off once again. The Battle of the Blues is back for the 264th time Saturday evening.
For around the past 20 years the Williamsons and the Yelehs travel back to campus for the game. The two married couples were students at UNC-Chapel Hill together.
“Greatest rivalry in sports, without question, and love Chapel Hill, what a beautiful place, love coming back,” said Joh Williamson.
ESPN’s College GameDay is also back in town. Saturday will be the pre-game show’s 13th time hosting from campus. Only Duke has hosted more times than that. It was picked as a host site for the 14th time when the two teams faced off at Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier this season.
Chapel Hill Sportswear is gearing up for crowds of its own this weekend.
“It’s definitely been busier than a normal Friday, any other Friday,” said Store Manager Holly Dedmond. “I think people are really excited about the game tomorrow. We’re expecting a big crowd tomorrow.”
She said the rivalry game brings in fans from all over.
“I love it when people that have never been to, been to a game, get to come for the first time,” Dedmond said. “Especially if they’ve never been to a Carolina-Duke game, and it’s their first time, that just adds an extra layer of excitement.”
She said for some of those fans it may be their only time in Chapel Hill.
“So, of course, they’re here to shop,” Dedmond said.
The university said lines to get in to the Dean E. Smith Center can form at 7:30 a.m., with students allowed in at 8:30 a.m. and the general public allowed in at 8:45 am to watch the broadcast.
Tip-off is at 6:30 pm.