A few of the companies we’ve worked with
UNCW Seahawks at Trask Coliseum
Trask Coliseum is the heart of basketball in Wilmington, serving as the home court for the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Seahawks. This 5,200-seat arena creates an intimate, high-energy environment known for the "Seahawk Stomp." While the campus is beautiful, it was not originally designed for the influx of heavy vehicle traffic seen during major CAA conference matchups. Navigating the campus entrance off South College Road during peak hours can be a bottleneck for those unfamiliar with the light cycles.
Planning a get-together with your favorite sports fans? Make it one they won’t soon forget and host it at UNCW! The campus offers various rentable spaces for private events, including the Golden Hawk Room for pre-game receptions. These spaces can accommodate groups of all sizes and can be reserved for alumni events, corporate gatherings, or student-athlete celebrations. Coordinating a group visit often includes a walk through the nearby Burney Center or a visit to the bookstore for some teal and navy gear.
Our experience with collegiate travel has shown that timing is everything. For games at Trask, we suggest arriving at least 45 minutes prior to tip-off to ensure your group can clear security and find their seats. If you are traveling with a visiting team or a large booster club, we can facilitate multi-bus shuttles from local hotels like the Courtyard Wilmington Downtown/Historic District, ensuring your entire party arrives at the stadium gates simultaneously rather than trickling in via separate rideshares.
Parking near Trask Coliseum is primarily reserved for permit holders and donors during game days. While there are perimeter lots, they fill up quickly, often forcing fans to walk long distances across campus. We recommend saving your Seahawks fans the hassle of getting to the game by renting a private shuttle service. The drivers are familiar with the specific weight limits on campus bridges and know exactly which lanes to use to avoid the congestion at the intersection of Hurst and Hamilton Drives.
Address: 601 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Buses are typically directed to park in Lot K near the Nixon Annex or the Hamilton Lot. The drivers utilize the designated commercial drop-off loop directly in front of the Trask Coliseum entrance on Wagoner Drive, allowing passengers to disembark comfortably before the bus moves to its staged parking location.
Wilmington Sharks at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium
Located near the intersection of Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Boulevard, Legion Stadium is home to the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League. This historic venue offers a classic "Americana" baseball experience that draws families and baseball purists from all over New Hanover County. Catching a game here is a summer tradition, but the surrounding neighborhood traffic on US-421 can be tricky for those driving oversized vehicles for the first time.
As for concessions, Legion Stadium offers all the favorites—from Shark Bites to ice-cold local brews. If your group of spectators doesn’t want to spend a lot of time standing in line for food, we recommend arriving early to enjoy the pre-game atmosphere. The stadium often hosts themed nights, such as "Bark in the Park," which can increase local traffic and make finding a parking spot for a van or bus even more difficult than usual.
Have some time to kill before a game? Consider taking your group to the nearby Greenfield Lake Park for a pre-game stroll or a paddleboat ride. It is a great way to let younger athletes burn off energy before the first pitch. The drivers can drop your group at the park entrance and then reposition at the stadium, providing a seamless transition from a nature outing to a night at the ballpark without the logistical headache of re-parking multiple vehicles.
Address: 2149 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28401
Unlike many downtown venues, Legion Stadium has a dedicated lot for the sports complex. However, it is shared with the football stadium and the Robert Nichols Tennis Course. Our charter buses utilize the spacious area at the south end of the lot, ensuring we don't block the flow of passenger car traffic near the main ticket windows. We recommend approaching via Shipyard Boulevard to avoid the tighter turns on the residential side of the complex.
Wilmington Hammerheads & Youth Soccer at Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park
If you’re a Wilmington soccer fan, we probably don’t need to tell you why this place is significant. Since its development, the Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park has become the premier destination for regional tournaments and Hammerheads Youth FC matches. With multiple natural grass fields spread over 65 acres, it is a massive complex that often hosts hundreds of teams simultaneously during tournament weekends.
Before or after the game, consider spending some time exploring the nearby Scotts Hill area. While the park itself is focused on the pitch, the surrounding area offers several quick-service dining options perfect for a team lunch. If your group is staying in Wrightsville Beach or downtown Wilmington, you’ll need to travel about 10-12 miles north. While this isn't a long distance, the construction patterns on US-17 North can cause significant delays during Saturday morning "rush hours" for tournament start times.
In this complex, you’ll find that amenities are spread out. If you are traveling with a large group and don’t want to worry about driving, we recommend renting a charter bus or minibus, so everyone can arrive together and comfortably. Charter Bus Wilmington can even connect you with a bus rental that offers enough undercarriage storage for soccer goals, bags, coolers, and even gazebos for the sidelines. This keeps the interior of the bus clean and allows players to relax in climate-controlled comfort between matches.
Those planning to stop by for a major tournament should keep in mind that the park's entrance is a single-access point off US-17. This often results in a line of cars stretching back onto the highway. A driver in a motorcoach has a higher vantage point to navigate this comfortably and can utilize the wide-turn radius required for the park's gates without endangering other motorists.
Address: 205 Sutton Pine Rd, Wilmington, NC 28411
The soccer park offers a gravel overflow area that is specifically designated for buses and trailers. We advise our clients that buses should park along the perimeter of the gravel lot to maintain clear exit paths. Note: The park does not allow overnight parking for oversized vehicles, so our team will coordinate off-site staging at a nearby commercial lot if your tournament spans multiple days.
Rugby and Lacrosse at Althea Gibson Tennis Complex/Empie Park
While primarily known for tennis, Empie Park serves as a versatile hub for various club sports, including rugby and lacrosse. The park is centrally located, making it a convenient meeting spot for local clubs. However, because it is tucked away near the Independence Mall area, the entrance on Park Avenue can be easy to miss for those driving large vehicles. The intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Independence Boulevard is one of the busiest in the city, and we often suggest alternate routes to the drivers to avoid the peak mall traffic.
If your group is visiting for a tournament, you'll appreciate the shade and amenities Empie Park provides. We can provide a 24-passenger minibus that is perfect for smaller club teams. These vehicles are easier to maneuver through the parking loops at Empie than a full-sized 56-passenger coach, while still providing the necessary air conditioning to keep athletes from overheating in the North Carolina humidity.
Address: 3405 Park Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403
Bus parking is available in the main paved lot, though spaces are limited during weekend tournaments. We typically stage our buses near the back of the lot adjacent to the baseball fields to ensure we don't interfere with the flow of spectators heading to the tennis courts.
Are You Ready for Your Favorite Wilmington Sporting Event?
Whether you’re a fan group going to cheer on the Seahawks or a youth soccer team traveling for a state championship, your travels to your top Wilmington sports venues will be much easier with a bus rental! Let Charter Bus Wilmington connect your fans to a clean and modern motorcoach, and rest easy knowing everyone will arrive right on time and all together, no matter what. We understand the nuances of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge closures and the best ways to bypass Market Street traffic to get you to the game without the stress.
Give us a call at 910-342-5030 whenever you’re ready to learn more about charter bus rentals in Wilmington, and we’ll offer you a free and personalized quote with no obligation to book!
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilmington Sports Transportation
Where do charter buses park for UNCW basketball games?
For games at Trask Coliseum, charter buses are generally required to park in the Hamilton Lot or Lot K. The drivers will drop your group off at the designated commercial zone on Wagoner Drive first. It is important to note that the university strictly enforces bus lanes; we ensure our vehicles never idle in fire lanes or obstruct student transit routes.
How early should our group arrive at Legion Stadium for a Sharks game?
We recommend arriving 45 to 60 minutes before the first pitch. This allows your group to unload at the main entrance and find seating together. Because the parking lot at Legion Stadium is shared with several other facilities, it can fill up quickly on Friday nights when multiple events are occurring. Arriving early ensures your bus can secure a perimeter spot for easier departure.
Are there height restrictions we should know about in Wilmington?
Yes. If your route takes you toward the historic downtown area near the riverfront, certain side streets have low-hanging trees and historic arches that are unsuitable for a 13-foot-high motorcoach. Furthermore, while the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and Isabel Holmes Bridge are standard heights, the drivers stay updated on the bridge opening schedules to ensure your team isn't stuck waiting for a maritime vessel to pass while the clock is ticking on your warm-ups.
Can we bring tailgating equipment on the bus to a Seahawks game?
Absolutely. When you book a full-sized 56-passenger motorcoach, you have access to expansive undercarriage storage bays. These are perfect for tents, folding chairs, coolers, and grills. We just ask that all charcoal or propane is stored safely according to DOT regulations. Your driver can drop the gear at your designated tailgate spot before moving the bus to the staging area.
Does the bus stay with us during a soccer tournament at Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park?
Standard bookings include the bus remaining on-site or nearby for the duration of your event. For tournaments at the Soccer Park, having the bus on-site is a major advantage as it serves as a climate-controlled "home base" for players to rest between games. If the tournament schedule is spread out, we can also coordinate "split shifts" to shuttle groups back to hotels for lunch or rest.
Bus types Available in Wilmington
We’re available everyday from 7am to midnight!
