CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The University of Virginia’s annual Paint the Town Orange event will be Friday, Aug. 28, the night before the team’s home opener against North Carolina State, the athletic department announced Tuesday.
The pep rally will be 8 p.m. at the Ting Pavilion, preceded by the UVA marching band and spirit squads departing from the Omni Hotel end of the Downtown Mall at 7:40 p.m. in a spirit walk the length of the Mall to Ting.
Both groups will enter the Pavilion at 8 p.m. and the pep rally will feature appearances by coach Tony Elliott and the Virginia football team.
The Fridays After Five concert series begins at 5 p.m. at Charlottesville’s Ting Pavilion, and UVA cheerleaders and spirit squad members will be there, as well, to distribute the 2026 Virginia Football poster as well as other giveaways.
The event had been scheduled for Sept. 11, the Cavaliers’ original home opener against Norfolk State. When the North Carolina State contest was moved from Brazil to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, the date for the Paint the Town event moved with it.
Fans attending the Week Zero Sell Out Scott campaign game against N.C. State are urged to wear orange.
Additionally, ACC Network’s pregame show, ACC Huddle, returns to Observatory Hill (also known as O-Hill) on Saturday, Aug. 29, for a live broadcast from 10 a.m. until noon. UVA hosted ACC Huddle twice last season, for games against Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.
In addition to the new Paint the Town Orange announcement, UVA Athletics announced its 2026 Meet the Team Day event, presented by UVA Orthopedics, will be Sunday, Aug. 9, inside UVA’s George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility (IPF) from 4-6 p.m.
Elliott and the Cavalier football team will be available for autographs beginning at 4 p.m. in the IPF, and fans can obtain a copy of the team’s 2026 official season poster at the event.
In addition to autographs, there will be inflatable games, balloon artists and face painters for kids.
Parking for Paint the Town Orange is in any of the downtown parking facilities, including the Market and Water Street garages.
Parking for Meet the Team will be free in lots surrounding the McCue Center and John Paul Jones Arena.
