How Much Money is Exchanging Hands in NC State’s Non-Conference Schedule? Here’s What the 2026 Contracts Reveal

When fans look at a college football schedule, they usually focus on the opponents.

Behind the scenes, however, every non-conference game comes with a contract outlining everything from financial guarantees to ticket allotments, and much more.

Through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Pack Pride obtained the contracts for all three of NC State’s 2026 non-conference games, revealing how much money will change hands and how tickets will be distributed for each matchup.

The three contracts show three very different financial arrangements.

Richmond: NC State Pays $400,000

NC State will host Richmond in Raleigh, and like many FCS guarantee games across college football, the Wolfpack will pay the Spiders to make the trip.

Richmond Contract Details

NC State pays Richmond: $400,000
Complimentary tickets: 300
Additional tickets available for purchase: Up to 1,000

Guarantee games against FCS opponents have become commonplace throughout college football, allowing Power Four programs to secure a home game while providing significant financial support to smaller athletic departments.

Vanderbilt: NC State Receives $400,000

Unlike the Richmond game, NC State will actually be on the receiving end of a game guarantee when it travels to Nashville.

Vanderbilt Contract Details

Vanderbilt pays NC State: $400,000
Complimentary tickets: 500
Additional tickets available for purchase: Up to 3,000

While many Power Four home-and-home series involve no financial guarantees, this agreement includes a payment from Vanderbilt to NC State for the Wolfpack’s trip to Nashville.

Appalachian State: No Guarantee Payment

The financial arrangement for NC State’s matchup against Appalachian State is different from the other two games.

Appalachian State Contract Details

Guarantee payment: None
Complimentary tickets: 500
Additional tickets available for purchase: Up to 2,000

Neither school will make a guarantee payment under the terms of the contract.