NC State vs Duke Weekend: Room for 13 North of Raleigh
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Half the family wears red, the other half wears blue. Sunset Grove sleeps all 13 of them in one building.
- DateSaturday, November 7
- WhereCarter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh
- Drive30 minutes to NC State, 45 to Duke
- Sleeps13 in two homes
- On gopack.comMilitary Appreciation game
Red on one side, blue on the other
In plenty of North Carolina families, somebody went to State and somebody went to Duke. On Saturday, November 7, the two meet at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, and gopack.com lists it as the Military Appreciation game.
The weekend has to hold both sides of the family and still give each side a little room to gloat. Sunset Grove is in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, about 30 minutes from NC State and about 45 from Duke. Nobody gets the home field on the drive.
If a veteran in your family is coming for Military Appreciation, check gopack.com for the day's plans. The program sets them, not us.
The rivalry weekend, day by day
Friday to Sunday is two nights, which works when you book inside three weeks. Booking further ahead? The minimum climbs to three nights, so tack on Thursday or Sunday.
Both sides check in
Doors open at 4pm by keypad, so whoever lands first is not stuck waiting on a key. Wegmans across the street covers the tailgate shopping.
Game day in Raleigh
Carter-Finley is about 30 minutes away. Kickoff is not posted yet, and gopack.com will have it. Wear red or wear blue, and sit wherever your tickets say.
Duke fans head home
Duke is about 45 minutes back the other way. Settle the score over breakfast first. Check-out is by 10am.
- 30 minNC State + Carter-Finley
- 45 minDuke
- 5 minDowntown Wake Forest
- Across the streetWegmans
Two families usually means two or three cars. Every home gets a garage space and a driveway space, and extra cars go in the guest lot across from the driveway.
Good to know for a game weekend
- Arriving: both front doors open by keypad at 4pm, one code per home.
- Leaving: out by 10am Sunday, which still leaves time for the Duke side to get breakfast before the drive.
- Noise: quiet from 10pm to 8am, however the game ends.
- Guests: registered guests only inside either home. Ask us in advance about anyone else.
- Stairs: no bedroom sits at ground level. Tessa has the fewest stairs, so the side with older legs takes it. The full rules are on our FAQs page for anyone curious.
One building, two front doors
Tessa and Julianne are two complete homes stacked in one building. Their front doors sit side by side, and each one has its own garage, kitchen and living room. Each side can take its own home and still meet up for dinner. Book both together as Sunset Grove and the whole building is yours.
| Tessathe lower home | Juliannethe upper home | Sunset Grovethe whole house | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeps | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Bedrooms | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Baths | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Floors | 1 and 2 | 3 and 4, plus the roof | All four, plus the roof |
| Rooftop deck | No, a balcony | Yes | Yes |
| Books out | 3 months | 3 months | 12 months |
Tessa's king suite
For the Tessa side. One flight up from the front door, with two walk-in closets and its own bath.
Julianne's king suite
For the Julianne side, on the top floor, right under the roof deck.
Tessa's queen room
A queen and a sliding door onto the balcony. Two chairs out there for the pregame coffee.
Which side takes which home
Tessa, the lower home, sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms and has the fewest stairs. Julianne, the upper home, sleeps 7 in 4 bedrooms, including the daybed room with a desk, and it has the fireplace living room and the stairs up to the roof deck. The bigger half of the family takes Julianne.
Game day breakfast happens in two kitchens at the same time. Each has double wall ovens, and the pots, pans and seasonings are already stocked.
Where both sides end up
Win or lose, everybody climbs to Julianne's rooftop deck: a sectional, stools at the rail and cornhole for the rematch. Quiet hours begin at 10pm, so the replay argument goes indoors.
What big groups say
"Very nice host. The place was very roomy and very clean. It is excellent for a large group."
"Amazing stay! The place is just as pictured and fit our large group perfectly. We loved the close grocery and restaurants. Plenty of additional parking and the surrounding area/neighborhood was safe, clean and not heavy traffic."
"Marianna's place was wonderful! It's in a great location, close to everything and right across the road from Wegmans and some great restaurants. It was very well decorated, clean and well laid out. All in our group enjoyed our stay and definitely plan to return in the future!"
NC State vs Duke questions
When do NC State and Duke play football in 2026?
Saturday, November 7, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Kickoff time is still to be announced on gopack.com.
Where should a group stay near Carter-Finley Stadium?
Hotels near the stadium split a group across rooms. Sunset Grove in Wake Forest is about 30 minutes away and sleeps 13 in one building.
Is there a rental that works for both fan bases?
Yes. Sunset Grove is two homes in one building with two front doors. Each family gets its own kitchen and living room, and everyone shares the rooftop deck.
How far is Sunset Grove from Duke?
About 45 minutes by car. NC State is about 30 minutes. Allow more time at weekday rush hour and on game days.
Can we book only half the house?
Yes. Tessa sleeps 6 and Julianne sleeps 7, each on its own listing. Book both as Sunset Grove for 13.
What is the minimum stay that weekend?
2 nights when you book within three weeks of arrival, 3 nights when you book earlier. Airbnb and Vrbo apply the final rule.
Where do we park?
Every home gets a garage space and a driveway space. Extra cars go in the guest lot across from the driveway.
Splitting the house between two families and have a question? Write to us and Marianna answers within 24 hours.
More big weekends this fall
Both sides of the family, one address
Two homes in one building, and a roof deck where the rivalry gets settled.