Founded in 1834 and boasting a rich history, Wake Forest University proudly calls Winston-Salem home. The Demon Deacons compete in 16 NCAA Division I sports within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Wake Forest's football team tears up the gridiron as the crowd's roar reverberates throughout Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. 

The team has been a consistent bowl contender since 2016, holding a 5-2 record in postseason matchups. Under the leadership of new Head Coach Jake Dickert, the anticipation is high for the 2025 season. The Demon Deacons have been dominant at home, securing 24 victories at Allegacy Stadium since the start of the 2019 season, ranking them among the top teams in the ACC in home wins. 

Wake Forest's athletic excellence extends to the hardwood at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum. The Screamin’ Deacons student section creates an electric atmosphere for men's and women's basketball games. This multipurpose arena, with a seating capacity of 14,744, has been the home of Demon Deacons basketball since 1989 and even hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships multiple times. 

The Demon Deacons Men's Baseball team began the 2024 season ranked No. 1 nationally, and the environment at their games held at David F. Couch Ballpark is considered one of the best in college baseball. Adding to the university's sports accolades, the women’s golf team secured its first-ever national title in 2023. The program's long-standing association with Old Town Club, which currently sits at No. 23 in Golfweek's listing, affirms WFU's tradition of golf excellence. 

Wake Forest's legacy of athletic program excellence is cemented with legendary athletes like Arnold Palmer, a two-time Southern Conference medalist and NCAA individual champion in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and NBA stars Chris Paul and Tim Duncan, both of whom left indelible marks on the Demon Deacons basketball program before achieving professional greatness. Paul's No. 3 jersey hangs in the LJVM Coliseum rafters, and Duncan holds the school record for career double-doubles and ranks second in NCAA history for blocked shots. Even Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, once starred for the Demon Deacons. Join students, alumni, and fans alike in Wake Forest’s iconic "Roll the Quad" tradition after significant sports victories, where Hearn Plaza, the university's central quad, is covered with streams of toilet paper.

Adding to the city's diverse collegiate sports scene is Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), a proud public HBCU with a rich athletic tradition within the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Founded in 1892, the Rams have a history of national championships and a passionate fan base. 

Their football team plays at historic Bowman Gray Stadium, a unique venue that has hosted Rams games since 1943 and shares its space with Bowman Gray Racing. Also known as The Madhouse, the stadium is home to NASCAR’s longest-running weekly racetrack, and it recently held the first NASCAR Cup Series event at the track in over half a century. Known for its enthusiastic crowds, Bowman Gray has a seating capacity of approximately 17,000. 

The Rams have a winning history, securing a dozen CIAA football titles since 1977, including four since 2011, and an impressive 14-1 season and national championship appearance in 2012. Under the leadership of second-year head coach and former NFL Pro Bowler Robert Massey, the team looks to reclaim its dominance in the CIAA, kicking off the 2025 season on Aug. 31 against Tuskegee University. 

WSSU’s spirited homecoming and electrifying basketball games offer an atmosphere that can compete with any East Coast institution. The basketball teams dominate at the Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Center, named after the legendary coach who ranks among the winningest in NCAA history. Banners celebrating the Rams' championship history adorn the arena. WSSU boasts alumni like Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, an NBA legend and Hall of Famer who led the Rams to the 1967 NCAA Division II title while averaging 41.5 points per game in his senior year. The women's flag football team recently made history by winning the inaugural CIAA championship. The Rams golf team calls the Winston Lake Golf Course home, a course with a significant history in the local and national golf scenes, even earning induction into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2010.

Founded in 1772, Salem College, the oldest women's college in America, also contributes to Winston-Salem's dynamic sports scene. Salem College’s athletic program is rising, and the Spirits compete at the NCAA Division III level. Sports include basketball, beach volleyball (launching in 2025), cheerleading, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and track & field. The volleyball program has shown significant progress, concluding a remarkable 30-6 season, winning their first USA South Conference regular season championship, and reaching the conference tournament championship. Salem College proudly counts Sarah Covington Fulcher among its alumni, a world record-holding runner who achieved the extraordinary feat of running the entire perimeter of the United States.

Carolina University, formerly Piedmont International University, is another contender on Winston-Salem’s roster. This private Christian college competes at the NAIA level, offering six men’s sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track and field, and volleyball), six women’s sports (basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball), and esports. Notably, Winston-Salem native and former Wake Forest standout and NBA All-Star Josh Howard coached the men's basketball team at Carolina University from 2016 to 2020.

Forsyth Technical Community College is also entering the collegiate athletic arena as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member. Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, the Trailblazers, with their mascot Blaze, will field men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams. Additionally, Forsyth Tech has launched an esports program with plans to develop competitive teams.

Winston-Salem's vibrant sports culture is a home run. Its college athletic programs offer sports fans a blend of action-packed fun and celebrated traditions. Game days do not disappoint—experience the hype in Winston-Salem, where sportsmanship, impeccable athleticism, and team spirit are on full display. Don’t miss the chance to attend one (or more) of Winston-Salem’s upcoming college sports games. Plan your visit today to experience a sports enthusiast’s paradise.