RALEIGH, N.C. – Saturday is North Carolina State University’s home opener against Wake Forest. But without fans in the stands or tailgating allowed on the grounds, it has made for a much different experience for both fans and nearby businesses.

Typically, the Backyard Bistro near Carter-Finley Stadium is packed with fans ready to watch the game, but today that isn't the case.

“Usually we’d expect you know between 3,000 to 4,000 people to come through the doors between 11 a.m and 8 p.m. Today we're going to be lucky to get a few hundred, I’m hoping,” says Joe Lumbrazo the co-owner of Backyard Bistro.

There were, however, some fans who came out to support the Wolfpack. Billy Johnson, along with his family and friends, came down in vans fully loaded for a tailgate. Since tailgating is not allowed on stadium grounds, Johnson decided to tailgate behind Backyard Bistro.

“We all love N.C. State, and we just didn't feel like staying at home watching the game. So even with the pandemic -the games being closed to fans, tailgating not allowed on the property, we decided we would continue to come out and support N.C. State and do what we normally do, it's our tradition,” Johnson says.

N.C. State’s next home game is October 17 against Duke.