Canes outdoor game: Parking, traffic info for NHL Stadium Series at Carter-Finley Stadium

Traffic conditions are already backed up along the roads leading to Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday.

WRAL's Sky 5 was in the air around 4:30 p.m. outside the arena and showed the roads leading to the stadium backed up large stretches.

With puck-drop at 8 p.m., everyone is trying to get a good place to park.

One person who called in to the O.G. with Joe Ovies and Joe Giglio said they had been in traffic for almost an hour-and-a-half and hadn't even gotten off of I-40 to Wade Avenue.

The puck for the Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game drops at 8 p.m. at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. For fans attending, the gates open at 6 p.m. The parking lots will open at 2 p.m. for prepaid parking.

Parking will cost $40 per car. Fans should arrive early to account for the large crowd.

Drivers in the area should expect congestion and traffic delays around Carter-Finley and PNC Arena for much of Saturday afternoon and evening, including along Hillsborough Street, Wade Avenue, Edwards Mill Road and Trinity Road.

Carpooling, dropoff and ridesharing for the game are highly encouraged. There are no assigned spots -- so be patient and follow directions.

Parking lots open at 2 p.m. Lots at Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena are prepaid parking only. Prepaid parking information and availability was emailed directly to Stadium Series ticket holders by the NHL. Those with tickets should check the email associated with the account used to purchase Stadium Series tickets for prepaid parking options.

Those who purchased prepaid parking should bring their parking passes to the event.

Vehicles must be removed from parking lots by 8 a.m. on Sunday due to the N.C. State/UNC men's basketball game.

Pickup and dropoff for ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft is located at the N.C. State Fairgrounds lot at the corner of Trinity Road and Blue Ridge Road.

The PNC Arena East Parking Lot at 1400 Edwards Mill Road will be open from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for all ticketholders. The zone is the official tailgating location of the Stadium Series.

The event starts at 2 p.m. when parking lots open and wraps up 30 minutes before the puck drops.

The Fest will feature activities for all ages, including a giant Stormy bounce house, an obstacle course and a slapshot booth.

No bags larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5" are allowed. Be prepared to arrive early and pass through a metal detector.

Carter-Finley Stadium is known for congestion.

In 2009, U-2 fans got stuck in at least five miles of traffic jams trying to get to the stadium on time. In 2016, inclement weather and heavy rush hour traffic kept many fans from getting to Beyonce's Carter-Finley show.

Event officials are expecting delays as they navigate different parking and security protocols, and they're telling fans to get to the stadium early and pack patience.