Charlotte FC entered Major League Soccer in 2022, quickly establishing itself as a fan‑driven powerhouse in the Southeast.
The club’s breakthrough came when it hosted the 2026 MLS All‑Star Game, a showcase that attracted a capacity crowd of 35,197, up from 20,738 the previous year in Austin.
That event underscored the city’s rising appetite for soccer, a trend reflected in average attendance that placed Charlotte FC third in the league with nearly 29,000 supporters per match in both 2025 and 2026.
A stadium transformation
The $1.3 billion renovation of Bank of America Stadium is financed by $650 million from the city’s tourism tax and the remainder from Tepper Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group behind Charlotte FC.
The overhaul adds new bars, premium suites, a concert venue, a speakeasy, a state‑of‑the‑art scoreboard and a standing‑room patio behind one goal, while also creating a supporters’ pavilion and a dedicated march route for fan gatherings.
Eric Sudol, chief revenue officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, said the project is about more than bricks and mortar; it is about uniting the community around a shared passion for the sport.
The redesign also redirects traffic to improve tailgating flow and to accommodate the city’s ambition of hosting marquee events such as the Super Bowl, a notion floated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The renovation, slated for completion by 2030, will extend the stadium’s lease with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC through 2045, ensuring that the venue remains a hub for sports, concerts and international soccer.
Beyond the stadium, the city’s soccer narrative is anchored by its earlier professional roots, from the Charlotte Eagles to Charlotte Independence, paving the way for MLS’s arrival in 2022.
The All‑Star Game also served as a platform for MLS executives and sponsors to experience Charlotte’s vibrant soccer culture, a factor that city officials hope will convert casual attendees into regular match‑goers.