Get to Know Charlotte's Pro Sports

Charlotte is home to several professional sports teams that draw enthusiastic crowds of fans ready to root for the home team. Whatever your sports interest is, from football and basketball to motorsports and golf, the Queen City has a team or competition for you to get in on the action.

Carolina Panthers

League: NFL
Season: September – January 
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium

Since the team’s founding in 1993, the Carolina Panthers’ mantra, “Keep Pounding,” inspired by former player and coach Sam Mills, has become a message of perseverance for Charlotteans. Hear this message loud and clear when the stadium is packed with cheering fans.

Charlotte Hornets

League: NBA
Season: October – April 
Arena: Spectrum Center

After leaving the Queen City in 2002, the Hornets returned to Charlotte in 2014 where the hype for “Buzz City” is at an all-time high. Fans can enjoy themed nights at select home games, including Buzz City Kids Day, Pride Night and HBCU Day.

Charlotte Knights

League: AAA
Season: April – September 
Ballpark: Truist Field

The Charlotte Knights made Uptown home in 2014 when Truist Field opened. Recognized as the “Best Ballpark in Minor League Baseball” by Baseball America, Truist Field has quickly become the place to be for a great evening out during the warm Charlotte summer evenings.

Charlotte Checkers

League: AHL
Season: October – April 
Arena: Bojangles Coliseum

The original Charlotte Checkers assembled in the late 1950s, but the team we all know and love today made the Bojangles Coliseum their permanent home in 2015. The Checkers enter the 2026 season as the reigning AHL Eastern Conference champions, following an epic battle in the 2025 Calder Cup Finals.

Charlotte FC

League: MLS
Season: February – November 
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium

Charlotte FC kicked off its inaugural season in March 2022, earning the second-best MLS attendance record from its first home match with almost 75,000 fans. An average crowd of more than 30,000 passionate supporters fill Bank of America Stadium on match days, roaring with pride for the mighty black and blue.

Carolina Ascent FC

League: USL Super League
Season: February – May, August – December 
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium

Carolina Ascent joined the lineup of Charlotte’s sports teams in 2024 as the city’s first professional women’s soccer team. During the Ascent’s inaugural season, the team earned the best regular-season record and won the USL Super League’s Players’ Shield.

Charlotte Crown

League: UpShot League
Season: May – August 
Arena: Bojangles Coliseum

The newest addition to Charlotte’s lineup of professional sports teams is women’s basketball team, Charlotte Crown. Playing in the newly founded UpShot League, the Crown bring an exciting new energy center court at Bojangles Coliseum for the team’s inaugural season in May 2026.

NASCAR

From Charlotte Motor Speedway to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the presence of NASCAR is synonymous with Charlotte. Every year, thousands of race fans fill the grandstands at Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR Cup Series races, the Coca-Cola 600 in May and the Bank of America ROVAL 400 in October.

PGA Golf

The Truist Championship, formerly the Wells Fargo Championship, returns to Quail Hollow Club in May 2026 with a new name. Fans can expect the same thrilling competition and prestige from some of the sports top competitors.