American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte Independence

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71

American Legion Memorial Stadium 1218 Armory Dr Charlotte, NC 28204

Charlotte Independence website American Legion Memorial Stadium website

Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 10,500

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C’mon You Jacks

Charlotte Independence is a professional soccer club competing in USL League One. Founded in 2014, the team acquired the USL Pro franchise rights from its predecessor, the Charlotte Eagles, who have since moved to USL League Two. The club’s name and crest draw inspiration from the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, featuring the year 1775 and Captain James Jack, who is said to have carried the declaration to Philadelphia. In his honor, the team is affectionately known as “The Jacks.”

The Independence have called several stadiums home over the years; they opened their inaugural season at Transamerica Field on UNC Charlotte’s campus, with some matches also played across the state line at Winthrop University’s Eagle Field. From there, the club moved into Ramblewood Soccer Complex, before transitioning to the Sportsplex at Matthews, which offered improved amenities but sat outside central Charlotte. Today, the Independence plays at American Legion Memorial Stadium, a refurbished venue in the city’s Elizabeth neighborhood just east of Uptown.

In addition to the men’s first team, the Independence have fielded a women’s team as well as developmental teams. A women’s team joined the USL W League in 2022, before transitioning in 2024 to Carolina Ascent FC, a new professional women’s side in the USL Super League. On the men’s side, the Independence also fields a USL League Two squad as part of their developmental pathway.

In 2022, the club also formed an affiliation with MLS side Charlotte FC. Under this agreement, Charlotte FC loans a minimum of three players each season to the Independence, allowing young talent to earn competitive minutes while strengthening ties between the two organizations.

Food & Beverage   3

The concessions menu at American Legion Memorial Stadium sticks to the familiar: hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, nachos, pretzels, and popcorn. Nothing groundbreaking, but it covers the basics. Snack options are a bit more ample – fans can choose from cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots, frozen bananas, candy apples, Italian ice, and even Kool-Aid pickles.

Soft drinks come from the Pepsi line and also include Gatorade, along with both regular and strawberry lemonade.

Charlotte’s craft beer scene gets strong representation at the stadium. NoDa Brewing contributes Pitch Side Pilsner, Cheerwine Ale, and 1775 Pal Ale, while Town Brewing offers Mariachi Static and Hazy Behavior IPA. Hopfly, the team’s official craft brewer, rounds out the selection with Hello From the Future IPA, Tail Spin, Crunch Time Lager, Carolina Crush, Wheat Ale, and Our Time Lager, giving fans plenty of options to sample the best of the city’s local brews.

Atmosphere   2

American Legion Memorial Stadium is a classic bowl design, with the concourse running atop the seating and concession stands and restrooms spread evenly around. Nestled between the buildings of Central Piedmont Community College and an eight-level parking deck, the stadium blends into its surroundings almost seamlessly. Beyond the northwest end, the Charlotte skyline majestically sets the backdrop beyond the end of the stadium.

A large scoreboard sits at the far end of the stadium, running a feed of the match with a ribbon showing the time and score. Basic match stats like penalties, corners, shots, or saves are not displayed.

Seating is limited to the near end of the pitch and the western side of the bowl. Bleacher seats behind the goals provide great views of the skyline, though they put the action at the far end of the field well into the distance. Along the touchline, seats stay close to the action, combining aluminum bleachers with back supports and two sections of individual seats at midfield. Endline seating is strictly bleachers, while the entire eastern side of the stadium is typically closed off.

The current attendance numbers, with the larger size of the venue, can make matches feel flat. Even with the supporters doing their best to bring energy, their chants and excitement often seem to disappear into the emptiness of the stadium.

Neighborhood   4

American Legion Memorial Stadium sits just outside Charlotte’s I-277, which runs through the city’s Uptown district. The stadium is bordered by Central Piedmont Community College and a handful of local restaurants just to the east, marking where the city center begins to give way to surrounding neighborhoods.

Several local restaurants along Elizabeth Avenue include The Big Ben Pub, The People’s Market, Viva Chicken, and the Elizabeth Creamery. Just a few blocks off Elizabeth Avenue, Sabdor Latin Street Grill, Caswell Station, and Lupie’s Cafe are also nearby options.

Just over a mile away, Uptown Charlotte offers additional attractions, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Museum of Illusion. The area is also anchored by the Mint Museum Uptown, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center, and Levine Museum of the New South, giving fans plenty to explore before or after a match.

Fans   2

Since 2022, when the Independence self-relegated from USL Championship to League One, attendance has steadily declined, dropping from a high of 2,300 fans per match to an average of less than 800 this season. While multiple factors may be at play, the decline has coincided with the rise of Charlotte FC, which has clearly drawn attention and support away from the Independence.

Part of the challenge comes from divided loyalties in a city with both USL and MLS, with affiliated sides. Unlike other cities with clear rivalries, Charlotte fans tend to support both sides, though the majority lean toward Charlotte FC, leaving the Independence on the short end of the stick.

Access   4

American Legion Memorial Stadium sits just off I-277, which circles downtown Charlotte. While traffic is typically manageable, just like in most large cities, there are occasional slowdowns. Parking is conveniently located adjacent to the stadium, making arrivals and departures straightforward. The city’s light rail system, Lynx, also serves the stadium via the Yellow Line, with a stop less than a block away that connects directly to Uptown Charlotte.

The stadium has a single point of entry on Charlottetown Avenue. Gates open 30 minutes before kickoff, which can create brief backups, but once the initial crowd clears, entry is smooth with little to no wait.

Inside, fans enter a wide, spacious concourse that makes navigating the stadium easy. The only potentially tight spot is behind the press box and concessions, but the current size of the crowds keeps congestion minimal.

Return on Investment   3

Starting ticket prices for Charlotte Independence games are $18, though fees and taxes bring the total to just over $22. While this is roughly the league average, the price feels high considering the team’s struggles to draw fans. Parking in the nearby garage runs $10, which is reasonable given the downtown location. Concessions are fairly priced, offering what fans would expect at a stadium without breaking the bank.

Extras   1

American Legion Memorial Stadium offers fans a clear view of downtown Charlotte, similar to what’s seen from the nearby Charlotte Knights’ ballpark. The Bank of America Corporate Center, North Carolina’s tallest building, anchors the west end of the stadium, creating a striking backdrop for games that is unmatched.

Final Thoughts

American Legion Memorial Stadium gives Charlotte Independence fans a central home with easy access to downtown, local restaurants, and attractions. The venue offers great views of the field and city skyline, while the team’s supporters add personality to match days. Still, the stadium’s size relative to current attendance can make games feel empty and flat.

Despite these challenges, the Independence provides a more affordable soccer alternative in Charlotte, just a few miles from the city’s MLS side.