Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte FC

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71

Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St. Charlotte, NC 28202

Charlotte FC website Bank of America Stadium website

Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 75,412

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For the Crown

Charlotte’s first professional soccer team, the Carolina Lightnin’, burst onto the scene in 1981, winning the American Soccer League title in their inaugural season. After the league folded in 1983 and a short-lived follow-up called the Charlotte Gold faded in 1984, the city went without a pro team until the Charlotte Eagles arrived in 1991, establishing a steady presence in the lower divisions.

Momentum returned in 2015 with the Charlotte Independence, who competed in the United Soccer League Championship before self-demoting to USL League One in 2022 with the arrival of Charlotte FC. The city’s long-awaited MLS club debuted at Bank of America Stadium to some of MLS’s largest crowds, quickly becoming one of the league’s top draws, and cementing Charlotte’s place on the national soccer stage.

Food & Beverage   4

Bank of America Stadium stays true to its representation of both North and South Carolina, and that identity shows up in its food options. A nacho stand dedicated to Greenville, South Carolina–based Duke’s BBQ sauces serves nachos and mac and cheese, while Charlotte’s own fried chicken chain, Bojangles, has a presence inside the stadium. Carolina barbecue is also featured, with pork sandwiches and wings slathered in the vinegar-based Carolina style.

Fans have several self-service choices, from grab-and-go markets to self-pour mixed drink and craft beer stations. The beer program features nearly 25 varieties, with a strong emphasis on local breweries. Grab-and-go markets are located only on the 100 level, while mobile ordering via QR codes posted around the stadium adds another layer of convenience. One fun twist on in-seat concessions is the vendors walking the aisles with frozen margaritas in the team’s blue-and-white colors.

Bank of America Stadium does an excellent job showcasing the flavors of the Carolinas. While there are plenty of original options, some of the standard offerings feel a bit underwhelming. The standout choices are found at the grill stations in Uptown Market, Mint Street Market, and Queen City Eatery just inside the main entry on Mint Street.

Atmosphere   4

The match day atmosphere begins long before the gates open; at 703 McNinch Street, Charlotte’s supporter groups host a pre-match tailgate that culminates in a march to the stadium about an hour before kickoff. Though led by supporter groups, all fans are welcome to join. The march starts approximately an hour before kickoff and stops outside of Clutch Kitchen & Pour House to rally fans in the final push to the stadium gates.

Much like their MLS rival in the region, Atlanta United, Charlotte FC fans are greeted with what is already part of their stadium’s football culture, but with a soccer twist to it. As Atlanta drapes a scarf around the wings of its large Falcon sculpture outside the main entrance, Charlotte does the same around the necks of the Panthers that guard the points of entry around the stadium.

Pre-match festivities are laden with fun traditions, so being in the stadium at least fifteen to twenty minutes before kickoff ensures the full experience. It begins with a coronation, of sorts, of a local celebrity or personality taking the throne in front of the supporters section, to rally the crowd in the moments leading up to kickoff. Soon after, in keeping with the noble identity of the club, a knight emerges from under the stands to light a cauldron, followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

Also, in what has become a tradition in itself, during the club’s very first match, a microphone failure prompted the 74,000 in attendance to finish the song together – since then, the featured singer begins the anthem, and the crowd carries it to the end. Finally, just before kickoff, the stadium comes alive as fans turn back to the pitch, link arms, and bounce to the Puerto Rican beats of Farruko’s Pepas. It truly is a fun way to get the match started.

If sitting in the supporters section, do not plan on hearing much from the stadium speakers; between the chants of the supporters and the beats of drums, everything else gets drowned out. Staying dry is also a 50/50 proposition – Charlotte goals are celebrated by tossing water into the air, and while most stick to the rules, a few get carried away and throw cups as well. Signage and announcements make it clear that only water is allowed, and the section does a good job of policing itself; supporters are quick to confront those throwing anything other than water and having them removed.

Since Bank of America Stadium was not built for soccer, it lacks proper safe standing in the supporters section. For fans who spend nearly two hours on their feet, the absence of rails to lean on can make things tough.

Only the lower bowl is used during matches, which helps concentrate the crowd but still leaves the stadium feeling cavernous. Even with more than 30,000 fans in attendance, the excitement can get swallowed up in a venue built for 75,000. There are a handful of matches each year that call for the upper level to be opened, but for the most part, it is just the lower bowl that is used.

Neighborhood   5

Bank of America Stadium sits at the heart of Uptown Charlotte, framed by the city’s skyline and just steps from Truist Field, home of the AAA Charlotte Knights. The Spectrum Center, home of the Hornets, is also within walking distance, and a short ride takes fans to Bojangles Coliseum, home of the Charlotte Checkers, and Veterans Memorial Stadium, the home pitch of USL League One’s Charlotte Independence. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is less than a mile away.

Uptown Charlotte itself is compact and walkable, with a strong mix of art and culture. Murals and installations like Luminous Lane and Sonic Runway add energy to the streets, while museums such as Mint Museum Uptown, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center, and Levine Museum of the New South anchor the neighborhood.

Even everyday spaces get a creative twist, with touches like the Musical Parking Garage giving the district personality and character. Several hotels nearby also make staying downtown easy for visiting fans, allowing them to explore Uptown without worrying about transportation.

For dining and local flavor, fans have plenty of options. Rhino Market & Deli, a short walk from Bank of America Stadium, and Mellow Mushroom, known throughout the Southeast for its pizza, are nearby, while Green’s Lunch has been a neighborhood staple since 1926. Charlotte also has a growing craft beer scene, with Wooden Robot close by and larger taprooms at NoDa and Old Mecklenburg a bit further out.

Fans   4

Charlotte is second in the league in attendance, drawing more than 33,000 fans per match. The impact of that crowd, however, often gets lost in the cavernous emptiness of the venue.

Much like other clubs throughout MLS, Charlotte FC has several supporters groups rallying behind the team. The Carolina Hooliganz, Mint City Collective, Norcas CLT, South Charlotte, and Southbound and Crown, collectively known as The Royal Family, set the tone for a passionate and engaged fan base.

Together, fans and supporter groups create a festive, engaging match day atmosphere, rooted in international soccer traditions. Their chants may be familiar to those who have experienced other supporter sections, but the energy they bring makes being part of it unique to soccer.

Access   3

Bank of America Stadium is conveniently located just off the junction of I-277 and I-77, making it easy to reach by car. Charlotte’s light rail system provides an equally smooth option, with the City LYNX Blue Line stopping at the Carson, Stonewall, and Convention Center stations, all less than a five-minute walk from the facility’s gates.

Entry into the stadium is quick and easy, with fans moving quickly through security and ticket scanning before reaching the main concourse, which runs beneath the upper level of the field-level seating bowl. The field-level concourse, however, can be a bit narrow and can be a bit congested in the moments leading to kickoff.

After the matches, the streets immediately outside the stadium are closed to vehicles, allowing fans to spill into the roadway and continue the celebration. Surrounding streets do get clogged with departing cars, but traffic usually clears at a steady pace, and with the interstates only minutes away, escaping downtown requires just a bit of patience.

Return on Investment   3

A 2024 study by Lucky Gambler examined the all-in costs of accommodations, souvenirs, tickets, and a basic meal; Charlotte ranked as the third-most expensive MLS experience for a family of four. Ticket prices start at $50 for general admission seats, but when the upper level is open, there does seem to be value to be had, with $15 seats available.

Parking adds another layer to the cost – lots near the stadium typically start around $20, but can climb to $40 to $50 for premium spots right outside the gates. For savvy fans, however, a small garage at the corner of Church Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, about a 10-minute walk away, offers an all-day rate of just $10.

Extras   3

The tailgating scene and supporters' march to Bank of America Stadium set the tone for a top-notch match day, creating excitement that carries into the evening.

Charlotte’s pre-match traditions add plenty of flavor; the lighting of the cauldron, the coronation ceremony, and thousands of fans dancing to Pepas all build an electric atmosphere. Even Sir Minty, the club’s playful mascot, gets in on the act, mingling with fans before and after the match.

The stadium’s downtown location makes the experience even more convenient. On game days, it is not unusual for multiple events to overlap in Charlotte, making it easy to pair an afternoon with the Knights, a museum visit, or dinner nearby before heading to the match, all within walking distance.

Final Thoughts

Charlotte FC has created a match-day atmosphere that is festive, energetic, and reminiscent of traditional European soccer experiences. The passion of the supporters brings it to life, creating an environment any fanbase would be proud of.

The one major drawback is the venue itself. Even with crowds topping 30,000, the sheer scale of Bank of America Stadium can dilute the energy and leave the experience feeling less intimate. The supporters and their traditions do plenty to bridge that gap, but the stadium still feels like a borrowed stage rather than a true home.

Still, the ingredients are there: a devoted fan base, the vibrant Uptown setting, and traditions that connect fans to the club’s identity. With those elements in place, Charlotte FC has the right foundation to be one of MLS’s most exciting match-day experiences.