Bank of America Stadium - Carolina Panthers
- Aaron S. Terry
- Nov 2
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St Charlotte, NC 28202
Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 75,037
Panthers across the Carolinas
The Carolina Panthers were announced as the NFL’s 29th franchise in 1993 and began play in 1995. They played their first season of home games at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium while their current home, Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, was being constructed. The Panthers went 12-4 in just their second season, making it all the way to the NFC Championship. The team has since won their division 5 times and made it to the Super Bowl twice.
Bank of America Stadium opened in 1996 and is currently owned and operated by Tepper Sports and Entertainment. The venue currently seats just over 75,000 fans and is also used to host Charlotte FC (MLS) matches, as well as being the annual host of the Duke’s Mayo Classic and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the former being a game held during college football’s opening weekend each year.
Each of Bank of America’s 3 entrances is flanked by 2 larger-than-life snarling, crouching bronze panthers; these are the largest sculptures ever commissioned in the United States. The statues are named “Indomitable Spirit”, and the names of the Carolina Panthers original permanent seat license holders are engraved into each statue’s base – PSL holders are also honored with a banner inside the stadium.
Food & Beverage 5
Bank of America Stadium’s concessions include pretty much anything you can imagine, including all the standard fare at reasonable prices, such as hot dogs, burgers, pizza, etc., as well as all-you-can-drink soda for around $10 in a souvenir cup; there are refill stations (Coke products only) all over the concourse. The venue’s concessions vendor, Levy, also makes a point to ensure that all items are available on all three seating levels, meaning you don’t have to go up and down to find what you want.
In addition, the third seating level offers myriad tables and chairs set up next to the concessions, so you can sit and eat your food before you go out to your seats – these tables are set up next to wall-size windows, to allow great views of downtown Charlotte while you dine.
In addition to the basic fare, Levy also offers plenty of special menu items, which rotate slightly every year. In the most recent iteration, you can find “The Masked Bandit”, a smoked/chopped brisket sandwich with cheddar cheese, coleslaw, and bourbon BBQ sauce on a marbled bun, as well as a pressed Cuban sandwich featuring Mt. Olive pickles and Duke’s Gold BBQ sauce.
Other non-standard options include fried rice; a BBQ platter with pork, a chicken quarter, and a jalapeno cheddar sausage link; lamb/beef gyros; and nachos, most notably one variation offering pulled/roasted BBQ chicken with Cheerwine BBQ sauce – Cheerwine is a local soda favorite. These special food options start at about $14, and in addition to these, the stadium has bars set up all over the concourse, as well as vendors selling cans of beer in the seating sections.
Atmosphere 5
The fun on a Carolina Panthers game day begins with tailgating both outside and inside the stadium; the gates open 2 hours before game time, but you can get in early if you are attending one of the tailgates. There are set-ups outside the stadium as well, such as the Bud Light zone, for those who prefer not to do their own grilling in one of the parking lots. You might also catch a glimpse of the Panthers PurrCussion Drumline, who march out of the stadium about 2 hours before kickoff and patrol the area around the stadium, before coming back inside to perform during the game.
In addition to tailgating, Panthers gamedays offer all sorts of other excitement – it is best to be in your seat well before kickoff, so you don’t miss anything. For example, at certain games you can expect to see military paratroopers swooping in to land on the field; halftime exhibition football games between youth players and local pro/college mascots, including Sir Purr himself; or a recognition of the Bank of America Teachers of the Year.
At the most recent game I attended, there was a Play 60 theme (the NFL’s Play 60 initiative encourages children to be physically active for 60 minutes a day); the festivities before that game included a kids combine before the game at nearby Romare Bearden Park, as well as a Play 60 tunnel run.
Neighborhood 5
There is plenty to do in Charlotte, NC – the 14th largest city in the US based on population. There are myriad restaurants within walking distance of Bank of America Stadium, far too many to name, as well as plenty of hotels if you want to stay nearby. I-77 goes right through town, and I-85 is not far off, if you would rather save money and stay a little further out.
In terms of attractions, the most well-known is probably the NASCAR Hall of Fame, located about a mile from Bank of America Stadium. Here you can walk through the sport’s history, pick up some souvenirs, and even try your hand as a member of the pit crew, or go head-to-head in one of the Hall’s driving simulators. Charlotte Motor Speedway is also not far away, and if you are interested in taking in some other games during your visit, there are no fewer than 8 FBS football schools across the 2 Carolinas. UNC-Charlotte is the closest, or you can check out the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, or the MLS aforementioned Charlotte FC.
Fans 4
Panthers fans are loud and love their team – you will see plenty of them wearing team gear, and they will cheer loudly for big plays out of the field, as well as during third downs. The team has rewarded this passion with 2 Super Bowl appearances in the past 20 years, and the fans don’t want to let their squad down.
That said, the Panthers are going through some rough times on the field in the past couple of seasons, so you might have smaller attendance than usual – but Panthers fans will really show up in force for big games, either against Division opponents or for games against some of the bigger names in the NFL.
Access 4
With a 75,000+ capacity, moving around the concourse can be challenging, especially if you are trying to grab food or a drink right before the game or during halftime – you are better off waiting until near the end of the 1st or 3rd quarter. That said, the staff does a great job making getting in and out easier, with plenty of ramps, escalators, and elevators to help you move between levels.
Outside the stadium, there is plenty of parking – you might pay as much as $40 or $50 for a spot, depending on how close you want to get, and be forewarned that some of those spaces are in parking decks, which can take a while to get out of after the game (I speak from experience).
It is recommended to park a little further away, both to save money but also to get out faster; walking a half mile or mile from the stadium means fewer cars you have to play chicken with as you make your way onto the highway. Once you get to the freeway, however, you can mostly expect smooth sailing.
Insider pro tip – the best place I have ever found to park at Bank of America Stadium is a small lot underneath I-77, on W Morehead St, on the other side of the freeway from Tora Sushi & Bar. The lot is unmarked, but its entrance directly faces the I-77 northbound on ramp; a bit of a walk from the stadium, but super convenient when you leave.
Return on Investment 4
Carolina Panthers tickets will most likely be sold out on the team’s website, so you may have to depend on third parties to find tickets. Depending on what game you choose, you may be able to get tickets in the upper deck for around $40 to $50, including fees, while for marquee matchups, you can expect to pay well over $200. This is not uncommon as NFL stadiums go, and in some cases is on par with college football as well.
Given potentially high parking costs, as well as concession prices which can hurt the wallet depending on what you get, the experience at Bank of America is definitely worthwhile, given all the great amenities the Panthers staff offers during a typical gameday. Nevertheless, unless you are dying to see the Panthers take on a particular opponent, you may want to wait to find a cheaper game to make your visit a little more affordable.
Extras 5
The Panthers have team stores on every level, with the largest and main one on the first floor. That one tends to have longer lines, so depending on what item you want, you may be better off hitting up one of the satellite stands, which have all the basics – the main store, of course, has a much wider selection. Note, they do sell special items for certain games, such as pins showing the date/opponent for that particular game, which may sell out if you don’t purchase early.
Before the game, during the National Anthem, the staff unfurls a giant American flag shaped like the country, which is a great sight to see. They also have both the North Carolina and South Carolina flags on display, to highlight that they represent not just one but both states.
If you are lucky, you might also get an autograph from one of the players if you head down to the field about an hour before kickoff, when the teams are warming up.
Final Thoughts
I would absolutely recommend a visit to Bank of America Stadium to see the Carolina Panthers – the staff pulls out all the stops to ensure a fun gameday, so make a point to take in all the festivities. And while attending an NFL game can be pricey, the Panthers do make an effort to offer some affordable options.
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