Mecklenburg County Sportsplex – Charlotte Independence
Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews 1505 Tank Town Rd Matthews, NC 28105
Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 5,000
Come On You Boys in Blue
The Charlotte Independence are a professional soccer club competing in USL League One. Founded in 2014, the team acquired the USL Pro franchise rights from their 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. The club opened its 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 to Ramblewood Soccer Complex, but in recent years the Independence have split their home schedule between their Uptown Charlotte home, American Legion Memorial Stadium, and the suburban Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in neighboring Matthews.
Food & Beverage 3
Food options are somewhat limited, with a single food truck and a concession stand offering salted, cinnamon, and garlic parmesan soft pretzels with cheese sauce, along with fresh-squeezed lemonade. Cotton candy, popcorn, and chips are also available. The food truck does provide a more extensive menu that goes beyond typical stadium fare and helps elevate the overall offering.
Alcohol options are limited but provide some variety. Available beverages include hard seltzers, White Claw, and cans of typical domestic beers. Bottled Coke products are also available.
Atmosphere 3
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex is a beautifully designed soccer facility featuring split stands, with locker rooms and club seating located above the seating areas. One drawback, however, is that soccer is a sport played in nearly all weather conditions, and there is no protection from the elements for fans looking for relief from the sun or rain.
A large video board sits at the north end of the pitch, displaying a live feed of the match with the score and game clock across the bottom. It also features graphics for goals, corner kicks, substitutions, and cards shown during the match.
The seating configuration places fans right on top of the action. Many supporters choose to watch from along the rail at the front of the walkway, creating an intimate viewing experience despite the venue’s smaller crowds.
Neighborhood 3
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex is located in suburban Matthews, North Carolina, about 15 miles southeast of Uptown Charlotte. Surrounded by athletic fields, open space, and residential neighborhoods, the complex provides a much different atmosphere than the club’s home in Charlotte. The area is designed primarily as a destination for sports rather than a place where fans can gather before or after matches at nearby bars and restaurants. The typical experience is that visitors arrive by car, attend the match, and leave.
The location does benefit from its proximity to downtown Matthews, a community with small-town charm and a growing local scene. Breakman’s Coffee & Supply, a train-themed coffee shop, serves as a community gathering space, while Carolina Beer Temple has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts, with its extensive rotating tap list. Nearby parks and trails also add to the appeal of the area.
However, the lack of walkable entertainment directly surrounding the Sportsplex limits its ability to become a true soccer destination. The setting works well for attending a match, but compared to the energy and convenience of an Uptown Charlotte location, the suburban environment presents challenges in creating a complete matchday experience.
Fans 2
Since 2022, when the Independence self-relegated from USL Championship to League One, attendance has steadily declined, dropping from a high of approximately 2,300 fans per match to an average of fewer than 800. While multiple factors likely contributed to the decline, it has coincided with the arrival and growth of Charlotte FC, which has clearly drawn attention and support away from the League One side.
The club currently averages just over 800 fans per match, ranking just above expansion side Corpus Christi FC. The Independence’s suburban location appears to impact attendance, as nearby fans have limited opportunities to walk or use public transportation to attend matches.
Access 3
Matthews, North Carolina, is located in the southeast corner of Mecklenburg County, just off Charlotte’s I-485 outer loop. The location provides convenient access from the eastern suburbs, though it is less convenient for those traveling from the western side of Charlotte via I-77 or I-85.
Parking is located directly outside the stadium entrance, providing a short walk from your car to the stadium gates.
First-time visitors must also create an account with Vivenu, the club’s ticketing platform. While not an unusual requirement, it adds an unnecessary step to the entry process.
Seating is limited to one side of the pitch, which makes sense given the typical crowd size. However, supporters standing along the front rail can occasionally block the walkway, making it difficult for fans to move from one end of the seating area to the other.
Return on Investment 2
Charlotte Independence matches at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex begin at $16, while matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium are priced at $10. It feels unusual that the same club offers different ticket prices depending on the venue, especially when the more expensive option lacks some of the benefits of the Uptown location.
Parking can also impact the overall value. While there is abundant parking available, the $10 fee feels high given the suburban location and the lack of alternative parking options nearby.
Concessions here are fairly priced, however, especially considering the quality and variety offered by the food truck. The food options provide good value, but the overall matchday experience does not quite justify the higher ticket price.
Extras 2
The “First Horn of Lake Norman,” Melvin Morrison, is part of every Independence match, regardless of location. The ringing of the Freedom Bell is another nice tradition used to open matches and celebrate goals.
While these traditions provide some unique identity, the venue lacks many additional amenities or features that would enhance the overall matchday experience.
Final Thoughts
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex is a great venue that checks many boxes from a facility standpoint, but struggles to capture the energy of a top-notch professional soccer experience. The complex offers fans modern amenities and an intimate setting that puts them close to the action. However, the move from Uptown Charlotte creates a much different matchday experience – one that feels more like attending a tournament or community event than a professional soccer match.
The Charlotte Independence has a solid home at the Sportsplex, but the challenge is creating an experience that draws fans for more than just the match itself. Even when Charlotte is near the top of the table, the club continues to struggle to draw fans. With limited food and entertainment options nearby, declining attendance, and competition from Charlotte FC, the club faces an uphill battle in building consistent excitement around its alternate home in Matthews.
