Truist Field – Charlotte Knights

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57

Truist Field 324 S Mint St Charlotte, NC 28202

Charlotte Knights website

Truist Field website

Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 10,200

---

Baseball the Queen City

Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Truist Field is home to the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The gorgeous ballpark opened in 2014 and offers sweeping views of the Charlotte skyline beyond the outfield fence. The ballpark is one of three major sporting venues in Uptown, including Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, and the Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets.

Food & Beverage 5

Truist Field has some top notch concessions. In addition to the classics here such as burgers, hot dogs, and personal pizzas, you will find everything from barbecue sandwiches to pulled pork nachos to chicken and waffle sandwiches and much, much more. Even more unusual options include Italian beef sandwiches, fried PB&J, and empanadas. These options are scattered at concession stands and mobile carts throughout the ballpark, so we suggest doing a 360 degree walk around before deciding what to order.

Keep in mind that Truist Field is a cashless facility, so only credit cards are accepted at the stands.

Atmosphere 5

Truist Field is a gorgeous baseball stadium, and a Charlotte Knights game is a fun atmosphere from the moment you walk into the ballpark. The stadium has a 360 degree concourse, and the field is visible from everywhere on it except when it passes behind the home plate club and the batter's eye in centerfield. There are some group areas in the outfield, but all the seats in foul territory are chairbacks. No matter where you sit, you will be up close to the action. There are also some rails on the concourse where fans can set down their food and drink, stand, and watch the game. These are especially popular for early afternoon games where it can be very hot and only a small portion of the seating bowl will be in the shade,, so fans prefer to stand on the concourse under cover than sit in the brutal sun and heat. A large videoboard is located in left-centerfield, while a smaller digital scoreboard built into the right-centerfield fence shows the linescore.

Before the game starts, the Knights will bring a young fan onto the field to be "knighted" by the team's mascot, Homer the Dragon. The team leans heavily into the dragon theme - there is a dragon statue beyond the left field fence that blows smoke after Knights home runs and victories. In addition to the traditional seventh inning stretch, the team plays "Sweet Caroline" during the middle of the sixth inning. At the line "Look at the night", the scoreboard will actually display the lyric as "Look at the knight" as a reference to the team's nickname. During the song, Homer will dance on the field with a second Dragon mascot, Caroline, who seems to only come out for this purpose.

Neighborhood 5

Truist Field is located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, what would be called downtown in most other cities. This is a fantastic area with many hotels, restaurants, and bars, most of which are within walking distance of the stadium. Here, you will find everything from diners to tacos to fine dining and everything in between. Uptown is the heart and soul of the city of Charlotte and you will find just about anything you want to eat or drink within the vicinity of Truist Field.

Fans 4

The Charlotte Knights average about 7,000 fans per home game, which ranks them near the middle of the International League but towards the top of Minor League Baseball. Of course, how many will show up depends on the day. Saturday nights tend to draw the most, but afternoon games don't necessarily draw well due to the heat. if it is a fireworks night, you can expect a good crowd as well. The fans will cheer during big moments but most of the crowd here is pretty casual.

Access 5

Numerous highways lead to Charlotte, but the final stretch to the ballpark may involve multiple rapid merges and lane changes due to the way the streets and highways are designed. Parking can be reserved in advance for the Mint Street garage, and this is your best bet as it costs under $15. Just scan the pass on your way into the garage. On your way in, you may pass by other lots offering parking for exorbitant prices, especially if there is an event going on at Bank of America Stadium that day, but the Mint Street Garage is both closer and cheaper. Note that despite the name, the gameday entrance to the garage is not on Mint Street but on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, directly across from the right field gate. You can also take the Blue Line light rail to Mint Street, although it only runs every 30 minutes. If there is another event at Bank of America Stadium before or after the game, things can be a bit chaotic as the two venues share the garage. However, workers do a good job separating the entering traffic from the leaving traffic, and police officers direct vehicles and pedestrians outside the garage to make sure everything flows smoothly.

Once inside, the concourses are more than wide enough and the restrooms more than sufficient for the crowds.

Return on Investment 4

Knights games are pretty expensive, with tickets starting at $23, and going up to above $30 for seats directly behind home plate. However, this is the highest level of minor league baseball, and the quality of play on the field as well as the quality of fan entertainment is as good as you will get in minor league baseball. Parking prices are not bad for a downtown location, considering it can cost five times as much to park in that same garage for events at Bank of America Stadium. Concessions are decently priced as well. Overall, a Charlotte Knights game is a good value for fans.

Extras 4

Free programs are available as you come in, a rarity nowadays as so much has switched to digital.

A second star for the beautiful views beyond the outfield fence of the Charlotte skyline.

The dragon billowing smoke in the outfield after home runs is worthy of an extra star here.

A fourth star for a wacky mascot race tradition. Every home game, King Meck, Queen Charlotte, and Jerry the Jester race around the warning track during the Royalty Race, a reference to Charlotte's nickname, the Queen City. They are subject to get into wacky hijinks like getting pelted with orange balls by the mascot. It is always fun and amusing to watch.

Final Thoughts

Truist Field is one of the finest fields in minor league baseball. With a 360 degree concourse, a multitude of seating areas, a fan favorite mascot, and more, a trip here is a must for any baseball fan in the Carolinas.