The Queen City has come a long way in a short time as a soccer business market. The region is home to Continental Tire (an MLS sponsor since 2010), Ally (an NWSL sponsor and Charlotte FC front-of-kit sponsor since 2021), and Bank of America, which became a global FIFA World Cup sponsor last summer.
All four of the market’s pro teams debuted over the past decade: USL One Charlotte Independence in 2015, Charlotte FC in 2022, MLS Next Pro Crown Legacy Football Club in 2023 and the USL Super League Carolina Ascent in 2024.
The clubs benefit from significant recent stadium investments. Bank of America Stadium underwent a $50 million renovation prior to Charlotte FC’s inaugural game, and the city in 2024 agreed to contribute $650 million to a total stadium renovation cost of $800 million. American Legion Memorial Stadium, home to the Independence and Ascent, underwent a $40.5 million renovation in 2021. The $32 million Matthews Sportsplex, home of the MLS Next Pro Crown Legacy Football Club and host of this fall’s NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships semifinal and final rounds, opened in 2015.
