Outdoor guide: This running route takes you to four Charlotte stadiums

This guide is proudly presented by OrthoCarolina – our partners in healthy living. If you want more outdoor itinerary inspiration, check out OrthoCarolina’s blog. Happy exploring.

Charlotte has a buzzing sports scene filled with old and new venues, which are perfect landmarks to run around.

Whether you’re looking for a new running route, or just want to explore Uptown, there’s plenty to see.

My thought bubble: Stadiums have always been my happy place. They’re beautiful and filled with hope. Something about turning the corner around Truist Field and seeing the skyline gives you a little boost when your legs feel dead.

Pro tip: Avoid running in the heat of the day. Wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy. Hydrate before and after your run. Refuel and take care of your body. Don’t forget to stretch!

Here is a possible 4.5-mile route hitting four of Charlotte’s sports venues.

The route: 

Park at Elizabeth Park. You can leave your car here for four hours.

Mile 1: Hop on Little Sugar Creek Greenway and head north toward American Legion Memorial Stadium.

• Cross under North Kings Drive, you’re still on the greenway, and run a loop around the out side of the stadium.
• Hop back on the greenway and head south until you reach Elizabeth Avenue. Turn left.  You’ll hit the first mile just after you run under I-277.

Mile 2: Continue running west up Elizabeth Avenue. Turn right on North Caldwell Street. You’ll sell Spectrum Center.

• Head up 5th Street around Spectrum Center.
• Turn left on North Tryon Street. Turn right on West Trade Street.
• You’ll hit the 2-mile mark around the intersection of Trade and South Church Street.

Mile 3: Turn left on South Church. Then turn right on West Fourth Street, which will take you to Truist Field.

• Take a left on Graham Street, which will lead you to Bank of America Stadium. Follow the stadium onto Mint Street.
• For this route, turn around in front of the East Gate.
• Head back up Mint, and turn right on West Stonewall Street. You’ll hit the 3-mile mark around the Duke Energy Center.

Mile 4: Continue down Stonewall until you reach South College Street. Then turn left.

• Turn right on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
• Take a left on McDowell Street. You’ll hit the 4-mile mark at the corner of McDowell and East 3rd Street.

The home stretch: It’s the final half-mile. You’re doing great!

• Hop back on the greenway on your righthand side.
• It will lead you back to Elizabeth Park.
• And just like that, you did it!

The stadiums: 

1. American Legion Memorial Stadium 

Who plays here: Charlotte Independence

Capacity: 10,500

Flashback: President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the stadium in 1936. It was the city’s first major sports venue, and home to the American Soccer League’s Carolina Lightnin’ in the 1980s, which was the hottest ticket in town. 

• Mecklenburg County began a $40.5 million renovation to the stadium in 2019. It opened in July 2021.

Go deeper: Charlotte pro soccer team embarks on a new chapter with overhauled Memorial Stadium

2. Spectrum Center 

Who plays here: Charlotte Hornets

Capacity: Around 17,000

It’s home to much more than basketball, from concerts to Oprah’s 2020 visit, but one of the most iconic events to come through was the NBA All-Star game in 2019.

3. Truist Field 

Who plays here: Charlotte Knights

Capacity: 10,200

If you build it, they will come proved prophetic for the Knights, who moved from South Carolina back to Charlotte in 2014, and they’ve had no problem selling out their Uptown stadium since.

Of note: The ACC baseball championship is at Truist Field through May 29.

Go deeper: 9 BFF date ideas to get you out of your brunch funk

4. Bank of America Stadium 

Who plays here: Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC

Capacity: 74,867

Flashback: Bank of America Stadium was built for an NFL team in 1996, and has since undergone several renovations over the years, including a $50 million renovation ahead of Charlotte FC’s inaugural season.

Go deeper: Creating Charlotte FC’s electric atmosphere

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