Tepper wants Charlotte to host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino at Bank of America Stadium to promote this summer's FIFA Club World Cup. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Charlotte has developed an insatiable appetite for soccer, between hosting two Copa America matches last summer and four FIFA Club World Cup matches this summer. And Charlotte FC owner David Tepper already has his sights set on the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031.
Why it matters: Major sporting events pump millions into Charlotte's economy with thousands of fans staying in Charlotte's hotels, eating at restaurants, and traveling through the city's airport. Plus, it brings international recognition to Charlotte.
Driving the news: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in Charlotte this week promoting the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
- Infantino says Charlotte is a "hot candidate" as a host city for the Women's World Cup.
- Bank of America Stadium needs to be packed and the city needs a "great atmosphere," Infantino says, to help persuade FIFA that Charlotte should host 2031 matches.
Zoom out: The FIFA World Cup will take place in cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2026. Charlotte is not a host city for 2026, but it will be what Infantino called "base camp" this year and next year for different teams.
- Base camp will be at Charlotte FC's headquarters, Atrium Health Performance Park, in east Charlotte.
- Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta confirmed they will have a Club World Cup team using their facility this summer and that the team will be announced soon. Depending on how well the visiting team does in the tournament, they could be in Charlotte for weeks.
What's next: Bank of America Stadium will host two group stage matches and two Round of 16 matches during the Club World Cup in June.
- Spanish icon Real Madrid will play Mexican team Pachuca on June 22. Tickets start at $139.40.
- German powerhouse Bayern Munich will play Portuguese team Benfica on June 24. Tickets start at $55.75.
- Round of 16 matches will take place on June 28 and June 30.
What they're saying: "Charlotte is an international soccer city now," Tepper said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Flashback: The U.S. women's national team played at Bank of America Stadium in 2019 in front of 30,071 during their victory tour after winning the 2019 Women's World Cup. Support for women's sports has grown since then.
Case in point: Charlotte has a top-tier professional women's soccer team now with Carolina Ascent.