Charlotte FC bets on packed lower bowl at Bank of America Stadium
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A sellout crowd is expected this weekend for Charlotte FC's home opener. But it will look different at Bank of America Stadium this year — the upper bowl won't be open, reducing the capacity from more than 74,000 down to around 35,000.
Why it matters: While this will be the smallest crowd for a home opener in the club's short history, it's part of a broader shift by the organization in how it'll approach home matches.
Context: Making the playoffs has become the standard for the club, which is in its fifth season. An electric home atmosphere has also created the nickname "the fortress" for Bank of America Stadium.
Yes, but: The goal is to have a consistently packed lower bowl rather than people scattered throughout the upper bowl, Tepper Sports & Entertainment executives told reporters Wednesday (TSE owns Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers).
- TSE executives say this is preferable across the board from an atmosphere perspective for both players and fans.
By the numbers: The lower bowl holds around 32,500. Total capacity depends on how many people sit in the stadium's suites, but it can reach about 35,000.
Reality check: Charlotte FC ranked third last season in attendance and has had strong attendance since its inaugural season in 2022. Typically, the upper deck was open for the home opener and a handful of matches throughout the season. The lower bowl only change started during last season and included the home playoff matches.
- Typically, fans had access to cheaper tickets when the upper deck was open.
- The club launched $26 tickets for every home match this season to provide a more affordable price point.
The bottom line: Executives say there are no plans to open the upper bowl this season, even when they host the MLS All-Star Game in July. It's the lower bowl only for everything related to MLS.
- When the U.S. men's national team plays a FIFA World Cup send-off match at Bank of America Stadium in May, the entire stadium will be open.
- Bank of America Stadium will undergo an $800 million renovation that is scheduled to be completed by 2030. TSE will also open an immersive sales experience center in Uptown this summer.
Zoom out: Charlotte FC's connection to fans helped spur success at the box office, but fans have told Axios that lately they haven't felt as connected to or heard by the club.
- For the first few years, the club had a chief fan officer, Shawn McIntosh, to serve as a liaison between supporters and the front office. The role wasn't filled when McIntosh left in September 2024 to take the role of CEO at USL Championship club.
- Charlotte FC has since hired Fernando Varela in a sports marketing and fan engagement role to help fill that void.
- TSE CEO Kristi Coleman says reinvigorating their supporters is a priority for the club. Coleman describes Charlotte FC supporters as their "lifeblood," and something that sets them apart from other MLS teams. Coleman says the goal is for the front office to be more visible.
The big picture: Expectations for Charlotte FC are high, from success on the field to the fan experience.
What next: Charlotte FC (0-1-1) hosts Austin FC (1-0-1) Saturday, March 7, at 7:30pm at Bank of America Stadium.
What we're watching: The Scottish national team will train at Charlotte FC's headquarters during this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Go deeper: 25+ places to watch Charlotte FC