Charlotte prepares to put on a show with the 2026 MLS All-Star Game
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From left: Ashley Westwood, Tim Ream and Pep Biel. Photo: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images; Francois Nel/Getty Images; Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
While the eyes of the world have been locked on the FIFA World Cup, Charlotte has been busy preparing to host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium.
Why it matters: Organizers hope to capitalize on the nationwide buzz around soccer that the World Cup has sparked.
- Like other all-star festivities, including the NBA, people remember the show you put on, Charlotte FC midfielder Pep Biel tells Axios.
Driving the news: Biel, Charlotte FC's highest paid player, and fellow midfielder Ashley Westwood have been named to this year's team ahead of the game on July 29 at 8pm in Charlotte. The full roster will be released later this morning.
- Charlotte FC and United States national team defender Tim Ream officially joined the team last month, along with other players.
State of play: The MLS All-Stars will face All-Stars from Mexico's top league, LIGA MX, at Bank of America Stadium. This is just one layer of what will be roughly a week of festivities, Eric Sudol, Tepper Sports & Entertainment's chief revenue officer, tells Axios.
- Some events will be concentrated in Uptown, including in Romare Bearden Park, while will branch out to the outskirts of Mecklenburg County, including at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. The full schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
- There will be a combination of free and ticketed events. Tickets for the main event start at $56. The goal is to have a packed lower bowl, Sudol says.
Context: This will be the first time Charlotte has hosted the MLS All-Star Game. Charlotte previously hosted the NBA All-Star game in 2019.
What's next: Fan-facing renovations on Bank of America Stadium are set to begin after the upcoming football season. The team also plans to open a sales center near the stadium this summer.
Zoom out: Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which owns Charlotte FC is working with the Charlotte Sports Foundation ahead of the game. CSF, as the local organizing committee, applied for a $2 million grant from the state's Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund.
- CSF is also part of Charlotte's 2031 bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Go deeper: North Carolina bets big to land 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte
The big picture: The end of July will put Charlotte in the spotlight, whether it's fans tuning in to watch the game, or players experiencing the city and its facilities. It's a potential way to recruit some of the best players in the league.
- Plus, in previous years, TSE executives have visited other markets to prepare for hosting major events and building their own facilities. Now, Charlotte will be the model for other cities.