Charlotte wants a Super Bowl. Here's what it takes
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Charlotte's insatiable appetite for hosting major sporting events keeps growing, and it's hard to imagine a bigger prize than hosting a Super Bowl.
Why it matters: Despite Charlotte's exceptional growth, it lacks the quantity and caliber of hotels necessary to support all that a Super Bowl entails.
- "The real issue with Super Bowls now is the number of hotel rooms, quality hotel rooms and other facilities," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in Uptown Thursday night.
By the numbers: The Charlotte area currently has 442 hotels (46,813 hotel rooms), according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA).
- 45 of those hotels (6,937 rooms) are in Uptown Charlotte, with 3,894 considered luxury and upper-upscale rooms serving the city's urban core.
- There are 263 hotels (32,196 hotel rooms) in Mecklenburg County itself.
- South End, located within walking distance of the stadium, currently has only one hotel, though another is planned. Developers say construction could begin soon.
By comparison, Nashville, who will host the Super Bowl for the first time in 2030, has 42,551 hotel rooms with another 16,201 in the pipeline, Axios previously reported.
Yes, but: "There are destinations that have hosted the Super Bowl with fewer hotel rooms overall than Charlotte because they have a higher concentration of full-service hotels near the stadium and convention center," Sheridan says.
Between the lines: It's not just about the number of hotel rooms for major events, but rather the right mix of hotels to cater to teams, fans, event organizers, sponsors and media, CRVA Chief Communications & Advocacy Officer Gina Sheridan tells Axios.
- There needs to be full-service hotels with restaurants, meeting and event space, high-end accommodations, plus hotels located near key venues, such as Bank of America Stadium.
- Full-service hotels in Charlotte include Westin, Hilton Charlotte Uptown, Charlotte Marriott City Center or the JW Marriott.
- David Tepper, who owns the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, jokingly suggested Panthers general manager Dan Morgan's house could help with luxury inventory if Charlotte hosted a Super Bowl.
- Tepper also floated the idea of mimicking what's done in Augusta, Georgia to accommodate for a lack of luxury hotels — rent out nearby luxury homes.
What we're watching: Bank of America Stadium is in the midst of a $1.3 billion renovation that is expected to be completed by 2030, and will certainly be "Super Bowl quality," Goodell says.
- Tepper Sports & Entertainment is also building a new Panthers practice facility behind the stadium and a new 4,400-seat indoor venue next to the stadium.
How it works: In addition to hotel and venue inventory and the stadium itself, the league has certain criteria, including the host city's vision, weather and local partnerships, according to a league spokesperson. Then there's the process itself:
- A team has to express interest in hosting the Super Bowl.
- The City of Charlotte, the Panthers and the league office then work on a proposal to host the Super Bowl.
- Then there's fan engagement and a major events advisory committee review.
- Finally, NFL owners vote to approve the host city. Charlotte would need to receive 24-of-32 possible votes in order to host.
The bottom line: Charlotte has a better shot at hosting the NFL Draft than a Super Bowl as things stand today. If the city keeps developing like it has been, however, a Super Bowl may be in the cards, according to Goodell.
Go deeper: NFL commissioner says Charlotte is "built for a Draft"
What's next: Super Bowl host cities are set through 2030:
- 2027: Super Bowl LXI-Los Angeles
- 2028: Super Bowl LXII-Atlanta
- 2029: Super Bowl LXIII-Las Vegas
- 2030: Super Bowl LXIV-Nashville