Everything you need to know about Charlotte’s five professional sports teams

Charlotte currently has five (soon to be six) professional sports teams competing almost year round, giving you plenty of opportunities to cheer on the Queen City.

A sixth pro team is joining the ranks as well. Major League Soccer recently announced they’ll be bringing a team to Charlotte as early as 2021.

Related story: Charlotte will officially welcome Major League Soccer on Tuesday. Here’s how you can participate in the fun

For now, here’s everything you need to know about the five pro teams repping CLT. 

Carolina Panthers

The football team’s motto, “Keep Pounding” has become the battle cry of the city.

League: National Football League, NFC South
Stadium: It’s in Uptown and named Bank of America Stadium (closest light-rail stops are the Carson, Stonewall and Convention Center stations). They serve Bojangles in the stadium so don’t sleep on those seasoned fries.
Season: September-December (hopefully January if they make the playoffs)
Mascot: Sir Purr
Average attendance: 73,772
Tickets: $50+. Get them here.
Where to park: According to the team’s website, there are over 30,000 independently operated parking spots within a 15-minute walk of the stadium that you can book on ParkWhiz. Our advice? Let someone else drive – Lyft is the Official Rideshare Partner of the Carolina Panthers.
Stat: The Panthers have been in the playoffs 8 times since the franchise began in 1995.
Pro tip: No bags over 4.5″ x 6.5″ unless they’re clear. Check out Charlotte-based POLICY Handbags created with this regulation in mind. 

Charlotte Hornets

NBA legend Michael Jordan owns the basketball team and can usually be seen sitting courtside at games.

League: National Basketball Association, Eastern Conference Southeast Division
Arena: Spectrum Center (Uptown – closest light-rail stop is the Trade Street Station)
Season: October-April
Mascot: Hugo the Hornet
Average attendance: 16,501
Tickets: $10+. Get them here.
Where to park: There are tons of parking spots in Uptown – use this map to find one.
Pro tip: Get to know Hornets’ center Cody Zeller, center, before the game here. 

Charlotte Knights

Come for the baseball, stay for the amazing atmosphere and skyline views.

League: Minor League Baseball, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox
Stadium: BB&T Ballpark (Uptown – closest light-rail stop is the Convention Center station)
Season: April-September
Mascot: Homer the Dragon
Average attendance: 8,980
Tickets: $9+. Get them here.
Where to park: Scope out the surrounding garages (including number of spaces at each) here.
Stat: The team won 42 of their 70 home games in the 2019 season
Pro tip: They have $3 domestic draft beer and $5 crafts on Thursdays. Friday night games are finished with a fireworks display. 

Charlotte Checkers

The hockey team won the franchise’s first Calder Cup Championship in 2019 and will be looking for a repeat next season.

League: Minor League Hockey, affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes
Arena: Bojangles Coliseum. Unsurprisingly this stadium serves Bojangles. Chicken Supremes and hockey? Puck yeah.
Season: October-April
Mascot: Chubby
Average attendance: 6,440
Tickets: $22+. Get them here.
Where to park: The stadium has onsite parking for $8
Stat: The team scored 22 points in five games to defeat the Chicago Wolves in the Calder Cup Finals
Pro tip: Check out this mini guide to learn what it’s like to go to your first Checkers Game

Charlotte Independence

In September 2019, the soccer team celebrated the groundbreaking of a long-awaited renovation of Memorial Stadium, which they’ll call home in 2020. 

League: United Soccer League
Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Season: February-October
Mascot: Captain James Jack
Average attendance: 1,659
Tickets: $15+. Get them here.
Where to park: The stadium has onsite parking for $5
Stat: The team has made it to the playoffs twice since the franchise began in 2014.
Pro tip: Head to Jack’s House, the team’s dedicated soccer bar and merchandise store in Elizabeth

Get out there and cheer on your teams, Charlotte.

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(This content was created in partnership with Bojangles.)