The Eastland Sports Campus officially broke ground Friday, March 6.

Why it matters: It's the latest chapter in a total overhaul of the former Eastland Mall site. Local leaders say this piece will make Charlotte a destination for amateur sports.

By the numbers: The city is funding $41.2 million of the $67 million project. The rest is coming from the private sector.

• Annually, the campus will provide an estimated $170 million in economic impact, 500 jobs and 1,000 hours of free community use for the indoor sports facility, according to figures from local consulting firm Synergy Sports.

What to expect: The roughly 30-acre site will have indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including:

• Six full-size multipurpose athletic fields
• Bike paths and green space
• 100,000-square-foot indoor facility with volleyball and basketball courts
• Health and wellness offices
• An academic learning center
• STEM lab
• Food and beverage stations

What's next: Construction will really pick up in the third quarter of 2026, Robert Bolton of Bolton, a managing partner of the project, tells Axios. "It takes about six months to complete the city permitting process," he says.

• The goal is to open the fields in early 2028 and the building itself by late 2028.

What else could be coming to Eastland

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Director at Avondale Children's Center.
2. Economic Development Associate at Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
3. Executive Assistant at The Pursley Dixon Studio.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The team behind popular food truck Chop Chop Red Pot and Marlee Jean's Raw Bar and Kitchen in Davidson is expanding to Uptown.

Why it matters: The move brings the chefs' Southern barbecue and seafood mash-up to The Market on 7th Street.

Driving the news: Chop Chop Red Pot on 7th will open in the former Mad Dash space inside the Charlotte food hall on Wednesday, April 1.

• The new stall will combine their original Chop Chop Red Pot concept with their Davidson restaurant, Marlee Jean's Raw Bar and Kitchen.

Dig in: Expect a mix of Southern barbecue and seafood-driven dishes, with flavors rooted in chef/co-owner Erik Crawford's upbringing.

• Menu highlights are expected to include: smoked prime rib panini, lobster rolls and crab cake sandwiches, and BBQ sandwiches (pulled chicken, pulled pork, chopped brisket).
• They'll also serve oysters on the half shell, short rib grilled cheese, smoked wings, crudo, shrimp and grits, and a kids' menu.

Keep reading

🏀 The Queens Royals are heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history as a Division I school. (Axios)

✈️ Charlotte City Council will discuss and potentially vote on a lease for a new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (an American Express Sidecar Lounge) during today's meeting. See council's agenda here.

A grand jury has indicted former Sycamore Brewing co-owner Justin Brigham on rape and eight other charges. (🔒 Observer)

🗳️ Habekah Cannon, the electee to a Mecklenburg County judge seat by less than 4,000 votes, is a self-described prison abolitionist who once said she was asked to resign as a public defender for "not drawing wide enough margins between my work ... and my activism. (🔒 Observer)

Charlotte Sports Foundation has a packed calendar ahead, from a newly acquired event to expanding its involvement with local organizations.

Why it matters: CSF will support a record number of events this year, which are expected to pump millions into the city's economy, increase hotel stays and bring more people to local restaurants. Many of these events also put a spotlight on Charlotte, whether it's college basketball or international soccer.

Driving the news: The local nonprofit's 2025 events generated a record $118.25 million in economic impact, according to CSF's recently released annual report, which is based on Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority data.

State of play: Immediately ahead for CSF is the ACC men's basketball tournament at Spectrum Center, March 10-14, which the organization helped organize.

• You'll also see more CSF involvement with Tepper Sports & Entertainment on the soccer side, from supporting this summer's MLS All-Star Game to the United States Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup send-off match in May.
• Plus, this will be the first year CSF will operate the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, which the group acquired in January.

Keep reading

News you can use from our partners.

• Charlotte will host the East Coast debut of "American Revolution, the Augmented Exhibition" ahead of America's 250th. This immersive deep dive into the Revolutionary era opens at the Charlotte Museum of History on April 14. Get tickets.

Grab your playbills and popcorn. There's so much to do in Charlotte this week.

🧪 Monday: Learn how to make perfume at Vaulted Oak Brewing. | $45 | 6:30pm | Details

🎭 Tuesday: March to Belk Theater to see "Suffs," a Tony Award-winning musical about women who fought for the right to vote. | $46.58+ | 7:30pm | Details

🍽️ Wednesday: Savor Charlotte begins, and there are tons of bites to try during this celebration of Charlotte's food scene. | Prices vary | Times vary | Details

🎨 Thursday: Head to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for a talk with artist David McGee for the opening of "David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale." | Free | 6pm | Details

🍿 Friday: Watch the classic film "A League of Their Own" at Carolina Theatre to celebrate Women's History Month. | $9.33+ | 7pm | Details

Charlotte FC won their home opener in front of 35,611 fans Saturday night. They beat Austin FC 3-1 for their first win of the season.