Notre Dame will take on Wake Forest in the 2027 Duke's Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown.

Why it matters: It will be one of two Duke's Mayo Classic games at the stadium in 2027 — college football matchups that draw thousands of people to Uptown and pump millions into the local tourism economy.

• As one of the country's most storied football programs, Notre Dame draws national TV audiences and has a huge fan base known for traveling to games. Wake Forest, about an hour and a half from Charlotte, is a smaller but respected program with a devoted, national fan base.

Between the lines: This will be the second time Charlotte has hosted two Duke's Mayo Classic games in a season. However, it won't be a doubleheader like it was in 2021 when Appalachian State played East Carolina and Georgia played Clemson within a matter of days in Uptown, Charlotte Sports Foundation CEO Will Pitts tells Axios. (CSF oversees the Duke's Mayo Classic and several other sporting events in Charlotte.)

• Instead, the games will be spread out. North Carolina A&T will take on North Carolina Central on Aug. 28, 2027, in that season's first Duke's Mayo Classic. The historic rivalry is known as the Aggie-Eagle Classic.
• Notre Dame and Wake Forest will meet in Charlotte further into the season. The date and time are TBD. Tickets will go on sale closer to the game, but fans can register for presale details at DukesMayoClassic.com.

Flashback: Notre Dame and Wake Forest had been scheduled to play each other in September 2020 at Bank of America Stadium, but the game was rescheduled because of COVID, then ultimately canceled.

• Notre Dame later lost to Clemson that year in the ACC Championship in Charlotte.

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Speaking of high-profile college football: Notre Dame is the fourth most valuable college football team in the country, with an estimated value of $1.85 billion, according to estimates by The Athletic.

• And Wake Forest ranked No. 66 at $124 million.

Why it matters: NCAA teams aren't for sale yet, but name, image and likeness (NIL) has led more to mirror themselves like professional clubs.

State of play: The Athletic ranked teams in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 by how much money they'd hypothetically sell for on the open market.

• Prestige, championships, facility renovations, population trends and realignment scenarios were all factored into the rankings.

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"Politicians in D.C. are running up our debt, ripping away our health care, disrespecting our veterans, cutting help for the poor and even putting Medicare and Social Security at risk — just to give tax breaks to billionaires. That's wrong, and I've had enough."

As expected, former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is officially running for U.S. Senate, he announced in a video Monday.

• It's a significant recruiting win for Democrats, who need to net four seats to retake the Senate in 2026, AP reported.

Why it matters: The two-term governor, who's never lost an election, becomes the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who said last month he won't seek reelection.

• RNC chair Michael Whatley, whom President Trump endorsed, plans to run for the GOP nomination.

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🛒 Publix has signed a lease to anchor a new mixed-use development in Matthews called Cadia Matthews, a Pappas property at Stallings and Idlewild roads. The grocery store is slated to open in 2027. (🔒 CBJ)

A baby and a toddler were among the six people killed in a multi-vehicle wreck on the outer loop of I-485 over the weekend. (WBTV)

🐓 Charlotte-based Bojangles has rolled out Spanish ordering technology at its restaurants — including on its app, website, in-store kiosks and automated drive-thru locations, according to a press release from the chain.

🎢 Carowinds announced that it's offering unlimited access to more than 40 Six Flags Entertainment Corporation parks for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026 through its 2026 Season Pass.

• The Charlotte entertainment park said in a press release that the "unprecedented benefit" is to celebrate the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair.

Fontana Di Vino is a newly opened Italian restaurant in SouthPark offering freshly made pastas and interactive family-style dining experiences.

Why it matters: Chef Scott Leibfried brings a fun atmosphere and an engaging menu to Fontana Di Vino, following his time with Gordon Ramsay on "Hell's Kitchen" and his Hawaiian restaurant with Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood, which was destroyed in the 2023 fires, CBJ reported.

Context: Much of Leibfried's extensive background in the restaurant industry influenced his vision for his south Charlotte restaurant. In May, he partnered with Charlotte-based Famous Toastery co-founder Robert Maynard to bring his latest concept to life.

Dig in: Expect a menu that features traditional Italian cuisine with ingredients like black truffles sourced from Italy and fresh pasta, along with innovative touches such as pinsa — a Roman-style flatbread pizza.

• The restaurant offers multiple tableside activations — such as a polenta pour and veal chop — where the ingredients are prepped and plated in front of you to create an interactive and educational experience.

Read more about what to expect at Fontana Di Vino

Forty-five women-owned businesses will participate in Charlotte's first "Chicas Market" next month.

Why it matters: All of the vendors are Hispanic or Latina-owned, and the market will take place on "National Latina Day," Aug. 16.

What they're saying: "As a small business owner myself, I saw there was a lack of representation when it comes to Latina business owners," organizer Norma Zuniga tells Axios.

Between the lines: Zuniga owns Dulce Dreams Cafe, a pop-up bakery that specializes in Mexican conchas. She also founded the Comunidad Market, which brings together Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses.

What to expect: The Chicas Market will have food vendors, activities and games, plus a live DJ.

Stop by: 2200 N. Brevard St., at the TAOH Outdoor Gallery in Villa Heights.

• Open 5-10pm.