Axios Charlotte
September 17, 2026
1 big thing: 🎾 Charlotte's major tennis move
The Women's Tennis Association is moving its corporate headquarters to Charlotte. The city will also host the annual WTA Finals for the next three years starting in 2027.
Why it matters: It's a move that will bring jobs to Charlotte and some of the biggest stars in the sport to Uptown.
State of play: WTA's corporate headquarters are currently in St. Petersburg, Florida. This year's WTA Finals are scheduled to take place Nov. 8-15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.
- The finals will then transition to Spectrum Center in Uptown every November from 2027-2029. The first one in Charlotte is scheduled for Nov. 10-14, 2027.
- The finals include the top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams.
By the numbers: The state contributed $14.4 million to help secure the WTA Finals. Funding came from the North Carolina's Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund (MEGA), per N.C. Gov. Josh Stein's office. This is the largest MEGA funded event to-date.
- Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte are also contributing $5 million ($2.5 million each).
Zoom in: After 2029, Charlotte would be able to host a WTA 500 event, which is the second-highest tier of WTA tournaments. However, securing a WTA 500 event is contingent on the building a new tennis-specific facility in Charlotte, per CSF.
🌀 The loop (we're keeping you in it)
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2. Trump: NC is "one of the most violent" states
President Trump called North Carolina criminally dangerous and "one of the worst in the whole nation" while rallying for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in Gastonia on Wednesday night.
Why it matters: Whatley has framed himself as the tougher-on-crime candidate and an ally who would push Trump's agenda forward, despite the president's low approval ratings. So far, Whatley is lagging in the polls.
What he's saying: "North Carolina — it was beautiful. It was apple pie, and now it's one of the most violent," Trump said. "And it all started with Cooper," he added, referring to former Gov. Roy Cooper, Whatley's Democratic opponent.
By the numbers: North Carolina had an estimated 309 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, below the national violent crime rate of 327.6 per 100,000, according to a Newsweek analysis of FBI data.
- The White House shared statistics earlier Wednesday in a press release, saying crime had fallen in North Carolina and Charlotte. The press release attributed the change to the Trump administration.
3. Speed reads
Postino WineCafe, which opened in Ballantyne in 2024, announced it will open its second Charlotte location Sept. 21 at the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood.
A fourth top executive with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has stepped down: Chief Operations Officer Tim Ivey announced his retirement after 30 years in public education. (WBTV)
Charlotte City Council is encouraging residents and businesses to turn out nonessential lights between 11pm and 6am while birds migrate overhead. It's recognizing the spring and fall seasons as "Bird Safe Awareness Months." (WFAE)
The Carolina Panthers have waived wide receiver/returner Jimmy Horn Jr. after he muffed a punt that eventually led to a field goal for the Bears. The move makes room for former Miami Dolphins starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson. (ESPN)
4. 🎊 Don't get FOMO over FOMO
FOMO, aka fear of missing out, is what you might experience if you haven't attended this weekday Uptown event, centered around art, culture and community.
Why it matters: Thousands of people have turned out for FOMO, and today is your last chance to experience the block party or you'll have to wait until next year.
Context: Makayla Binter, who's behind Charlotte Is Creative, and Dammit Wesley, known for local events like Boileryard Brunch and Durag Fest, started FOMO Museum Block Party in 2023 to get people out to experience art.
- They imagined a few hundred people might attend. Instead, about 1,200 people showed up the first night. By last year, they saw 10,000 people take over the streets of Uptown.
Zoom in: FOMO happens twice a year, and one of those times is typically around Charlotte International Arts Festival. But with the arts festival not returning this year, the team is partnering with Charlotte Center City Partners to take over Uptown Live instead.
What to expect: Think block party meets arts festival. Expect hands-on art activities, photo and content ops, live music plus food and drink vendors.
- Tonight's event is themed around getting people registered to vote so there will also be local nonprofits and other organizations to educate the community on the upcoming election.
If you go: FOMO is free to attend at Truist Center Plaza (214 N Tryon St.) from 5–11pm.
5. 🗓️ A weekend of festivals
Speaking of events, this weekend is filled with a few festivals for the entire family.
🍽️ Friday: Eat your heart out with 250+ vendors with global flavors plus stick around for artisan shops, games and live music at FoodieLand Food Festival in Concord.
🎊 Saturday: Immerse yourself in the cultures of over 35 nations at UNC Charlotte's International Festival with booths, performances, food, crafts and more.
🧘♀️ Sunday: Spend the weekend at Whitewater Center's Flow Fest for vendors, yoga sessions, workshops, live music and more.
🍞 Alex is hype that Stable Hand added a chicken salad sandwich to its menu.
🕺🪩 McKenzie is happy "Dancing with the Stars" is back.
🎾 Ashley will be taking her tennis-loving sister to the WTA Finals for her birthday.
😅 Alexis suffers from serious FOMO when she sees all the cool kids at Charlotte events, so naturally, her remedy is to attend every event possible.
❌ Melissa, who edited this newsletter, loves red velvet, and she loves lattes, but she found out she does not love red velvet lattes. (Her espresso machine is still broken.)
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