Latest news with #CharlotteSportsFoundation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Notre Dame, Wake Forest football to play at Bank of America Stadium
Two huge college football fan bases are going to take over Charlotte for a future edition of the Duke's Mayo Classic. The University of Notre Dame will face Wake Forest University in the 2027 Duke's Mayo Classic, the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced on Monday. The game will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, bringing together two nationally recognized football programs with passionate fan bases and deep-rooted legacies. RELATED >> Anticipation builds in Charlotte for Duke's Mayo Bowl 'Hosting a game of this caliber reinforces Charlotte's place on the national stage for college football,' said Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation.'Fans can now find Duke's Mayo on more shelves than ever before, making the Duke's Mayo Classic a powerful platform to propel our brand into the national spotlight,' said Brad Wile, Chief Growth Officer at Sauer Brands. The exact date and time of the game will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the 2027 Duke's Mayo Classic will go on sale later, but you can get updates and presale information at this link. This year's Duke's Mayo Classic will feature a matchup between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Appalachian State University. (VIDEO: Rock Hill High School football team gives back with free youth camp)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
High-profile game ahead for 49ers
Next week, UNC Charlotte's 49ers football team starts fall camp, beginning the one-month countdown to the season opener. The 49ers' 2025 debut marks a first for the school: playing at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. On Aug. 29, Charlotte will play Appalachian State University at the NFL stadium, kicking off at 7 p.m. on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. It's part of the annual Duke's Mayo Classic series of early-season college football games. ESPNU will air the game, which brings more of a spotlight because the schedule is much busier on Aug. 28 (the day before) and Aug. 30 (the day after). 'We're seeing a lot of excitement,' Miller Yoho, spokesperson at the Charlotte Sports Foundation, the nonprofit that runs the Duke's Mayo Classic, told CBJ. 'A Friday night prime-time game will be special.' The sports foundation embraces regional rivalries like Charlotte-Appalachian State, Yoho added, pointing to the easy proximity for both schools' fans. Continue reading about plans for the game and the 49ers' latest business moves here. WATCH: Rock Hill High School football team gives back with free youth camp
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Austin hosting MLS All-Star game ahead of Charlotte's 2026 date
The Major League Soccer All-Star Game is set to kick off in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, with the city expecting over 20,000 attendees. ALSO READ: Charlotte is preparing to host the MLS All-Star Game next year and is closely observing Austin's approach to the event. 'What are those moments in that planning process in the delivery of the event that we can curate that's really special,' said Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation.'We're projecting 20 million for the city and state here in Austin,' said Drew Hays, Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission. Austin's hosting of the MLS All-Star Game includes showcasing its live music scene, organizing youth clinics, and setting sustainability goals such as a cleanup day. Pitts and his team from Charlotte are attending the event to understand Austin's unique and authentic approach to hosting. There's nuance to every event that I don't think you can truly appreciate until you experience it firsthand," Pitts said. 'We want to come and understand Austin has approached this event that's unique and authentic to Austin.' (WATCH BELOW: Panthers hit the gridiron for 1st day of training camp)
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte's All-Star bid gets $2M boost
Charlotte's successful bid for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game included a new ingredient: state funding to help offset organizing costs. ALSO READ: Caitlin Clark is still having an impact on WNBA All-Star Game even though she won't play On July 16, when Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber awarded next year's All-Star Game during a news conference at Bank of America Stadium, N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley disclosed a $2 million grant from state government as part of the recruiting pitch. Tepper Sports & Entertainment, owner of the stadium, MLS team Charlotte FC and the NFL Carolina Panthers, pursued the All-Star Game with assistance from civic leaders and groups, including the Charlotte Sports Foundation. The money will come from the state's Major Events, Games & Attractions Fund, created as part of the law passed by the N.C. General Assembly in 2023 to legalize online sports betting. When sports betting started in March 2024, state government began collecting an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue, defined as all money bet minus paid winnings before deductions for fees, taxes or expenses. This marks the first time a Charlotte event will receive a grant through the incentives program. Read the full story on CBJ's website here. VIDEO: Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte's sports scene surges with 2026 MLS All-Star Game
Charlotte likely cemented itself as a soccer city this week after MLS commissioner Don Garber announced the Queen City will host league's 2026 All-Star Game. Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City It's part of an ongoing effort to put Charlotte on the map through sports. Channel 9 sports reporter DaShawn Brown sat down with one of the key players making it happen. Charlotte-native Will Pitts was named CEO for the Charlotte Sports Foundation this past spring, after his work with the nonprofit since 2010. Pitts was part of the team for the city's first ACC Football Championship game. 'As we think about future opportunities, we need to continue to be creative,' Pitts said. 'When we think about the industry, I would define it as sports and entertainment.' This includes bringing Savannah Bananas baseball to a football stadium when a franchise record-setting crowd was recorded in Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Savannah Bananas bring Banana Ball to Bank of America Stadium Then there's the Charlotte Invitational, which returns for a second year, which featured a tennis match in what's normally a basketball arena, at the Spectrum Center. Pitts said it's part of their winning formula: Innovation and collaboration. 'We're working closely with the city, the county, the venues, Tepper Sports and Entertainment, Hornets Sports and Entertainment to think creatively about what opportunities are out there that would be great for our community. Some events that already exist, and others that we manufacture and create new.' CSF officials publicly stated their interest in future events including the NFL Draft and an Army-Navy football game. To date, Pitts said they haven't submitted an official bid for the draft but received feedback for both events. 'They've experienced Charlotte through site visits and conversations to this point. They're experiences have been great; they've been very complimentary of what Charlotte has to offer. It probably just comes down to timing,' he said. 'We'll be working through that trying to bring that to fruition in the future.' Meanwhile, the total economic impact from its events continues to grow each year, according to the CSF Annual Report: 2024: $90.6 million 2023: $79.7 million 2022: $77.2 million Pitts projects CSF could surpass $100 million in total economic impact in 2025. VIDEO: Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City
