Latest news with #CharlotteSportsFoundation
Yahoo
20 hours 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
5 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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
Axios
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Tennis stars return to Uptown this fall
Elite tennis returns to Uptown in December at Spectrum Center. Why it matters: Last year's inaugural Charlotte Invitational drew 16,194 fans showing the Charlotte Sports Foundation, which organized the exhibition, and Charlotte that the city is hungry for tennis. State of play: This year's doubleheader on Dec. 4 will feature Venus Williams vs. Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe vs. Taylor Fritz. Flashback: Keys and Tiafoe participated in the inaugural Charlotte Invitational, beating Sloane Stephens and Carlos Alcaraz. Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton and Panthers legend Steve Smith hit a few serves during Carlos Alcaraz and Tiafoe's match, along with Cleveland Cavaliers players. Zoom out: In 2006, Williams faced her sister Serena Williams in Charlotte. By the numbers: The inaugural Charlotte Invitational generated $4.4 million in economic impact, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. What they're saying: "Last year validated that Charlotte is a tennis city, and we're thrilled to build on that momentum with the return of this unparalleled event," CSF CEO Will Pitts said in a statement. What's next: The exhibition will take place in the evening. The exact time is TBD. Tickets will go on sale closer to the event. You can sign up for presale details at The big picture: Charlotte's major venues, Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium, have been serving up more than just basketball, football, soccer and concerts. The Charlotte Invitational put a tennis court inside Spectrum Center, and the Savannah Bananas put a baseball field inside Bank of America Stadium — both events were organized by CSF.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational bringing Duke, Texas basketball to Charlotte
A new college basketball event is coming to Charlotte, and it's bringing two of the top programs to the Queen City for the opening days of the 2025-2026 season. ESPN Events and the Charlotte Sports Foundation on Monday announced the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, the same day as Vitale's 86th birthday. Advertisement The invitational will bring the Duke Blue Devils and the Texas Longhorns men's basketball teams to the Spectrum Center. The game is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Vitale was part of ESPN's first year in 1979, and he's called more than 1,000 games since then. 'For over 30 years, Dick Vitale has been the voice of college basketball,' said Clint Overby, Vice President of ESPN Events. 'I can't think of a better way to honor his legacy than have a basketball event featuring the very best of the sport.' Ticket information will be available later on, you can click this link to sign up for presale notifications. (VIDEO: Spectrum Center transforms to welcome top tennis pros for Charlotte Invitational)
