CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – If you’re new to Charlotte and a rabid sports fan, don’t worry: The Queen City offers plenty of sporting events for every fanatic, from golf to soccer and everything in between.
Charlotte is home to several professional teams, including the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), Charlotte FC (MLS), Charlotte Knights (International League – Triple-A), Charlotte Checkers (AHL), NASCAR, and the PGA Tour.
Football: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are the only professional football team in the Carolinas. They have called Charlotte home since 1996.
The Panthers have had several iconic players that have played in the black and blue, including players like Cam Newton, Steve Smith Sr., Luke Kuechly, Julius Peppers, and Sam Mills.
A stadium view of the Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium is displayed before fans enter the stadium before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs , Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Charlotte, NC, . (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)(Peter Joneleit | AP)
In the 2025 season, the Panthers are led by quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and head coach Dave Canales.
The Panthers play in Bank of America Stadium, located in Charlotte’s Uptown neighborhood, and they play between the months of September and January.
Basketball: Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets, who were first established in 1988 as an expansion team in the NBA, played in the Queen City until 2002, when then-owner George Shinn moved the team to New Orleans.
It wouldn’t take long for Charlotte to add another NBA team. In 2004, an expansion team known as the Charlotte Bobcats would become the new team in the Queen City.
In 2006, NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan acquired a minority stake in the franchise. In 2010, an ownership group led by Jordan purchased a majority share, and in the 2014 season, they played as the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) brings the ball upcourt during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)(Matt Kelley | AP)
The Hornets and Bobcats have had great players like Dell Curry, Kemba Walker, Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson, and Tyson Chandler, among others.
In 2025, the Hornets are led by rookie Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges.
The Hornets play home games at the Spectrum Center located in Uptown Charlotte. You can catch games from October to April.
Soccer: Charlotte FC
The Queen City has also been home to the Charlotte Football Club, or Charlotte FC, since 2019.
Charlotte FC forward Kerwin Vargas, left, battles New York City FC defender Raul Gustavo during the second half of Game 1 in the first round of MLS soccer’s Eastern Conference playoffs in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)(Nell Redmond | AP)
Charlotte was awarded the expansion team in 2019, and Charlotte FC has seen some success during its short time.
Charlotte FC made the playoffs back-to-back in 2024 and 2025.
Fans can catch Charlotte FC matches at Bank of America in Uptown Charlotte from March to November.
Baseball: Charlotte Knights
Although Charlotte doesn’t have its own professional baseball team, it is home to the Charlotte Knights — a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
The Charlotte Knights will return to Truist Field in Uptown in 2025.(WBTV)
The Knights play their games at Truist Field, located in Uptown Charlotte. You can catch Knights games from April through September.
The team also holds a fireworks show on Friday nights!
Hockey: Charlotte Checkers
Don’t worry, hockey fans, the Queen City has something for you, too.
Charlotte is home to the minor-league hockey team Charlotte Checkers.
The Checkers are the minor-league affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who play in the North Carolina capital city of Raleigh — which is about a three-hour drive from Charlotte.
(WBTV)
The Charlotte Checkers moved to North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season after playing in New York as the Albany River Rats from 1993-2010. Before that, the team played as the Capital District Islanders from 1990-1993.
The Checkers’ best season came in 2018-2019, when they won their first divisional title with 110 points. It was the first time since 1974-1975. The Checkers won their first Cedar Cup by defeating the Chicago Wolves in five games during that season.
The Checkers play home games at Bojangles Coliseum in southeast Charlotte and you can catch them from October through April.
NASCAR
NASCAR may have technically been born in Florida, but it has a deep-rooted history in Charlotte.
Because the first NASCAR “Strictly Stock” race — which is now the NASCAR Cup Series — was held in Charlotte in 1949, many consider the city to be the hometown of NASCAR.
Today, the Charlotte area hosts several NASCAR events, and is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America ROVAL 400 both take place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway — which is actually located in the city of Concord, just outside of Charlotte.
Reserved grandstand seating for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 has sold out. Limited premium seating and standing-room-only options remain.(CMS/HHP photo)
The annual Coca-Cola 600 race happens on Memorial Day Weekend. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 race, which is the final race of Round 12 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, takes place in October.
NASCAR fans can also catch the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in Charlotte.
Charlotte and the surrounding areas are also home to several NASCAR racing teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, and Team Penske.
PGA Tour
The renowned Quail Hollow golf course — considered to be one of the most challenging in the Professional Golfers’ Association — is located right here in south Charlotte.
Quail Hollow has hosted several PGA Tour events, including the 2025 PGA Championship, as well as the Wells Fargo Championship.
The 2025 PGA Championship will be played at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. from May 15-18.(PGA of America)
Outside of Charlotte, the PGA Tour announced they would be returning to Asheville in 2026 for the Biltmore Championship. Asheville is a mountain city in North Carolina that’s about a two-hour drive from Charlotte.
Queen City hosts major sporting events
Not only is Charlotte home to several professional teams, the city has hosted several big sporting events across many leagues.
The ACC Football Championship Game, for example, is played in Charlotte at the Bank of America Stadium. The Spectrum Center also hosts the ACC Basketball Tournament, as well as the first two rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
The Queen City has also hosted major soccer matches, including Copa America, and will host a friendly matchup for the U.S. Men’s National Team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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