logo
Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City

Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City

Yahoo16-07-2025
The Major League Soccer All-Star Game is coming to the Queen City next year.
Charlotte city leaders confirmed the news on Wednesday morning at the Bank of America Stadium.
READ MORE: Charlotte to host 2026 MLS All-Star Game, source says
Channel 9's DaShawn Brown asked the commissioner, 'Why Charlotte? Why Now?' The first reason was the fans.
From the very first match for Charlotte FC, more than 74,000 fans packed Bank of America Stadium.
On Wednesday, club owner David Tepper said they're estimating more than 3 million soccer fans would've come through the stadium this year, alone.
Thats the kind of momentum they're hoping to build on for the all-star game next year.
The MLS commissioner, Tepper, and leaders across the city and state were at Wednesday's announcement.
The commissioner said they're currently targeting late July 2026, which would be after the World Cup.
'Charlotte has turned into a big-time soccer city, and we are pleased to bring the 2026 MLS All-Star Game to the Queen City,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber in a news release. 'The city and region keep showing up for the sport, from packed Charlotte FC crowds to global events like the FIFA Club World Cup and Copa América the past two summers. We're excited to bring another marquee soccer event to Charlotte.'
The state Secretary of Commerce announced they're supporting this effort with a grant worth $2 million, which comes from sports-betting revenue in North Carolina.
There will also be festivities during the week of the MLS All-Star Game.
The date and opponent for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be announced at a later time.
VIDEO: Charlotte FC value hits $625M — almost double what David Tepper paid for MLS team
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Revolution hope Matt Turner's return can provide a push for playoffs. For Turner, it could mean regaining his place with USMNT ahead of World Cup.
Revolution hope Matt Turner's return can provide a push for playoffs. For Turner, it could mean regaining his place with USMNT ahead of World Cup.

Boston Globe

time2 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

Revolution hope Matt Turner's return can provide a push for playoffs. For Turner, it could mean regaining his place with USMNT ahead of World Cup.

The move might benefit both the Revolution and Turner, who lost his US national team starting place due to lack of club playing time, though it was hardly serendipitous. Turner had been preparing for a 40-game-plus European season but, instead, will compete for two and a half months of the MLS regular season, then go through an off-season lasting into February. As for the Revolution, their biggest failings have not been in goal — Aljaz Ivacic has eight shutouts this season, two short of Matt Reis's team record — but up front, as no forward has converted more than four times. Turner joins two attackers, Tomás Chancalay and Carles Gil, as Revolution designated players, though he likely will be tagged as Targeted Allocation Money-eligible next year. Turner, who played for Fairfield University before joining the Revolution in 2016, could be inserted in the lineup Saturday against D.C. United, sporting director Curt Onalfo said. Advertisement 'Matt is a game-changer,' Onalfo said. 'He's one of these guys that can turn a shot that should be a goal into a save. We're continually looking to make our team better, and when we evaluated this scenario it was a no-brainer. We feel very fortunate that Matt will help us with more clean sheets, which gives us the opportunity to win games. [Turner] is also a winner. He'll be a really important part of our locker room. 'And in games, when you have those unfortunate moments, when the momentum is shifting, you need key leaders to step up and help change those moments and turn them into settling the team, and then pushing forward to get the results.' Only 10 matches remain for the Revolution (6-11-7, 25 points) to rally from a 10-point playoff deficit. Riding a nine-match winless streak, they could use a spark — as well as improved chemistry and communication — but might have to adjust tactically, as strategy has been devised around Ivacic's ability to distribute. 'I know this club is going through some difficult moments this season, and I want to bring that winning mentality back and create relationships that will last a lifetime with the supporters and with the guys in the locker room,' Turner said. 'Of course, I back myself to help propel this team to win games, and I've been in late playoff hunts before — Advertisement Matt Turner (left) retook control of his No. 30 with Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo on Monday in Foxborough. Mimi Murad/New England Revolution Last month, Turner earned a $9.2 million transfer to Olympique Lyonnais, but he became available as financial problems affected Lyon's ability to pay salaries. Club president Michele Kang, who owns the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, adopted an austerity program in a deal that allowed Lyon to avoid relegation and remain in France's Ligue 1. With the Revolution, Turner helped the team advance to three successive playoffs (2019-21), then The team has mostly struggled since, though, and two supporters groups recently 'I can't blame the fans and the supporters' groups for being upset and being frustrated,' Onalfo said. 'We are frustrated. There's probably no one that is more frustrated than me as I sit at the helm. Our job is to continue to make the team better. We're doing that today, and we will continue to do that. The area that we have to get better in is we have to be better at home. It will help to have [Turner] in goal, assuming he starts the game. 'The way I look at it is, how do we channel that frustration and that emotion into something that's productive for everybody? That's my approach, and hopefully the fans can come this weekend with that mentality in mind so that we can get a win this weekend.' Advertisement Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at

After Bale, Kane and Son, Spurs now lack a ‘franchise player'. Who will be next?
After Bale, Kane and Son, Spurs now lack a ‘franchise player'. Who will be next?

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

After Bale, Kane and Son, Spurs now lack a ‘franchise player'. Who will be next?

For the first time in over a decade, Tottenham Hotspur are about to lose their last global superstar. Son Heung-min, who has been Spurs' undisputed poster boy since Harry Kane departed for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, is on the verge of signing for MLS side Los Angeles FC after a 10-year stint in north London. Advertisement Not since Gareth Bale left north London for Real Madrid in 2013 have Spurs lacked an obvious icon who can not only carry the team on the pitch, but also act as the face of the club off it. In that instance, it was not one of the seven signings made with the £85million (€100m at the time) of 'Bale money' that wrestled the mantle — though Christian Eriksen would have been more than worthy of the title — but academy product Harry Kane, who became an unlikely icon for club and country. Following Kane's move to Munich, his status was seamlessly inherited by Son, although in truth, the pair shared top billing for much of their time together. Now, with Son also heading for the exit, having 'achieved everything he possibly could' following their Europa League triumph in May, Spurs are without a 'franchise player'. Sustained success on a football pitch is more reflective of a cohesive unit than the brilliance of one or two individuals, and the signings of Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have helped Spurs strengthen in areas of weakness last season. But without a like-for-like replacement for Bale, Kane or Son, Spurs lack an X factor, on and off the pitch. In his pomp, Son was considered among the very best forwards in the world. He leaves the Premier League with 127 goals from 333 league appearances, and a ubiquitous love from the fanbase that is almost unmatched across any level of the game. His production steeply declined last season, but even a return of 17 goal contributions (seven goals, 10 assists) from 30 league matches is comparable to Bruno Fernandes and Morgan Rogers, who both notched eight goals and 11 assists from 36 and 37 league appearances. And off the field, Son's influence was even greater. He was made club captain by Ange Postecoglou because he was a 'unifier'. Advertisement 'He could sit at any table in the lunch room, whether it was staff or players, and get a conversation going,' Spurs' former head coach told The Athletic. And with Son unable to start the Europa League final due to a foot injury, Postecoglou reminded his players that the result of that game would be tied to the South Korean's legacy. His influence extends to opposition players, including Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon, who described Son as a 'role model' and could be seen with his arm around Son at various stages of Sunday's match between the two teams. From a branding perspective, Son belongs to the upper echelon of world superstars in terms of engagement and sponsorship potential. According to research commissioned in 2022 by AIA, Tottenham's shirt sponsor, 12million South Koreans called Spurs their favourite football team, just short of a quarter of the country's population (51 million), and that's almost entirely down to Son. This summer, Spurs travelled to South Korea for the third time in four years for their pre-season tour and he was the star attraction. His status as South Korea's most prominent celebrity is a significant factor in Spurs being the Premier League's most followed club on TikTok. Two of Tottenham's sponsors (Kumho Tyre and Paris Baguette) are South Korean companies. Naturally, there is nobody else in Spurs' squad, or arguably in world football, that could expect to continue elevating the club's brand in the way Son has. 'There has always been this stereotype, going back to Park Ji-sung, that signing players from East Asia is a really commercially smart thing to do because of exposure and fandom,' says Daniel-Yaw Miller, a sports culture, fashion and business expert. 'But as a commercial entity, Son is a unique case. I don't think we've ever seen a situation where one player brings in thousands of people every matchday in the same way.' 'I've been to Spurs' stadium and you can palpably feel how his presence affects the demographic of the crowd. It's one of a kind, and it's risky trying to chase or get an equivalent, because I'm not sure anyone in world football can replicate him.' Advertisement As of 2023, up to 700 Son shirts were being sold on matchdays — the most of any player at Spurs, 'by a big distance'. Undoubtedly, a proportion of the South Korean fandom will remain after Son's departure, and the signing of 19-year-old Yang Min-hyeok will help retain interest, but expecting thousands of Koreans to continue flying over for every Spurs game seems wishful. Thomas Frank's squad is not short of talent, but finding a player from within to step into Son's shoes is not straightforward. James Maddison has the character to shoulder the responsibility of being Tottenham's leading man, but a knee injury sustained on Sunday in Korea, described by Frank as 'bad', may rule him out of action for a while. Cristian Romero could be a world-class defender and is a World Cup winner, but it is a big ask for him or Micky van de Ven to have the superstar presence of Son, Kane or Bale from centre-back. Perhaps it will be Lucas Bergvall, or new signing Kudus, or even Dominic Solanke — but they all feel like outside bets. Son's impending departure leaves Tottenham as the only 'Big Six' club without an easily identifiable star. It's simple to point at Arsenal (Bukayo Saka), Chelsea (Cole Palmer) or even Manchester United (Fernandes), and identify the player who will be front and centre in sponsorship campaigns, never mind Erling Haaland at Manchester City and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, whose production on the pitch far outweighs any commercial considerations. Whether it matters depends mainly on how Frank starts life in north London. Who knows, maybe there's an overlooked talent waiting in the wings, rather like Kane, ready to step up to the plate?

Slaying the e.l.f.ing Game: e.l.f. Teams Up with Four NWSL Players
Slaying the e.l.f.ing Game: e.l.f. Teams Up with Four NWSL Players

Business Wire

time2 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Slaying the e.l.f.ing Game: e.l.f. Teams Up with Four NWSL Players

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand from e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF), signed four powerhouse athletes from the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), reinforcing its commitment to Empowering. Legendary. Females. on and off the field. e.l.f. Cosmetics signs four National Women's Soccer League athletes, Melanie Barcenas, Abby Dahlkemper, Lo'eau LaBonta and Jaedyn Shaw, reinforcing its commitment to Empowering. Legendary. Females. Share e.l.f. has a multi-year partnership with the league, sharing the goal to level the playing field for the over 400 women who are elevating professional women's soccer in the U.S. - and for the next generation to have the role models to take their own ambitions to the next level. Melanie Barcenas, Abby Dahlkemper, Lo'eau LaBonta and Jaedyn Shaw are the newest bold disruptors to join e.l.f.'s talent roster. Each one brings a powerful story of resilience, perseverance and passion to the pitch. 'Melanie, Abby, Lo'eau and Jaedyn are each powerhouse athletes—bold, fearless, and unapologetically themselves. Their stories reflect the kind of grit, grace and glow that define today's rising legends,' said Patrick O'Keefe, Chief Integrated Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty. 'As part of our e.l.f.‑in‑sports movement, they embody our mission to champion the underrepresented and inspire the next generation of girls through unstoppable positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. They're not just shaking up the game—they're rewriting the rules of what it means to lead, to inspire, and to be legendary.' Meet the team of Barcenas, now 17, made history at just 15 as the youngest player to sign with the NWSL. She continues to balance school and professional soccer as a forward for San Diego Wave FC and represents the U.S. U-17 Women's Youth National Team. 'Balancing school, soccer, and being a teenager isn't easy - but e.l.f. reminds me to have fun with it. They're all about breaking boundaries, owning your journey, and showing up exactly as you are - and that's what I want to represent,' said Barcenas. Dahlkemper, center back for Bay FC, is a three-time NWSL Champion and World Cup winner who made a remarkable return to the field after a serious back injury sidelined her for over a year. 'I'm so excited to partner with e.l.f. because they're all about confidence - in the wins and in the tough moments. That really speaks to me. Some of the biggest lessons in my career have come through setbacks, and e.l.f. shows up for women wherever they are on that journey,' said Dahlkemper. LaBonta, who was waived early in her career, fought her way back to become a key midfielder and captain of Kansas City Current, earning her first USWNT call-up in May 2025. "My story's had twists and turns, but it's mine. I'm thrilled to team up with e.l.f. because they see the beauty in the entire journey - they celebrate the grind, the hustle, the comeback. I can't wait to use this partnership with e.l.f. to inspire the next generation of soccer fans,' said LaBonta. Shaw, a forward for North Carolina Courage and rising star on the U.S. Women's National Team, became an Olympic gold medalist in 2024—all before her 20th birthday. 'Partnering with e.l.f. means I get to represent all of who I am — Vietnamese, Black, athlete, creative. I want girls to see that you don't have to choose one version of yourself. Confidence comes from being your full self, and that's what e.l.f. is all about,' said Shaw. All four players will join e.l.f. through the remainder of 2025 through editorial content, appearances, public events, interviews, social content and exclusive campaigns across e.l.f. platforms. Earlier this year, e.l.f. became the first official makeup and skincare partner of the NWSL and was named Presenting Partner of the NWSL Challenge Cup through 2027. The brand teamed up with San Diego Wave as the Presenting Sponsor of the June 22, 2025, Pups at the Pitch match, and will head to Kansas City Stadium on August 16, 2025, as the KC Current take on Orlando Pride. Throughout the remainder of the season, e.l.f. will continue to deliver fan-first experiences that amplify and celebrate voices both on and off the field. Supporting women who are breaking barriers and redefining what's possible brings to life e.l.f.'s vision to be a different kind of beauty company that is a bold disruptor with a kind heart. e.l.f. also supports the Billie Jean King Cup, Kendall Coyne Schofield and the National Women's Hockey League, professional race car driver Katherine Legge, Paralympic swimmer Anastasia Pagonis and the Wonder Women of Wrestling Varsity Tournament, among other initiatives that democratize access for all on the playing fields. About e.l.f. Cosmetics e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. e.l.f. Cosmetics, our global flagship brand, makes the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face by bringing together the best of beauty, culture and entertainment. Our superpower is delivering universally appealing, premium quality products at accessible prices that are e.l.f. clean and vegan, all double-certified by Leaping Bunny and PETA as cruelty free. We are proud to have products made in Fair Trade Certified™ facilities. Learn more at The National Women's Soccer League is the premier women's professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars FC, Denver Summit, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store