Latest news with #DonGarber
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLS Commissioner announces the 2026 All-Star game will be in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — 'Charlotte is firmly on the global map,' Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said as he announced the 2026 All-Star game will be at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Commissioner Don Garber was in Charlotte on Wednesday, July 16, for the special announcement alongside Mayor Vi Lyles, the owners David and Nicole Tepper, and the CEO of Tepper Sports, Kristi Coleman. When Charlotte FC played its first match in 2022, it welcomed 74,479 fans to Bank of America Stadium, an MLS record for inaugural home openers. '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,' Garber said. Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang being sent to English team for team-record transfer fee North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilly said the state is donating a $2 million grant to support the all-star game and its week-long festivities in 2026. Commissioner Garber said there will be a week-long series of events in Charlotte leading up to the game, including the All-Star Skills Challenge, a fan festival and programs that honor the community. 'Charlotte FC, you've earned this. It's the result of the vision and the commitment of so many people who have been supporting this club,' Garber said. Charlotte has only hosted an all-star weekend for a major professional sport two times, both of which were for the NBA. It was first hosted in 1991 at the Charlotte Coliseum, and then again in 2019 at Spectrum Center (it was supposed to instead be in 2017, but got moved due to House Bill 2, aka the 'bathroom bill,' which was passed the year prior). Charlotte FC's next game is also on Wednesday against DC United at 7:30 p.m. During the announcement for the All-Star Game, the club released new jerseys that will be worn during the match and pay homage to the Carolina Lightnin'. READ MORE: New Charlotte FC kits honor history of 'Carolina Lightnin' The date for the 2026 All-Star Game will be announced at a later date. Watch the full announcement here: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
North Carolina bets big to land 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte
A $2 million grant from the state of North Carolina helped lure the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game to Charlotte. Why it matters: It's part of a new era for the state, which has historically shied away from funding sports projects until recently. Now, sports betting revenue is being used to help attract major events. By the numbers: The $2,028,950 grant for next year's All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium is one of three state-funded sports projects using funds from the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund, which went live last summer. The grant "helps a lot," MLS Commissioner Don Garber says. "You need the support of your governments, both local and statewide, to come up with all the activities and branding and support and logistics and security." How it works: The Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund is run through the N.C. Commerce Department. It was established as part of North Carolina's 2023 law legalizing sports betting. The fund is fueled by taxes from sports betting in the state. Thirty percent of annual revenue from these taxes sustains the fund. Local governments and authorized local organizing committees may apply for grants from the fund. The Charlotte Sports Foundation is the local organizing committee that applied for the grant to bring the MLS All-Star Game to Charlotte. The grant total is based on the expected in-state spend by the organizers to put on the event, N.C. Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley told reporters. The $2 million, which will be dispersed after the event, was allocated given the expected $6 million in-state spend for everything it takes to put on the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte. In-state spend is different from economic impact, which accounts for other factors, including people staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. Between the lines: Putting on a week of festivities is more involved than hosting a single match or even a couple of matches in a short period. This will require additional staff and renting setup elements for possible events outside the stadium. Zoom out: This is the third event the state is using this fund for, along with: $2 million to the City of Winston-Salem for the NASCAR Clash race at Bowman Gray Stadium. $1.65 million grant to Richmond County for the NASCAR Xfinity, ARCA, and Truck series at Rockingham Speedway. The other side: Sports betting has provided the state with additional revenue, but it comes with concerns over gambling addiction. What we're watching: Secretary Lilley declined to comment on other events the state will use these funds for, but said there are more than 10 events it is considering, including some in Charlotte. "An event like this is the perfect example of how the state of North Carolina can partner with local people, particularly ones that are as organized and as strong as Tepper Sports and attract special events," CSF board of directors co-chair Johnny Harris says. Other events Charlotte could eventually host, he adds, include "maybe an [NFL] Draft ... maybe a Super Bowl." Harris, a prominent Charlotte developer and president of Quail Hollow Club, is experienced in bringing major sporting events to Charlotte. Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship for the second time earlier this year and the Presidents Cup in 2022. The big picture: The entire state benefits from the fund, not just major metros like Charlotte, Lilley says.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Charlotte to host 2026 MLS All-Star Game
July 16 - The MLS All-Star Game is coming to Charlotte, N.C., for the first time in 2026, the league announced Wednesday. "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," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "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 America the past two summers. We're excited to bring another marquee soccer event to Charlotte." The date and format of the game will be announced at later date. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be taking place in North America from June 11-July 19, although Charlotte was not selected as one of the 11 U.S. venues. Charlotte FC have ranked among the league leaders in attendance since their 2022 MLS debut. "The success of soccer matches at Bank of America Stadium has helped position Charlotte on the global stage as a premier destination for hosting some of the world's top players and teams," said David Tepper, owner and chairman of Tepper Sports & Entertainment. "With 2026 set to be a landmark year for soccer in the United States, we're honored to play a part by hosting the MLS All-Star Game." The 2025 All-Star Game, featuring MLS All-Stars facing their counterparts from Liga MX, will take place July 23 in Austin, Texas. --Field Level Media
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game for the first time in 2026, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made official. MLS commissioner Don Garber is expected to confirm the venue on Wednesday at a news conference in Charlotte.
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Charlotte to host MLS All-Star game in 2026 for first time, AP source says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte will host the Major League Soccer All-Star game for the first time in 2026, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made official. MLS commissioner Don Garber is expected to confirm the venue on Wednesday at a news conference in Charlotte. Charlotte FC, owned by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, was named the league's 28th franchise in 2019 and began play in the league in 2022. The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium, which is also home to the Panthers. This year's All-Star game is set for Austin, Texas, between the MLS All-Stars and the Liga MX All-Stars. The opponents for the 2026 All-Star game will be announced at a later date. ___
