Sports and Recreation

Charlotte is a great place to work, live and raise a family. Residents enjoy the quiet neighborhoods with shady streets and friendly people. In fact, Charlotte spectators can cheer their home favorite in just about any sport. The recreational scene is full of activity whether you like to swim, golf, play tennis, sail, listen to music or wile the hours away in one of the area's plentiful parks. If you want a quick get away, the mountains, beaches and sand hills are within hours of Charlotte. Additionally, thousands enjoy the city's many colorful festivals and community events.

The Exciting Professional Sports Scene

Charlotte is a national sports hub. The biggest evidence of this occurred when the Carolina Panthers were unanimously selected by the 28 NFL owners as the 29th team to enter the league. Fans were able to watch their own team go head to head with football's finest beginning with the 1995 season. The Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte has 73,258 seats. (with an average attendance of 71,502 for the 2002 year) This $187 million state-of-the-art facility, designed specifically with football in mind, will give every spectator a clear view of the playing field.

Some of the nation's hottest stock car and Indy car racing can be seen at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. The Speedway has 167,000 permanent seats and capacity for nearly 40,000 more spectators in the infield of the 1.5-mile super speedway.  One of the busiest sports facilities in the country, Lowe's Motor Speedway hosts three NASCAR Winston Cup events each year: The Winston (NASCAR's all-star race), the Coca-Cola 600 (one of the largest single-day paid sporting events in the country) and the October running of the UAW-GM Quality 500. The speedway is the largest sports facility in the Southeast and recognized as one of the finest NASCAR facilities in the U.S.

Basketball fans have their own sources of pride, with the WNBA Charlotte Sting and the new NBA expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, which begin play in 2004.  The expansion team will play in a brand new $264 million arena built in the center city.  The decision to support the new arena and NBA team passed through a unanimous decision by city officials. 

1997 saw the inaugural season of the Charlotte Sting of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).  The team not only had the league's best home record (12-2) and advanced to the first-ever playoffs, but with the help of some of the WNBA's most vocal fans set a single game attendance record of 18,937.

Charlotte began hosting The Continental Tire Bowl in 2002, and due to its enormous success and popularity, intends on holding the event annually.  The inaugural game of Virginia vs. West Virginia provided the downtown stadium with its largest crowd ever at 75,535 attendees, the second most attended first-year bowl game in NCAA history.  The Military Classic of the South is also held downtown at Charlotte's Memorial Stadium.  Pitting the Citadel vs. the Virginia Military Institute makes for excellent rivalry football.  The competition on the gridiron is only part of the event's attraction; the parades of corps from both schools into the stadium, a military flyover, and a performance by the US Army's Golden Knights parachute team round out the game to be a spectacular event.

Minor league baseball has a rich and growing tradition in Charlotte as well!   The Charlotte Knights are the Chicago White Sox's AAA affiliate.  Because this is the highest level of minor league baseball -- one step below the major league -- spectators see top-notch baseball play in action.  Games are held at Knights Stadium, a $15 million, 10,000-seat facility opened in 1990.

The Charlotte Checkers, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Rangers, recently celebrated their 10th anniversary in the Queen City.  In that time, the team has seen 12 of its players rise through the ranks and reach the NHL.  It is this type of talent that propelled the team to the 1995-'96 ECHL's Riley Cup championship.  The Charlotte Checkers have also been a success at the turnstiles, averaging approximately 4,500 fans per game.  The Checkers play their 36-game home schedule in 9,605 seat Cricket Arena, the "original" Charlotte Coliseum, located minutes from downtown Charlotte on Independence Blvd.

Golf lovers are fortunate to have the PGA's Wachovia Championship played in Charlotte.  The Quail Hollow Club, redesigned in 1997 by Tom Fazio, hosts this event in May.  In addition, the Augusta National is not too far away for Masters' enthusiasts.  Nor is the Heritage Classic at Harbour Town Links in Hilton Head.

Check out Charlotte area golf courses.

More Information About Charlotte Sports & Links To Team Websites.

Professional soccer entered the Charlotte region in 1993. The Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles play from April to August. The men’s team plays in the A-league of the United Soccer League (USL), their toughest division. The Charlotte Lady Eagles play in the W-league where they almost won the championship in the 2002 season. Eagles games can be attended at various soccer fields in the Charlotte area.

The Carolina Cobras enter their fourth season in the Arena Football League and their first in Charlotte. The Cobras play at the Charlotte Coliseum in a 4-month season against 14 rough teams. The hard-hitting action on the field is fast paced and intense. The entertainment never stops with music, dancing and excellent halftime performances.

For more information contact the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission at (704) 332-7717

Invigorating Outdoor Activities 

Charlotte also has a wealth of opportunity for those who want to participate rather than watch. A great place to start is at the area's parks. The Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department features parks with tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, community centers, bowling alleys, picnic areas, ball fields, fitness trails, mountain biking, fishing, soccer fields, disc golf courses, playground equipment, a skate park, a dirt bike track and an indoor water park which opened in 2002.  Some of the parks also have specialized facilities such as Latta Plantation Park with its equestrian center, raptor center, and canoeing.  Overall, there are over 150 district, neighborhood and community parks in Mecklenburg County.

Swimmers can take advantage of the fully equipped Aquatic Center operated by the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. Featuring a 50-meter pool and a 25-yard pool with handicap accessibility, this outstanding facility offers an incredibly wide variety of programs for all ages and abilities.

Organized sports programs are available to residents of all ages.  Aspiring young athletes can hone their skills at many programs available through neighborhood athletic associations, parks and recreation programs, and YMCAs. Adult leagues are also available at multiple skill levels.  Basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball and track and field are just some of the organized leagues run throughout the year. For information concerning the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Programs, call (704) 336-3854.

An avid golfer does not have to drive far to find quality golfing in the Charlotte area.  Two of Golf Digest top courses are in Charlotte at the Charlotte County Club and Quail Hollow. Sixteen other country club golf courses also offer members and their friend's outstanding greens on which to play. In addition, there are approximately 63 public and private golf courses in the Charlotte region that provide a local golfer with a variety of challenges to choose from.

Charlotte prides itself on keeping their recreational facilities on the cutting edge of sporting trends the population demands.  One sport that has gained extensive popularity in the past twenty years is disc golf.  In fact, the first organized game was played at UNC Charlotte in the late 70's.  Since then Charlotte has become a haven for disc golf and has close to a dozen courses for the public to enjoy.  The Charlotte region hosts two major tournaments a year and currently has the most and finest quality courses of any city in the U.S.

The city's mild climate makes it perfect for walking, jogging, or running outdoors most of the year. Health conscious Charlotteans can be seen pursuing their favorite activity in neighborhoods, school tracks and park trails. Over 30 races are run each year including the Charlotte Observer Marathon attracting over 1,700 participants from all over the country.  A marathon has been run every year in Charlotte since 1977.  For those who need variety in their competitive workout, Mecklenburg County is home to three major triathlons each year attracting a total of 1,750 participants.

Water lovers are fortunate to be near the wide Catawba River and its system of man-made lakes, one of the biggest being Lake Norman. Located just 30 minutes north of the city, this 34-mile long body of water with 520 miles of shoreline is the state's largest man-made lake. Sailing, windsurfing, power boating and fishing are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed.  A recently announced $21.5 million whitewater park will open in 2005 on the Catawba River.  The facility will be the only multichannel recirculating whitewater park in the world and one of only four official U.S. Olympic training centers in the country.  The park is planned to include runs for rafting, canoeing and kayaking and accommodate multiple skill levels from amateurs to Olympic grade athletes.

Those who really want to get their heart racing visit Paramount's Carowinds, a 105-acre theme park located on the North and South Carolina border, Carowinds offers more than 100 breathtaking rides such as Top Gun, the park's biggest, tallest and fastest roller coaster.  Guests can also cool off at WaterWorks, a water park that spans approximately nine football fields.  Carowinds has a variety of shows and attractions; kids can enjoy Nickelodeon Central, a new theme area based on characters and shows from the popular children's brand, and music lovers can enjoy the concerts at its recently renovated Palladium.

Another amphitheater, Verizon Amphitheatre, opened in 1991. This 19,000-seat facility hosts a variety of entertainment including rock concerts, Broadway shows, and classical programs.

Only Hours Away

There are an unlimited number of attractions within hours of Charlotte. For those who love to stroll amidst natural splendor and view spectacular mountain scenery, the Blue Ridge Parkway is less than a two-hour drive away. The North Carolina Mountains are also home to several ski areas, which offer fun and challenging slopes for both skiers and snowboarders.  The non-winter months also hold adventure in the mountains with whitewater rafting hitting its peak season in the spring and rock climbing, backpacking, camping and mountain biking trips possible almost year-round.

If you are looking to experience warm hospitality in a lush, green environment, the neighboring Virginia Mountains offer many exceptional resorts.  Bed & Breakfast accommodations are easy to find in the scenic countryside.

A popular weekend or weeklong destination is the large number of pristine beaches and outstanding resorts located in both North and South Carolina coasts. In addition, the golf capital of the world is a short two-hour trip to the Pinehurst-Southern Pines area. Steeped in tradition, the seven courses of Pinehurst proper are renowned for their quality and subtleties. The premier course, Pinehurst No. 2, is rated as one of the finest greens in the world. 

Two of the most elegant and gracious historic cities in the south are located nearby in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. The refined beauty of the homes, gardens, and parks is wonderful to behold. In addition, there are enough picturesque sights and historic landmarks to interest the most discriminating traveler.

Popular Community Events

Charlotteans love to socialize and celebrate - as a result, the community calendar is full of events. Downtown Charlotte hosts many outdoor festivals including CityFest Live, a celebration of entertainment and food; and Speed Street, a festival in conjunction with the Coca-Cola 600. Also popular in the Charlotte area is the Carolina Renaissance Festival and the Loch Norman Highland Games in nearby Huntersville. Area parks hold their own celebrations such as Freedom Park's annual Festival in the Park featuring arts, crafts, music and entertainment.  Cultural celebrations are also popular in Charlotte; Greek, Italian, Indian, Native-American, Latino and Asian festivals take place at different times throughout the year.

Related Links

 

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
330 S. Tryon St., PO Box 32785
Charlotte, NC 28232
(704) 378-1300