Sports in Charlotte
Professional and amateur sports enthusiasts have a lot to cheer about in the Charlotte region. While many area newcomers carry other team allegiances, it doesn’t take long for Charlotte’s home teams to earn a place in their hearts as well.
NASCAR is the region’s oldest professional sport, as the city embraced stock car racing long before it became a national passion. More NASCAR teams are based in the Charlotte area than in any other city. Lowe’s Motor Speedway (www.lowesmotorspeedway.com), the largest sports facility in the Southeast, hosts three major races – the Bank of America 500 in October, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 in May – as well as numerous other events throughout the year.
While Charlotte has been home to NASCAR for decades, fans can now cheer local teams of the NBA and NFL.
Particularly since their 2004 Super Bowl debut, the NFL Carolina Panthers draw fans to Bank of America Stadium to see stars like wide receiver Steve Smith, kicker John Kasay, tackle Jordan Gross and linebacker Jon Beason. The 2011-2012 season welcomes a new coach, Ron Rivera, who hopes having the #1 draft pick will improve his new team's record.
Under the ownership of Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson, the Charlotte Bobcats played their first season in 2004 at the Charlotte Coliseum and moved to the new Time Warner Cable Arena in 2005. In March 2010, Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, after four years as part of the teams's ownership group and its Managing Member of Basketball Operations. Jordan is the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise. A new coach, Paul Silas, took over the reins in 2010 and the Bobcats are doing well under his guidance.
If hockey’s your game, check out the Charlotte Checkers. The Checkers play in the East Coast Hockey League and are affiliated with the NHL’s New York Rangers. In 1996, the Checkers won the ECHL Championship and fans’ excitement about the team has remained high ever since. The team also plays in the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Uptown Charlotte.
If golf is more your speed, don’t miss the Wells Fargo Championship in May. Hosted by Quail Hollow Country Club, the tournament's purse is one of the largest on tour, which brings many of the greats to Charlotte. In 2011, Rory McIlroy will defend his 2010 Wells Fargo Championship title.
While Charlotte is not a Major League Baseball town, the Charlotte Knights, 1999 International League Champions, are a favorite of all who enjoy the national pastime. As the Chicago White Sox’s AAA affiliate, the Knights afford local residents the opportunity to see the sport’s rising stars. The team plays at Knights Castle in Fort Mill, just across the S.C. state line off I-77.
The region is also home to two single-A baseball clubs - the Hickory Crawdads (www.hickorycrawdads.com), affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Kannapolis Intimidators (www.intimidatorsbaseball.com), farm club for the Chicago White Sox. Both teams play in the South Atlantic League.
Additionally, the Charlotte Eagles who play in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues, and the Lady Eagles, who play in the W-League of the United Soccer Leagues, will delight soccer fans. The Charlotte Eagles are a member of the USL Hall of Fame for their history of success on and off the field, and dedication to their community. The Eagles have made the playoffs 15 of the last 17 seasons, making 7 trips to the National Championship and winning two USL-2 National Championships in 2000 and 2005. The Lady Eagles had another strong season in 2010 with a regular season record of 5-3-2, making the W-Leaue playoffs for the tenth time in the teams' ten year history.
Catching a Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball game is a must. Head coach Alan Major is leading the basketball team and the 49ers announced they will have a football program starting in 2013.
Outdoor sports enthusiasts are excited about the new U.S. National Whitewater Center, a world-class park with controllable rapids that is modeled after the 2000 Olympic site in Australia. Located on the Catawba River near the interchange of I-85 and I-485, the park features rock climbing walls, mountain biking trails and flat water canoeing and kayaking in addition to the rapids.
Whatever your passion, and whatever your budget, as a sports fan you’ll be satisfied in Charlotte.