Features

Bank of America Stadium unveils renovations ahead of MLS bow

Bank of America Stadium will debut $50m (£37m/€43.8m) worth of upgrades when Charlotte FC plays its inaugural Major League Soccer match against LA Galaxy on March 5.

The renovated Bank of America Stadium, which also serves as the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, will feature a new 211-foot-wide single LED screen and an improved Lowe’s East Gate leading to an upgraded main concourse.

Other additions include premium club space The Vault, as well as soccer-specific locker rooms and a central player tunnel for Charlotte FC.

The Mint Street LED display is 11 feet high and features six-millimetre pixel spacing. Charlotte FC said the convex, curved downward tilted canopy display is one of the largest non-transparent and largest downward-tilted exterior displays at a professional sports stadium.

The Lowe’s East Gate was previously upgraded to improve pedestrian traffic flow while maintaining safety and security to the newly upgraded main concourse area, which features five new grab-and-go markets and two new large bars with multiple taps.

The bars will be adorned with two 360-degree LED displays, which measure around 10 feet high by 130 feet around. During Charlotte FC games, the Lowe’s East Gate will serve as the main entrance for fans located in the team’s supporters section.

The Vault will become the latest all-inclusive premium club space, joining The Gallery, which opened in 2020. The Vault will include reserved field-side cushioned seats and access to the private indoor lounge, prime all-inclusive food and beverage options including a full-service bar, concierge service and dedicated game-day entrance.

The Vault will feature field seating for around 150 fans for Charlotte FC matches and 100 fans for Panthers games, with the option to host additional fans in the private indoor lounge.

The new Charlotte FC locker room features 30 player lockers with integrated back-lit logo, USB charging ports, embroidered locker seats, a glass coaching wall and eight HD screens. Adjacent to the locker room is the boot room, as well as a private restroom/shower area with spa finishes.

The player lounge will include a residential-style kitchen, a “living room” area, a media wall and a bar-height banquette seating with charging and connectivity built in.

Work on the renovations began last April in preparation for Charlotte FC’s MLS debut this year.

Image: Charlotte FC