Stadium Name: Bank of America

Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, Bank of America Stadium is a football stadium with a capacity of 74,867. The stadium sits on 33 acres (13 ha). The NFL's Carolina Panthers and MLS's Charlotte FC both call this their home field and administrative hub. LM Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications company, originally held the naming rights to the stadium when it opened in 1996 and the name was changed to Ericsson Stadium. In 2004, Charlotte, North Carolina's Bank of America paid $140 million for a 20-25 year naming rights agreement at the Charlotte Bobcats' stadium. Former Panthers president Danny Morrison (15) referred to it as a "classic American stadium" because of its bowl layout and other characteristics. [16]

The stadium also plays host to the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Football Club (CLTFC), as well as the annual Duke's Mayo Bowl between ACC and either SEC or Big Ten Conference teams. The ACC Championship Game had been scheduled to be played at the stadium through at least 2019 before being relocated in 2016 and then brought back in 2017. On May 19, 2022, the ACC confirmed that Bank of America Stadium would once again play host to the championship game through at least the 2030 season. [17][18][19] The Panthers' 16-8 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on September 9, 2018 drew 74,532 fans to the stadium, the record for a regular season football game. [21]

Candidates for the Selected Sites [ edit ]

The Panthers organization gave careful consideration to a number of potential stadium locations before settling on Charlotte's downtown. Good Samaritan Hospital, which has a long history in the area, once stood on this property. Michael Moore, a local historian in Charlotte, identified the location as significant because it was the scene of the city's first documented lynching in 1913 as part of the planning for the 2019 Equal Justice Initiative Community Remembrance Project. [22]

Another option was in northeast Mecklenburg County, close to both UNC-Charlotte and the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a NASCAR racetrack. A second occurred in Gaston County's western part, at the interchange of Interstate 85 and US Route 74. The 50-yard line could have been on the border between North and South Carolina, which was a popular option because of its proximity to the amusement park Carowinds.

Title to a Name [ edit ]

The stadium retains its original name, Carolinas Stadium, for select events like FIFA matches. After Swedish telecom company LM Ericsson paid $25 million for ten years of naming rights in 1996, the stadium opened on August 3 as Ericsson Stadium[15]. The current name of the stadium, which was purchased by Bank of America for 20 years in 2004, [23] was officially announced in that year. Since then, "BOA"[24] or "The Bank" have become popular fan nicknames for the stadium.

The Stadium Includes [ edit ]

Outside, Bank of America Stadium is distinguished by many distinctive details. The team's colors of black, process blue, and silver are incorporated into the design of the stadium, particularly at the three enormous main entrances. Column supports on the upper level are connected by arches that form the shape of half a football, and the building is surrounded by acres of trees and plants. There have been numerous comparisons made to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Soldier Field in terms of the stadium's architecture and design. Some have said it looks more like "a fortress" than a stadium from the outside. [25]

Two larger-than-life bronze panther statues stand guard at each of the stadium's entrances, making this venue one of a kind in the National Football League. In 1996, a total of six statues bearing the name "Indomitable Spirit" were put up around the world. Each one depicts a crouching, snarling panther with green eyes, and they are the largest sculptures ever commissioned in the United States [26]. Each statue's base is inscribed with the names of the original PSL owners of the team [27][28].

The stadium's six illuminated domes are another notable feature. They are located atop the main entrances (two per entrance) and are higher than a hundred feet in the air. The Panthers' original nighttime glow was just their signature "process blue." Inevitably, the domes' fading brilliance and deterioration with the passing of time diminished their initial impact. The domes were reconstructed with LED lighting during the 2014 renovations. In ways that were previously impossible, they are once again visible every night, projecting a process blue light. [29]

Two other Panthers Hall of Famers—former executive Mike McCormack and former linebacker and assistant coach Sam Mills—have life-size bronze statues erected in their honor outside of the stadium. Where the upper ribbon board is now, the names of hall of honor inductees were displayed prior to the 2014 renovations. In 2019, signs replaced the original names that had been painted on the ceiling behind the last row of seats. In 2014, the stadium's entrances were adorned with three marble copies of a quote from team founder Jerry Richardson. The quotes were originally posted in the upper concourse but were moved down during renovations [31]. Outside the stadium, the quotes are also engraved on benches.

To mark his 80th birthday in 2016, a statue of Richardson was installed just outside the stadium's north entrance. The height of the statue is roughly 13 feet (3 96 m) in height and features two panthers standing on either side of a life-size statue of Richardson. A panther rears up on its hind legs, teeth bared, while another crouches nearby. The bronze hue is shared by all three sculptures, and the two lions share the green eyes and overall appearance of the "Indomitable Spirit" statues. Because of protests at the time, the team decided to take down the statue in June of 2020 (line 32). [33]

North Carolina Football Club, Also Known As The Carolina Panthers [ edit ]

Since 1996, Bank of America Stadium has hosted not only every home game for the Panthers but also seven playoff games. Since the 2002 season opened, Carolina has had over 150 consecutive sellouts. [34]

First ever season [ edit ]

While the Panthers' new stadium was being built, the team played its first season at Clemson University's Memorial Stadium. The Panthers' preseason game against the Chicago Bears on August 3, 1996 marked the stadium's first professional football game. The first pitch was at 7:35 o'clock. South Carolina defeated North Carolina 30-12. On September 1, 1996, the Panthers played Atlanta, their future division rival, in the stadium's inaugural regular season game. The Panthers won, 29-6. [36]

Finals and Game 7s [ edit ]

The 1996 NFC Championship Game was the first playoff game played at the stadium, and it was won by the Carolina Panthers, who had previously never been to the NFC Championship Game. They did this by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, who had just won the Super Bowl. In 2004, they went to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston by beating the Cowboys for the second time. Carolina suffered its first divisional round home playoff loss, 33-13, to the Arizona Cardinals on January 10, 2009. On January 12, 2014, the Panthers dropped a home playoff game, this time to the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 23-10. On January 17, 2016, the Panthers advanced to the NFC Championship Game by defeating the Seattle Seahawks 31-24 in the divisional round. On January 24, 2016, the Panthers won their second NFC Championship by beating the Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in the NFC Championship Game. It was the first time the NFC title game was played and won at this venue.

Important weather occurrences [ edit ]

Due to the fact that it is an open-air venue, Bank of America Stadium has experienced numerous incidents brought on by severe weather.

• In 2011, the third week of the season, the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was played during a massive rainstorm that engulfed the stadium near the end of the second quarter. This resulted in miniature waterfalls appearing all over the field as water from the upper deck poured down onto the lower deck below. Rapidly, the field became submerged in water. Numerous images of players, some fans (many were in the concourses), and cheerleaders braving the elements were captured by CBS cameras. In total, more than four inches of rain fell in less than an hour. Charlotte Magazine [37] later coined the name "[2011] Water Bowl" for the big game. The final score was 16-10, a victory for Carolina. [39]
• Heavy rain and wind hit the stadium during the third quarter of the Panthers' game against the Saints in Week 16 of the 2013 season, preventing the Panthers from clinching a playoff spot with a win. Rain stopped a few minutes after it started, and fans stayed seated, unlike at the Jacksonville game. Panthers triumphed, 17-13, in the end.
• In 2015, during a Monday night game, the field conditions were terrible due to persistent rain. Fans, however, once again faced the elements. The final score was Panthers 29, Colts 26.
• It snowed and iced over the field and surrounding areas of the stadium in the days leading up to the 2015 NFC Championship Game. The Panthers' grounds crew, with assistance, was able to get the field ready for the game, though. Before the game started, most of the snow and sleet had been shoveled or melted away.
• As of the 11th of July, 2016, the Charlotte area was hit by a severe storm. At the center of the stadium, several lightning strikes hit the playing field. Injuries were avoided. [40]

The Effect on NFL Stadiums [ edit ]

During its construction in the mid-1990s, the stadium was a groundbreaking initiative in the implementation of Personal Seat Licenses. It was the first time in the United States that a major project of this scale was financed in large part by PSLs, which were novel at the time. PSL pledges were so strong that NFL owners were impressed, and the Carolinas got the league's first expansion team in nearly 20 years because of it.

CenturyLink Field was partially modeled after Century Stadium, which is home to the Seattle Seahawks. There have been 25 new or remodeled stadiums since Bank of America Stadium opened in 2005. [42]

Repairs to the stadium [ edit ]

The stadium was ahead of its time during its first few seasons, so little was done to it (aside from adding seats) until the 2013–14 offseason. Some of the most noticeable upgrades occurred in 2007 when 31 new scoreboards, video boards, and displays replaced the originals, which had been in use since 1996. Diamond Vision LED screens measuring 5 x 77 feet Two ribbon boards were placed on each side of the field, and two more were placed at each of the four corners.

Even after a few more years had passed, the stadium was still viewed as dated compared to other NFL arenas. There were a number of factors at play, such as an inadequate cellular signal, smaller-than-average video boards, and a lack of a surround sound system. The Panthers' home locker room got an overhaul during the 2013 offseason. There were now 74 lockers instead of 66, and the interior was updated to reflect the team's then-new branding. [43]

In early 2013, the Panthers proposed a $250 million stadium renovation project, contingent on a vote from the city of Charlotte to help fund it. The plan called for the installation of new scoreboards on both ends of the field, as well as escalators, other transportation systems, and concourse upgrades. Attempts to secure funding from the state of North Carolina and a subsequent vote by the city's residents were also unsuccessful [44]. Nonetheless, the Charlotte city council settled on an Remodeling contract worth $5 million Also, the Panthers are guaranteed to remain in the Queen City until at least 2019. [45] The renovations would be more affordable without deviating from the team's vision.

Extensive Reconstruction 2014-2017 [ edit ]

2014 [ edit ]

With the first phase of a multi-year renovation plan beginning in January 2014, the Panthers gave their 18-year-old stadium its most extensive makeover in the venue's history. Numerous improvements were made in time for the start of the 2014-2015 NFL season. First and foremost, the old scoreboards and ribbon boards have been replaced by two 200' x 56' HD video boards from Daktronics and two 360° ribbon boards. When they were put in, the new ribbon boards stood at the tallest in the NFL[46], and the video boards were among the top ten largest in the league. Second, escalators were put in to help fans get to the upper level. [47] These necessitated interior renovations while the stadium's exterior remained unchanged. In addition, a brand-new surround sound system was installed, with speakers serving double duty as flagpoles around the bowl's outer perimeter. Also, four "fan plazas," or covered outdoor areas, were added to the upper deck. Finally, external signage was updated along with LED-enhanced glass domes installed above the principal entrances. [48]

2015 [ edit ]

In preparation for the 2015 season, the Panthers upgraded all 158 of the stadium's luxury suites and added a new private club suite, named "The 32 Club" because of its location on the stadium's 32nd yard line. The club later announced the addition of a second club, the "51 Club," named after former player and coach Sam Mills. As a result of these renovations, the stadium now only has 153 luxury suites, but it can hold a larger crowd than before. A pair of ribbon boards were installed above each tunnel entrance, where they can be seen from the stands.

2016 [ edit ]

The third phase of the refurbishment project involved installing more Wi-Fi access points and restocking the upper level concourse with drink stations arranged in a buffet fashion. The upper concourse now has modernized concession stands and new beverage stands, as well as updated signage with the team's logos and word mark. Most notably, almost one hundred full-body scanners were installed to replace the older "pat-downs" at the main entrances, and a new security office was built. [50]

In addition, as a present to Jerry Richardson, the former team owner, a 13-foot statue of Richardson was erected in front of the stadium, and two life-size panthers were placed on either side. As a result of the George Floyd protests, the statue was taken down in June of 2020 and will remain in storage until after the protests end. [51]

2017 [ edit ]

Updates to the lower-level concourse, such as new signage, remodeled concessions, and new televisions installed in the club levels, constituted the fourth and final major renovation. The concourse was also outfitted with banners commemorating pivotal moments in Panthers history. Upgrades to the club level resulted in a marginal increase in capacity. Furthermore, a new playing field and drainage system were built. [52][53]

Alternate Repairs [ edit ]

The East Gate of the stadium now features Lowe's advertising alongside two Panthers posters in 2019. The Panthers' logos at the bottom of the scoreboards were swapped out for those of various sponsors, [54] a minor but noticeable change. New nameplates for Panthers Hall of Honor inductees were installed on the upper deck's rear wall. The club announced in 2019 that they would remove nearly a thousand seats from the west end zone in 2020. The plan all along had been to remove the spectators and replace them with 14 luxury "bunker suites" located in the field's infield. Before the 2020 season began, construction was completed. [55]

MLS Redesign [ edit ]

Charlotte FC, the 30th franchise in Major League Soccer, will begin play at Bank of America Stadium in 2019. Although the stadium's field is the right dimensions for soccer, it was not built with a permanent soccer team in mind. Improvements to the lower concourse include new changing rooms, cameras, a tunnel entrance, and a curved video screen outside the east gate. The renovations were finished in time for Charlotte FC's inaugural 2022 season, as shown in [56]. Beginning with the 2021 NFL season, the stadium's surface will be FieldTurf instead of the Bermuda grass that had been used since the stadium opened. [57]

High school and college football [ edit ]

[ edit ]

No college football team calls Bank of America Stadium its primary home stadium. However, many college football games have been played there since 1996. [58] These contests feature teams from all over the state of Carolina, both North and South.

• From 2010–2015, the stadium hosted the ACC Championship Game, a football game between the Coastal Division champion and the Atlantic Division champion played on the first Saturday of December. The ACC initially committed to keeping the game in Charlotte through 2019 by signing a 6-year contract extension in February 2014[17], but they backed out in September 2016 after North Carolina passed the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (HB2). After the repeal of HB2 in 2017, the game was brought back. [60]
• Every year since 2002, Charlotte, North Carolina has played host to the Duke's Mayo Bowl (also known as the Continental Tire Bowl, Meineke Car Care Bowl, and Belk Bowl). Teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) take on one from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) or the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten).
• Starting in 2015, the stadium has hosted the Duke's Mayo Classic (formerly the Belk Kickoff Game). North Carolina and South Carolina had the initial meeting. Kickoff games have featured NC State and South Carolina in 2017 and West Virginia and Tennessee in 2018. This year marked the second time that North and South Carolina have faced off. The Mountaineers were the home team in the 2021 matchup with East Carolina, and Clemson faced Georgia. [63]
• Several East Carolina Pirates games have been played at this stadium, including a 50-29 win over the NC State Wolfpack in 1996, a 30-23 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers in 1999, a 52-14 loss to NC State in 2004, and a 27-22 upset victory over the 17th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in 2008. including a 56-37 defeat at the hands of the 12th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks in 2011. [64][65]
• During a non-conference game in October of 2006, Clemson dominated Temple 63-9. Temple originally scheduled the game to be played on campus, but the school postponed the contest and played instead in Charlotte to save money. [66]
• In 1998 and 1999, the stadium hosted both North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T University football games. North Carolina triumphed by the finals scores of 37-34 and 10-6. [67]
• In 2022, the stadium will host a matchup between North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central.
• In 2023, the stadium will host another North Carolina vs. South Carolina football game. [68]

[ edit ]

The May 6, 2020 game between Myers Park High School (Charlotte, North Carolina) and South Pointe High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina) was announced. Originally set for September 5, 2020, the game was postponed. [69][70]

Soccer [ edit ]

The field at Bank of America Stadium was built specifically to accommodate a soccer pitch's dimensions. There would be little need for this feature during the first two decades of the stadium's life. Since the arrival of Charlotte FC, the stadium has become a regular venue for Major League Soccer and international matches.

To the Charlotte Soccer Club [ edit ]

Charlotte was awarded an expansion team by Major League Soccer in 2020, and the team, known as Charlotte FC, began playing at Bank of America Stadium in 2022 after a makeover. On October 31, 2020, the stadium hosted its first Major League Soccer-related event, a match between the academy teams of Charlotte FC and Atlanta United. With 74,479 fans in attendance, the club's home opener on March 5, 2022, broke the previous Major League Soccer record for a single-game attendance by an individual team. Capacity is capped at 38,000 for most Charlotte FC matches due to the exclusive use of the lower bowl and club level. [74][75]

Similar Soccer Games [ edit ]

Bank of America Stadium had previously played host to numerous soccer matches before Charlotte FC's arrival. Two years (1999 and 2000) of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship were played at the stadium. Even so, it wasn't until 2010 that soccer games became a regular occurrence. Since then, most games have featured teams from other countries. Due to a long-term agreement with Relevent Sports Group, the stadium will host annual international club friendlies for the International Champions Cup. There have been Premier League teams, Bundesliga teams, and even some national team matches played there.

Competitions between national teams and friendly matches between clubs from around the world [ edit ]

Date Successful Group Result They lost, so they're a losing team. Tournament Spectators Notes March 24, 2010   Mexico 0–0   Iceland Cooperation on a Global Scale 63,227 June 9, 2011   Costa Rica 1–1   Salvador, El Group A of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup 46,012   Mexico 5–0   Cuba On this day in 2014, August 2nd, The famous soccer team, Liverpool. 2–0 A.C. Milan Champion's Cup of the World 2014 69,364 July 15, 2015   Cuba 1–0   Guatemala Class C of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup 55,823   Mexico 4–4   The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago1. July 25, 2015 Chelsea 1–1
(6-5 pen.) Saint-Germain, Paris Tournament of Champions 2015 61,224 July 30, 2016 Munich's FC Bayern 4–1 Internazionale F.C. Champions Cup of the World 2016, International 53,629 July 22, 2018 Dortmund, Borussia 3–1 As a soccer team, Liverpool F.C.1 Champions Cup of the World, 2018 55,447 June 23, 2019   Canada 7–0   Cuba CONCACAF Group A 2019 Gold Cup 59,283   Mexico 3–2   Martinique July 20, 2019 Arsenal 3–0 F.C. ACF Fiorentina1 The 2019 International Tournament of Champions 34,902 Three October 2019   Women in the United States 2–0   Girl from South Korea Female Friendship Around the World 30,071 March 26, 2020   Mexico –   Nation of the Czech Republic1 Cooperation on a Global Scale N/A canceled because of a Coronavirus[78] As of the 27th of October, 2021   Ecuador 3–2   Mexico Cooperation on a Global Scale 39,887 July 20, 2022 FC Charlotte 1–1
(5-3 pen.) Chelsea Relating well in nightclubs 52,673

Concerts [ edit ]

For a long time, concerts at the stadium were hardly ever held. The majority of Charlotte's musical acts have appeared at the Spectrum Center or one of the city's other concert halls. More concerts have been held at Panther Stadium since 2018 when David Tepper purchased the team.

Date Performer(s) Show opener(s) Tour/Event Attendance Revenue Notes Date: October 10, 1997 The Stones, Rolling Traveller's Blues Tour of the Bridges to Babylon 54,436 / 54,436 $3,126,945 June 24, 2012 To the tunes of Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw Singer Grace Potter and the Nocturnals1
Jake Owen Touring Like Brothers in the Sun 44,482 / 47,835 $3,404,455 [79] Sunday, September 30, 2021 Music by the Rolling Stones Haunted Dogs The No-Screens Tour 42,577 / 42,577 ,074,182 [80][81] April 23, 2022 Billy Joel The Concert by Billy Joel [82][83] April 30, 2022 Iconic country singer Kenny Chesney1 Dan Shay
Colonial America
Pearce, Carly Present Time Tour [84] June 28, 2022 Crüe, Mötley
Name: Def Leppard1 Poison
A performance by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts1 Touring Stadiums Postponed from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic July 15 & 16, 2022 American country music singer Garth Brooks1 Concerts by Garth Brooks Trisha Yearwood makes a surprise appearance[85]. Date: September 1, 2022 Infamous group known as the Red Hot Chili Peppers1 The Attacks
Thundercat World Stadium Tour in 2022 [86] Saturday, September 18, 2022 Elton John The End of the Tour - One Last Trip Down the Yellow Brick Road [87]

Aside From That [ edit ]

• In 1996, Billy Graham held a crusade there that lasted for four days.
• On September 6, 2012, the stadium was scheduled to host the Democratic National Convention's closing night, during which President Obama was scheduled to accept the party's nomination for president. It was originally scheduled for the Verizon Center, but was moved to Spectrum Center because of the threat of thunderstorms. [88]
• On Friday, May 3, 2019, the stadium played host to the first-ever Untapped Beer Festival. The second Festival was scheduled to take place there on May 16, 2020, but was canceled because of a Coronavirus outbreak. [90][91]
• Stadium hosted the 14th annual Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival on March 7, 2020. [92]
• From January 29-31 and March 9-11, 2021, the stadium was a COVID-19 vaccination site. [93][94]
• Topgolf Live Stadium Series was held at Bank of America Stadium from March 25th to the 28th, 2021. [95]

Future [ edit ]

David Tepper, owner of both the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, has expressed interest in demolishing Bank of America Stadium and building a new stadium for his teams in Uptown Charlotte. While the Stadium has been well-maintained and landscaped, Tepper joked in 2019 that it would be cheaper to give the stadium away because of the rising cost of maintaining it after decades of use. The stadium was innovative when it was built, but it has since become outdated due to its lack of open concourses (where fans could watch games while standing in bars and other group areas) and a retractable roof. While the original Bank of America Stadium was built primarily for football games by then-owner Jerry Richardson, Tepper has advocated for the construction of a multipurpose stadium with a retractable roof so that it can host his Major League Soccer team, concerts, conventions, and even the NCAA Final Four. [97] Tepper stated that he is considering a second major renovation in 2022. It is estimated that after this renovation, the stadium will have another two or three decades of life left in it. [98]

An entertainment district is also planned to be built between the planned stadium and the under-construction 0 million intermodal transit station, Gateway Station. [99]

References [ edit ]

Hyperlinks to other sites [ edit ]

• Site officiel
• Check out Bank of America Stadium on StadiumDB.com com