Cheer on the Boys in Blue at the Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, July 3. | Photos provided by Charlotte Football Club
Prepare for history. Charlotte FC is about to play its first-ever home playoff game tonight at Bank of America Stadium. The Crown will face Orlando City SC in match two, round one of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The team must win the next two games to advance in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
“We played really, really well at home,” said Woody Wilder, the Director of Communications at Charlotte FC. “It’s playoff soccer, anything can happen.”
Game details
Tonight’s game is a must-win for Charlotte. If they pull the W, the team forces a third game in Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Tailgating begins at 3:30 p.m. at the McNinch Lot. A pre-match party kicks off at 5 p.m. between the North and East Gates at BofA Stadium.
Warm-ups begin at 6:50 p.m. and the game begins at 7:40 p.m.
Pro tip: Warm up those pipes to sing the National Anthem with the rest of the Fortress.
“We’re proud to have the second highest attendance in the whole league,” explained Wilder. “Our fans have been our 12th man all along.”
Charlotte FC fans pack Bank of America Stadium every season.
Photo via WCNC
Soccer in the Queen City
Regardless of the outcome, this is a win for the Queen City — a storied soccer city. While Charlotte Football Club officially kicked off in 2022, the sport has been thriving in the city. Don’t believe us? Head to the French Quarter during a Premier League match.
“We didn’t bring soccer to Charlotte,” added Wilder. “We’ve been able to build on it and amplify it to a different level. This game is going to be kind of a culmination of that.”
Ready to fill the Fortress? Tickets are on sale starting at $20. We’ll see you there.
Events
Events
Friday, Nov. 1
Dia De Los Muertos | 11-2 a.m. | The Matador | Cost of purchase | Savor Mexican-inspired dishes, themed drink specials, and decor inspired by the holiday.
Merchant & Trade Celebrates Seven Years | 5-11:59 p.m. | Merchant & Trade | Cost of purchase | Take in the city views + live music, cocktails, and giveaways.
The Music of Queen | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theatre | $32+ | “Keep Yourself Alive” during this tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Play Day! with Play More Charlotte | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Victoria Yards | $35 | Channel your inner child during this adults-only field day with bubble blasters, parachute games, and a silent disco.
Pumpkin Chunkin | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia | $4 | Send pumpkins flying toward a castle using a giant catapult.
Ties and Tails Gala | 5:30-10 p.m. | The Revelry - North End | $250+ | Celebrate the Humane Society of Charlotte’s work during this black-tie optional evening with auctions, dinner, and drinks.
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $61+ | Fill the bowl as QB Bryce Young starts for the second week in a row against the Saints.
The American Queen Novel Discussion | 5-7 p.m. | J. Murrey Atkins Library | Free | Local author and playwright, Vanessa Miller, will discuss her book featured in GMA, Washington Post, and Essence Magazine.
Gift idea alert: Special seasonal savings mean Annual Passes are $90 off for a limited time. | Photos provided by The Biltmore Company, Asheville, NC
Lights are beginning to twinkle, decorations are going up, and the season of warmth + connection is set to begin.
The holidays are here.
As WNC continues to recover, Biltmore invites you to rekindle your spirit this season with Christmas at Biltmore — an opportunity to restore and renew among the heartwarming holiday displays + soft, glittering glow of Candlelight Christmas Evenings.
But the magic doesn’t end after the holidays. Passholders can visit any time of year to see the ever-changing grounds, including the stunning spring gardens in full bloom.
FEMA opened a disaster recovery center in York County. The center will serve as a “one-stop shop” for residents to apply for federal assistance. (WCNC)
Regional
Nearly 55 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened following Hurricane Helene. The sections west of Asheville connect TN to NC. The sections are only open to one lane of traffic in each direction. (WCNC)
Traffic
Expect traffic delays as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump campaign in the Charlotte area tomorrow. Harris is hosting a get-out-the-vote rally tomorrow at 5 p.m. The location is TBA. Former president Donald Trump will be at Gastonia Municipal Airport at 12 p.m. (WCNC)
Development
A multi-million dollar sports medicine facility is coming to south Charlotte. Carolina Sports Medicine Center at 11415 Golf Links Dr. will boast state-of-the-art technology, physical therapy, and rehab services for athletes. An opening date remains TBA. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Announced
Camp North End will transform into “Camp North Pole” in three weeks. The community hub will open its outdoor ice skating rink on Friday, Nov. 22. Camp will also host a Mistletoe Market on Saturdays, December 7, 14, and 21.
Festival
Celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, at Botiwalla in Optimist Hall. The restaurant by Chai Pani will have food specials like a pani puri station, a henna artist, and celebratory décor like sparklers and glowsticks. They’re also collecting donations for relief efforts in WNC.
Closed
Lake Norman staple, Oak Street Mill Antiques, is closed. The store inside the former Gem Yarn Mill will be transformed to office space. The renovations are expected to take 12 months. (The Charlotte Observer)
Trending
The Concert for Carolina silent auction is still going on. Some of the items available include signed instruments, signed sports gear, and concert tickets. The concert last weekend raised more than $24 million for Helene relief.
Cause
Speaking of good causes... 704 Shop announced a special collaboration with Veterans Bridge Home. The partnership will help raise funds for the organization’s programs that serve local veterans and families.
Sports
Will Bryce Young continue to improve before the team hosts the New Orleans Saints on Sunday? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Job
We’re looking for a rising star media seller to be our Sales Executive in charge of National Brand Partnerships with a primary focus on sports newsletters. Apply to join the 6AM City team.
Travel
Direct flights from Concord to Lakeland, FL are now available on Avelo, offering easy access to Central Florida’s unique attractions, local flavors, and outdoor adventures — all minutes from Orlando’s family-friendly theme parks. Plan your trip.*
Finance
Inflation may be cooling, but car insurance premiums aren’t. Why? All insurance is now priced in real-time — so repair times, parts shortages, and credit scores all play a part in the final price. Take Money’s questionnaire on your best car insurance experience to see if you can save.*
Category
History
🎉 Celebrate a milestone
The Firebird is one of the most Instagrammed spots in Uptown. | Photo via Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
For 15 years, The Firebird outside Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has drawn quite the crowd. The 17.5-ft reflective sculpture provides more than art to Uptown — it offers a sense of positivity and pride.
Le Grand Oiseau de Deu Sur L’Arche, or “The large Firebird on the arch,” was created by French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle.
“Throughout her career, Niki was inspired with mythology, ancient American, indigenous and central American, and Mexican mythology,” explained Todd Smith, executive director of the Bechtler. “So you have that inspiration coming through with her design.”
Fast facts about The Firebird
Installed Oct. 24, 2009
Unveiled Nov. 3, 2009
Weighs 1,400 pounds
Covered in ~7,500 mirrored tiles (from France)
“The way the glass reflects you back into it, you can walk through it, you can be a part of the sculpture,” added Smith. “It sends such a positive message and it’s an opportunity for people to engage with public art in a very personal way.”
The Buy
The Buy
A whole room space heater. Save $30 on a small but mighty space heater with a focus on safety — it has tip-over protection, a cool touch case, and will automatically shut off if overheated.
Hey, Charlotte. Don’t forget — there’s still time to register for the Drop Dead 5K taking place tomorrow Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery. It’s sure to be spooktacular. (Sorry, had to get one more in there even though Halloween is officially over.)
