The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made its appearance at Bank of America Stadium. | Photo by CLTtoday
Yesterday, photos and selfies abounded when the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy was revealed at Bank of America Stadium... but it’s only a tease for the action to come.
“You will be put in the global map like nothing else,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a visit to the Queen City to promotethe upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, showcasing 29 days of top-tier football kicking off June 15 in the US — with Charlotte hosting four matches at Bank of America Stadium. Oh, and btw, tickets are now on sale.
The winner of the FIFA Club World Cup will earn this extraordinary trophy.
Photo by CLTtoday
Infantino emphasized Charlotte’s blossoming role in the professional soccer world, offering a first-class stadium and passionate fans as major “green flags” to an international audience.
“Our recent $650 million commitment to modernize this stadium reflects our belief that this is going to be the very best of what we can have,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.
WDAV’s Reel Music Film Series: ‘Chevalier’ | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Independent Picture House | $12+ | Grab your popcorn and join fellow film and classical fans for the first screening in this film series.
Thursday, April 10
Spring Plant Sale | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Wing Haven | Cost of purchase | Grow your plant collection + proceeds benefit Wing Haven’s gardens.
Simply Extraordinary Charcuterie Class| 6-8 p.m. |16516 Silversword Dr. | $41+ | Sharpen your hosting skills while learning to create your own delicious charcuterie boards.
AWOLNATION | Wednesday, April 9 | 8 p.m. | The Fillmore | $48+ | Prepare to “Sail” when the rock band takes the stage.
Opera Carolina: La Boheme| Thursday, April 10-Sunday, April 13 | Belk Theatre | $59+ | Be swept away in this story abouta Parisian artist, surviving on friendship and the promise of love.
Johnston County is known for the Carolina Premium Outlets, but there’s more where that came from. | Photos by Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
Meet your shopping destination for name brands, boutique finds, and local produce + goods, all in one place. Johnston County (JoCo to the locals), has it all — and it’s an easy three-hour drive from Charlotte.
Here are four can’t-miss spots in the area:
Carolina Premium Outlets | Score up to 65% off nearly 80 of your favorite name brands (read: Nike, Coach, Columbia, Kate Spade)
DeWayne’s award-winning garden center | Stroll through the outdoor living section before heading inside to shop outdoor gear with a treat from the brand new Sweet Shop.
Main Street vintage + variety shops | Support small biz with unique home furnishings, local art, thrifty fashions, and artisan goods.
Tickets for the Friday, May 16 round of the 2025 PGA Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club have officially sold out and limited inventory remains for Thursday and Sunday. Prices for the remaining inventory range $76-$282. The championship runs May 15-18.
Development
Linea, the highly anticipated 24-story, 370-home apartment tower in South End, has completed construction and is welcoming residents. The luxury high-rise offers 24/7 concierge services, a skyline athletic club, a work lounge, and a prime location on the Rail Trail.
Opening
Speaking of Linea... Half Shell, a seafood restaurant and raw bar, is slated to open at the South End apartment tower by the end of this year. The menu will be packed with lobster, shrimp rolls, tuna burgers, and oyster po’boys. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Transit
An entrance ramp onto I-77 South is closed as part of a $249 million project to widen NC 150 in Mooresville. The six-mile expansion will add two lanes to NC 150 and ease traffic congestion. Drivers will be redirected to alternate routes via Williamson Road and Brawley School Road. (The Charlotte Observer)
Real Estate
Want to vacation at “The White Lotus?” A couple from the Cayman Islands purchased a $2.5 million lakefront home in Denver, NC and renovated the property, adding luxury features like a pickleball court, theater room, and speakeasy. The home, which sleeps 22, is now a vacation rental and averages $1,200 per night. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Outdoors
Anne Springs Close Greenway is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The 2,100-acre nature preserve in Fort Mill, SC is hosting an Earth Day Celebration this Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13, offering a weekend packed with activities to showcase the Greenway’s natural beauty. (WCNC)
Read
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library wants you to celebrate National Library Week, happening now through Saturday, April 12. The Library is hosting “theme days” every day, highlighting community hubs that provide Charlotteans access to information, resources, and support for lifelong learning. (WCNC)
Plan Ahead
Charlotte-based Lowe’s will be closed on Sunday, April 20 — Easter Sunday — to give employees a paid day off. The move aligns with the company’s holiday closure practices and will be back open for business the following day. (WCNC)
Sports
Is drafting an edge rusher what the Panthers need for the upcoming season? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
We know you’re smart (you subscribe to CLTtoday, after all), but we all have our blind spots when it comes to spending. Here are the 11 dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
Zia Ghafoori is a former US Special Forces interpreter during the Afghanistan War. | Photo by CLTtoday
A slice of rich culture from across the world can now be found in the Charlotte metro. SV Afghan Halal Market is now open along Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont, just off the Catawba River.
“It’s not just a market. It’s connecting the communities,” shared Zia Ghafoori, who gave CLTtoday a tour.
The market offers shoppers a taste of Afghanistan, with dried fruits and halal meats, plus traditional clothing and handmade rugs.
And keep your eyes peeled — a food truck serving kebabs and Kabuli pulao is planned to open in the coming weeks.
Before running the business in Belmont, Ghafoori came to America after serving as a US Special Operations Forces Interpreter during the Afghanistan War.
Charlotte saw an influx of Afghan allies evacuated to the US in 2021. Ghafoori understood the demand for a halal market in Charlotte, and started the SV Afghan Halal Market to help Afghans feel more at home.
We all want the best for our pets, and premium care can come at a premium cost. With pet insurance, you can reduce the strain on your budget, whether it’s for treating a chronic condition or an unexpected emergency.*
I’d like to give a special thank you to Mr. Ghafoori for both his time in helping me tell his story, and for his service in aiding our troops. He shared that chapter in his life with great pride, plus he got me hooked on Afghan dried fruit I now enjoy as a comfy snack.
