Soccer fans will flock to Bank of America Stadium as it hosts the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. | Photo by CLTtoday
As Charlotte FC so eloquently put it, “We built a soccer city they couldn’t ignore.”
Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte FC will host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. The game will come immediately after the 2026 World Cup, and it’s expected to draw thousands to Uptown.
“Charlotte FC, you’ve earned this,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said during the press conference this week. “Get ready, Charlotte. The world is coming and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
A brief history of Charlotte’s growth as a soccer city.
Graphic by CLTtoday
🏟️ Scores of history
The Queen City has grown into a soccer hub, starting with the debut of its first professional team, the Carolina Lightnin’ in 1981. Fun fact: They won the American Soccer League Championship in their inaugural year. Scroll down for pop quiz.
Country Fest Brunch 2025 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing | $35 | Sip from a mimosa bar while sampling an all-you-can-eat curated brunch with Shania playing in the background.
Festival Colombiano | 12 p.m. | First Ward Park | $23+ | The third annual event will feature live music, dance performances, Colombian cuisine, and artisan markets.
The Charlotte Margarita Festival | 12-6 p.m. | Suffolk Punch Brewing South End | $25+ | Join the ultimate margarita tasting competition to pick the best cocktail in town.
“Ghostbusters” | 2-4 p.m. | Carolina Theatre | $16+ | Arrive early for photos with the Ectomobile before grabbing fresh popcorn to watch the classic film on the big screen.
Sunday Supper: Summer in Oregon | 5:30 p.m. | L’Ostrica | $75 | Get a taste of crab, herbs, and berries during this Oregon-inspired tasting experience.
Wine & Cheese Pairing | 6-7 p.m. | Frenchy’s Sip and Shop | $39 | Don’t let the name fool you — Pilot Brewery is providing the brews for this tasting event.
Burnsville is open and has things to do for all kinds of weekend getaways. | Photos provided by Explore Burnsville
Burnsville, NC is buzzing with new openings + Blue Ridge beauty as it rebounds from Hurricane Helene.
This cozy mountain town nestled at the foot of Mt. Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi) has an itinerary for every type of weekend away, from family fun to romantic escapes.
If we only had 48 hours in Burnsville, here’s how we’d spend it:
Friday
Check in at Nu Wray Hotel, a recently refreshed historic landmark originally built in the 1800s
The heat index is set to reach ~100 degrees or more this weekend. Dr. Jonathan Leake, co-owner of Hydrate Medical, recommends staying hydrated by eating avocados, cucumbers, and watermelon + offers IV hydration therapy at several clinics across Charlotte. (WCNC)
Eat
Charlotte’s bi-annual restaurant week, Queen’s Feast, is underway. Starting today, July 18, through Sunday, July 27, savor a mix of three-course meals from 125+ restaurants around Charlotte. Prix fixe prices range from $30 to $50 per person.
Opening
Sláinte. McHale’s Pub is expected to open Friday, July 25. The long-awaited neighborhood pub in NoDa features communal and private seating, an expansive outdoor bar, and an Irish-inspired food menu. We’re excited to try the fish and chips. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Try This
And if you’re still hungry... The Melting Pot is starting its Summer Staycation Fondue Dinner on Sunday, July 20, through Thursday, July 24. Diners can experience a four-course meal for $40 per person. Pro tip: Try the brie and fig cheese.
Shop
J. Crew is welcoming shoppers to its new store at Phillips Place in SouthPark. The store replaces its former location within SouthPark Mall. Now, we’re awaiting the finishing touches on Crate and Barrel’s new location at Morrocroft Village, which opens Thursday, July 31. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Development
A new six-story development featuring retail space and 161 apartments will be constructed in Elizabeth. Developers cite the neighborhood’s upscale nature as a perfect fit for the mixed-use space. A groundbreaking is expected in the coming weeks, with a completion date anticipated for 2027. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Transit
Construction will begin Monday, July 21, on Mooresville’s East-West Connector — a project linking I-77 and I-85 and widening the lanes on NC 150. Phase one is expected to be completed by November 2026. (WCNC)
Civic
Speaking of transportation... Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake is hosting two community meetings to discuss the PAVE Act and the proposed 1-cent sales tax referendum. A special Board of County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, to consider the language for the referendum.
Real Estate
Sales are now underway for M/I Homes’ new community in York, SC, featuring 144 townhomes and 126 single-family homes. Bellamore will also feature a Junior Olympic-size pool, two pickleball courts, a playground, and walking trails. Prices starting at $305,990.
Sports
Can the Panthers’ revamped roster overcome low expectations?. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
33,213. That’s how many potential candidates are looking at this right now. Ready to promote your job listing to find your dream hire? It’s absolutely free on our CLTtoday Job Board. List it now.
Meet the Protectors of the Peach. | Artwork by ChatGPT
It’s the orchard’s last line of defense — a peninsula lab on Lake Hartwell where a team of scientists is battling disease, drought, and time itself.
They’re known as Clemson’s Peach Team — the largest group of scientists focused on peaches in the entire world — but after spending some time with them at the Musser Fruit Research Center, we caught a vibe that they’re the Avengers of the Peach Universe.
“We’re all internationals, recruited from other countries to work here, so you can claim they’ve got the best of the best,” said Dr. Guido Schnabel, Professor of Plant Pathology, when presented with the Avengers parallel. “We’re from all over the world, working here together for one thing: how to support the peach industry.”
We toured the orchards and stepped inside the labs where the magic happens. Click the button below to see which Avenger each of these Protectors of the Peach reminded us of.
No more gatekeeping. These are our top five summer essentials we wish we’d purchased sooner:
🩴 A pair of comfy + versatile Crocs sandals. Pro tip: Keep them by the front door for last-minute errands, walking the dog, and more.
🧊This No. 1 best-selling cooler backpack that features a built-in bottle opener and can fit up to 40 cans.
🧺 A waterproof blanket that’s perfect for beach days, family picnics, baby playtime, and more.
☀️ La Roche-Posay’s award-winning tinted sunscreen that’s non-greasy and fast-absorbing.
👗This flowy sundress that’s available in 20+ colors and patterns like blue floral, pink, khaki polka dot, and purple.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I feel like I’ve featured a lot of food-related content in today’s News Notes — scroll back up for a refresher. So, what’s the harm in one more? It’s officially Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer and Pinky’s Westside Grill is one of many Charlotte-area eateries serving up a meal with Duke’s Mayo and tomatoes as the stars, through Sunday, July 27.
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