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Charlotte to host 2026 MLS All-Star Game

MLS Commissioner Don Garber,
Julian Berger
/
WFAE
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Charlotte FC owners David and Nicole Tepper, and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles at Bank of America Stadium on Wed., July 16, 2025.

Charlotte will host its first Major League Soccer All-Star Game next summer at Bank of America Stadium.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement Wednesday morning at Bank of America Stadium. Garber said Charlotte was chosen because it previously hosted the FIFA Club World Cup and the Copa America, as well as its reputation as a soccer city.

“In July of 2026, right after the 2026 World Cup, right after the world’s eyes are on United States, Canada and Mexico, the eyes of the global game will turn to Charlotte," he said.

Garber was joined by team owners David and Nicole Tepper of Tepper Sports and Entertainment, as well as Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. Lyles says the game is expected to bring millions of dollars into the city. The state of North Carolina provided a $2 million grant to help lure the game.

“Think about what it does for our local economy. Think about what it provides for our ability to be seen internationally," Lyles said.

The date and line-up for next summer’s game have yet to be announced.

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Julian Berger is a Race & Equity Reporter at WFAE, Charlotte’s NPR affiliate. His reporting focuses on Charlotte's Latino community and immigration policy. He is an award-winning journalist who received the 2025 RTDNAC Award for an economic story examining how fears of immigration enforcement affected Latino-owned businesses in Charlotte.