Editing Charlotte, North Carolina (section)

==Sports==
{{Main|Sports in Charlotte, North Carolina}} 
[[File:Spectrum Center 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Spectrum Center]], home of the [[Charlotte Hornets]]]]
[[File:Truist Field Knights Stadium.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Truist Field]], home of the [[Charlotte Knights]]]]

Charlotte is home to the [[Carolina Panthers]] of the National Football League ([[NFL]]), the [[Charlotte Hornets]] of the National Basketball Association ([[NBA]]), and [[Charlotte FC]] of [[Major League Soccer]] ([[MLS]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.panthers.com|title=The Official website of the Carolina Panthers|website=[[Carolina Panthers]]|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/|title=The Official Website of The Charlotte Hornets|date=May 20, 2014|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://charlottefootballclub.com/|title=The Official website of Charlotte FC|website=Charlottefootballclub.com|access-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref> The Panthers have been located in Charlotte since the team's creation in 1995, and the current Hornets franchise has been located in Charlotte since its creation in 1988 (with the exception of the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002-03]] and [[2003–04 NBA season|2003-04]] seasons).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article35852796.html|title=1995: When NFL came to the Carolinas|last=David|first=Maria|date=September 19, 2015|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=February 16, 2023}}</ref> The Panthers and Charlotte FC play their home games in [[Bank of America Stadium]], while the Hornets play in the [[Spectrum Center (Charlotte)|Spectrum Center]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/about|title=About Spectrum Center|date=November 25, 2019|work=spectrumcentercharlotte.com|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226162651/https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/about|archive-date=December 26, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Panthers have won six division titles from (1996, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015) and two NFC championships in 2003 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/index.htm#site_menu_link|title=Carolina Panthers Franchise Encyclopedia|publisher=Pro-Football Reference.Com|access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> Carolina has reached the Super Bowl twice but has been unsuccessful in both losing to the [[New England Patriots]] in [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] in 2004 and against the [[Denver Broncos]] in [[Super Bowl 50]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panthers.com/history/this-day|title=This Day In Panthers History|publisher=[[Carolina Panthers]]|access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> The original Hornets NBA franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-23-sp-602-story.html|title=NBA Gives Florida Two Franchises – Miami, Orlando: League Also Grants Expansion Teams to Minneapolis and Charlotte for $32.5 Million|last=Archives|first=Times L.A.|date=April 23, 1987|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref> but it relocated to [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] in 2002 after animosity grew between the team's fans and principal owner [[George Shinn]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spanberg|first1=Erik|title=George Shinn says co-owner 'hell-bent' on Charlotte exit|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2013/06/george-shinn-says-co-owner-hell-bent.html|website=Bizjournals.com|publisher=Charlotte Business Journal|access-date=May 14, 2015}}</ref> The NBA quickly granted Charlotte an expansion franchise following the departure of the Hornets and the new franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats, began to play in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hornets30.com/|title=Charlotte Hornets – 30th Anniversary Season|publisher=[[Charlotte Hornets]]|website=hornets30.com|access-date=February 16, 2019|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613071530/http://www.hornets30.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportscasting.com/michael-jordan-bought-charlotte-bobcats-175-million-now-charlotte-hornets-worth-1-5-billion/|title=Michael Jordan Bought the Charlotte Bobcats for $175 Million, Now the Charlotte Hornets Are Worth $1.5 Billion|date=May 8, 2022|website=sportscasting.com|access-date=September 17, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172725/https://www.sportscasting.com/michael-jordan-bought-charlotte-bobcats-175-million-now-charlotte-hornets-worth-1-5-billion/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team retook the Hornets name when the New Orleans–based team renamed itself the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] in 2013.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181608/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/04/09/3970651/great-zoos.html NBA owners give Bobcats OK to change name to Charlotte Hornets], ''The Charlotte Observer'', July 19, 2013</ref> The name change became official on May 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10958580/charlotte-bobcats-officially-change-nickname-hornets|title=Hornets all the buzz in Charlotte|date=May 20, 2014|website=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> On the same day, the franchise reclaimed the history and records of the original 1988–2002 Hornets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Hornets/status/468793760684728320?ls=iref:nbahpts|title=Charlotte Hornets on Twitter|publisher=[[Twitter]]|access-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref> MLS awarded its expansion team to Charlotte in 2019, which began play as Charlotte FC in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Newton |first=David |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Charlotte gets MLS' 30th franchise for record $325 million |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4015203/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-$325-million |work=ESPN |access-date=December 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/charlotte-awarded-mls-franchise/275-55205210-1d36-4d1a-8d4c-6dad59ece324|title=Charlotte officially named 30th Major League Soccer team|date=December 17, 2019|website=WCNC.com|access-date=December 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2022/03/06/charlotte-fc-begins-soccer-era-queen-city-front-record-74479-fans/|title=Charlotte FC begins soccer era in the Queen City, drawing nearly 74,500 fans|last=Huber|first=Jason|date=March 5, 2022|website=WBTV.com|access-date=March 6, 2022}}</ref>

Charlotte is represented in professional [[ice hockey]] by the [[Charlotte Checkers]] and in professional [[baseball]] at the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] level by the [[Charlotte Knights]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://CLTure.org/charlotte-knights/|title=Baseball has a storied history in Charlotte, and it's been quite a journey for the Knights|last=Papsupula|first=Pooja|date=August 23, 2018|website=CLTure.org|access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gocheckers.com/|title=The Official site of the Charlotte Checkers|access-date=December 31, 2021}}</ref> Since 1999, the Knights has been the Triple-A Affiliate of the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/sports/2021/02/11/charlotte-knights-announce-10-year-deal-to-remain-white-sox-affiliate-#:~:text=CHARLOTTE%2C%20N.C.%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Charlotte%20Knights,baseball's%20new%20player%20development%20structure.|title=Charlotte Knights Announce 10-Year Deal to Remain White Sox Affiliate|last=Pryor|first=Justin|date=February 11, 2021|website=Spectrum News 1|access-date=September 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights|title=The Official website of the Charlotte Knights|website=[[Minor League Baseball]]|access-date=December 6, 2022}}</ref>

The [[Charlotte Independence]] are a minor professional soccer club who play in [[USL League One]] the third tier of US professional soccer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteindependence.com/|title=Charlotte Independence Soccer Club Homepage|website=Charlotteindependence.com|access-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref> The Independence play their home matches at [[American Legion Memorial Stadium]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Club
! Sport
! Founded
! League
! Venue
|-
| [[Carolina Panthers]]
| [[American Football|Football]]
| align=center|1995
| [[National Football League]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Hornets]]
| [[Basketball]]
| align=center|1988
| [[National Basketball Association]]
| [[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]]
|-
| [[Charlotte FC]]
| [[Soccer]]
| align=center|2022
| [[Major League Soccer]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Checkers]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| align=center|2010
| [[American Hockey League]]
| [[Bojangles Coliseum]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Knights]]
| [[Baseball]]
| align=center|1976
| [[International League]]
| [[Truist Field]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Independence]]
| [[Football (soccer)|Soccer]]
| align=center|2015
| [[USL League One]]
| [[American Legion Memorial Stadium]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Eagles]]
| [[Football (soccer)|Soccer]]
| align=center|1991
| [[USL League Two]]
| [[Sportsplex at Matthews]]
|-
| [[Charlotte Lady Eagles]]
| [[Football (soccer)|Soccer]]
| align=center|2000
| [[USL W-League (1995–2015)|W-League]]
| [[Sportsplex at Matthews]]
|-
| [[Carolina Ascent FC]]
| [[Football (soccer)|Soccer]]
| align=center|2023
| [[USL Super League]]
| [[American Legion Memorial Stadium]]
|}
The city is also the home of the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]] (NJCAA) headquarters. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States with over 500 member schools in 43 states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://njcaa.org/about/Staff_Bio/NJCAA_National_Staff_Directory|title=NJCAA National Office|website=NJCAA.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> The [[Big South Conference]] is also headquartered in Charlotte. Founded in 1983, the Big South Conference has 11 member institutions with over 19 different sports and completes in the NCAA's Division I.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bigsouthsports.com/mobile/page.aspx?filename=ALL_0630160348&file_date=6/30/2016|title=Big South Conference Quick Facts|date=November 26, 2019|work=bigsouthsports.com|access-date=November 26, 2019|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613132112/http://bigsouthsports.com/mobile/page.aspx?filename=ALL_0630160348&file_date=6%2F30%2F2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) also has its headquarters in Charlotte. Founded in 1954, the ACC has 15 member institutions 4 of whom are located in the state of North Carolina with over 28 different sports and competes in NCAA's Division I.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theacc.com/|title=The Official athletics website of the Atlantic Coast Conference|website=TheACC.com|access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref>

Over the years, Charlotte has hosted many international, collegiate, and professional sporting events. In professional basketball, the city hosted the [[NBA All-Star Game]] twice in [[1991 NBA All-Star Game|1991]] at the old [[Charlotte Coliseum]] and most recently in [[2019 NBA All-Star Game|2019]] at [[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article152323607.html|title=Charlotte to host 2019 NBA All-Star Game|last=Bonnell|first=Rick|date=May 24, 2017|publisher=[[Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=November 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/jordan-week-1991-all-star-game-charlotte?amp=1|title=Charlotte no stranger to NBA All-Star Spotlight|last=Powell|first=Shaun|date=February 14, 2019|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> In collegiate sports, Charlotte hosts the [[ACC Championship Game]] and [[Duke's Mayo Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article256912617.html|title=As Gamecocks and UNC fight for mayonnaise, Duke's Mayo Bowl found a way to still matter|last=Carter|first=Andrew|date=December 29, 2021|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theacc.com/news/2018/4/5/acc-announces-10-year-extension-with-charlotte-as-football-championship-game-host-site.aspx|title=ACC Announces 10-Year Extension With Charlotte as Football Championship Game Host Site|website=TheACC.com|date=April 5, 2018 |publisher=[[Atlantic Coast Conference]]|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> The city has also been the host many [[ACC men's basketball tournament]]s most recently in [[2019 ACC men's basketball tournament|2019]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/acc-mens-basketball-tournament-set-for-charlotte-this-week|title=ACC Men's Basketball Tournament set for Charlotte this week|date=March 12, 2019|work=fox46charlotte.com|access-date=November 24, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221201851/https://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/acc-mens-basketball-tournament-set-for-charlotte-this-week|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2021, Charlotte hosted the [[2021 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament|ACC baseball tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/sports/2021/05/18/play-ball--2021-acc-baseball-championship-to-host-fans-at-full-capacity|title=Play Ball! 2021 ACC Baseball Championship to host fans at full capacity|last=Pryor|first=Justin|date=May 18, 2021|publisher=Spectrum News|access-date=July 26, 2021}}</ref> In 2017, Charlotte hosted the [[PGA Championship]] at the [[Quail Hollow Club]] and is set to host again by 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/golf/article92799027.html|title=1 year away, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte poised to host PGA Championship|last=Scott|first=David|date=July 30, 2016|work=newsobserver.com|access-date=November 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article242707761.html|title='The Kind of thing you dream about; PGA Championship will return to Charlotte in 2025|last=Fowler|first=Scott|date=May 14, 2020|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=June 10, 2022}}</ref> Charlotte will also host the [[Presidents Cup|2022 Presidents Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/golf/preparations-underway-for-2022-presidents-cup-in-charlotte/275-75eb89dd-0722-44b4-9a71-54de9cbfaa96|title=Preparations underway for 2022 Presidents Cup in Charlotte|last=Carboni|first=Nick|date=May 6, 2022|website=WCNC.com|publisher=[[WCNC-TV]]|access-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2021/09/29/premier-host-city-presidents-cup-mural-unveiled-charlotte-prepares-major-international-golf-tournament/|title='A premier host city': Presidents Cup mural unveiled as Charlotte prepares for major international golf tournament|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=September 29, 2021|website=WBTV.com|publisher=[[WBTV]]|access-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref> In 1994, Charlotte hosted the [[1994 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|Final Four]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/02/us/charlotte-s-downtown-manages-to-stay-up-late-for-tournament.html|title=Charlotte's Downtown Manages To Stay Up Late For Tournament|last=Applebome|first=Peter|date=April 2, 1994|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte.axios.com/293531/charlotte-was-an-eager-to-please-town-back-when-we-last-hosted-the-final-four/|title=Charlotte was an eager-to-please town back when we last hosted the Final Four|last=Soloff|first=Katie|date=April 5, 2022|website=charlotte.axios.com|access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref>

Since 1931, [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] has been a full-fledged [[professional wrestling]] performer, based in the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia states, and has been called [[Mid-Atlantic Wrestling]]. [[National Wrestling Alliance]], [[World Championship Wrestling]], [[WWE]] has big matches, and many [[pay-per-view]] event. Many professional wrestlers living.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottemagazine.com/rasslins-long-charlotte-history/|title=Rasslin's long Charlotte History|last=Devores|first=Courtney|date=July 30, 2010|website=CharlotteMagazine.com|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article249715958.html|title=He made Ric Flair famous: Charlotte wrestling promoter Jim Crockett Jr. dies at 76|last=Marusak|first=Joe|date=March 8, 2021|website=[[Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=May 21, 2022|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310145947/https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article249715958.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/tom-sorensen-blog/article184944163.html|title=Remembering the age when Charlotte was ruled by wrestlers at Bennigan's|last=Sorenson|first=Tom|date=November 16, 2017|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.independentmail.com/news/documentary-explores-charlottes-wrestling-history-ep-1209081357-347009792.html/|title=Documentary explores Charlotte's wrestling history|last=Devores|first=Courtney|date=July 29, 2015|website=archive.independentmail.com|access-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/2021/03/brief-history-of-mid-atlantic-area.html?m=1|title=A Brief History of Wrestling in the Mid-Atlantic Area|last=Bourne|first=Dick|date=March 24, 2021|website=The Mid-Atlantic Gateway|access-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref>

Currently, the city is home to two universities that participate in [[NCAA Division I]] Athletics: the [[Charlotte 49ers]] of the [[University of North Carolina at Charlotte]], as well as the [[Queens Royals]] of [[Queens University of Charlotte]], who announced their transition from [[NCAA Division II]] to Division I on May 7, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://charlotte49ers.com/documents/2021/6/30/2021_22Almanac.pdf|title=Charlotte 49ers Athletics Almanac: Facts and History|website=[[Charlotte 49ers]]|access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article261181172.html |title=Queens University of Charlotte accepts invitation to NCAA Division I conference |first=Jonathan |last=Limehouse |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |date=May 7, 2022 |access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref> [[Charlotte 49ers|Charlotte]] has participated in 11 NCAA [[Charlotte 49ers men's basketball|men's basketball]] tournaments, 14 NCAA [[Charlotte 49ers men's soccer|men's soccer]] tournaments, and the [[Charlotte 49ers football|football team]] participated in their first bowl game in 2019 just six years after starting their program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2019/12/20/charlotte-ers-fans-flock-bahamas-first-bowl-game-football-teams-history/|title=Charlotte 49ers fans flock to Bahamas for first bowl game in football team's history|last=Giles|first=Alex|date=December 19, 2019|website=WBTV.com|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref>

[[Johnson C. Smith University]] participates at the [[NCAA Division II]] level. [[Johnson and Wales University]] participate in the [[USCAA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jwu.edu/campuses/charlotte/athletics.html|title=JWU Charlotte Athletics|website=JWU.edu|access-date=May 21, 2022}}</ref>