July 17 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has made its choice, and it’s a telling one. Charlotte FC will host the 2026 MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium, marking a significant milestone for an expansion franchise that’s been rewriting the rulebook on how quickly a club can establish itself in American soccer.
Wednesday’s announcement represents the MLS acknowledging that Charlotte FC has become something special in the span of just four seasons. When you consider the league’s history of rewarding established markets with marquee events, handing the 30th All-Star Game to a club that didn’t exist five years ago speaks volumes.
FC has averaged 35,000 fans per match in each of its first three seasons — the second highest in MLS. While other new franchises struggle to find their footing, Charlotte has built a fanbase that rivals soccer’s most established American markets.
Bank of America Stadium brings serious credentials to the table. The venue recently hosted four matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, proving it can handle elite international football on the biggest stage.
This also positions Charlotte perfectly within the evolving MLS landscape. While traditional soccer markets like Seattle, Portland, and Atlanta get their due recognition, Charlotte represents something different: proof that American soccer can thrive in unexpected places when you get the fundamentals right.
The All-Star Game itself continues to evolve as a showcase. The 2025 edition in Austin will feature the leagues single biggest driver Lionel Messi leading the All-Stars against Liga MX at Q2 Stadium on July 23—the fourth time these leagues have faced off in the All-Star format. MLS’s record against Liga MX stood unblemished until 2024, when the Mexican side delivered a emphatic 4-1 victory in Columbus.
The specific opponent and date for Charlotte’s All-Star Game will be announced later, but the real news is already out: MLS has found another market where soccer isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. And they’re ready to put Charlotte on the biggest stage American soccer has to offer.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1752764375labto1752764375ofdlr1752764375owedi1752764375sni@o1752764375fni1752764375