Bank of America Stadium is the home of the Carolina Panthers of the NFL and, from 2022 also the venue of the Major League Soccer expansion franchise Charlotte FC. The holder of the rights to the name of the arena has decided to extend the sponsorship agreement with the NFL team, who operates the stadium.

"Classic American stadium"

On April 22, 1994, construction work on a new facility in Charlotte began. The impressive arena was designed by industry leader HOK Sports (later Populous). During its construction, fans were able to purchase private seat licence, and the huge interest was one of the factors that led to the Carolina Panthers being included in the NFL league. Two expansive auditorium levels intersected by two business floors held a total of 72,685 spectators when it opened in 1996.

The stadium was originally to be called Carolinas Stadium (this name is used for FIFA events), but very soon the Swedish company LM Ericsson bought the naming rights to the stadium for 10 years for $25 million. The stadium had already opened as Ericsson Stadium. In 2004, the naming rights were acquired by Bank of America, this time for as long as 20 years. The venue has since been known as Bank of America Stadium. The agreement was worth $140 million. Many fans now refer to the arena as BOA, The Bank, or PoundTown. Former Panthers president Danny Morrison called the facility a "classic American stadium" due to its bowl design and other impressive features.

© Ken Fager (cc: by-nc-sa)

In addition to the NFL franchise the stadium serves as a home venue for Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer. Bank of America Stadium also hosts the annual Duke's Mayo Bowl, which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and either the Southeastern Conference or the Big Ten Conference. The arena was planned to host the annual ACC Championship Game through at least 2019; the game was moved in 2016 but reinstated in 2017. The ACC announced in 2022 that the venue would continue to host the championship through at least the 2030 season. According to Betting NC there are many popular sports teams and events in North Carolina to wager on. More than 1.85 million tickets have been distributed for numerous events at the arena in 2022.

Remarkable features of Bank of America Stadium

The facility has many unique external qualities. Aspects of the arena's architecture, such as the three huge main entrances, incorporate the team colours of black, blue and silver. The arches connecting the column supports in the upper deck resemble the shape of half a football, and several acres of numerous trees and landscaping surround the building. It has also received mentions that, from the outside, it resembles a fortress rather than a stadium.

© Sherman Hayes

Each of the stadium's entrances is flanked on either side by two larger-than-life bronze panther statues, something unique throughout the NFL. All six statues are named Indomitable Spirit and were installed in 1996. Each depicts a crouching, growling panther with green eyes; they are the largest sculptures ever commissioned in the United States.

The stadium also has six light domes. These are located at the top of the main entrances, two per entrance, and are more than a hundred feet in the air. Originally, they glowed the Panthers' colours process blue every night. During the 2014 renovation, the domes were rebuilt with LED systems that allow them to display the process blue in different ways that were not possible with the original technology.

Panthers and Bank of America extend agreement

The deal stretches an above-mentioned partnership that dates back to 2004, when Bank of America took over the naming rights to the facility. Since the original agreement was signed, the stadium has become more than just a venue for Panthers football, adding soccer and a growing series of concerts and events that continue to have a positive economic impact on the surrounding community.

© Sherman Hayes

The cooperation between the Panthers and Bank of America also includes community initiatives such as the 3rd & Goal literacy programme, the Teacher of the Year award, the Regional Spelling Bee programme and the Play it Forward clinic.

We are proud that the stadium will continue to carry the name of one of Charlotte’s most iconic and philanthropic companies. Extending our naming-rights agreement not only speaks to the value of our partnership, but also underscores the mutual trust and shared commitment that defines our relationship, said Kristi Coleman, president of the Panthers.