Soccer

Thousands of fans packed Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday as Charlotte hosted its first MLS All-Star Game, a milestone many supporters said reflects the city's growing stature as a sports destination.

Children with intellectual disabilities got a chance to play soccer Wednesday in front of hundreds of spectators gathered in Matthews. Ahead of the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, the Special Olympics Unified Sports MLS All-Star Game provided an inclusive platform for athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together.

The FIFA World Cup wasn’t the only soccer event generating excitement around Charlotte in recent weeks. A local soccer showcase gave visually impaired residents an opportunity to play the sport while challenging misconceptions about blindness.

The excitement of the FIFA Club World Cup extended beyond professional stadiums and into Mecklenburg County over the weekend, where visually impaired community members gathered in Matthews to show that the sport is accessible to everyone.

Charlotte will host its first MLS-All Star Game after the World Cup this month — a milestone that supporters say reflects the city’s growing reputation as a soccer destination.

To prepare for their first World Cup since 1998, Scotland has turned to Charlotte FC facilities. The local teams' facilities have been decorated with the Scotland badge and colors. Charlotte FC officials hope Scotland’s arrival — the boys in blue — will help attract more fans across the state to the local club and grow soccer in the city.

Hundreds gathered at Matthews Social House for a World Cup watch party, filling the downtown venue with color, music and traditional dance performances.

The FIFA World Cup officially kicked off Thursday, drawing soccer fans across Charlotte to bars, restaurants and watch parties for the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

The FIFA Club World Cup concludes its Charlotte stop Monday before continuing in other U.S. cities and wrapping up at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next month. While the tournament drew fans eager to watch top international teams, it also faced challenges, including extreme heat and concerns over a possible ICE presence at games. The event offers a glimpse at the cultural and economic impact on Charlotte — and what it could signal for the city’s future as a host for major sporting events.

The players are women over 50. The oldest this year is 87. They took the field in South Africa for their "World Cup." One team was crowned the winner but all the players consider themselves champions.