Memorial Stadium | |
 Interior view of the stadium in 2021 | |
 Interactive map of American Legion Memorial Stadium | |
| Address | 310 North Kings Drive Charlotte, NC United States |
|---|---|
| Public transit |  CPCC Central Campus |
| Owner | City of Charlotte |
| Operator | Mecklenburg County |
| Type | Stadium |
| Capacity | 10,500 (2021–present) Former capacity: List
|
| Surface | Pro Sports-Quality Artificial Turf |
| Current use | Soccer Lacrosse Rugby union |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | January 1934 |
| Opened | September 1, 1936; 89 years ago (1936-09-01) |
| Renovated | 2010, 2015, 2019–21 |
| Closed | 2019–2021 |
| Reopened | 2021 |
| Construction cost | $35 million (2019 renovation) |
| Tenants | |
Former tenants: List
| |
American Legion Memorial Stadium is a 10,500-seat stadium located on 7th Street in theElizabeth community ofCharlotte, North Carolina. It is located on a complex with theGrady Cole Center. Both are located next toCentral Piedmont Community College.Independence Park Stadium, a tiny public baseball stadium, is also close by. Memorial Stadium is mainly used for high school sporting events and also serves as a public venue. Before the construction of nearbyBank of America Stadium in 1996, Memorial Stadium was Charlotte's largest outdoor stadium, and is still the largest municipal venue in the city.
Ground was broken on the stadium in 1934 and the gates were officially opened two years later in 1936. Named in honor of local soldiers who fell inWorld War I, the stadium was a project of theWorks Progress Administration.[3]
Throughout the years the stadium hosted events of every kind, ranging from Presidential addresses, to classicprofessional wrestling encounters featuring local heroRic Flair. The stadium formerly hosted Charlotte Central High School (which is now calledGaringer High School). For many years afterward, as the city grew and opened more high schools, the stadium was used practically every week during the football season to accommodate both schools which had no campus stadium and large crowds which some campus stadiums could not contain for the more popular match-ups.
In February 1985, the stadium hosted a pair of preseasonUnited States Football League (USFL) games, which the city hoped would attract an expansion team.[4] The first game on February 2 saw theNew Jersey Generals defeat theMemphis Showboats 16–3, while theBaltimore Stars beat theTampa Bay Bandits 28–26 on February 16.[5][6] The Generals–Showboats game drew just 11,667 fans due to rain compared to the approximately 20,000 who attended the Bandits–Stars meeting in sunny weather.[5][7]
From 1937 to 2000, the stadium hosted the Shrine Bowl, which was an annual match-up of the top high school football players in North Carolina and South Carolina. Sometime during the 1960s and 1970s, Memorial Stadium gained upper-level seating on both sides of the field, raising its capacity to over 20,000.[8]
On October 4, 1996, the grunge rock bandPearl Jam played a concert at the stadium. During the tour that included this show, the band was determined to find alternative venues, such as this one, primarily as a way to avoid using Ticketmaster as the ticket seller.[9]
For the past few years the stadium has hosted several band competitions. It has hosted the battle of the Bands between the biggest HBCUs in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and hostedDrum Corps International competitions hosted byCarolina Crown.
The stadium also served as a neutral site for the 2002 and 2003 meetings betweenThe Citadel andVMI, known as theMilitary Classic of the South.[10]
In late 2009 the east end of the stadium suffered significant damage after a storm drain under the structure caved in causing the stands above it to collapse. While repairs were being made, the stadium was closed for several months. The stadium reopened in July 2010 with a reduced capacity as a grass berm largely replaced the old seating.
Memorial Stadium served as the home field for theCharlotte HoundsMLL team. The team began play at the start of the 2012 season and used the stadium for home games until 2018. The team is currently on hiatus and hopes to return in 2021.
The stadium continues to play a large role in Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school football, as it hosts big ticket match-ups such asButler v.Independence andCharlotte Latin v.Charlotte Country Day. TheMyers Park Mustangs moved most of their 2012 home games to the stadium after renovations temporarily lowered capacity at Gus Purcell Stadium, their on-campus home.[11]
In early 2015, the possibility arose of renovating the stadium to accommodate professional soccer in Charlotte and try to lure an MLS expansion franchise to the city, however this was only a proposal.[12] Sometime during 2015, a new press box was constructed on the 'visitors' side of the stadium. The Mecklenburg County Commissioners approved a $23 million renovation plan in late 2017.[13]
In September 2019, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation broke ground on a $31.7 million reconstruction of the stadium, which became the new home of theUSL Championship soccer teamCharlotte Independence beginning in spring 2021. The reconstruction was completed in 2021. The existing stadium was demolished and re-built. The reconstruction added new concourse buildings, a memorial, a new scoreboard and other amenities. Historical elements of the stadium, such as the stone wall and ticket booths, were removed and preserved offsite, then reinstalled in the new structure. Capacity dropped to 10,500.[14][15][16]
In May 2023,USL Super League president Amanda Vandevort announced that Carolina would be one of the league's initial clubs. The women's soccer team will play in American Legion Memorial Stadium starting in August 2024.[17]
Anthem RC joinedMajor League Rugby for the2024 Major League Rugby season and played their home matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium.[18][19] It was announced in March 2025 that American Legion Memorial Stadium would host its first ever international test matches in July 2025, with theUSA Eagles hosting Belgium and Spain.[20][21]
| Date | Home | Result | Away | Competition | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 5, 2025 |  United States | 36–17 |  Belgium | Test match | [22][23][24] | |
| July 12, 2025 | United States | 20–31 |  Spain | Test match | 6,129 | [25][26] |
35°13′06″N80°49′42″W / 35.2182°N 80.8283°W /35.2182; -80.8283