MLS All-Star Week Puts Charlotte’s Soccer Scene in the Spotlight
From MLS vs Liga MX at Bank of America Stadium to Goalie Wars at Truist Field, Charlotte’s All‑Star Week showcases top players, young talent and local soccer culture.
This featured article is sponsored by MLS All-Star Week.
Learn more about the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime.
Learn more about the 2026 MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge presented by AT&T.
2026 MLS All‑Star Game in Charlotte: MLS vs Liga MX at Bank of America Stadium
As part of the biggest summer of soccer in American history, the MLS All-Star Game is coming to Charlotte.
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime will kick off on Wednesday, July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. United States Men’s National Team captain and Charlotte FC star Tim Ream will join the best players from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Not only will the match take place in The Fortress, as BofA Stadium is known by loyal Charlotte FC fans, but the MLS All-Stars will be led by hometown head coach Dean Smith. To supplement the All-Stars chosen by MLS Commissioner Don Garber and votes from the media and fans, Smith has the opportunity to choose 13 members of the team. Don’t be surprised if another Charlotte FC star joins Ream in the squad when the final roster is announced in July.
[7/8/26 UPDATE: The final rosters were announced today, with midfielders Pep Biel and Ashley Westwood joining Ream on the team. View the full roster here.]
The match is always exciting, with MLS All-Stars winning two of the previous meetings in regulation and Liga MX All-Stars winning one in regulation and a second after a penalty shootout. Last year, Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Brian White all scored in the 3-1 win, with Baribo (now playing for DC United) earning MVP honors.
“The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be another chance for our city to be on display to a global audience,” Kristi Coleman, Tepper Sports & Entertainment CEO, told Queen City Nerve. “All-Star Week will bring community programming and celebrations that showcase the Carolinas’ spirit of service and passion for the sport. We look forward to welcoming MLS fans from across the country, along with our colleagues from LIGA MX and visiting supporters, to experience everything Charlotte and our region has to offer.”
Charlotte is always near the top of MLS in attendance, and Bank of America Stadium regularly draws crowds of 50,000+ for international soccer events, which have included club and international friendlies, Copa América and the FIFA Club World Cup. An estimated 57,741 fans attended May’s friendly between the USMNT and Senegal.
In addition to the North American Showcase, All-Star Week will bring multiple experiences and events to Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Tickets: for the 2026 MLS All‑Star Game in Charlotte are available now via Ticketmaster and MLSsoccer.com.
MLS All‑Star Skills Challenge at Truist Field offers affordable access to top talent
On Tuesday, July 28, the MLS All-Stars Skills Challenge presented by AT&T showcases the ultimate competition of precision and skill. The Skills Challenge will take place at Truist Field, giving attendees the opportunity to watch the competition under the best view of Charlotte’s skyline in Uptown.
Charlotte has a strong record in the skills challenge, with two wins in the fan-favorite Goalie Wars, a high-intensity, 1v1 goalkeeper competition. The keepers face off against one another on a shortened, specialized pitch, testing their shot-stopping, distribution and agility. Goalkeepers score by either making a save, firing a shot directly into the back of the net or throwing the ball into the opponent’s corners.
Crown Legacy’s Isaac Walker claimed the inaugural title in 2023, with teammate Chituru Odunze defending it in 2024.
The wide array of competitions also include shooting challenges featuring the All-Stars. The Skills Challenge is one of the most affordable ways to see the stars, with tickets for a family of four available for less than $75.
All-Star Week in Charlotte will also include celebrations of soccer, showcases of young talent, community service initiatives and player appearances. On Monday, July 27, the fifth annual MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate will feature the league’s future stars, including two young players from the Charlotte FC Academy, at the Matthews Sportsplex. The game is free to attend.
“MLS All-Star Week will showcase our community, with competitions across the county,” said Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell. “The Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews has always hosted up-and-coming soccer talent, so I’m excited to see academy players from across the league take the pitch — including Charlotte FC Academy’s very own Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz and Daniel Brown.”
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game marks the fifth edition of the matchup between the rival Concacaf leagues. For the first time, the leagues will meet just days after the FIFA World Cup, giving fans the opportunity to see national heroes at the top of their game.
This will be only the fourth time one of the “Big Five” All-Star Games has come to the Carolinas; the Charlotte Hornets previously hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1991 and 2019, and the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 2011.
