Major League Soccer expanded in 2019, awarding a team to billionaire Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who branded the team Charlotte FC.
Now, in the 2022 MLS season, Charlotte FC is set to have its inaugural home match on March 5 at Bank of America Stadium, but season ticket prices have some fans upset.
“You’re insane if you think we’re gonna pay for this,” Charlotte native Ben Levinson posted on Twitter after ticket prices initially became known to the public. “Way to ruin a NC kid’s dream of watching his hometown team play.”
The lowest price available for season tickets is $486 per seat, and that still puts you in general admission seating.
The cheapest non-general admission season tickets are $980 per seat, making them more expensive than many Premier League clubs, such as Liverpool, which won the Premier League in 2020.
Part of the price hike comes from the requirement of personal seat licenses for season ticket holders, making Charlotte FC the first team in the league to require this.
Charlotte sports fans are no strangers to this practice, with it also being required for Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers season tickets, adding a one-time fee to the final prices that can range from $350 to $900.
“There’s [simply] more discretionary spending as it relates to events and pro sports in the marketplace,” team president Nick Kelly told Sportico last year.
Even general admission seats are high compared to usual soccer ticket prices. This, along with Charlotte FC’s recent loss to minor league soccer team Charleston Battery, has many wondering how well the team will do.
“I think that prices definitely affect my likelihood of going to the games,” said Charlotte native and Winthrop soccer player Dean DePinto. “I am a college student and don’t have between 50 to 100 dollars in my budget to spend on a soccer game. I would definitely go if the prices mellowed out.”
“Dreamed of having a team in NC. I was super excited to put deposit down and buy season tickets for my family, but with these PSLs that for sure isn’t going to happen now,” North Carolina native Austin Beck wrote on Twitter.
Others don’t mind the prices and are looking forward to what the club will bring to the city.
“I have watched a few games online and have tickets for their first home game,” said Charlotte native and Winthrop soccer player Christopher Cushing. “This makes me want to go to games more. I enjoy the excitement around the new team.”
Charlotte FC played its first road match on Saturday, losing 3-0 against D.C. United. This Saturday, the team will host the LA Galaxy.
The match will be aired on WSOC-TV and can also be heard on WFNZ 102.5 FM/610 AM.
