Charlotte offers year-round opportunities for sports fans and anyone who enjoys outdoor fun. For football, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers play at the Bank of America Stadium, in downtown Charlotte, which is also host to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. 

For NASCAR, Charlotte is the hub of stock car racing. Major races are held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, which is widely considered to be NASCAR’s home track.

For basketball, the Charlotte Bobcats, play at the Time Warner Cable Arena, as does the WNBA Charlotte Sting.

Hockey fans can also enjoy theTime Warner Cable Arena, when they come to see the Charlotte Checkers. This East Coast Hockey League team is an affiliate of the New York Rangers.

For baseball, the Charlotte Knights play at Knights Stadium. The AAA team is an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. For soccer, check out the Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles at various fields throughout the area.

Golf lovers can see the PGA’s Wachovia Championship each May at Quail Hollow Country Club. Those looking to play have plenty of choices, including some 20 private courses, 13 semi-private courses, and more than 20 public courses.

Folks who enjoy kayaking or other water sports, there is also the U.S. National White Water Center out off Sam Wilson Road.  It offers, different levels of kayaking on the man made river, rock climbing, white water rafting, cycling or running trails as well as a restaurant and conference center.

Other activities can be found at the area’s more than 200 parks, with tennis courts, swimming pools, bowling alleys, ball fields, fitness trails, mountain biking trails, fishing, soccer fields, disc golf courses, and skate parks. For more information, visit the Mecklenburg County Park locator map.