Tickets on sale for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home opener

CHARLOTTE — Mark your calendars, soccer fans.

Charlotte FC’s season home opener will be March 5, 2022, at Bank of America Stadium against the LA Galaxy. Kick-off will be at 8 p.m. and broadcast details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The home opener will be Charlotte FC’s second match of the season, as the club’s first match during opening weekend will be away. The official schedule will also be released in the coming weeks.

Upper level tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. Prices start at $15.

LA Galaxy is a five-time MLS Cup champion and was a founding member of Major League Soccer. The roster currently includes former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. The 33-year-old is one of Mexico’s biggest stars and all-time leading goal scorer. In 2007, LA Galaxy brought international superstar David Beckham to the United States.

“This match is a massive opportunity for Charlotte FC to make our first impression in Major League Soccer, but also to soccer’s global audience,” said Club President Nick Kelly. “Playing against one of the most recognizable brands in the world in our inaugural home match only heightens the anticipation and makes this a truly historic moment in Charlotte sports history. We’ve been bold in making our goals known for this match—to achieve a sellout crowd and have the most attended game in league history -- and we’re confident everyone across the Carolinas will come together to create an unrivaled environment to help bring home the first of many points at Bank of America Stadium.”

The match against the Galaxy will be one of Charlotte FC’s eight games against opponents from the Western Conference. The remaining 26 contests will be played against Eastern Conference foes.

The 2022 MLS season will start on Feb. 26 and will conclude with Decision Day on Oct. 9. The MLS Cup will be played on Nov. 5 with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar starting a little more than two weeks later.

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EXPANSION DRAFT:

Charlotte FC will add five players to its roster next month through the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft. The club will be able to choose players from other MLS clubs’ unprotected rosters but will be limited to picking one player per club.

The picks will be announced at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 14 on WSOC-TV, WAXN, and in Spanish on Telemundo Charlotte.

The draft show, airing live from Bank of America Stadium, will feature live interviews with Charlotte FC Manager Miguel Angel Ramirez and club president Nick Kelly. Charlotte FC broadcaster Eric Krakauer and former MLS player and current MLS correspondent Calen Carr will provide instant analysis after each pick.

(Watch the video below: Leaders discuss kicking off MLS season with Charlotte FC)

Leaders discuss kicking off MLS season with Charlotte FC

Cox Media Group and Charlotte FC:

Cox Media Group, WSOC-TV (ABC Channel 9), WAXN (TV64) and Telemundo Charlotte is the official television partner of the Charlotte Football Club. WSOC-TV and TV64 will be the flagship English language television partners while Telemundo Charlotte will be the team’s local Spanish-speaking television partner.

All regional Charlotte FC regular season matches in 2022 will be available over-the-air to all television households within the Charlotte viewing area, in both English and Spanish.

Full details of Charlotte FC’s inaugural MLS broadcast schedule on WSOC-TV, TV64 and Telemundo Charlotte will be released with the 2022 MLS schedule.

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