Charlotte MLS team already has more than 22,000 season ticket deposits
Charlotte’s Major League Soccer team has received more than 22,000 deposits for season tickets, more than a year before the team will hit the field.
Team owner David Tepper had previously told league officials the Charlotte team could draw crowds ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 per match, the Observer reported in July.
Those attendance numbers would be well above what the average MLS team draws. During the 2019 MLS season, only two teams — Atlanta and Seattle — averaged more than 30,000 fans per game, according to Soccer Stadium Digest.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber told media in December he would be “disappointed” if the Charlotte team doesn’t draw “well over 30,000 fans a game.”
“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life,” said J. Scott Collins, who was among the first fans to purchase a membership deposit in the Supporters Section. “I’ve been a lifelong soccer fan and I’m planning to go to every game.”
There are three tiers fans can purchase membership deposits for in the stadium’s lower level: The Supporters Section (which is located behind the goal and where fans are expected to stand the entire match), General Seating and Silver Club Level Seats.
Lower level deposits range from $50 to $100. The site says a team representative will contact fans who place deposits for seat selection “in the coming months.” Additional membership benefits will be also announced closer to the inaugural season, according to the site.
Garber and Tepper announced Charlotte had won the league’s 30th team in mid-December.
Fans said they were not surprised that membership deposits have already been high.
“The way youth soccer is growing means there are a lot of young people and young adults interested in the sport,” Collins said. “Our soccer base in the Carolinas is so huge. I understand the number of of deposits doesn’t necessarily reflect attendance, but I think Tepper will put a good team on the field so there should be a strong turnout.”
Nearby Atlanta United FC sells season tickets ranging from $504 to $8,820.
Fans can place deposits on season tickets at charlottemls2021.com — but full pricing for season tickets hasn’t been announced.
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 1:29 PM.
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