American Legion Memorial Stadium

History

Ground was broken on the stadium in 1934 and the gates were officially opened two years later in 1936. Named in honor of local soldiers who fell in World War I, the stadium was a project of the Works Progress Administration.

Throughout the years the stadium hosted events of every kind, ranging from Presidential addresses, to classic professional wrestling encounters featuring local hero Ric Flair. The stadium formerly hosted Charlotte Central High School (which is now called Garinger High School). For many years afterward, as the city grew and opened more high schools, the stadium was used practically every week during the football season to accommodate both schools which had no campus stadium and large crowds which some campus stadiums could not contain for the more popular match-ups.

In February 1985, the stadium hosted a pair of preseason United States Football League (USFL) games, which the city hoped would attract an expansion team. The first game on February 2 saw the New Jersey Generals defeat the Memphis Showboats 16–3, while the Baltimore Stars beat the Tampa Bay Bandits 28–26 on February 16. The Generals–Showboats game drew just 11,667 fans due to rain compared to the approximately 20,000 who attended the Bandits–Stars meeting in sunny weather.

From 1937 to 2000, the stadium hosted the Shrine Bowl, which was an annual match-up of the top high school football players in North Carolina and South Carolina. Sometime during the 1960s and 1970s, Memorial Stadium gained upper-level seating on both sides of the field, raising its capacity to over 20,000.

On October 4, 1996, the grunge rock band Pearl Jam played a concert at the stadium. During the tour that included this show, the band was determined to find alternative venues, such as this one, primarily as a way to avoid using Ticketmaster as the ticket seller.

For the past few years the stadium has hosted several band competitions. It has hosted the battle of the Bands between the biggest HBCUs in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and hosted Drum Corps International competitions hosted by Carolina Crown.

The stadium also served as a neutral site for the 2002 and 2003 meetings between The Citadel and VMI, known as the Military Classic of the South.

Recent events

In late 2009 the east end of the stadium suffered significant damage after a storm drain under the structure caved in causing the stands above it to collapse. While repairs were being made, the stadium was closed for several months. The stadium reopened in July 2010 with a reduced capacity as a grass berm largely replaced the old seating.

Memorial Stadium served as the home field for the Charlotte Hounds MLL team. The team began play at the start of the 2012 season and used the stadium for home games until 2018. The team is currently on hiatus and hopes to return in 2021.

The stadium continues to play a large role in Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school football, as it hosts big ticket match-ups such as Butler v. Independence and Charlotte Latin v. Charlotte Country Day. The Myers Park Mustangs moved most of their 2012 home games to the stadium after renovations temporarily lowered capacity at Gus Purcell Stadium, their on-campus home.

In early 2015, the possibility arose of renovating the stadium to accommodate professional soccer in Charlotte and try to lure an MLS expansion franchise to the city, however this was only a proposal. Sometime during 2015, a new press box was constructed on the 'visitors' side of the stadium. The Mecklenburg County Commissioners approved a $23 million renovation plan in late 2017.

2019 reconstruction

In September 2019, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation broke ground on a $31.7 million reconstruction of the stadium, which became the new home of the USL Championship soccer team Charlotte Independence beginning in spring 2021. The reconstruction was completed in 2021. The existing stadium was demolished and re-built. The reconstruction added new concourse buildings, a memorial, a new scoreboard and other amenities. Historical elements of the stadium, such as the stone wall and ticket booths, were removed and preserved offsite, then reinstalled in the new structure. Capacity dropped to 10,500.

In May 2023, USL Super League president Amanda Vandevort announced that Carolina would be one of the league's initial clubs. The women's soccer team will play in American Legion Memorial Stadium starting in August 2024.

Sports

Rugby Union

Anthem RC joined Major League Rugby for the 2024 Major League Rugby season and played their home matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium. It was announced in March 2025 that American Legion Memorial Stadium would host its first ever international test matches in July 2025, with the USA Eagles hosting Belgium and Spain.

References

References

1. "Charlotte 49ers Football - Our Story".
2. "Venues at a Glance".
3. "The American Legion Memorial Stadium (1936)".
4. (February 2, 1985). "Miss The USFL Games Feb.2&16 And You'll Be Crushed.". [[The Charlotte Observer]].
5. (February 3, 1985). "Generals begin preseason with win". [[The Record (North Jersey).
6. Pugliese, Nick. (February 17, 1985). "Jordan displays confidence in moving Bandits". [[The Tampa Tribune]].
7. Pugliese, Nick. (February 17, 1985). "Game Notes". [[The Tampa Tribune]].
8. "Stadium History | Charlotte Hounds".
9. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/pearl-jam/1996/american-legion-memorial-stadium-charlotte-nc-4bd667ce.html
10. (February 20, 2002). "VMI, CITADEL FOOTBALL MOVES TO CHARLOTTE IN THE REGION". highbeam.com.
11. "CMS moves 9 football games due to stadium repairs | CharlotteObserver.com".
12. [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9257561.html The Charlotte Observer] (subscription required)
13. (20 December 2017). "County Commission OKs $32M Renovation for Memorial Stadium".
14. (3 June 2019). "Plans in place for $35 million Memorial Stadium makeover".
15. (20 September 2019). "Mecklenburg County Hosts Independence Stadium Groundbreaking".
16. "County breaks ground on American Legion Memorial Stadium reconstruction".
17. Bailey, Hunter. (2023-05-26). "USL Super League to launch professional women's soccer team in Charlotte". [[The Charlotte Observer]].
18. "USA Rugby, MLR, World Rugby Confirm New USAR-Run Team".
19. "Major League Rugby announces Charlotte expansion franchise for 2024 season".
20. "USA Rugby set for landmark 2025 home event series in massive Rugby World Cup year for Men’s and Women’s Eagles".
21. "Charlotte will host international rugby matches this summer".
22. "Eagles start July series with comfortable win over Belgium".
23. "United States of America 36 FT 17 Belgium".
24. "USA Men's Eagles secure victory over Belgium in season opener".
25. "Early Mistakes, Late Frustrations Set Up Spanish Defeat of USA".
26. "Double Test upsets as Rugby Europe teams shock North America".