Alcohol Availability Near Charlotte's Panther Stadium

The Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) and Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium has a capacity of 74,867 and is located in the Uptown section of Charlotte. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the stadium, and guests attempting to bring their own alcohol into the stadium will not be admitted. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase inside the stadium for those 21 years of age or older with a valid form of identification.

Alcohol sales at the stadium

Alcohol sales at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, are governed by a set of policies and guidelines. The stadium, home to the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) and Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), has clear rules regarding alcohol sales and consumption.

Firstly, the stadium prohibits bringing outside alcoholic beverages into the premises. Guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol inside the stadium. This policy is strictly enforced, and any attempt to bring personal alcohol may result in denied entry. However, guests are allowed to bring two sealed 16.9 oz bottles of water per person.

Alcohol sales within the stadium are permitted, and guests can purchase alcoholic beverages from various concession stands and full-service bars. The stadium offers a convenient mobile ordering option through the Panthers app, allowing fans to order directly from their phones and avoid waiting in lines. However, alcohol sales via the app are discontinued after the start of the second half of a game.

To purchase alcohol inside the stadium, individuals must be at least 21 years old and present a valid form of identification. In North Carolina, there are four acceptable forms of ID for alcohol purchases: a current driver's license from any state in the US, a current US military identification card, a current North Carolina identification card, or a valid passport from any nation.

There are also limits on the amount of alcohol that can be purchased at once. Per stadium policy, only two beers will be sold per person in a single transaction. Additionally, alcohol sales will be discontinued at specific times during events. For football games, sales typically stop at the end of the third quarter, while for soccer games, sales cease at the 75th minute. Stadium management reserves the right to discontinue sales earlier if deemed necessary.

The stadium encourages responsible drinking and expects patrons to act accordingly. Intoxicated individuals may be denied entry or removed from the premises if their behaviour poses a threat to others or diminishes their enjoyment of the event.

Alcohol policy for visitors

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at Bank of America Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, visitors are not permitted to bring outside alcoholic beverages into the stadium. Alcohol sales will be discontinued at the end of the third quarter, or the 75th minute of the game. Sales may be discontinued earlier at the discretion of stadium management.

To purchase alcohol, visitors must be at least 21 years old and present one of the following four acceptable forms of identification:

• A current driver's license from any state in the United States
• A current U.S. military identification card
• A current North Carolina identification card
• A current official passport issued by any nation

Only two beers will be sold per person, per purchase. Alcohol will no longer be sold via the Panthers app after the start of the second half of the game. Visitors are encouraged to drink responsibly, and those who are obviously intoxicated will not be admitted into the stadium.

Drinking laws in North Carolina

In North Carolina, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol. There are four acceptable forms of identification that can be used to buy alcoholic beverages: a current driver's license from any US state, a current US military identification card, a current North Carolina identification card, or a current official passport issued by any nation.

Alcohol laws in North Carolina dictate that only two beers can be sold per purchase per person. Establishments can sell alcoholic beverages in large quantities (such as pitchers or buckets) to groups of two or more people. However, "bottomless" drink offers are prohibited. Restaurants and bars can offer drink specials, but they must last for the entire day. There is an exception to this rule for New Year's, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day, when package deals that include alcoholic beverages are allowed.

The "brunch bill," signed into law in 2017, allows restaurants, grocery stores, convenience markets, private clubs, and other licensed establishments to sell alcoholic beverages from 10 am on Sundays. Prior to this, alcohol sales were not permitted until noon on Sundays.

In terms of drinking and driving, North Carolina has strict DWI rules. If an individual refuses to take an Intoxilyzer test (breath or blood), their license is automatically revoked for 30 days, with an additional one-year revocation imposed by the DPS, regardless of the court's verdict. If someone under 21 refuses the test and has the smell of alcohol on their breath, they can be convicted of driving after drinking.

Alcohol Policies at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte

The Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to the Carolina Panthers NFL team and has a capacity of 75,525. The stadium has a strict policy against outside alcoholic beverages, and guests who attempt to bring their own alcohol or who are visibly intoxicated will not be admitted. All alcohol sales require a picture ID as proof of age, and sales are discontinued at the end of the third quarter or the 75th minute. Alcohol will no longer be sold via the Panthers app after the start of the second half of the game.

Stadium location and attractions nearby

Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, is located in the Uptown section of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the heart of the city centre. The 75,525-seat stadium was specifically designed for football and is known for its massive bronze panther statues that flank the entrances. The stadium also has the distinction of hosting the largest crowd ever to attend a football game, with 74,532 fans in attendance.

There are several attractions and amenities located near the stadium. For guests travelling with children, the stadium offers a Tag-A-Kid program at the 100-level concourse Guest Relations Booths. The stadium also has eight fully furnished lounge areas, exclusive dining options, and full-service bars. There are also 151 luxury suites on the 300 and 400 club levels, which offer excellent hosting options for groups. Outside food and beverages, including alcohol, are not permitted inside the stadium, but there are various food and beverage options available for purchase inside, including game-day favourites like hot dogs, bottomless refills on soda, and beer and wine.

The stadium is also within walking distance of several hotels and restaurants, and public transportation is easily accessible. The Charlotte Football Club provides Guest Relations Booths at each entrance gate, where representatives can provide information about the stadium, public transportation, restaurants, and hotels.

In addition to football games, the stadium hosts other events such as concerts and soccer matches. It has hosted the annual Duke's Mayo Bowl, featuring teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and other conferences, and will host four matches of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

Stadium history and design

The Bank of America Stadium is a 74,867-seat multi-purpose stadium located in the Uptown section of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the headquarters of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) and Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium was designed by HOK Sports Facilities Group specifically for football. It opened in 1996 as Ericsson Stadium, with Swedish telecom company LM Ericsson initially holding the naming rights. The stadium has been considered "a classic American stadium" due to its bowl design and other features. The architecture of the stadium has been compared to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Soldier Field in Chicago. The façade features distinctive large archways and domed towers. The stadium is also known for the massive bronze panther statues that flank the stadium entrances, which are the largest statues ever commissioned in the United States.

The Carolina Panthers played their first season at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, as the stadium in Uptown Charlotte was still under construction. The Panthers have played their home games in Charlotte since 1996, with the stadium hosting every Panthers home game and seven playoff games. The stadium was the first large-scale project funded chiefly through Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) in the United States. The strength of PSL pledges impressed NFL owners and helped result in the Carolinas receiving the first NFL expansion team in nearly two decades.

In 2004, Charlotte-based financial services company Bank of America purchased the naming rights under a 20-25-year agreement at $140 million, and the stadium was renamed Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers began significant renovations to the stadium in 2014, including the installation of large HD video boards and 360-degree ribbon boards, as well as escalators for the upper deck. In 2019, it was announced that Charlotte FC would play at the stadium, requiring renovations such as new locker rooms, camera positions, and a tunnel entrance.

Despite the stadium's good preservation, its design is now considered obsolete due to the lack of open concourses and a retractable roof. There have been discussions about constructing a new stadium for the Panthers and Charlotte FC, with the current stadium eventually being demolished. However, the Charlotte City Council approved an $800 million stadium renovation plan in 2024, ensuring the Panthers' stay in Charlotte for the next 20 years.

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