Panthers owner Tepper commits additional $500 million to stadium renovation project

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper announced an additional $500 million investment in ongoing Bank of America Stadium renovations on July 23, 2026, raising the total cost of the project to $1.3 billion, according to ESPN. The investment brings a long-term extension of the Bank of America naming rights agreement and is funded entirely by Tepper's Tepper Sports and Entertainment (TSE), with no additional public money required. TSE will also cover any cost overages and ongoing maintenance.

The stadium is 30 years old. The original renovation commitment announced in 2024 totaled $800 million, with Charlotte contributing $650 million and TSE adding $150 million. The project is expected to complete by 2030.

The renovation targets multiple constituency groups and events. The centerpiece is a 4,400-seat music venue designed to draw year-round weekend traffic beyond NFL Sundays. Panthers team president and TSE CEO Kristi Coleman stated that the entertainment venue is expected to host 80 to 100 concerts and events annually, per ESPN's reporting. The stadium currently shares tenancy with Major League Soccer's Charlotte FC and regularly hosts ACC football championship games, the Duke's Mayo Bowl, and international soccer friendlies.

The explicit goal, per ESPN, is to make Bank of America Stadium attractive for hosting the Super Bowl, NFL draft, and the 2031 Women's World Cup. When asked directly whether the Panthers are considering a Super Bowl bid, Coleman stated: "We would love to get a Super Bowl. ... I think doing projects like this help you get it. It for sure helps your resume." Coleman acknowledged that superior stadium infrastructure alone does not guarantee hosting rights, citing the need for other critical factors including number of hotels and other regional infrastructure. She added: "Does this guarantee (a Super Bowl)? No. But does this help? Yes."

Renderings released by the team show expanded indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, larger and more dynamic scoreboards and displays, improved audio systems, and premium seating options with personalized technology. The exterior will be redesigned with what the team describes as a fresh, modern, open-air look that includes an illuminated crown visible across the Charlotte skyline. Black metal gates surrounding portions of the stadium will be removed to create a more welcoming park-style setting. Retail, food and beverage options, restroom capacity, and flexible event spaces designed to support both game days and offseason community and corporate events are also included, according to ESPN.

Tepper decided to renovate the existing stadium rather than construct a new venue. In developing the renovation plan, the Panthers surveyed fans from Raleigh, Charleston, and other regional markets. Coleman reported that fans requested the venue serve as a weekend destination beyond Sundays, with live music high on their wish list. Coleman stated the vision is: "So now people can come on a Friday and go to a concert, go to a soccer match on Saturday and then stay for a Panthers game on Sunday."

Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington, per ESPN, called the project an investment in the city's future, "preserving an iconic venue, enhancing the fan experience, and ensuring Bank of America Stadium continues to create unforgettable memories while giving visitors countless reasons to return to our city for years to come."