The “No Man’s Land” of the Charlotte sports season is upon us. The NBA and NHL Finals are going to be coming to a conclusion within the next couple of weeks and this will leave us with only the MLB to entertain us for the remainder of the Summer.
I know, these are dark, dark times.
While none of Charlotte’s sports teams have been playing for a couple months now -outside of the Knights- our lack of sporting pleasures will become that much more noticeable in the coming months.
We’re here to help you combat this dreadful season with some sporting events that will be happening in the Queen City this summer.
June through August – Minor League Baseball – Charlotte Knights
The only sport that will be consistently played throughout the summer will be Charlotte Knights minor league baseball. For Charlotteans unfamiliar with the Knights: The Knights are the Triple-A affiliate for the Chicago White Sox. These events are usually loads of fun for friends and families to attend, and tickets aren’t pricey at all.
There is usually some kind of event going on during games as well. Every Thursday is “Thirsty Thursday” where you can enjoy cheaper beer and soda prices, and on Friday’s you can enjoy “Friday Night Fireworks” with the family after the game concludes. If you haven’t been to a Knights game yet, you’re definitely missing out. Even those who don’t enjoy baseball will have a good time at these games. This should be on everyone’s summer to do list.
July 2, 2017 – Basketball – Big 3
Actor and rapper Ice Cube is bringing his brand new “Big 3” league to the Spectrum Center on July 2. The league is an eight-team 3v3 tournament that consists of a handful of your favorite retired basketball players including Allen Iverson, Mike Bibby, Jason Williams, Chauncey Billups, and many others. The teams will be coached by some of the greatest NBA legends of all time, including Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Charles Oakley, Rick Barry and others.
While they may not be as athletic as they used to be, this is a chance for you to relive your childhood as you watch your former idols battle it out 3 on 3 style. Ice Cube has even made his own adjustments to the game, introducing the four point line, which will surely add an interesting touch the game.
July 4, 2017 – Baseball – Collegiate Team USA vs Team Cuba
For the second time in three seasons, collegiate Team USA will face Team Cuba at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte. This exciting Fourth of July spectacle will conclude with the 41st annual WBT SkyShow which is the largest firework show the southeast has to offer. This is a good opportunity to see the future stars of the MLB live.
Even if you can’t get tickets for the game, you can still head Uptown to watch the firework show in Romare Bearden Park with the rest of the city. This is an event the whole family can enjoy during the country’s biggest holiday.
Early August – Carolina Panthers Fan Fest
The Carolina Panthers will return to Charlotte from their training camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina in early August for their annual Fan Fest. Fan Fest is a team practice that will likely include individual position drills, a 7 on 7 scrimmage and full team drills. While it’s not an actual game, it can quench your football craving for a few hours, and is just about the best preview of the fall Charlotte sports season looming on the horizon.
The real fun however comes at the end of practice. There is usually a concert that wraps everything up. Last year Charlotte’s own Sol Fusion performed, and that was concluded with an amazing fireworks and laser show. We’ll have to stay tuned for exact details on the post-practice show for this year’s event.
