Your One-Day Charlotte Game Plan for the MLS All-Star Game
Thousands of visitors are landing in Charlotte this week for the MLS All-Star Game, and if you're one of them, you're in the right place. Whether you're here for kickoff at Bank of America Stadium or just soaking up the city before or after, here's everything you need for one perfect Charlotte game day: where to eat, where to drink, what to see, and what's actually free.
The Main Event
The MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime kicks off Wednesday, July 29 at 8pm at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. MLS All-Stars take on Liga MX's best in front of what's expected to be a packed house for Charlotte's first time hosting this event.
Tickets are still available, running around $70-75 as of game week, though prices climb the closer you get to kickoff. Grab yours at MLSsoccer.com/allstar or through Ticketmaster.
Breakfast: Monday Night Brewing
Start the day at Monday Night Brewing in South End. Their new breakfast menu just dropped, so it's the perfect combo of coffee, food, and a first beer of the day if you're feeling it. Big outdoor space, good energy, easy way to ease into game day.
Shop and Snack: The Market at 7th St
Before you commit to lunch, wander through The Market at 7th St, Charlotte's original food hall. It's a great low-commitment stop for local vendors, quick bites, and drinks, right in the heart of Uptown.
Lunch: Two Ways to Go
Angeline's (11am-2pm): Angeline's inside the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel serves an Italian-inspired menu with a Southern twist. Think house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and small plates in a space that's polished without being stuffy.
Alexander Michael's: If you want something more low-key, Alexander Michael's is a historic Fourth Ward pub that's been a neighborhood favorite for decades. Burgers, blackened catfish, spicy crab soup, and cozy tavern energy in a building from the 1890s.
Walk It Off: Fourth Ward
Take some time to stroll through Fourth Ward, one of Charlotte's oldest and most charming neighborhoods. Historic homes, tree-lined streets, and that quiet Southern-city feel right in the middle of Uptown. Grab a coffee from Indigo along the way, a specialty coffee bar with a cocktail menu too if you want to switch gears.
Get Your Art Fix
Charlotte's creative side is worth a detour. Head to NoDa to see the new soccer mural right next to Evening Muse, the neighborhood's beloved live music venue. Back in Uptown, walk through Luminous Lane, a block-long alley between 3rd and 4th Street that's been transformed by dozens of local artists into a rotating outdoor gallery of murals, paste-ups, and light installations.
Pregame Cocktails: Two Ways to Go
Merchant & Trade: Head to the rooftop at Merchant & Trade for cocktails with skyline views before kickoff. Easy pick if you want a polished pregame spot.
Latta Arcade / French Quarter: For something with more history, duck into Latta Arcade, a 1914 arcade turned food and drink destination with a rooftop bar and courtyard bars at The Alley. Or post up at French Quarter, whose patio actually faces Romare Bearden Park, so you get pregame views built right in.
Dinner or Watch the Game: Two Ways to Go
Fahrenheit: Less than a mile from the stadium, Fahrenheit is an easy win for rooftop views, cocktails, sushi, and dinner with the Uptown skyline behind you. Great option whether you're heading to the game or watching from here.
Blinders: If you're not headed to Bank of America Stadium, Blinders in South End is built for exactly this. Massive screens, elevated sports bar food, a solid cocktail menu. Heads up that it can get busy on game nights, so a reservation is a smart move if you're coming with a group.
What's Free and Open to Everyone
Not spending a dime? You're still in good shape.
Romare Bearden Park – A free public park just steps from the stadium, and one of the best spots to soak up pregame energy.
Luminous Lane and the NoDa mural – Free to walk through any time of day.
Fourth Ward – A historic stroll that costs nothing but time.
The Market at 7th St – Free to browse, buy only what you want.
Charlotte doesn't require a ticket to have a good time, and All-Star Week is proof of that.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're headed into Bank of America Stadium tonight or just here to soak up the city around it, Charlotte's ready for you. Grab a coffee, eat well, find a rooftop, and let the skyline do some of the talking.