Charlotte fans defend city’s sports scene after report names it worst in US

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new report is drawing strong reactions across the Queen City after ranking Charlotte as the worst sports city in the United States.

The study from Rotowire evaluated cities based on championships, playoff appearances, win percentage and attendance, placing more weight on championships and postseason success over the past 25 years. Charlotte landed at the bottom of the list, with critics pointing to long stretches of struggles from its major league teams and a lack of titles.

But fans in Charlotte say the ranking does not tell the full story.

“They don’t know, they just don’t know,” said Jackson Purcell, a Carolina sports fan.

The report highlights historical performance, but many locals argue it overlooks the city’s growth and evolving sports culture.

“People are dogging on Charlotte as a city versus the sport specifically,” said Jack Sharpe, a fan who attends local games. “The Panthers and the Hornets both have good vibes going, and the Knights are always fun and competitive.”

Fans say loyalty and energy in the city cannot be fully measured by data alone, adding that Charlotte’s potential is a key piece missing from the analysis.

“We’re on the up and coming,” Purcell said. “We have a playoff basketball team, a playoff football team, and soccer looked good last year. It’s going to be good.”

Recent success across multiple teams is fueling optimism. The Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Charlotte FC have all seen postseason action within the past year, giving fans hope that future rankings could look different.

“With that ranking, it’s just an overall view,” said Joseph Bourhio, a Charlotte native. “But what’s happening recently, players coming here, people are starting to realize this is an up-and-coming sports city.”

Some fans say Charlotte’s relatively young sports history also plays a role in the ranking.

“That’s an overreaction, because it is a younger city,” Bourhio said. “It doesn’t have the polished history that older sports cities have.”

Charlotte’s compact uptown layout is another factor fans say enhances the experience, making games more accessible compared to other major markets.

“I like that you can come uptown, get food, and then go to a game,” Sharpe said. “It’s all right here.”

Still, fans acknowledge there is room to grow, especially when it comes to gameday traditions.

“Maybe some more tailgating events, get fans around the stadium more,” Purcell said. “But I think we do pretty good as a city.”

Despite the last-place ranking, many believe Charlotte is on the verge of a shift.

“It’s almost like a ticking time bomb with the fan base here,” Bourhio said. “Charlotte is going to become a place where teams don’t want to play.”

Rotowire says its rankings are based strictly on data, but fans in Charlotte say heart, loyalty, and momentum are just as important — and they believe the city’s sports identity is still being built.