Bank of America Stadium is a 75,523 seater football stadium located on 33 acres (13 ha) in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. This is the home facility and the headquarters of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. The stadium opened in 1996 as the Ericsson Stadium before Bank of America bought the naming rights in 2004. Former Panthers president Danny Morrison called it "[A] classic American stadium" because of its bowl design and other features.
In addition to Panthers, the stadium hosts the annual Belk Bowl, featuring teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC), and should host annual annual ACC Championships until at least 2019. The game is moved in 2016 but restored in 2017. The biggest crowd ever to attend a football match at the stadium is on December 5, 2015 when 74,514 fans watched Clemson Tigers beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 45-37 in the 2015 ACC Championship.
Video Bank of America Stadium
Other sites are considered for selection
The Panthers organization considered several possible locations for the stadium location before selecting a downtown Charlotte site. Part of the site was occupied by the historic Good Samaritan Hospital. One alternative is near NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in northeast Mecklenburg County. Others are at the intersection of I-85 and US 74 in west Gaston County. A popular choice is to find facilities near the Carowind theme park, with a 50-yard line on the border of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Maps Bank of America Stadium
Naming
The stadium was originally known as the Carolinas Stadium , a name still used for certain occasions such as the FIFA match. Opened in 1996 as Ericsson Stadium after Swedish telecommunications company LM Ericsson purchased naming rights to the stadium in a ten-year, $ 25 million agreement. In 2004, the stadium received its current name after Bank of America purchased naming rights for 20 years. Because Bank of America gained the naming rights, many fans now call the stadium as "The Bank", "The BOA", "The B of A", or "The Vault".
Stadium features
The Bank of America stadium has many unique external features. The architectural aspects of the stadium, like the three major main entrances, incorporate team black, blue and silver processes. The arch that connects the column supporters on the upper deck resembles a half-ball shape, while several acres of trees and landscaping surround the building. The architecture and design of the stadium have been compared to those in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Soldier Field, among others. It also received a designation for externally resembling a "castle" instead of a stadium.
Each entrance of the stadium is flanked by two larger bronze panther statues of life, something unique throughout the NFL. The six statues are all named "Indomitable Spirit" and were installed in 1996. Each depicts a panther growling with green eyes; they are the largest statue ever commissioned in the United States. The names of the original PSL owners of teams engraved on every statue base.
Another striking feature of the stadium is the six dome light. It is found above the main entrance, two per entrance, and sits over a hundred feet in the air. Initially, they just shined the 'process' unique 'Panthers' every night. As the seasons pass, the emitted light becomes even more unimpressive and the dome begins to show their age. During the 2014 renovation, the dome was rebuilt with an LED system. They can now be seen again the process of projecting blue night in various ways that are not possible with the original technology.
Additionally, two people are currently at the Panthers Hall of Honor, former team executive Mike McCormack and former Panthers midfielder and assistant coach Sam Mills, revered with human-sized bronze statues outside the stadium. Prior to the 2014 renovation, the names of hall of honor inductees were placed in which the top ribbon boards were now located. These names are then repainted to the upper back wall behind the last row of chairs. In addition, three copies of quote marble about the stadium from founder Jerry Richardson team placed near the entrance of the stadium in 2014.
In 2016, a statue was added in front of the north gate of the stadium in celebration of Richardson's 80th birthday. The statue stands almost 13Ã, ft (3.96 m) and features larger than Richardson's life statues flanked on both sides by two panthers. One panther stands on its hind legs, claws show off, while others bend down. The three statues have the same bronze color and the two beetles have green eyes and physically resemble the "Indomitable Spirit" statues.
Carolina Panthers
In addition to hosting every Panthers home game since 1996, Bank of America Stadium has hosted seven playoff games. Carolina also has more than 150 consecutive sales at the stadium starting with the 2002 season.
The inaugural season
The Panthers played its inaugural season at Clemson University Memorial Stadium while the stadium was under construction. On August 3, 1996, the stadium played host to the first professional football game as the Panthers picked up the Chicago Bears during the pre-season. The inaugural match starts at 7:35 pm and Carolina wins 30-12. The regular first-team stadium match took place on September 1, 1996 against Carolina that will be the opposite of the Atlanta division; Panthers win 29-6.
playoff game
In 1996, on their way to their first NFC Championship Game, Carolina beat Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys in the first playoff match organized by the stadium. Once again they beat the Cowboys on their way to the XXXVIII Super Bowl in Houston in 2004. Carolina handed their first home defeat to playoff, 33-13, by Arizona Cardinals on January 10, 2009 in the Division Division. The Panthers suffered a second playoff defeat against the San Francisco 49ers 23-10 on January 12, 2014 in the same round. On January 3, 2015, Panthers won their first home playoff match in 12 years, beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-16. On the way to their fourth NFC Championship game, Panthers beat Seattle Seahawks 31-24 in the division division on January 17, 2016. The Panthers beat Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in the NFC Championship game for their second NFC Championship in the history franchise on January 24, 2016. It marks the first NFC Championship to be played and won at the stadium.
Weather incidence
As this is an open stadium, the Bank of America Stadium has experienced a number of events caused by extreme weather.
- Perhaps the most memorable weather-related matches of the home stadium are not expected before. During the 3rd week game with Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011, a massive rain storm enveloped the stadium towards the end of the second quarter. This causes the excess water on the upper deck to pour onto the lower deck and then onto the field, each place resembling a miniature waterfall. The field soon becomes flooded. The CBS camera captures many images, including players, some fans (many are in concourses) and cheerleaders are challenging elements. Overall, four inches of rain fell in under an hour. Charlotte Magazine later described the game as "[2011] Water Bowl". Carolina managed to win 16-10.
- In the 16th week of the 2013 season, with the Panthers playing as Saints in a game that will give the Panthers a playoff spot, heavy rain and wind struck the stadium during the second quarter. Unlike the Jacksonville game, where the wind becomes non-factor, the fans remain in their seats and the rain moves a few minutes later. The Panthers finally won 17-13.
- In Monday night matches during the 2015 season, heavy rains continued through the night, creating miserable field conditions. However, fans re-energize elements. The Panthers survived to win 29-26.
- In the days leading up to the 2015 NFC Championship game, the grounds and sections in and around the stadium were covered with snow and ice/ice mix. However, the Panthers base along with his help cleared the pitch before the game. Most of the snow/hail around and/or inside the stadium is cleared or thawed before the game begins.
- On July 11, 2016, a great storm hit the Charlotte area. Several flashes of lightning struck the center of the stadium, hitting the field. No one was hurt.
Impact on where NFL
At the time of its construction in the mid-1990s, the stadium was a pilot project for the use of Private Chair Licenses. This is the first large-scale project funded in the United States primarily through PSL security, which is a new idea in itself. PSL's promise strength impresses the NFL owners and helps produce Carolinas receiving the first NFL expansion team in nearly two decades. The Seattle Seahawks use the stadium, among other things, as a reference when designing CenturyLink Field. By 2013, the number of stadiums that have been opened or undergoing renovations since the Bank of America Stadium opened has risen to 25.
Renovation of Stadium
During the first few seasons this stadium is considered very much before its time until the end of 2013-14 season, only slightly improved (in addition to seating). The most prominent of this increase occurred in 2007 when the original scoreboard, video boards and screens from 1996 were replaced with 31.5 'x 77' video boards and four ribbon boards: two covering the length of the field on both sides and two in the corner opposite. In the following years the stadium is still not considered as current as other NFL stadiums. Some reasons exist, including lack of surround sound, video boards smaller than the rest of the league and poor cellular receipts, among others. During offseason 2013, Panthers renovate the home locker room. There are currently 74 lockers compared to the previous 66, the interior being cleaner and more modern, and the newly added team logo all over.
Panthers proposed a $ 250 million stadium renovation project in early 2013, pending a vote by the city of Charlotte to help pay for it. This plan includes two sets of new scoreboards, several escalators, infrastructure improvements and concourse, among others. The next vote by the city failed and attempts to earn money from the State of North Carolina failed as well. However, in April 2013 the Charlotte city council approved a $ 87.5 million deal for the renovation. The deal also makes the Panthers in Charlotte at least until 2019. Despite the lower costs, the renovations will still apply to the team's original plans.
2014
In January 2014, the Panthers embarked on the most significant renovation to the stadium in its 18-year history as part of a multi-year renovation plan. Upgrades, completed early in the 2014-2015 NFL season, include many improvements. First and probably the most striking of all, two 200 'x 56' HD video boards (more than twice the size of its predecessor), and two 360 Â ° ribbon boards from Daktronics replacing the previous scoreboard/ribbon board. The new ribbon is the highest in the NFL and video boards are among the top ten in NFL when installed. Secondly, the escalator is installed for the upper deck, making access easier for fans. This extension is guaranteed for the building itself which retains the original external design of the stadium. A new surround sound system is also included, with speakers placed around a double bowl as a flagpole. In addition, four open air sections on the upper deck called "fan plaza" are added. Finally, the LED-enhanced glass dome is installed along with new external signage above the main entrance.
2015
Prior to the start of the 2015 season, the Panthers renovated all the existing 158 luxury suites to the stadium and added a new private club suite, dubbed "The 32 Club" because of its position on the 32-yard line. The team then announced another new club, dubbed "Club 51" in honor of former player and coach Sam Mills, will also be added. This new installation lowered the number of stadium luxury suites to 153, but increased overall seating capacity. The team also added two small ribbons above each entrance of the tunnel seen from the stands.
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The third part of the renovation includes an upgraded concourse with a buffet-style beverage station and installing double the number of wi-fi access points from earlier. Updated signboards reflecting the current logo and team words are added to the top concourse, as well as the position of improved concessions and new drink concessions. Most notably, nearly 100 full-body scanners replace the traditional "pat-down" at the main entrance and newly added security offices, as well as other security enhancements.
2017
The fourth and final major renovations include renewing the concourse at the bottom by adding new signs and fixing concessions and installing updated televisions at the club level. Some banners depicting moments throughout the history of the Panthers are also added to the lower concourse. Seating capacity is slightly increased thanks to upgrades at club level. New fields and drainage systems are also installed.
College soccer
The Bank of America stadium does not serve as the main home stadium for any college football team. However, starting in 1996 the stadium has hosted many college football games.
- The ACC Championship Games, played on the first Saturday of December, pitted the Coastal Division champions against the Atlantic Division champions; has been held at the stadium from 2010 to 2015. In February 2014, the ACC announced a 6-year contract extension to keep the game in Charlotte until 2019, but was pulled out in September 2016 after North Carolina passed the Privacy & Security Act (HB2). This game was restored after the HB2 revocation in 2017.
- The Belk Bowl (formerly Meineke Car Care Bowl and Continental Tire Bowl), takes place in late December; this has been held every year in Charlotte since 2002. The game gathers a team from the ACC against the SEC. Charlotte Belk-based department store has been a game sponsor since 2011 and holds sponsorship rights until 2019.
- The stadium has hosted several East Carolina Pirates matches: in 1996 versus NC State Wolfpack, in 1999 versus West Virginia Mountaineers, in 2004 versus NC State, in 2008 versus Virginia Tech Hokies, and in 2011 against South Carolina Gamecocks.
- In 2006, Clemson played against Temple in the stadium.
- Two matches in North Carolina-NC football matches took place in stadiums in 1998 and 1999, respectively.
- On September 3, 2015, the first Belk Kickoff Game took place at the stadium, held between North Carolina and South Carolina. In 2017, the Kickoff game features NC State and South Carolina; in 2018 the game will be played between West Virginia and Tennessee.
- The other two matches between South Carolina and North Carolina are scheduled to be played at the stadium in 2019 and 2023.
- East Carolina will play the Appalachian Country at the stadium in 2021, with Mountaineers designated as the home team.
Soccer
With a large enough field to meet regulatory requirements for football, the Bank of America Stadium has hosted several football matches.
- This is the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship site in 1999 and 2000.
International football match
Concert
Other events
- Billy Graham's four-day struggle was held at the stadium in 1996.
- The closing night of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, in which President Barack Obama is expected to deliver his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination, will be held at the stadium on September 6, 2012. However, due to the prediction of a lightning storm, was transferred to the Spectrum Center.
References
External links
- Carolina Panthers - Bank of America Stadium Page
- Bank of America Stadium at StadiumDB.com
- The official Belk Bowl website
- Seating Map of Bank of America Stadium
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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