The Carolina Panthers are hosting a playoff game on Saturday. Meanwhile, $800 million worth of construction equipment is waiting in the wings.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment confirmed this week that the Bank of America Stadium renovation will officially kick off in 2026. The five-year project, split between public and private funding, will transform one of the NFL's oldest venues while keeping both the Panthers and Charlotte FC playing in uptown Charlotte through 2044.
The timing couldn't be more ironic — or more perfect, depending on your perspective.
David Tepper's complicated redemption
Let's not pretend this hasn't been messy. Since buying the Panthers in 2018, David Tepper has compiled a 31-68 record, burned through six head coaches, and abandoned a $800 million headquarters project in Rock Hill that resulted in lawsuits, a bankruptcy filing, and a $100 million settlement.
He once threw a drink at a fan during an away game. Councilmember Tiawana Brown referenced the incident when voting against the stadium deal in June 2024: "It sounds real good until we get Mr. Tepper angry and then he might throw something at the city council."
She wasn't wrong to be skeptical.
And yet — here we are. The Panthers won the NFC South at 8-9, hosted their first playoff game in a decade, and Bank of America Stadium is getting a facelift whether the skeptics like it or not.
What $800 million actually buys
The renovation isn't a teardown. It's a modernization. Per official plans from Clark Construction and D.A. Everett Construction — the joint venture leading the project — upgrades include:
- Brand-new seats throughout the bowl
- State-of-the-art video boards and sound system
- Redesigned concourses and social areas, including a "social patio" on the 500 level with skyline views
- Improved concessions with local Carolina vendors
- Accessibility enhancements, faster escalators, and restroom upgrades
- Back-of-house improvements: electrical, HVAC, plumbing
There's also a new indoor field house planned on the team's 9-acre practice facility near the stadium. That's separate from the main renovation but part of the overall $1.3 billion investment package.
The public funding question
Here's where it gets uncomfortable: the city is paying $650 million of that $800 million price tag. Tepper Sports contributes $150 million up front, plus an additional $117 million already invested in previous upgrades and an estimated $421 million in future capital improvements.
The city's money comes from hospitality and tourism taxes — legally required by North Carolina to fund tourism-related projects. No new taxes were raised. The Panthers argue the stadium generated $1.1 billion in annual economic impact for Charlotte in 2023.
Critics argue that math is overly optimistic and that giving a billionaire $650 million in public money is absurd regardless of where it comes from.
Both sides have a point.
Why this matters beyond Charlotte
Bank of America Stadium opened in 1996. It's now one of the oldest venues in the league. Without significant renovation, relocation conversations become inevitable — and nobody wants to be the next Oakland.
The 20-year lease agreement and non-relocation clause keeps the Panthers in Charlotte through 2044 (with a possible extension to 2045). That's real stability in a league where franchise relocations have become almost routine.
Charlotte City Council approved the deal despite legitimate concerns. Councilman Malcolm Graham, who voted yes, acknowledged "trust issues" with Tepper but called the project "a forward-thinking initiative that aligns with Charlotte's future."
And then there's Bryce Young
None of this would feel quite as justifiable if the team were still a disaster. They're not.
Bryce Young led six game-winning drives in 2025 — the most by any NFL quarterback before age 25. He finished the regular season with career highs in completion percentage (63.6%), passing yards (3,011), and touchdowns (23). The defense forced turnovers at critical moments. Dave Canales got buy-in from a roster that could've quit.
The Panthers aren't Super Bowl favorites. But they're hosting the Rams on Saturday instead of watching from home. That context matters when evaluating a billion-dollar commitment.
Construction begins with site prep and infrastructure work later this year. Completion is targeted for 2030. The stadium will remain operational throughout, with renovations phased between NFL and MLS seasons.
Five years from now, Bank of America Stadium will look different. Whether the Panthers are still any good by then is the question nobody can answer.