Bank of America and the Carolina Panthers announced on July 23, 2026, a long-term extension of their naming-rights partnership for Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Neither the length nor the financial value of the new agreement was disclosed, but it keeps one of the NFL’s longest-standing corporate naming partnerships intact after the bank’s original 20-year, $140 million deal — signed in 2004 when the venue was renamed from Ericsson Stadium — technically expired in 2024 and was bridged by a short-term extension.
The announcement lands alongside an expanded renovation of the stadium, now budgeted at more than $1.3 billion, up from the project’s original scope. The City of Charlotte is contributing $650 million in public funds, while Tepper Sports & Entertainment, led by Panthers owner David Tepper, is covering the remaining costs, overages, and future maintenance.
Quick Answer
Bank of America and the Carolina Panthers extended their stadium naming-rights partnership on July 23, 2026, without disclosing terms, as part of a $1.3 billion renovation of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The stadium itself remains open-air and uncovered — Tepper Sports & Entertainment considered a retractable roof or dome during planning but dropped the idea over cost and Charlotte’s mild climate, so the current renovation does not add a roof.
The Story Behind the Extension
Bank of America’s relationship with the franchise predates the naming-rights deal itself: then-CEO Hugh McColl helped secure Charlotte’s NFL expansion franchise in the early 1990s. The bank later purchased naming rights to the stadium in 2004, and this month’s extension renews that branding for an undisclosed new term.
Panthers owner David Tepper said the goal is to “create experiences that enhance the passion and energy of the region,” while Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan pointed to the bank’s deep, ongoing ties to Charlotte. Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington called the renovation “an investment in Charlotte’s future,” framing it as preservation of an iconic venue rather than a replacement.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Is Bank of America Stadium Covered? Roof and Weather Explained
No — Bank of America Stadium is an open-air, 75,000-plus-seat bowl with no roof over the seating areas, and that isn’t changing with the current renovation. During planning, David Tepper pushed for a retractable roof or dome that could let Charlotte compete for events like the NCAA Final Four or a Super Bowl, but Tepper Sports & Entertainment ultimately dropped the idea, citing Charlotte’s relatively mild climate and the several hundred million dollars a roof would add to an already $1.3 billion project.
Instead of a roof, the renovation adds weather-independent amenities: expanded covered concourses and gathering spaces, a new enclosed 4,400-capacity entertainment venue for year-round events, and additional shaded and premium seating options. Fans attending Panthers or Charlotte FC games should still plan for outdoor conditions, including North Carolina’s late-summer heat and occasional winter cold snaps.
The $1.3 Billion Renovation: What’s Changing
The renovation includes expanded gathering spaces, new scoreboards, upgraded seating and premium offerings, an illuminated exterior “crown,” and the new 4,400-capacity entertainment venue intended to host 80-100 events a year. Expanded food, beverage, and retail options are also planned throughout the concourses.
Work is phased to keep the stadium operational: interior construction is underway through 2026, with fan-facing upgrades beginning in 2027. Panthers and Charlotte FC games are expected to continue on schedule throughout the multi-year project, with the heaviest construction activity concentrated in the off-season windows.
Photo: HangingCurve / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Planning a Visit During Construction
Ticketing, gate hours, and bag-policy details for events at Bank of America Stadium are set by the Panthers and updated as construction phases progress, so they’re best checked close to your visit date rather than assumed from prior seasons. The official Bank of America Stadium facts page and the team’s renovation site are the canonical sources for current stadium policies, seating changes, and construction updates as they roll out.
As with most NFL venues, expect tiered pricing for tickets (single-game vs. season/club/suite access), mobile-only entry, and a clear-bag policy — but confirm the specifics on the official Panthers channels before each visit, since renovation phases may temporarily shift entry gates, parking lots, or concourse access.
How This Deal Compares to Other Stadium Naming-Rights Moves
Bank of America’s extension bucks a trend of naming-rights churn elsewhere in sports. In Minneapolis, U.S. Bank Stadium — home of the Minnesota Vikings — is a fixed-roof, domed venue with a translucent ETFE membrane roof, giving it a very different weather profile from the open-air Bank of America Stadium; it was the first fixed-roof NFL stadium built since 2002 and was designed specifically to handle heavy Minnesota snow loads.
Meanwhile, other naming partnerships are ending rather than extending. In February 2026, ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs announced that their 20-year naming-rights deal for Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania — the first pro sports venue named for the soft-drink brand — will conclude in September 2027, with the ballpark set to take a new name after that. Bank of America’s willingness to keep its name on the Charlotte stadium through a $1.3 billion renovation stands out against that backdrop as one of the more durable naming partnerships in American pro sports.
Bank of America Stadium naming rights extension FAQs
Is Bank of America Stadium covered or does it have a roof?
No. Bank of America Stadium is an open-air stadium with no roof over the seating bowl. Owner David Tepper explored adding a retractable roof or dome during renovation planning, but the idea was dropped due to cost and Charlotte’s climate, so the current $1.3 billion renovation does not add one.
How long is Bank of America’s new naming-rights deal for the stadium?
The length of the extension was not publicly disclosed, though it follows a 2004 agreement that ran for 20 years and had been bridged by a short-term extension since expiring in 2024.
How much is the Bank of America Stadium renovation costing?
The project now totals more than $1.3 billion, with the City of Charlotte contributing $650 million and Tepper Sports & Entertainment covering the rest, including overages and future maintenance.
Will the Panthers still play at Bank of America Stadium during construction?
Yes, the renovation is phased so Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC games continue as scheduled through the multi-year project, with major construction concentrated in off-season windows.
Is U.S. Bank Stadium covered like Bank of America Stadium?
No, they’re opposites. U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Vikings, has a permanent fixed roof made of a translucent ETFE membrane, while Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte remains fully open-air with no roof.
What happened to Coca-Cola Park’s naming rights?
Unlike Bank of America’s extension, Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania is losing its naming sponsor: ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs announced in February 2026 that their 20-year naming deal will end in September 2027.
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