The MLS All-Star Game comes to Charlotte on Wednesday night, the first time the league has played its midsummer showcase at Bank of America Stadium. The MLS All-Stars face a team of Liga MX All-Stars, three Charlotte FC players are on the roster, and the club’s own head coach is running the team.
How to watch
The game streams on MLS on Apple TV, with commentary available in English, Spanish and French. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29.
The three Charlotte players
Tim Ream, Pep Biel and Ashley Westwood are the first Charlotte FC players named to an MLS All-Star roster in the club’s history.
Ream, who also captains the United States men’s national team, was voted onto the roster by fans and media. Biel and Westwood were named as Coach’s Selections by Dean Smith, who as the host club’s manager was handed the job of filling out the rest of the team.
Biel, signed permanently from Olympiacos, has been the club’s most productive attacking midfielder, with five goal contributions in his last five games. Westwood wears the captain’s armband.
Who is coaching
Dean Smith, Charlotte FC’s head coach, leads the MLS All-Stars. He described building the roster as a balancing act, saying he wanted the game to be “a commercial success and a sporting success,” but also “a community success for this city.”
On his own two picks, Smith said he leaned on the season to date: “I picked two of what I felt were our best players or best performing players in the first 15 games of the season: Ashley Westwood and Pep Biel.”
What the game is
The All-Star Game is a cross-border exhibition between a squad of MLS All-Stars and a squad drawn from Mexico’s Liga MX, a format the two leagues have used before. Charlotte was announced as the host city in March.
Getting there
Bank of America Stadium sits in Uptown Charlotte, at 800 South Mint Street, and is the regular home of both Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers. Charlotte FC drew 28,077 for its most recent home match, a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United on July 22.
Parking
The stadium says there are more than 30,000 parking spaces within a 10 to 15 minute walk. Advance parking can be booked through SpotHero via Ticketmaster. Accessible drop-off is at the corner of Mint and Morehead streets.
Light rail and streetcar
The LYNX Blue Line is the simplest way in. Park at any station and ride to Brooklyn Village Station, which the stadium describes as roughly one football field away. The Gold Line streetcar also serves Uptown. Fare is $4.40 round trip, and Park and Ride is included. The CATS-Pass app handles tickets and live tracking.
Buses
CATS had not published an All-Star bus advisory as of Sunday, July 26. For the most recent comparable home match, Charlotte FC against Atlanta United on Wednesday, July 22, CATS published its alert two days ahead and detoured routes 1, 5, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 34 and 35 from 4 to 11 p.m., citing Uptown road closures. Expect something similar and check the CATS-Pass app on the day. Customer service is 704.366.7433.
Road closures
The city had not published All-Star-specific street closures as of Sunday, July 26. Charlotte DOT maintains an interactive street closure map that feeds Waze, and residents can subscribe to Charlotte Department of Transportation notifications through the city Public Input portal. Uptown closures did accompany the July 22 home match, so plan for them.
Rideshare
The stadium directs riders to follow their own app for pickup and drop-off locations rather than publishing a fixed point.
Stadium rules
Bank of America Stadium enforces a clear bag policy. Permitted: a transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a purse, clutch or fanny pack no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Seat pads without covers, zippers, clasps or pockets are allowed, as are tablets.
Not permitted: any non-transparent bag, including backpacks, cinch bags, computer bags, camera and binocular cases, diaper bags, and purses over 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Seat cushions with covers, zippers, clasps or pockets are also out.
Containers for items of medical necessity are handled separately; the stadium asks that you contact its director of security at 704-358-7000 in advance. Anything turned away at the gate has to go back to your vehicle or be discarded.
The Skills Challenge
The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, presented by AT&T, is the night before the game: Tuesday, July 28, at Truist Field, the Charlotte Knights ballpark in Uptown rather than the football stadium. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. MLS has not published a start time.
MLS says each event within the challenge will crown its own champion, drawing players from both leagues along with guests. Sensory accommodation bags are available at both venues through the league partnership with KultureCity.
Tickets
Tickets for both the game and the Skills Challenge are on sale through Ticketmaster.
Common questions
What time is the MLS All-Star Game?
Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Where is the MLS All-Star Game being played?
Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. It is the first All-Star Game held at the stadium.
How can I watch the MLS All-Star Game?
It streams on MLS on Apple TV, in English, Spanish and French.
Who is playing in the MLS All-Star Game?
A team of MLS All-Stars against a team of Liga MX All-Stars.
Which Charlotte FC players are in the All-Star Game?
Tim Ream, Pep Biel and Ashley Westwood, the first three All-Star selections in the club’s history.
Who is coaching the MLS All-Stars?
Dean Smith, the Charlotte FC head coach, because Charlotte is the host club.
More from the Mercury
Read our reporting on Charlotte FC’s first All-Star selections and Dean Smith’s appointment, follow the club all season on the Charlotte FC page, or browse everything at the Sports Desk.
