Uptown Charlotte is about to be wall-to-wall jerseys, concert tees and traffic. With a Hornets game Friday, Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium Saturday, Katt Williams Saturday night and Cardi B Sunday, city officials are bracing for a packed 48 hours and Charlotte Area Transit System is practically pleading with fans to leave the car at home.
CATS is warning that heavy crowds, long waits, clogged roads and pricey parking are all on the table if everyone drives. The agency says public transit is the way to dodge the worst of it.
What CATS Is Advising
In a Facebook post, Charlotte Area Transit System urged riders to "skip the traffic and parking fees" and take the LYNX Blue Line, CityLYNX Gold Line or CATS buses into Uptown instead. The agency is steering fans toward its digital tools for buying fares and planning trips, including its mobile apps. For details on fares and which apps to use, CATS points riders to the Charlotte Area Transit System website.
Events Driving The Surge
Charlotte FC is scheduled to host Nashville at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., according to Charlotte FC. Spectrum Center's calendar lists a Hornets home game Friday, plus Katt Williams on Saturday and Cardi B on Sunday, per Spectrum Center. With all of that stacked into one weekend, tens of thousands of fans could be funneling into Uptown in a short window, putting serious pressure on parking decks and major roads.
How To Ride And Plan Ahead
For a lot of fans, rail or streetcar will likely be the quickest way in and out. The LYNX Blue Line and CityLYNX Gold Line both serve Uptown and can spare you the headache of circling for a spot. CATS recommends buying fares in advance and downloading the CATS Pass and other transit tools, and directs riders to the Charlotte Area Transit System site for links and step-by-step instructions. Sign up for CATS Rider's Alerts to get real-time detour and service updates at City of Charlotte.
Plan For Crowds And Timing
CATS is urging riders to build in extra time for security lines, boarding and the walk from lots or stations to their seats, and to consider arriving or heading home slightly off-peak if they want to avoid the biggest crush of crowds. Drivers should expect paid parking to fill quickly; the light rail's Carson, Stonewall and Convention Center stops are quick options for Bank of America Stadium access, per The Stadiums Guide. When in doubt, CATS suggests leaving earlier than usual and checking apps and alerts before making your move into Uptown.
