Charlotte, NC. The Carolinas section for the PGA of America has a long and storied history in American golf. Last year the U.S. Open returned to Pinehurst for the fourth time. This year the PGA Championship returns for the second time to Quail Hollow.
Charlotte is the 15th largest city in the U.S. and also the largest and fastest-growing city in North Carolina. The Queen City boasts a growing population of over 910,000 residents as of 2023. The broader metropolitan region is home to approximately 2.9 million people — gaining an impressive influx of 117 new residents daily.
Charlotte isn’t known for just one thing and its multi-faceted nature has proved to be an attractive nature for various businesses.
Queen City straddles both North and South Carolina and has quickly become viewed as the most impactful city in the Southeast USA.
Sports
Charlotte is home to an NFL, NBA, MLS (Major League Soccer), MiLB (Minor League Baseball), AHL (Minor League Hockey) teams, and NASCAR, providing the wherewithal to host national and international sporting events and concerts at the Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Coliseum, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Pro golf has been a constant connection with this year’s PGA Championship set for Quail Hollow. The same venue also hosted the previous Wells Fargo event on the PGA Tour. In 2026 the event will feature a new sponsor Truist Bank.
Arts & Culture
Queen City provides a range of well-respected museums and performing art venues, like the Mint Museum, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Knight Theater, and the Blumenthal Performing Arts. Charlotte hosts many annual festivals, including the Lovin’ Life music festival, Carolina BBQ Festival, Charlotte SHOUT and Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Culinary
Talented chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs, bakers and more each offer a unique perspective on what makes the Queen City’s culinary scene special. Award-winning and James Beard recognized chefs are behind the cuisine at restaurants such as Albertine, Restaurant Constance, Counter-, and 3rd and Fernwood.
Optimist Hall, a local food hall, showcases international flavors. The city has numerous go-to spots for casual dining, brunch with friends, and celebrating special occasions.
Things To Do
The Whitewater Center is a one-of-a-kind man-made whitewater complex offering class one to class four rapids, ropes course initiatives, rock climbing experiences and access to the Catawba River.
Family fun can be found at nearby Carowinds amusement park, which hosts seasonal events and includes a waterpark. Experience live music and craft beer at one of Charlotte’s more than 60 craft brewers.
There are also plenty of rooftop bars and eateries to enjoy the views of Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. Shopping at SouthPark Mall is a clear draw for many. One can also explore the Rail Trail, greenways, or one of the many urban city parks, which provide numerous green spaces within the city and surrounding communities.
Tourism
Tourism is a driving force behind Charlotte’s economic viability, fueling job creation, supporting local businesses and generating substantial tax revenue that benefits the entire community.
•$1.1 billion total economic impact in 2024
•1 in 9 jobs are hospitality-related
Impact of Sports Events
Charlotte’s sports scene, which draws fans from across the country to strategic sports events, plays a significant role in the city’s overall economic impact contributing $179.6 million in 2024.
