CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s finally official. Charlotte is next in line to get a Major League Soccer team.

  • Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Panthers Owner David Tepper, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement Tuesday
  • The team is expected to begin play in 2021
  • Anticipation is high for what comes next

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Panthers Owner David Tepper, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement Tuesday morning in Uptown that the Queen City will welcome the league's 30th franchise.

“This is a historic day for the Queen City. All of you have worked so hard to bring this dream of Major League Soccer to Charlotte,” Garber said.  The team is expected to begin play in 2021.

Garber said Charlotte met three requirements for a team: having a committed leader with David Tepper, public/private partnership, and having a team embraced by the corporate community.

“During the last two decades, Charlotte has experienced enormous energy and growth, which matches soccer’s explosive rise in popularity in the United States.  We are pleased to add David Tepper to our ownership group and look forward to working with him and his entire organization to launch Major League Soccer in the Carolinas in 2021,” Garber said.

Tepper said he has high hopes for the future which includes a winning team and making renovations and additions to Bank of America Stadium. 

"This is going to tie this city together. It's going to be new Charlotte. That other city down the road, to the west...Charlotte is hot," Tepper said. “I’ve made clear for a long time that I have two goals as a team owner: sustained winning on the field and making a difference in the community. These will be our goals with Charlotte’s MLS team, and the work begins today.”

He now owns the newest MLS franchise making him owner of two of three major-league franchises in the city.

Mayor Vi Lyles confirmed that the team's headquarters will be in east Charlotte at the Eastland Mall site which will bring new development to the area. Last month, she sent a letter to the commissioner detailing a plan moving forward which included setting aside $110 million in hospitality funds

"I know there will be challenges. But as long as we stay true to our vision, we know this will work," she said.

RELATED: East Charlotte Reacts to Potential MLS Impact

Fans can get an early start on securing seats. Season-ticket membership is now available and start at $50 per account. More information can be found at www.charlottemls2021.com

For weeks, there had been speculation whether or not MLS would be North Carolina’s next professional league since there had not been an official statement.

Earlier this year, Panthers Owner David Tepper openly expressed interest in bringing a soccer team to the Queen City. Over the summer, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the International Champion’s Cup were both held at Bank of America Stadium with a high turnout.