On any given evening in the Carolinas, the sound of a soccer ball being passed across a field can mean many things: young athletes practicing after school, neighbors gathering, families finding joy together. But for some communities, access to safe, well-lit places to play or the chance to experience a professional match has remained out of reach.
A new partnership between Duke Energy and Charlotte Football Club aims to help change that.
The three-year collaboration brings together the reach of professional soccer and reliable, accessible energy to deliver visible, community benefits – from newly lit neighborhood fields to first-time stadium experiences and expanded help for families struggling with utility costs.
“Charlotte FC is proud to partner with Duke Energy to make a meaningful impact for families and communities across the Carolinas,” said David King, vice president of corporate partnership sales and marketing for Tepper Sports & Entertainment. “Soccer has the power to bring people together, and through this partnership we’re creating safer places for kids to play, expanding access to high level soccer experiences, and supporting families when they need it most. We’re excited to begin this partnership with Duke Energy and continue making a difference across the Carolinas – on the field and in our communities.”
Safer, brighter places to play
One focus of the partnership is improving access to youth sports at the neighborhood level.
Duke Energy will support lighting installations or upgrades at soccer fields in underserved communities across Charlotte – making it safer for kids to practice and play after sunset and helping extend field use for families and community organizations.
For neighbors, better lighting means more than longer hours. It can mean safer spaces, stronger community connection and increased participation in activities that support physical and mental well being.
Opening the stadium experience to more kids
The partnership also brings young people into the heart of Charlotte FC match days.
Through the club’s Tickets for Kids program, Duke Energy is funding 40 tickets per match for students from local schools and community organizations – many attending their first professional soccer game at Bank of America Stadium.
Organizers say those first-time experiences can leave a lasting impression, helping spark new interests and creating moments kids carry with them long after the game ends.
Supporting families through the Share the Light Fund®
Beyond the field, the partnership expands support for families facing financial hardship through Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund®, a long standing program that helps customers manage utility costs during difficult times.
Fans attending Charlotte FC matches can purchase special tickets that include a built-in donation to the fund – turning game attendance into direct community support. Those tickets also include a custom, Duke Energy and Charlotte FC cobranded scarf.
In-stadium messaging will raise awareness throughout the season, and Charlotte FC will match donations generated through the partnership, up to $15,000 per season, extending the fund’s reach across the Carolinas.
“When we began this work, our North Star was clear: create value driven by community needs,” said Michael Marshall, managing director of marketing strategy and execution at Duke Energy. “Working with Charlotte FC allows us to expand access for young people and support families in ways that matter in their day-to-day lives.”
Whether it’s a newly lit field, a child’s first match under the stadium lights or a family receiving help through the Share the Light Fund, the impact of the partnership is designed to show up in practical ways – well beyond the final whistle.