Charlotte Crown: A New Era in Women's Professional Basketball

Charlotte is set to welcome the Charlotte Crown, a new professional women's basketball team, as part of the UpShot League debuting in May 2026.

The UpShot League is a developmental platform designed to bridge the gap between collegiate play and the WNBA, offering athletes a stage to showcase their talents. This initiative marks a significant return of professional women's basketball to Charlotte, a city that has been without a team since the Charlotte Sting ceased operations in the early 2000s.

Joining the Charlotte Crown in the league's inaugural season are teams from Jacksonville, Savannah, and Greensboro. Each team will play a 40-game regular season, with 20 home and 20 away games. The Charlotte Crown will host their home games at the historic Bojangles Coliseum, a venue deeply rooted in the city's sports culture.

Leading the team is newly appointed head coach Trisha Stafford-Odom, a former WNBA player and seasoned coach with experience at institutions like Duke and North Carolina Central. Her leadership is expected to bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the team.

The Charlotte Crown is owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the same group that operates the Charlotte Checkers and Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Their commitment to building facilities for each of their teams underscores a dedication to fostering a robust sports environment in Charlotte.

Fans eager to support the Charlotte Crown can place season ticket deposits starting at $44, with single-game tickets beginning at $15. This pricing strategy aims to make games accessible to a broad audience, fostering community engagement.

As the UpShot League gears up for its inaugural season, the Charlotte Crown stands poised to make a significant impact on the city's sports landscape, offering a new avenue for athletes and fans alike to engage with professional women's basketball.