CLT Gear Guide: How to Support Your Sports Team
Want to show how much you love your team? Get your gear from these local sports stores around the Charlotte area.
by Charlie Leonard
Supporting your team goes way behind the final buzzer. Whether it’s the preseason, the postseason or the middle of the match, diehard fans wear their support on their sleeves. And with the latest team shirt, sweatshirt or jersey, you’ve literally got your beloved team right on your sleeve. Now that’s fandom!
Local Stores
Charlotte Visitor Info Center
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Charlotte Visitor Info Center is a great resource for any Queen City visitor or resident. That’s especially true if you love local gifts and clothing. Look for the Panthers-themed “Keep Pounding” kits that feature koozies, shot glasses, art and clothing in that iconic black and blue.
CLT Find
Neighborhoods: Uptown, Dilworth
CLT Find is a woman-owned business that’s dedicated to showcasing high-quality products from local creators. That includes custom-designed sports apparel, too, like their Black Charlotte Vibe t-shirt by CHARLIT Apparel. This graphic t-shirt features Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), Hugo the Hornet (Charlotte Hornets), Chubby (Charlotte Checkers) and Homer the Dragon (Charlotte Knights) together as a squad of friends in a great representation of Charlotte sports.
Greater Golf Express
Area: Pineville
Greater Golf Express provides all sorts of quality golf equipment, including apparel. From shirts and outerwear to hats and golf shoes, you’ll find exactly what you need for a day on the course.
Girl Tribe
Neighborhood: South End, SouthPark, Huntersville
Formed around the mantra, “Empowered women empower women,” Girl Tribe has become one the hottest shops for feminine apparel, jewelry and accessories. That includes sports gear with plenty of Panthers, Hornets and Charlotte FC pieces inspired by iconic brands like Nirvana, The Grateful Dead, the Hornets’ Buzz City collection and more.
Glory Days Apparel
Neighborhood: South End
Glory Days Apparel is built around nostalgia and the great memories that come with it. The shop cleverly combines original designs and iconic brands for a one-of-a-kind Charlotte sports shopping experience. That includes pieces inspired by local colleges, professional teams like the Panthers, Hornets, Charlotte FC and the Carolina Hurricanes, our stock car racing past, and even the Master’s Tournament. Stop in for a graphic t-shirt, soccer scarf or a custom accessory.
Queen & Cotton
Neighborhood: Camp North End, South End
From their “secret lab” in NoDa, Queen & Cotton creates West Coast streetwear with a Charlotte twist. Their eclectic style includes custom sports t-shirts, stickers, koozies and accessories with detailed prints that are equal parts artwork as they are sports gear. While they don’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront, you can find Queen & Cotton’s designs at Lokal in Camp North End and Charlotte Collective in South End.
704 Shop
Neighborhood: South End
Started by three UNCC grads in 2013, the 704 Shop is Charlotte’s original lifestyle and apparel store. Combining streetwear with hometown pride, it was only natural for them to create custom sports gear that reflects our diverse sports scene. While their products cycle in and out of stock, the mainstays include Panthers, Hornets, Charlotte FC and UNCC-themed items. Looking for golf gear? Grab a polo!
Team Stores
Cannon City Supply Company
Area: Kannapolis
Just like the Charlotte Knights, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are an official affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. This single-A team has plenty of great merchandise available at the Cannon City Supply Company, their official team store at the downtown Kannapolis ballpark, Atrium Park. You’ll find great themed merchandise – like their Fourth-of-July-themed shirts – plus jerseys, hats and novelty items that show off one of the Charlotte area’s great sports towns.
Charlotte Checkers
Neighborhood: East Charlotte
One of Charlotte’s oldest and most beloved sports franchises is the Charlotte Checkers hockey team – a member of the NHL’s primary developmental league, the American Hockey League. Originally beginning play in 1956, the recent Calder Cup champions have called the Bojangles Coliseum home for many of them. That’s where you’ll find jerseys, hats, long-sleeved shirts, hockey pucks and other team gear during game day, but you can also find them online on gocheckers.com.
Charlotte Knights Team Store
Neighborhood: Uptown
As the official AAA affiliate of the MLB’s Chicago White Sox, the Charlotte Knights have routinely featured top talent on their roster, and they’ve also got plenty of world-class gear, too, which you can find on game day or during the weekend at Truist Field. Stock up on bats, caps, jerseys – including their popular Charlotte Caballeros jersey – and much more at the retail store on-site.
Hornets Fan Shop
Neighborhood: Uptown
If you’re a diehard Hornets fan, or you just want that gear with the classic logo, stop by the Hornets Fan Shop at the Spectrum Center. Open on game days and during select weekdays, you’ll find official team jerseys, apparel and accessories in classic and modern styles. If you’re a fan of Hornets owner, Michael Jordan, you can also pick up Jordan-brand and 23XI Racing gear in your favorite styles.
The Team Store at Bank of America Stadium
Neighborhood: Uptown
Shared by the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC of the MLS, Bank of America Stadium’s Team Store is the official destination for both types of football. Some of the highlights include official team jerseys for both teams; scarves in Carolina blue, mint and the “scarf of the month” in support of Charlotte FC; replica football helmets and popular player gear from Carolina Panthers fame; and plenty of unique accessories. If you can’t make it during game day, the store is open on the weekdays for a more convenient shopping option.
UNCC Spirit Shop
Neighborhood: University
Whether you’re in the area for a football game or you’re back on campus after some time away, the UNCC Spirit Shop inside the Popp Martin Student Union will get you decked out in green and gold. Pick up official alumni t-shirts and gear, football jerseys, jewelry and glassware, or home office gear and support UNCC in the stands or inside your office.
The Gear Shop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Neighborhood: Uptown
If you’re a racing fan, this is the place to shop. There are just under 6,000 square feet of officially licensed gear inside, meaning you’ll have plenty to choose from – especially if you just found your new favorite driver after a tour of the museum. Come find shirts, hats, prints, bobbleheads, die-cast cars and so much more at this unique Uptown attraction.
