Charlotte Knights to Boost Entertainment in 2026 After Attendance Dip

Minor league team aims to create more energy and excitement at the ballpark this season.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:36pm

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The Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, are planning to focus more on entertainment and promotions for the 2026 season after seeing a dip in attendance. The team will introduce new elements like bands, DJs, themed nights, and drone shows to create more energy and excitement at Truist Field.

Why it matters

Minor league baseball teams rely heavily on affordable ticket prices and constant promotions to draw fans, as the on-field product is often secondary to the overall game-day experience. The Knights' efforts to boost entertainment value come as they look to rebound from a recent attendance decline and maintain their loyal fanbase in the Charlotte market.

The details

The Knights' Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski said the "big thing is creating energy in the ballpark from the minute you get out of your car." Some of the new elements the team is introducing for 2026 include more live music, DJs in the main plaza before and after games, a kids' club with a ticket package, 2 drone shows, and 39 themed nights in addition to 16 fireworks nights.

  • The Charlotte Knights' 2026 home opener is on March 27.
  • The team will have 16 fireworks nights in 2026, comparable to recent years.

The players

Dan Rajkowski

The Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Knights.

Chicago White Sox

The major league parent club of the Charlotte Knights minor league team.

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What they’re saying

“The big thing is creating energy in the ballpark from the minute you get out of your car. We're going to take it in steps: more music, more entertainment, more in-game entertainment.”

— Dan Rajkowski, Chief Operating Officer

What’s next

The Charlotte Knights' 2026 home opener is on March 27, where fans will get to experience the team's new entertainment-focused approach.

The takeaway

The Charlotte Knights' efforts to boost entertainment value at their games reflects the broader trend in minor league baseball of prioritizing the overall fan experience over just the on-field product. By introducing more music, promotions, and interactive elements, the team hopes to draw more fans and maintain their loyal local following.