New Veteran Tribute Debuts at American Legion Stadium

Pregame ceremony honors military service before Charlotte soccer matches

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:25am

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting in muted earth tones depicting the ceremonial elements of a military color guard presentation and national anthem at a sports stadium, with the figures and objects deconstructed into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes.A cubist-inspired illustration captures the geometric energy of a pregame military tribute at a professional soccer stadium.Charlotte Today

American Legion Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina has introduced a new pregame tribute to veterans before home matches for the local professional soccer teams, the Carolina Ascent and the Charlotte Independence. The tribute features military color guards, the national anthem, and special recognition for veterans in attendance.

Why it matters

The new veteran tribute aims to honor the service and sacrifice of military members in the Charlotte community, many of whom are fans of the local soccer clubs. The ceremony reflects a growing trend of sports teams incorporating tributes to the armed forces into their gameday programming.

The details

The veteran tribute takes place on the field just before kickoff, with the teams and officials lining up for the national anthem after a presentation of the colors by a military color guard. The stadium announcer then invites all veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized by the crowd. The tribute is scheduled to be a permanent part of every home match for the Ascent and Independence.

  • The new pregame veteran tribute debuted on April 5, 2026 before the Carolina Ascent's home match.
  • The tribute will be included at every home game for the Ascent and Independence moving forward.

The players

American Legion Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina that serves as the home venue for the Carolina Ascent and Charlotte Independence professional soccer teams.

Carolina Ascent

A professional soccer team that plays in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer, and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte Independence

A professional soccer team that plays in the USL Championship and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“We're honored to be able to recognize the brave men and women who have served our country before every home match. It's the least we can do to show our appreciation for their sacrifice.”

— Samantha Wilkins, Team President, Carolina Ascent

What’s next

The veteran tribute is expected to continue indefinitely as part of the pregame ceremonies at American Legion Stadium.

The takeaway

The new veteran tribute at American Legion Stadium is a meaningful way for the local professional soccer teams to honor the military service of fans and community members, reflecting a broader trend of sports franchises incorporating patriotic displays into their gameday programming.