CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Atlantic Coast Conference and the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced they've reached an agreement on a six-year contract extension that will keep the conference's football championship game in Charlotte through 2019.
The announcement was made at a news conference Monday in Charlotte, home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
The game has thrived since moving from Tampa, Fla., to a more centralized location in Charlotte in 2010 with an average yearly attendance of nearly 70,000 fans the past four years. The 2011 game between Clemson and Virginia Tech set an ACC championship game record with 73,675 fans attending the title game in Charlotte.
"We are pleased to announce that Charlotte will continue to be the home of the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship through the 2019 season," said Swofford. "The Charlotte Sports Foundation, Bank of America Stadium, the Carolina Panthers and entire City of Charlotte have been outstanding partners and continue to facilitate the growth and success of the game and our many ancillary events. This annual weekend is a true celebration of ACC Football."
This past season, Florida State defeated Duke in the ACC championship game en route to winning the BCS national championship.
"The Charlotte Sports Foundation, on behalf of the city of Charlotte, is very proud to be able to announce a multi-year extension of the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship in Charlotte," said Johnny Harris, Chairman of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. "Our Board is dedicated to the long-term health of this game in Charlotte, and it remains committed to working together to ensure Bank of America Stadium is its home for a very long time. This is a continuation of a great partnership between Charlotte and the Atlantic Coast Conference."
Future of CIAA tournament in Charlotte questionable
Officials announced Monday the ACC championship game will stay in Charlotte for another six years.
For CIAA information, click here.
While the ACC extension is good news for Charlotte, the future of the CIAA Tournament was still undecided Monday.
The ACC championship brings $10 million a year to Charlotte while the CIAA is worth $47 million.
It's one reason why city leaders have been lobbying for months to keep it here while being tight lipped about the hand they're playing.
Mayor Pat Cannon thinks the fact that the 2015 tournament is now just a year away could help Charlotte.
"It may make some others scramble a bit, which from our perspective is not a bad thing because we want to extend the contract or maintain it here," Cannon said.
The actual dates of the six Atlantic Coast Conference Games in the agreement are:
December 6, 2014
December 5, 2015
December 3, 2016
December 2, 2017
December 1, 2018
December 7, 2019
WSOC
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