The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Board of Directors announced Tuesday it will keep its home in North Carolina and has selected Charlotte as the future site of its headquarters operation. The announcement continues the strong legacy of a North Carolina-based ACC.
The ACC’s 50 employees and headquarters will be located in the Legacy Union complex in uptown Charlotte, complete with state-of-the-art gameday operations and production studios.
“Today is a transformational day for the ACC and for our 15 world class institutions. We truly appreciate the state of North Carolina for its dedication to keeping the conference headquarters in the state, and the Charlotte leadership for their commitment and ongoing partnership,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said. “After a comprehensive, inclusive and deliberate process, the Board decided that Charlotte – an amazing and vibrant community – not only meets, but exceeds, the needs of the ACC. Our new home will provide both known and unknown benefits to our student-athletes, member schools and conference office staff. The decision to relocate from Greensboro was a difficult one, and the entire city and its first-class representatives will always hold an incredibly special place in the history and legacy of the ACC.”
“I’m very excited and happy to welcome the Atlantic Coast Conference as Charlotte’s newest resident,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. “Charlotte is one of the best sports towns in the country and a growing destination for sports events so having the ACC call Charlotte home bolsters our reputation nationally. As anyone knows, you always want to have family close by or be able to visit easily and Charlotte’s central location in the region combined with Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, the Queen City is the perfect place for the ACC to call home and continue its great legacy.”
Conversations with the ACC began in late 2021. The CLT Alliance played an integral role in retaining this asset in the state, hosting site visits with members of the ACC senior leadership team and facilitating meetings with city and regional partners. From the beginning of the process, the CLT Alliance collaborated enthusiastically, with the belief that the ACC choosing Charlotte will create opportunity, economic growth, and prosperity for all.
“Today’s announcement affirms the ACC’s commitment to a dynamic-growth future for its athletes and its universities, fuels Charlotte’s increasing prominence as a premier sports hub, and exemplifies our community’s strength in collaborating,” CLT Alliance President and CEO Janet LaBar said. “This was a true team effort, and we’re proud of the collective hustle that led to the ACC’s decision to call Charlotte home.”
The project was a collaborative effort between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Center City Partners, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger, and the North Carolina General Assembly.
“We are thrilled to welcome the ACC to Uptown Charlotte,” Michael J. Smith, president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners, said. “The ACC will be able to continue to grow its incredible brand in North Carolina by tapping into the talent, partnerships, and innovative spirit that make Charlotte’s thriving urban core such a dynamic place.”
North Carolina will continue to see tremendous economic impact as the ACC has committed to continuing to host numerous athletic tournaments and championships in cities across the state.
“The ACC has been a valued partner for many years, adding to Charlotte’s impressive resume and appeal as a host city. With this move, we’re expanding our community’s already strong youth and amateur sports infrastructure, which is such an important contributor to our region’s $7.8 billion visitor economy,” Tom Murray, chief executive officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, said.
“Mecklenburg County is excited about the opportunity to partner with the ACC on bringing their headquarters to our County. We are confident we can support their efforts to grow their brand nationally and leverage the first-class recreational assets our community has to offer,” George Dunlap, chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners said.
Charlotte’s proximity to Greensboro enables the ACC to continue to honor its rich history in North Carolina. The ACC is a collegiate athletic conference that with 15 member schools across 10 states that reside primarily along the east coast. Founded in Greensboro nearly 70 years ago, the conference sponsors 27 sports with nearly 10,000 student-athletes completing at the highest level academically and athletically.
