ACC extends deal with Bank of America Stadium for league title game
Despite two years of falling attendance, the ACC title game will stay at Bank of America Stadium. (Chuck Burton/AP)
The ACC title game will remain in Charlotte through 2019 after the Charlotte Sports Foundation agreed to a six-year extension between the leauge and Bank of America Stadium, conference Commissioner John Swofford announced at a press conference on Monday.
The news was first reported by CBSSports.com's Jeremy Fowler, with ESPN's Brett McMurphy first reporting that the deal would be a six-year extension.
In a join appearance with representatives from the Charlotte Sports Foundation, Swofford said that the ACC is excited to continue its partnership with Bank of America Stadium.
“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.”
The Charlotte Observerreported in December that attendance at the last two ACC title games had dwindled. The game was a sellout in 2010 and '11 at Bank of America, with more than 73,000 fans making the trek to the home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers in each of those two years. But attendance at the game had dropped below 68,000 fans in each of the last two seasons.
Officials had discussed moving the game to an on-campus location. Still, the ACC ranks second among all conferences in total attendance at its football title games, according to the league's statement.
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