The 2026 MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte is not being sold as a single-night spectacle. It is being framed as a full week of activity, with a free two-night Soccer Celebration, sponsor activations and match-related events designed to bring the city into the center of the celebration.
That broader approach is the clearest signal in the event guide. Instead of focusing only on the main game, MLS has built a schedule that stretches across several dates and venues, giving fans multiple ways to take part in All-Star Week.
What is scheduled in Charlotte
Saturday, July 25 opens with Coca-Cola® hosting the 7th annual Beats, Cleats and Eats experience. Natasha Bedingfield is scheduled to perform at 9:00 p.m., adding a live entertainment element to the night.
Also on Saturday night, the New York Red Bulls vs. Charlotte FC match will be turned into the MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration Watch Party presented by The Home Depot. That gives the weekend a match-day feel even before the main All-Star events begin.
The first of the on-field All-Star competitions comes on Monday, July 27 at 7:30pm ET, when the MLS NEXT All-Star Game is played at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. The next day, Tuesday, July 28, AT&T will host the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T.
The centerpiece arrives on Wednesday, July 29, when the 2026 MLS All-Star Game takes place. The event guide also points to KultureCity involvement, with sensory inclusive planning intended to make the experience more accessible.
A week built beyond the main game
What stands out about this schedule is how intentionally layered it is. The All-Star Game remains the headline, but the surrounding events create a broader festival atmosphere. That matters because the guide is clearly aimed at fans who may come for the soccer but stay for the community events, brand activations and family-friendly programming.
The result is a Charlotte event that feels less like a single showcase and more like a two-night Soccer Celebration with added competitive and entertainment pieces around it. For an All-Star Week, that is the point: make the week feel bigger than the match.
