x
Breaking News
More () »

Panthers move training camp out of Spartanburg, ending long-standing tradition

The Panthers will no longer hold training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, a long-running tradition since the franchise's first season.
Credit: AP
Carolina Panthers' Brian Burns watches drills at the NFL football team's training camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Spartanburg, S.C. (AP Photo/Chr

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday that the team's training camp will move to Charlotte next year, ending the long-standing tradition of summer camp on the campus of Wofford College. 

With the exception of the 2020 season, Panthers camp has been held in Spartanburg each season. Carolina was one of six NFL teams that held training camp away from the team headquarters. 

Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter

"We're excited to hold training camp at our facility in Charlotte," Kristi Coleman, president of the Carolina Panthers, said. "We appreciate Wofford and the Spartanburg community for their hospitality over the years. We are dedicated to the fans in South Carolina, and we will continue to bring fan and community events to the state."

The team originally planned to move training camp closer to Charlotte with the now-demolished facility in Rock Hill. The first preseason camp was planned for August 2022 before work was halted and the project ultimately failed. 

The organization is still working through logistics and how to accommodate fans that attend camp practices. The Panthers plan to kick off the season with Fan Fest in South Carolina. 

In addition to the training camp news, the Panthers announced the Atrium Health bubble will be removed at the end of the season in January to begin work on new practice fields. In the meantime, Carolina will "explore options" to hold indoor practices, should the need arise. The team often used a ballroom in the Charlotte Convention Center for practice when the weather turned bad. It's unclear if that will be the temporary solution moving forward.

The changes will give the team three full-length practice fields. They currently only have one and a shortened field, which is used for individual work and team walk-throughs. Those fields will be finished and ready in time for 2024 training camp. 

Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA. 
Listen to Locked On here.  

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out