Bowl Game has brought $300 Million and almost 1 Million Fans to Charlotte

              Charlotte, North Carolina (December 15, 2021) – The 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl marks the 20^th anniversary of the bowl game in Charlotte and will be celebrated later this month by the Charlotte Sports Foundation, owner and operator of the game. CSF will announce the official All-Bowl Teams of the first two decades later this week, in addition to featuring highlights and memorable moments on social media.

Through 2020, the bowl game has welcomed 944,065 fans to Charlotte, averaging almost 50,000 fans per year. It was limited to 1,500 fans last year due to COVID-19 protocols. The bowl has reached over 57 million television households and produced an economic impact of over $300 million to the city and the surrounding region. The 2017 contest when Wake Forest defeated Texas A&M, 55-52, was selected by the Football Bowl Association 150^th Anniversary Committee as the 16^th greatest bowl game in college football history.

“We are very proud to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl,” said Executive Director Danny Morrison. “This is an important milestone for the Charlotte Sports Foundation and collegiate sports in the City of Charlotte. The bowl game has been a crucial part of the success and growth of college football in Charlotte, paving the way for the Subway ACC Football Championship and the Duke’s Mayo Classic. We have worked with tremendous partners over the years from our board of directors and leatherheads to title sponsors, conferences and schools, local facilities, hotels and of course our home in Bank of America Stadium.”

The first bowl game to call the Carolinas home, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl was founded in 2002 by Raycom Sports. Raycom transferred ownership to non-profit Charlotte Collegiate Football in 2005, which was merged with the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission in 2013 to form the Charlotte Sports Foundation.

This is the second year with Carolinas-founded Duke’s Mayonnaise as the title sponsor. The partnership with Duke’s Mayonnaise, a staple in southern recipes for over 100 years, was announced last summer. Previous title sponsors were Belk (2011-2019), Meineke Car Care Centers (2005-2010) and Continental Tire North America (2002-2004).

This year features the University of North Carolina Tar Heels facing the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday, December 30^th at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.