Source: Sam Wasson / Getty
A new professional women’s basketball will arrive in Charlotte in 2026, led by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the majority owner of the Charlotte Checkers.
The new franchise will compete in the UpShot League, a developmental women’s basketball league based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team will play home games at Bojangles Coliseum, joining Greensboro, Jacksonville, and Savannah as one of the league’s four inaugural teams.
“We are beyond thrilled to be able to launch this league and provide another quality platform for women to continue being a part of the sport they love, whether it is a player on the court or a staff member in the front office,” Zawyer Sports CEO Andy Kaufmann said in a statement.
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UpShot’s first season will tip off in May 2026, featuring a 40-game regular season—20 home and 20 away. Season tickets will start at $44 per seat. As part of the league’s debut, teams will wear vintage jerseys to honor the history of women’s basketball.
Donna Orender, a former professional basketball player and WNBA president, will be UPSHOT’s commissioner. “There is an immense amount of talent looking for a place to play, we can now provide that place,” Orender said in a statement.
Fans will have a say in naming Charlotte’s team through an online contest at TheUpShotCharlotte.com. The rise of women’s professional sports has fueled the creation of new leagues and franchises, and Charlotte’s entry into the UpShot League further strengthens the city’s growing sports landscape.
Source: Axios Charlotte