Local governments in North Carolina can apply for funds from a new program designed to support their efforts to attract major events to the State of North Carolina and to their regions.
The Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund was established by the North Carolina General Assembly to stimulate economic activity by attracting events that can, in turn, attract out-of-state visitors to North Carolina, strengthening the state's travel and tourism industry.
Guidelines for the Program are now available and applications are being accepted.
Apply | Online Application Form
For more information, contact:
Mark Poole
Director, Commerce Finance Center
mpoole@commerce.nc.gov
Major Events Fund | Additional Reference Materials
Relevant Statutes:
| Date | Event | Location | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 31-February 1 | NASCAR Cook Out Clash | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem | $1,600,000 |
| April 3-4 | NASCAR Race the Rock | Rockingham Speedway, Richmond County | $2,250,000 |
| May 27-June 1 | The Soccer Tournament 7v7 | Wake Med Soccer Park, Cary | $1,472,000 |
| May 31 | World Cup Soccer Sendoff Game | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | $750,000 |
| July 29 | MLS All-Star Game | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | $2,028,950 |
| September 17-20 | Biltmore Championship Asheville (PGA golf) | The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Arden | $3,167,770 |
| September 25-27 | NHRA Nationals | Rockingham Dragway, Richmond County | $1,500,000 |
| November 8 | HBCU Battle of the Bands | First Horizon Coliseum, Greensboro | $325,000 |
The total amount of support from the fund for events in 2026 is $13,093,720.
This page was last modified on 01/29/2026