The Women’s Tennis Association has just announced plans to move their entire corporate headquarters to Charlotte and they will begin hosting the WTA Finals beginning in 2027 here in the Queen City.

Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets, will stage the season-ending tournament from 2027 through 2029. The event brings together the season’s top singles players and doubles tennis teams to compete for the WTA Finals titles.

Charlotte secured the tournament following a competitive global selection process. According to the WTA, the city’s sports infrastructure, business community, hospitality, and public-private partnerships helped distinguish its bid.

The Charlotte Sports Foundation served as the WTA’s lead local partner throughout negotiations. The organization worked alongside state and local leaders, plus regional businesses, to develop the long-term partnership.

“This is a transformational moment for Charlotte and for our organization,” said Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. “Bringing the WTA Finals to our city is a testament to what Charlotte has become as a world-class sports destination, and we are incredibly grateful to the WTA for their trust and partnership in making this vision a reality. None of this happens without the support of our partners at the state, city, and county levels, and we are deeply thankful for their commitment to growing Charlotte’s sports footprint. I also want to recognize our Board of Directors, whose leadership and belief in what this organization can accomplish made a deal of this magnitude possible.”

The announcement comes as women’s sports attract growing audiences, investment, and commercial interest. Women’s professional tennis has spent more than 50 years building its global following and developing internationally recognized athletes.

Through this agreement, the WTA aims to strengthen relationships with fans and sponsors while shaping the championship’s identity. Its broader ambition includes building a premier experience in women’s sports that extends beyond tournament week.

For Charlotte, the headquarters relocation adds a year-round connection to the international tour. Together, the moves could create opportunities for local businesses serving visiting fans, athletes, and tournament partners.

Carowinds’ Fury 325 has just been ranked the Best Steel Roller Coaster in the world by Amusement Today. The international awards are determined through voting by experienced amusement-industry participants.

Fury beat some of the world’s most celebrated coasters, including; Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando (#2), Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point (#3), and the new Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa (#4).

The victory continues a remarkable run for Fury, which opened at Carowinds in 2015. It first won the Golden Ticket for Best Steel Roller Coaster the following year and every year since.

“Ten Golden Ticket Awards and a decade as the world’s best steel roller coaster is an amazing milestone for Fury 325, Carowinds and the Carolinas,” said Carowinds Park President Bridgette Bywater. “Records can be broken, and titles often change hands, but enduring greatness is the ultimate testament of a world-class ride. Since it opened in 2015, guests from across the globe have made the journey to Carowinds to feel the speed, scale and exhilaration that only Fury 325 can deliver. Its reign atop the thrill ride industry reflects the passion of our team, the loyalty of our fans and the enduring power of an attraction that still leaves riders in awe with each lap across the state line. We’ll forever be grateful for the loyalty and love from our guests and fans that have helped turn Fury 325 into a true industry icon.”

Fury 325, which debuted in 2015, towers 325 feet high and reaches speeds of 95 miles per hour. Known for its steep drops, high-speed turns, and smooth ride experience, it continues to set the standard for ‘giga-coaster’ design.

Its roughly 1.25-mile track crosses the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, making the attraction uniquely connected to both states.

The latest award also follows a challenging summer for the legendary coaster.

Carowinds temporarily closed Fury in July after discovering an issue with the ride’s foundation. Crews completed repairs, and the coaster reopened about a week later.

A new power struggle is unfolding inside Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools after months of investigations and leadership changes.

Board members Cynthia Stone, Lenora Shipp and Dr. Monty Witherspoon are seeking to remove Stephanie Sneed as board chair. Stone requested the issue be placed on the board’s Sept. 22 agenda.

The three board members said they no longer feel comfortable with the board’s current leadership. They cited information shared with members during recent months but did not publicly explain those concerns.

However, Sneed also has support on the nine-member board. WSOC reported that five members support Sneed, potentially leaving opponents without enough votes to remove her. Board member Liz Monterrey Duvall questioned why leadership should change shortly before the board’s regular December elections.

The dispute comes as CMS faces another major leadership shakeup. Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight and Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz plan to retire. Chief Human Resources Officer Angela Wood has also resigned.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill recently returned after spending nearly two months on paid leave. The board launched an investigation into administrative and operational issues before voting to reinstate her.

That investigation cost roughly $379,000, according to the Charlotte Observer. Board members have pledged to release its findings by the end of September.

Hill has said her attorneys told her investigators found no wrongdoing. However, the board has not yet released the report publicly.

The Sept. 22 discussion now puts the focus on Sneed, who remains listed by CMS as board chair.

If the motion moves forward, the meeting could reveal whether recent turmoil has created a deeper split among the nine members governing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.