It is a busy week for sports fans across North Carolina and the Southeast. The Carolina Panthers are preparing for their first preseason action, the PGA Tour is returning to Greensboro, Charlotte FC is beginning Leagues Cup play and the Atlanta Braves have reshaped their roster following the trade deadline.
Kenny Pickett to Start Panthers’ Hall of Fame Game
The Carolina Panthers will keep starting quarterback Bryce Young on the sideline when they face the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.
Veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett will get the start for Carolina. Head coach Dave Canales said Pickett is expected to play a few series before undrafted rookie Haynes King handles the remainder of the quarterback work.
The additional preseason game gives Carolina’s coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate players competing for roster and practice-squad positions. Most of the Panthers’ established starters are not expected to play, although a few players involved in position battles could receive limited work.
The Panthers and Cardinals are scheduled to kick off Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m.
Source: Darin Gantt and Kassidy Hill, Carolina Panthers.
Wyndham Championship Brings PGA Tour to Greensboro
The PGA Tour’s regular season concludes this week with the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro.
Competition begins Thursday, Aug. 6, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 9. The tournament carries additional pressure because only the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings will advance to the playoffs.
Players near the cutoff will need a strong performance in Greensboro to extend their seasons. The tournament also gives North Carolina golf fans an opportunity to see some of the world’s top players compete at one of the state’s most recognizable courses.
Defending champion Cameron Young returns after earning his first PGA Tour victory at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Young finished last year’s tournament at 22 under par and will attempt to become the event’s first back-to-back winner since Sam Snead in the 1950s.
Source: PGA Tour.
Charlotte FC Opens Leagues Cup Play
Charlotte FC begins its 2026 Leagues Cup schedule Tuesday night against Mexican club Pumas UNAM at Bank of America Stadium.
The opening match begins at 8 p.m. and starts a three-game homestand against Liga MX opponents. Charlotte will host Atlas FC on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m., followed by CF Pachuca on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Leagues Cup brings clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX together in a tournament that includes group play followed by single-elimination rounds. Charlotte must perform well during its three opening matches to earn a place in the knockout stage.
The meeting with Pumas will be the first between the two clubs. Pumas is one of Mexico’s most recognized teams and has won seven Liga MX championships.
Source: Will Jarrett, Charlotte FC.
Atlanta Braves Reshape Roster at Trade Deadline
The Atlanta Braves made several moves around Monday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, adding veteran left-handed reliever Brent Suter while trading catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Eli White.
Atlanta acquired Suter from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. The 36-year-old entered the trade with a 4.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 63⅓ innings this season. His ability to pitch in relief or make an occasional start gives Atlanta additional flexibility.
The Braves sent Bart to the Chicago White Sox for right-handed pitcher Duncan Davitt. White was traded to the Boston Red Sox for right-hander Tyler Uberstine. Both pitchers were assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett following the deals.
Atlanta also welcomed catcher Sean Murphy and infielder Ha-Seong Kim back from the injured list as the team adjusted its roster for the final portion of the regular season.
Sources: Reuters — Brent Suter trade; Reuters — Joey Bart and Eli White trades.
From preseason football and playoff-pressure golf to international soccer and baseball’s postseason race, sports fans throughout the Sandhills have plenty to follow this week.
