Carolina Panthers mark 30 years since being announced as expansion team

CHARLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — Thursday marks 30 years since the NFL announced their newest expansion team would be the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

They were announced as the League’s 29th franchise on October 26, 1993.

The team began playing in 1995 and have played home games in Charlotte since 1996.

Their first season was played at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, while the Charlotte stadium was finished.

Ericcson Stadium – which has been called Bank of America Stadium since 2004 – opened in the summer of 1996.