6-7-26 roundup: Pro football, basketball, baseball, hockey, auto racing, soccer and rodeo, High school football, Legion baseball

By Richard Walker

The 2026 high school football season starts in a little more than two months.

Here are the schedules for schools in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties by conference with league games in all caps:

-Big South 5A/6A

Ashbrook
Aug. 21 Palisades
Aug. 28 Berry Academy
Sept. 4 Northwest Cabarrus
Sept. 9 at Marvin Ridge
Sept. 18 at SOUTH POINT
Sept. 25 NORTH GASTON
Oct. 2 BYE
Oct. 9 at KINGS MOUNTAIN
Oct. 16 FORESTVIEW
Oct. 23 at CREST
Oct. 30 HUSS

Crest
Aug. 21 Burns
Aug. 28 Shelby
Sept. 4 at Asheville
Sept. 10 at Weddington
Sept. 18 BYE
Sept. 25 at FORESTVIEW
Oct. 2 at SOUTH POINT
Oct. 9 HUSS
Oct. 16 at NORTH GASTON
Oct. 23 ASHBROOK
Oct. 30 KINGS MOUNTAIN

Forestview
Aug. 21 Cramer
Aug. 28 at East Gaston
Sept. 4 at Smoky Mountain
Sept. 11 Lake Norman Charter
Sept. 18 at KINGS MOUNTAIN
Sept. 25 CREST
Oct. 2 HUSS
Oct. 9 BYE
Oct. 16 at ASHBROOK
Oct. 23 SOUTH POINT
Oct. 30 at NORTH GASTON

Huss
Aug. 21 Roberson
Aug. 28 Bessemer City
Sept. 4 North Meck
Sept. 11 at Lake Wylie SC
Sept. 18 NORTH GASTON
Sept. 25 SOUTH POINT
Oct. 2 at FORESTVIEW
Oct. 9 at CREST
Oct. 16 BYE
Oct. 23 KINGS MOUNTAIN
Oct. 30 at ASHBROOK

Kings Mountain
Aug. 21 at Shelby
Aug. 28 Burns
Sept. 4 at Bandys
Sept. 11 Catholic
Sept. 18 Forestview
Sept. 26 BYE
Oct. 2 at North Gaston
Oct. 9 Ashbrook
Oct. 16 South Point
Oct. 23 at Huss
Oct. 30 at Crest

North Gaston
Aug. 21 East Gaston
Aug. 28 at Cramer
Sept. 4 at Concord
Sept. 11 South Caldwell
Sept. 18 at HUSS
Sept. 25 at ASHBROOK
Oct. 2 KINGS MOUNTAIN
Oct. 9 at SOUTH POINT
Oct. 16 CREST
Oct. 23 BYE
Oct. 30 FORESTVIEW

South Point
Aug. 21 at Hickory
Aug. 28 at Charlotte Latin
Sept. 4 T.C. Roberson
Sept. 11 at Mount Pleasant
Sept. 18 Ashbrook
Sept. 25 at Huss
Oct. 2 Crest
Oct. 9 North Gaston
Oct. 16 at Kings Mountain
Oct. 23 at Forestview
Oct. 30 BYE

-Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A

Bessemer City
Aug. 21 Pine Lake Prep
Aug. 28 at Huss
Sept. 3 at WEST LINCOLN
Sept. 11 CRAMER
Sept. 18 at BURNS
Sept. 25 EAST GASTON
Oct. 2 LINCOLNTON
Oct. 9 at HIGHLAND TECH
Oct. 16 BYE
Oct. 23 SHELBY
Oct. 30 at CHERRYVILLE

Burns
Aug. 21 at Crest
Aug. 28 at Kings Mountain
Sept. 4 at EAST GASTON
Sept. 11 at LINCOLNTON
Sept. 18 BESSEMER CITY
Sept. 25 at WEST LINCOLN
Oct. 2 CRAMER
Oct. 9 BYE
Oct. 16 at CHERRYVILLE
Oct. 23 HIGHLAND TECH
Oct. 30 SHELBY

Cherryville
Aug. 21
Aug. 28 at Owen
Sept. 4 at LINCOLNTON
Sept. 11 HIGHLAND TECH
Sept. 18 SHELBY
Sept. 25
Oct. 2 at WEST LINCOLN
Oct. 9 at EAST GASTON
Oct. 16 BURNS
Oct. 23 at CRAMER
Oct. 30 BESSEMER CITY

Cramer
Aug. 21 at Forestview
Aug. 28 North Gaston
Sept. 4 BYE
Sept. 11 at BESSEMER CITY
Sept. 18 at HIGHLAND TECH
Sept. 25 SHELBY
Oct. 2 at BURNS
Oct. 9 WEST LINCOLN
Oct. 16 at LINCOLNTON
Oct. 23 CHERRYVILLE
Oct. 30 EAST GASTON

East Gaston
Aug. 21 at North Gaston
Aug. 28 Forestview
Sept. 4 BURNS
Sept. 11 BYE
Sept. 18 LINCOLNTON
Sept. 25 at BESSEMER CITY
Oct. 2 HIGHLAND TECH
Oct. 9 CHERRYVILLE
Oct. 16 at SHELBY
Oct. 23 at WEST LINCOLN
Oct. 30 at CRAMER

Highland Tech
Aug. 21 at Langtree Charter
Aug. 28 at Bradford Prep
Sept. 4 at SHELBY
Sept. 11 at CHERRYVILLE
Sept. 18 CRAMER
Sept. 25 LINCOLNTON
Oct. 2 at EAST GASTON
Oct. 9 BESSEMER CITY
Oct. 17 at WEST LINCOLN
Oct. 23 BURNS
Oct. 30 BYE

Lincolnton
Aug. 21 at Maiden
Aug. 28 North Lincoln
Sept. 4 CHERRYVILLE
Sept. 11 BURNS
Sept. 18 at EAST GASTON
Sept. 25 at HIGHLAND TECH
Oct. 2 at BESSEMER CITY
Oct. 9 at SHELBY
Oct. 16 CRAMER
Oct. 23 BYE
Oct. 30 WEST LINCOLN

Shelby
Aug. 21 Kings Mountain
Aug. 28 at Crest
Sept. 4 HIGHLAND TECH
Sept. 11 WEST LINCOLN
Sept. 18 at CHERRYVILLE
Sept. 25 at CRAMER
Oct. 2 BYE
Oct. 9 LINCOLNTON
Oct. 16 EAST GASTON
Oct. 23 at BESSEMER CITY
Oct. 31 at BURNS

West Lincoln
Aug. 21 North Lincoln
Aug. 28 Lincoln Charter
Sept. 4 BESSEMER CITY
Sept. 11 at SHELBY
Sept. 18 BYE
Sept. 25 BURNS
Oct. 2 CHERRYVILLE
Oct. 9 at CRAMER
Oct. 16 at HIGHLAND TECH
Oct. 23 EAST GASTON
Oct. 30 at LINCOLNTON

-Western Foothills Athletic Conference 4A/5A

East Lincoln
Aug. 21 at South Iredell
Aug. 28 at Providence
Sept. 4 at NEWTON-CONOVER
Sept. 11 at BANDYS
Sept. 18 NORTH LINCOLN
Sept. 25 BUNKER HILL
Oct. 2 at WEST IREDELL
Oct. 9 FOARD
Oct. 16 at HICKORY
Oct. 23 MAIDEN
Oct. 30 BYE

North Lincoln
Aug. 21 at West Lincoln
Aug. 28 at Lincolnton
Sept. 4 MAIDEN
Sept. 11 WEST IREDELL
Sept. 18 at EAST LINCOLN
Sept. 25 at HICKORY
Oct. 2 NEWTON-CONOVER
Oct. 9 at BANDYS
Oct. 16 BYE
Oct. 23 BUNKER HILL
Oct. 30 at FOARD

-Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A

Lincoln Charter
…home games at Lenoir-Rhyne
Aug. 21 Mountain Island Charter
Aug. 28 at West Lincoln
Sept. 4 Union Academy
Sept. 11 BYE
Sept. 18 at CHRIST THE KING
Sept. 25 at CORVIAN CHARTER
Oct. 2 LANGTREE CHARTER
Oct. 9 COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF DAVIDSON
Oct. 16 at BRADFORD PREP
Oct. 23 PINE LAKE PREP
Oct. 30 — at LAKE NORMAN CHARTER

-Catawba River 1A/2A/3A

Mountain Island Charter
Aug. 21 Lincoln Charter
Aug. 28 College Prep & Leadership Academy
Sept. 4 West Caldwell
Sept. 11 BYE
Sept. 18 NORTH STANLY
Sept. 25 at ALBEMARLE
Oct. 2 THOMAS JEFFERSON
Oct. 9 at BONNIE CONE ACADEMY
Oct. 16 at UNION ACADEMY
Oct. 23 SOUTH STANLY
Oct. 30 at NORTH ROWAN

 

 

 

 

Legion baseball

Area schedule/results:
x-non division games

Tuesday, June 2
Gaston Braves at Caldwell County – Caldwell County 5-3

Wednesday, June 3
Cherryville at Hickory – Cherryville 12-4

Thursday, June 4
Gaston Braves at Shelby – Gaston Braves 14-1
Rutherford County at Cherryville – Cherryville 10-4

Friday, June 5
No games

Saturday, June 6
Asheville at Shelby – Shelby 7-1

Sunday, June 7
Gastonia vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston) – Gastonia 8-5

Monday, June 8
Cherryville vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston)
Hickory at Gastonia
Shelby at Burke County

Tuesday, June 9
No games

Wednesday, June 10
Burke County vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston)
Cherryville at Asheville
Rutherford County at Gastonia
Shelby at Hickory

Thursday, June 11
Burke County at Gastonia
(Charleston, S.C. tournament)
Shelby

Friday, June 12
Gaston Braves at Asheville
(Charleston, S.C. tournament)
Shelby

Saturday, June 13
(Charleston, S.C. tournament)
Shelby

Sunday, June 14
Rutherford County vs. Gaston Braves (at East Gaston), 3 p.m. DH
(Charleston, S.C. tournament)
Shelby

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

The 2026 Charlotte FC schedule:

(6-6-3 record)
Saturday, Feb. 21 at St. Louis (T 1-1)
Saturday, Feb. 28 at L.A. Galaxy (L 0-3)
Saturday, March 7 Austin (W 3-1)
Saturday, March 14 Miami (T 0-0)
Saturday, March 21 New York Red Bulls (W 6-1)
Saturday, Apr. 4 Philadelphia (W 2-1)
Saturday, Apr. 11 Nashville (L 1-2)
Saturday, Apr. 18 at New York (W 2-1)
Wednesday, Apr. 22 at Orlando (L 1-4)
Saturday, Apr. 25 at Nashville (L 2-4)
Saturday, May 2 at New England (L 0-1)
Saturday, May 9 Cincinnati (T 2-2)
Wednesday, May 13 New York (L 0-1)
Saturday, May 16 Toronto (W 3-1)
Saturday, May 23 New England (W 1-0)
Wednesday, July 22 Atlanta, 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 25 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 1 at Chicago, 8:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 15 Columbus, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Toronto, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 22 DC, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 29 at Atlanta, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 5 Houston, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Montreal, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Cincinnati, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 19 at DC, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 26 Chicago, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 10 Dallas, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Columbus, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Philadelphia, 2:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 24 at Portland, 10:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Montreal, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 31 Orlando, 1:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 7 at Miami, 4:00 PM

(U.S. Open Cup)
Wednesday, Apr. 15 Charlotte Independence (W 6-0)
…at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex
Tuesday, Apr. 28 Atlanta United FC (L 0-2)
…at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex

 

 

 

 

 

Pro football

Here is the Panthers’ full 2026 schedule:

(preseason)
Aug. 6 – Arizona (at Canton, Ohio), 8 p.m.
Aug. 15 – at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Aug. 21 – at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 28 – Houston, 7 p.m.
(regular season)
Sept. 13 – Chicago, 1 p.m.
Sept. 20 – at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 – at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 – Detroit, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 8-12 – BYE week
Oct. 18 – at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 – Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29 – at Green Bay, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 8 – Denver, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 – at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 – Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 – at Tampa Bay, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 6 – at Minnesota, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 13 – New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Dec. 24-28 TBA – at Pittsburgh, TBA
Jan. 3 – Seattle, 1 p.m.
Jan. 9-10 TBA – Atlanta, TBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

(Eastern Conference play-in tournament)

Tuesday, April 14: Miami at Charlotte – Charlotte 127-126 in OT

Wednesday, April 15: Orlando at Philadelphia – Philadelphia 109-97

Friday, April 17: Charlotte at Orlando – Orlando 121-90

(Eastern Conference quarterfinals)
*-if necessary

No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 8 Orlando
Game 1: Orlando at Detroit- Sunday April 19 – Orlando 112-101
Game 2: Orlando at Detroit- Wednesday, April 22 – Detroit 98-83
Game 3: Detroit at Orlando- Saturday, April 25 – Orlando 113-105
Game 4: Detroit at Orlando- Monday, April 27 – Orlando 94-88
Game 5: Orlando at Detroit- Wednesday, April 29 – Detroit 116-109
Game 6: Detroit at Orlando- Friday, May 1 – Detroit 93-79
Game 7: Orlando at Detroit- Sunday, May 3 – Detroit 116-94 (Detroit wins series 4-3)

No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Philadelphia
Game 1: Philadelphia at Boston- Sunday April 19 – Boston 123-91
Game 2: Philadelphia at Boston- Tuesday, April 21 – Philadelphia 101-97
Game 3: Boston at Philadelphia- Friday, April 24 – Boston 108-100
Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia- Sunday, April 26 – Boston 128-96
Game 5: Philadelphia at Boston- Tuesday, April 28 – Philadelphia 113-97
Game 6: Boston at Philadelphia- Thursday, April 30 – Philadelphia 106-93
Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston- Saturday, May 2 – Philadelphia 109-100 (Philadelphia wins series 4-3)

No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Atlanta
Game 1: Atlanta at New York- Saturday April 18 – New York 113-102
Game 2: Atlanta at New York- Monday, April 20 – Atlanta 107-106
Game 3: New York at Atlanta- Thursday, April 23 – Atlanta 109-108
Game 4: New York at Atlanta- Saturday, April 25 – New York 114-98
Game 5: Atlanta at New York- Tuesday, April 28 – New York 126-97
Game 6: New York at Atlanta- Thursday, April 30 – New York 140-89 (New York wins series 4-2)

No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Toronto
Game 1: Toronto at Cleveland- Saturday April 18 – Cleveland 126-113
Game 2: Toronto at Cleveland- Monday, April 20 – Cleveland 115-105
Game 3: Cleveland at Toronto- Thursday, April 23 – Toronto 126-104
Game 4: Cleveland at Toronto- Sunday, April 26 – Toronto 93-89
Game 5: Toronto at Cleveland- Wednesday, April 29 – Cleveland 125-120
Game 6: Cleveland at Toronto- Friday, May 1 – Toronto 112-110 in OT
Game 7: Toronto at Cleveland- Sunday, May 3 – Cleveland 114-102 (Cleveland wins series 4-3)

(Eastern Conference semifinals)
No. 1 Detroit vs. No. 4 Cleveland
Game 1: Cleveland at Detroit- Tuesday, May 5 – Detroit 111-101
Game 2: Cleveland at Detroit- Thursday, May 7 – Detroit 107-97
Game 3: Detroit at Cleveland- Saturday, May 9 – Cleveland 116-109
Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland- Monday, May 11 – Cleveland 112-103
Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit- Wednesday, May 13 – Cleveland 117-113 in OT
Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland- Friday, May 15 – Detroit 115-94
Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit- Sunday, May 17 – Cleveland 125-94 (Cleveland wins series 4-3)

No. 7 Philadelphia vs. No. 3 New York
Game 1: Philadelphia at New York- Monday, May 4 – New York 137-98
Game 2: Philadelphia at New York- Wednesday, May 6 – New York 108-102
Game 3: New York at Philadelphia- Friday, May 8 – New York 108-94
Game 4: New York at Philadelphia- Sunday, May 10 – New York 144-114 (New York wins series 4-0)

(Eastern Conference finals)
No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 3 New York
Game 1: Cleveland at New York- Tuesday, May 19 – New York 115-104
Game 2: Cleveland at New York- Thursday, May 21 – New York 109-93
Game 3: New York at Cleveland- Saturday, May 23 – New York 121-108
Game 4: New York at Cleveland- Monday, May 25 – New York 130-93 (New York wins series 4-0)

(Western Conference play-in tournament)

Tuesday, April 14: Portland at Phoenix – Portland 114-110

Wednesday, April 15: Golden State at L.A. Clippers – Golden State 126-121

Friday, April 17: Golden State at Phoenix – Phoenix 111-96

(Western Conference quarterfinals)
*-if necessary

No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Phoenix
Game 1: Phoenix at Oklahoma City- Sunday April 19 – Oklahoma City 119-84
Game 2: Phoenix at Oklahoma City- Wednesday, April 22 – Oklahoma City 120-107
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Phoenix- Saturday, April 25 – Oklahoma City 121-109
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Phoenix- Monday, April 27 – Oklahoma City 131-122 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0)

No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 7 Portland
Game 1: Portland at San Antonio- Sunday April 19 – San Antonio 111-98
Game 2: Portland at San Antonio- Tuesday, April 21 – Portland 106-103
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland- Friday, April 24 – San Antonio 120-108
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland- Sunday, April 26 – San Antonio 114-93
Game 5: Portland at San Antonio- Tuesday, April 28 – San Antonio 114-95 (San Antonio wins series 4-1)

No. 3 Denver vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota at Denver- Saturday April 18 – Denver 116-105
Game 2: Minnesota at Denver- Monday, April 20 – Minnesota 119-114
Game 3: Denver at Minnesota- Thursday, April 23 – Minnesota 113-96
Game 4: Denver at Minnesota- Saturday, April 25 – Minnesota 112-96
Game 5: Minnesota at Denver- Monday, April 27 – Denver 125-113
Game 6: Denver at Minnesota- Thursday, April 30 – Minnesota 110-98 (Minnesota wins series 4-2)

No. 4 L.A. Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston
Game 1: Houston at Los Angeles- Saturday April 18 – L.A. Lakers 107-98
Game 2: Houston at Los Angeles- Tuesday, April 21 – L.A. Lakers 101-94
Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston- Friday, April 24 – L.A. Lakers 112-108 in OT
Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston- Sunday, April 26 – Houston 115-96
Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles- Wednesday, April 29 – Houston 99-93
Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston- Friday, May 1 – L.A. Lakers 98-78 (L.A. Lakers win series 4-2)

(Western Conference semifinals)
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 4 L.A. Lakers
Game 1: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City- Tuesday, May 5 – Oklahoma City 108-90
Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City- Thursday, May 7 – Oklahoma City 125-107
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Saturday, May 9 – Oklahoma City 131-108
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles- Monday, May 11 – Oklahoma City 115-110 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0)

No. 2 San Antonio vs. No. 6 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota at San Antonio- Monday, May 4 – Minnesota 104-102
Game 2: Minnesota at San Antonio- Wednesday, May 6 – San Antonio 133-95
Game 3: San Antonio at Minnesota- Friday, May 8 – San Antonio 115-108
Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota- Sunday, May 10 – Minnesota 114-109
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio- Tuesday, May 12 – San Antonio 126-97
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota- Friday, May 15 – San Antonio 139-109 (San Antonio wins series 4-2)

(Western Conference finals)
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 2 San Antonio
Game 1: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Monday, May 18 – San Antonio 122-115 in 2OT
Game 2: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Wednesday, May 20 – Oklahoma City 122-113
Game 3: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Friday, May 22 – Oklahoma City 123-108
Game 4: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Sunday, May 24 – San Antonio 103-82
Game 5: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Tuesday, May 26 – Oklahoma City 127-114
Game 6: Oklahoma City at San Antonio- Thursday, May 28 – San Antonio 118-91
Game 7: San Antonio at Oklahoma City- Saturday, May 30 – San Antonio 111-103 (San Antonio wins series 4-3)

(NBA finals)
East No. 3 New York vs. West No. 2 San Antonio
Game 1: New York at San Antonio- Wednesday, June 3 – New York 105-95
Game 2: New York at San Antonio- Friday, June 5 – New York 105-104
Game 3: San Antonio at New York- Monday, June 8 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 4: San Antonio at New York- Wednesday, June 10 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5*: New York at San Antonio- Saturday, June 13 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 6*: San Antonio at New York- Tuesday, June 16 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 7*: New York at San Antonio- Friday, June 19 (8:30 ET, ABC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro hockey

NHL playoff results/schedule for Carolina Hurricanes and Stanley Cup playoff pairings (*-if necessary):

(Eastern Conference Round 1)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Wild Card No. 2 Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Saturday, April 18- at Carolina – Carolina 2-0
Game 2: Monday, April 20- at Carolina – Carolina 3-2 in 2 OT
Game 3: Thursday, April 23- at Ottawa – Carolina 2-1
Game 4: Saturday, April 25- at Ottawa – Carolina 4-2 (Carolina wins series 4-0)

-No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia wins series 4-2)
-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. Wild Card No. 1 Boston Bruins (Buffalo wins series 4-2)
-No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens (Montreal wins series 4-3)

(Western Conference Round 1)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. Wild Card No. 2 Los Angeles Kings (Colorado wins series 4-0)
-No. 2 Dallas Stars vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild (Minnesota wins series 4-2)
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. Wild Card No. 1 Utah Mammoth (Vegas wins series 4-2)
-No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim wins series 4-2)

(Eastern Conference Round 2)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Flyers
Game 1: Saturday, May 2- at Carolina – Carolina 3-0
Game 2: Monday, May 4- at Carolina – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 3: Thursday, May 7- at Philadelphia – Carolina 4-1
Game 4: Saturday, May 9- at Philadelphia – Carolina 3-2 in OT (Carolina wins series 4-0)

-No. 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens (Montreal wins series 4-3)

(Western Conference Round 2)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild (Colorado wins series 4-1)
-No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 Anaheim Ducks (Vegas wins series 4-2)

(Eastern Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 3 Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Thursday, May 21- at Carolina – Montreal 6-2
Game 2: Saturday, May 23- at Carolina – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 3: Monday, May 25- at Montreal – Carolina 3-2 in OT
Game 4: Wednesday, May 27- at Montreal – Carolina 4-0
Game 5: Friday, May 29- at Carolina – Carolina 6-1 (Carolina wins series 4-1)

(Western Conference Finals)
-No. 1 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights (Vegas wins series 4-0)

(Stanley Cup)
-No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1: Tuesday, June 2- at Carolina – Vegas 5-4
Game 2: Thursday, June 4- at Carolina – Carolina 4-3 in OT
Game 3: Saturday, June 6- at Vegas – Vegas 5-4 in 2OT
Game 4: Tuesday, June 9- at Vegas (8 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Thursday, June 11- at Carolina (8 ET, ABC)
Game 6*: Sunday, June 14- at Vegas (8 ET, ABC)
Game 7*: Wednesday, June 17- at Carolina (8 ET, ABC)

Calder Cup playoff results/schedule for Charlotte Checkers:

(Atlantic Division First Round)
-No. 3 Charlotte vs. No. 6 Springfield
Game 1: Wednesday, April 22- at Charlotte – Charlotte 8-1
Game 2: Friday, April 24- at Charlotte – Springfield 5-2
Game 3: Saturday, April 25- at Charlotte – Springfield 2-1 in OT (Springfield wins series 2-1)

 

 

 

 

 

Pro baseball

Charlotte 12, Durham 5: The Knights completed a six-game road series sweep at Durham. After a day off on Monday, Charlotte begins a six-game home series against the Oklahoma City Comets that begins with a 6:05 p.m. Tuesday game.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2026 schedule:

(35-28 record, 35-28 1st half, 0-0 2nd half)
-1st half
March 27-29 Durham 3-0 (W 19-2, W 2-1 in 11, W 4-3)
March 31-April 5 at Nashville 1-4 (L 3-7, W 9-3, L 0-4, L 6-7, ppd, L 5-7)
April 7-12 Memphis 3-3 (L 4-9, W 7-3, L 1-4, W 9-8 in 10, L 4-6, W 13-4)
April 14-19 at Jacksonville 2-4 (L 0-3, L 2-3, L 3-5, L 1-4, W 2-0, W 9-4)
April 21-26 Nashville 4-3 (L 1-5, W 9-4, W 3-2 in 10, W 11-9, L 5-12, W 16-6, L 1-5)
April 28-May 3 Gwinnett 3-3 (L 7-10, W 10-9, L 5-9, L 3-4, W 21-1, W 10-9)
May 5-10 at Jacksonville 3-3 (W 5-3, L 6-8, W 16-1, W 8-5, L 5-6, L 1-6)
May 12-17 Norfolk 3-3 (L 6-9, L 8-9, W 4-1, W 4-1, L 10-11, W 15-3)
May 19-24 at Gwinnett 4-2 (W 5-4, W 4-3, L 3-7, W 4-3 in 10, L 1-5, W 3-2)
May 26-31 Jacksonville 3-3 (W 4-0, susp, L 3-6, W 12-5, W 12-4, L 6-15, L 5-6)
June 2-7 at Durham 6-0 (W 6-1, W 18-7, W 11-6, W 4-3, W 7-5, W 12-5)
June 9-14 Oklahoma City
June 16-21 at Buffalo
June 23-25 Rochester
-2nd half
June 26-28 Rochester
June 30-July 5 at Memphis
July 7-12 Nashville
July 17-19 at Durham
July 21-26 Norfolk
July 28-August 2 at Nashville
August 4-9 Durham
August 11-16 at Rochester
August 18-23 at Scranton-WB
August 25-30 Memphis
September 1-6 at Gwinnett
September 8-13 Buffalo
September 15-20 at Norfolk

 

Here is the full Gastonia Ghost Peppers’ 2026 schedule:

(26-16 record, 26-16 1st half, 0-0 2nd half)
-1st half
April 21-23 at High Point 1-2 (W 3-1, L 5-6, L 0-5)
April 24-26 High Point 3-0 (W 4-3, W 18-8, W 9-2)
April 28-May 3 at York 4-2 (W 14-2, ppd, W 2-1, W 5-4, L 4-5, W 10-2, L 3-9)
May 5-10 Southern Maryland 1-5 (L 2-3, L 11-18, L 2-12, L 4-5, W 7-3, L 1-14)
May 12-17 at Long Island 3-3 (L 3-6, L 3-11, W 10-0, L 4-6, W 8-6, W 6-5)
May 19-20 Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 9-4, W 6-2, W 9-6)
May 22-24 at Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 17-4, W 8-4, W 12-4)
May 26-28 at Lexington 3-0 (W 10-6, W 3-2, W 3-1)
May 29-31 Charleston, W.Va. 3-0 (W 6-3, W 10-7, W 9-2)
June 2-7 Lancaster 2-4 (W 11-2, L 1-3, W 14-3, L 3-4, L 8-9, L 5-17)
June 9-14 at Lexington
June 16-21 Staten Island
June 23-28 at Lexington
June 30-July 2 Lexington
-2nd half
July 3-5 Charleston, W.Va.
July 7-12 at Hagerstown
July 14-19 Lexington
July 21-26 at Charleston, W.Va.
July 28, 30-31-Aug. 2 Hagerstown
Aug. 4-6 Southern Maryland
Aug. 7-9 at Lexington
Aug. 11-16 at High Point
Aug. 18-23 Charleston, W.Va.
Aug. 25-30 at Southern Maryland
Sept. 1-6 High Point
Sept. 8-10 Lexington
Sept. 11-13 at High Point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

Here is the full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule with race winners in parentheses:

Feb. 4 — Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Ryan Preece)
Feb. 15 — Daytona 500 (Tyler Reddick)
Feb. 22 — Atlanta (Reddick-2)
March 1 — Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas (Reddick-3)
March 8 — Phoenix (Ryan Blaney)
March 15 — Las Vegas (Denny Hamlin)
March 22 — Darlington, South Carolina (Reddick-4)
March 29 — Martinsville, Virginia (Chase Elliott)
April 5 — off weekend
April 12 — Bristol, Tennessee (Ty Gibbs)
April 19 — Kansas (Reddick-5)
April 26 — Talladega, Alabama (Carson Hocevar)
May 3 — Texas (Elliott-2)
May 10 — Watkins Glen, New York (Shane van Gisbergen)
May 17 — All-Star Race (Dover) (Hamlin-2)
May 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte) (Daniel Suarez)
May 31 — Nashville, Tennessee (Hamlin-3)
June 7 — Michigan (Hamlin-4)
June 14 — Pocono in Long Pond, Pennsylvania
June 21 — San Diego
June 28 — Sonoma, California
July 5 — Chicagoland
July 12 — Atlanta
July 19 — North Wilkesboro
July 26 — Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis)
Aug. 2 — off weekend
Aug. 9 — Iowa
Aug. 15 — Richmond, Virginia
Aug. 23 — New Hampshire
Aug. 29 — Daytona, Florida
Sept. 6 — Darlington
Sept. 13 — Gateway in Madison, Illinois
Sept. 19 — Bristol
Sept. 27 — Kansas
Oct. 4 — Las Vegas
Oct. 11 — Charlotte Roval
Oct. 18 — Phoenix
Oct. 25 — Talladega
Nov. 1 — Martinsville
Nov. 8 — Homestead, Florida

 

 

 

 

Rodeo

Professional Bull Riding Unleash the Beast tour schedule for Greensboro-based Carolina Cowboys:

Feb. 1 – Golden 1 Center Sacramento- Austin Gamblers (L 173.90-256.90)
Feb. 21 – Progressive PBR Jacksonville- Florida Freedom (L 158.70-169.25)
March 22 – Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis- Nashville Stampede (W 88.70- 0.00)
(DNQ for playoffs)

Team Challenge playoff results
March 29 at Albuquerque: Semifinal- (No. 1 Missouri Thunder def. No. 4 Florida Freedom 83.65-0.00)
April 17 at Billings: Semifinal- (No. 2 Austin Gamblers def. No. 3 Kansas City Outlaws 87.10-84.50)
April 26 at Tacoma: Championship- (No. 1 Missouri Thunder def. No. 2 Austin Gamblers 254.75-171.35)

Upcoming events:
May 10 – PBR World Finals at Cowtown Coliseum
Sept. 18-20 – Greensboro First Horizon Coliseum Complex

 

 

 

 

Golf

The Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame (RCSHOF), presented by Hardin’s Drug, in conjunction with Golf Sponsors Forest City Honda and Chick-fil-A of Forest City, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 T. Max Champion Memorial Golf Tournament.

The tournament will be held on Friday, July 31 at the Apple Vally Golf Course in Lake Luke, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $100.00 per player or $400.00 for a team of four and covers the green fee, cart usage and lunch.

First prize for Gross and Net Winners is $600.00 per team. Other prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries. Proceeds from the event go to support the RCSHOF Scholarship Fund and registration deadline is July 21.

For information or to register, please visit the RCSHOF website: https://www.rcshof.org/ or call Randy Page at 828-429-7773.