Obama to Accept Nomination at BofA Stadium

By Devin Dwyer January 17, 2012

Marc Piscotty for Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images

President Obama will close out the 2012 Democratic National Convention in September with an acceptance speech at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, N.C., convention CEO Steve Kerrigan announced in an email.

The open-air venue, which seats more than 73,000, will significantly expand access to Obama's speech for his supporters and the public and replicate the dramatic setting from four years ago.

Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 with a speech and rally before a crowd of 75,000 at Denver's Invesco Field, home to the NFL's Broncos. Bank of America stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers.

The open-air venue, which seats more than 73,000, will significantly expand access to Obama's speech for his supporters and the public and replicate the dramatic setting from four years ago.

The convention will also be shortened by one day, from four days to three, Kerrigan said, making Monday, Sept. 3, (Labor Day) a "day to organize and celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South" with a rally at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The first two days of the formal convention program - Sept. 4-5 - will take place at Time Warner Cable Arena before moving to the outdoor stadium on the final night of the nominating event.

"The president looks forward to delivering his acceptance speech in a stadium with a large capacity, much as he did in 2008. It allows greater participation from people from all walks of life," said White House press secretary Jay Carney.

"He wants as many Americans as possible - as was the case in 2008 - to participate," Carney said.

This post was updated from an earlier version to reflect Kerrigan's announcement.