With sports buzzing across Charlotte, another can’t-miss event is tipping off this weekend: the 2026 DJ Chewy Takeover Celebrity Basketball Game. The annual showcase brings celebrities, DJs and community partners together for a night of hoops, music and purpose.
The game, led by Mathew “CHEWY” Torres, continues its focus on giving back through a partnership with My Brother’s Keeper, while honoring several Charlotte-area high schools for their leadership and impact.
“This is bigger than basketball,” Torres said. “We’re celebrating our youth, our schools and what it means to show up for the community.”
Fans can expect a star-studded lineup featuring athletes, Vernon Maxwell, Mario Chalmers and Xavier Leggett, entertainers and influencers, including reality TV star, model and entrepreneur Dutchess Lattimore.
“It’s amazing to see the city come together like this,” Lattimore said. “You’ve got celebrities, families, kids — everybody in one place having fun and supporting something positive.”
New this year is the Battle of the Carolina DJs, adding a competitive, high-energy soundtrack to the night. DJs from North and South Carolina will face off, bringing hometown pride and nonstop music to the court.
“For families, this is a full experience,” Torres said. “It’s affordable, it’s energetic and it’s something kids will remember. You get sports, music and role models all in one night.”
What started as a one-off event has grown into a Charlotte tradition, drawing bigger crowds and deeper community connections each year.
“We’re building something sustainable,” Lattimore said. “This is Charlotte culture on display.”
The DJ Chewy Takeover Celebrity Basketball Game tips off this weekend. More information and tickets are available through the Charlotte 49ers ticketing platform. For more information visit Chewy Takeover Celebrity Basketball Game | Charlotte 49ers.
