In 1987, shortly after it was decided that Charlotte would receive an expansion National Basketball Association franchise (the Charlotte Hornets, now known as the New Orleans Hornets), former Baltimore Colts player Jerry Richardson met with a group of potential backers to discuss the possibility of bringing an NFL expansion team to the Carolina region. Richardson Sports decided upon a spot in the uptown section of Charlotte to build a privately financed stadium seating more than 70,000 fans. On October 26, 1993, the league announced that the owners had unanimously voted for the Carolinas to receive the 29th franchise, the first new NFL team since 1976.

The Panthers signed Dom Capers, former defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as their inaugural head coach. During the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft, Rod Smith was the first player selected by the Panthers. Greg Kragen, Jack Trudeau, and Mark Carrier were among the other players selected. Bill Goldberg was picked up off the roster of the Atlanta Falcons, but made Panther history by being the first player cut by the Panthers.

The Panthers became only the second expansion team (besides the Minnesota Vikings in 1961) to win their first game, winning the annual completely meaningless exhibition Hall of Fame Game against the fellow expansion Jacksonville Jaguars 20–14 on July 29, 1995 (a game known as the "Battle of the Big Cats," due to the similar nicknames of the franchises). The game sells Carolina Panthers tickets unique to other games with this rivalry.

After Dom Capers was let go following a 4–12 season in 1998, the Panthers hired George Seifert as the team's second head coach. Seifert had won two Super Bowls as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and had a reputation for winning with talented and experienced teams.

The 2003 season began with the Panthers drafting several young prospects, including Ricky Manning, Jr. at cornerback, and Jordan Gross at offensive tackle. In addition, quarterback Jake Delhomme, running back Stephen Davis, and wide receiver Ricky Proehl were signed in the off-season, making additions to an offense that needed to complement a top-ranked defense.

The Eagles, led by Donovan McNabb, were in the NFC title match for the 3rd year in a row, but lost it as the Panthers shut down the Eagles offense and, with a 14–3 victory, headed to their first Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

The divisional schedule this season includes the November 8, 2009 game at4:05pm EST at New Orleans Saints Louisiana Superdome, November 15, 2009 at 1pm EST with the Atlanta Falcons at home in the Bank of America Stadium, December 6, 2009 at 1pm EST with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in the Bank of America Stadium, January 3, 2010 at 1pm EST with the New Orleans Saints at home in the Bank of America Stadium. Enjoy Carolina Panthers tickets through the Seats and see of the season can be salvaged.