In early 2019, the club made history by becoming the first to offer ownership shares to the public and its fans under the crowdfunding rules of JOBS Act.

After a disappointing 3rd-place finish to the 2011 season and missing the playoffs, Chattanooga FC came back stronger than ever in 2012, taking 1st place in the newly created South Southeast Conference West, and defeating the reigning NPSL champion Jacksonville United FC 4–1 in Jacksonville to clinch it.

Keeper, Greggaa Hartley, converted an incredible 3 saves in 3 chances, and Chattanooga made all 3 of their chances to advance to the Regional Final in Richmond, VA.[13] Chattanooga FC lost the Regional Final 1-0 to eventual NPSL champions RVA Football Club.

[15] 2014 started with former Chattanooga FC player Mark Sherrod being drafted by the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer in the second-round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

[32] Chattanooga FC took the lead late in the game on a Luke Winter header, but a controversial penalty was called just a minute later.

On August 8, 2015, Chattanooga FC and Finley Stadium hosted the NPSL National Championship between CFC and New York Cosmos B.

The game drew a U.S. amateur soccer attendance record with 18,227 fans witnessing a thrilling match won by the Cosmos, 3–2 in extra time.

In January 2017, Chattanooga FC announced a partnership with VfL Wolfsburg, which plays in the German Bundesliga, and has plans to have international friendlies with the team.

Chattanooga FC accused the new team of trying to take over the local market after they hired then-current general manager Sean McDaniel.

[35][36][37] The Red Wolves also unsuccessfully attempted to arrange a lease at Finley Stadium and takeover of Chattanooga's youth academy.

[40] In anticipation of moving to a professional roster and schedule, Chattanooga began a fan ownership initiative that was partially modeled after the Green Bay Packers.

[42][43] In preparation for the team's move to the professional ranks it was announced that Jeremy Alumbaugh, formerly the general manager of Saint Louis FC, as the team's managing director, while Bill Elliot would transition from his role as coach to Technical Director and Peter Fuller would take over the head coach role full-time.

[44] After having three years of success in NISA, winning all three Independent Cups and finishing first in the 2023 NISA season, Chattanooga FC announced that starting in 2024 that they would join MLS Next Pro, the other third tier professional soccer division in America, which serves as a reserve league for Major League Soccer.

[47] Over the years, the supporter group has established several traditions, which the club has incorporated into home match proceedings such as a pregame Chattahooligan march-in[48] and the a cappella leading of the National Anthem.

[51] In their second home match, held on June 7, 2009, over 1,500 watched as CFC notched their first win in club history over Saturn FC.

[52] Over 2,100 fans watched as CFC tied eventual divisional champs Rocket City United on June 20, 2009.

[53] In their final home game of the season, held July 4, 2009, over 3,000 fans witnessed CFC's victory over Birmingham, Alabama's Pumas FC.

[56] On July 4, 2010, an NPSL record crowd of over 3,400 watched CFC take on league newcomer FC Tulsa.

In February 2017, MLS expansion club Atlanta United came to Chattanooga for a friendly, which drew approximately 12,400[65] fans to Finley Stadium.

[68] In the spring of 2023, despite being in different leagues, One Knoxville SC travelled to Chattanooga for an exhibition match at Finley Stadium.