By January 12, 2024
Hornets Sports & Entertainment have announced plans to renovate Spectrum Center with transformational upgrades scheduled to begin this year. The city of Charlotte approved a $215 million budget to renovate the arena back in 2022 with an additional $60 million for a new practice facility, extending the team’s lease through 2045. While the city of Charlotte owns the arena, it’s been operated by the city’s NBA franchise (Bobcats and Hornets) since opening in October 2005.
“Re!magine Spectrum Center touches nearly every aspect of the arena and allows us to remain the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas, drawing more high-profile events and thus more patrons to Uptown Charlotte, positively benefitting nearby restaurants, bars, hotels, and other local businesses,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President Donna Julian.
The focus will be on fan experience in the first stages of the renovations in 2024 with updates to the Uptown Concourse (200 level), redesigned Dr Pepper Pavilion and The Nest fan section, and several new amenities. There will also be an emphasis on improving traffic flow with wider corridors and reconfigured entrances and exits.
A new Courtside Club will be added this year, replacing the two existing event level clubs (which will be relocated), allowing for more people to enjoy the benefits of upgraded ticket options. The suite level will be completely overhauled in 2024, offering five different options, accommodating anywhere from two to 130 guests. In addition to the 28 Standard Suites, there will be four Party Suites, 13 Mini Suites, a Super Suite, and a new Theater Box that will offer an all-inclusive experience when the renovations are complete.
In 2025, the arena will add 2,500 lower-level seats and the Main Concourse will be updated, featuring four themed “destinations” inspired by communities across the Carolinas with more fan engagement areas and improved retail and concession experiences.
“We are physically opening up the area between the concourse and the bowl. Long communal tables adjacent to the new grab-and-go market, and a dedicated fixed bar will provide an area to eat, drink, and socialize while being a part of the event at the same time,” said Julian.
There are also new menu options and additional bar offerings in store at the arena with plans to improve the back-of-house operations to better accommodate staff, production, and talent.
The Spectrum Center will be closed from May through September in 2024 and 2025 for construction, with the renovations expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season.
By updating and improving the nearly 20-year-old arena, all parties hope to attract more national tours and large-scale events like the Spectrum Center has hosted in the past– most notably the Democratic National Convention (2012) and NBA All-Star Game (2019).
“This project is an extremely collaborative effort with the city of Charlotte and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, as well as architect Perkins&Will, construction companies Turner and D.A. Everett, consultant CAA Icon and our concessions partner, Levy,” said Julian. “We look forward to seeing our collective vision come to fruition over the next two years, and we’re confident the planned enhancements will set up Spectrum Center for success long into our future.”
View this post on Instagram
Read next:
