RALEIGH — Lenovo Center, home of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, will have a new look next season.
And not just because of the championship banner that will be raised by the Hurricanes on opening night.
The arena hasn’t hosted an event since Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 11 as crews work to complete the latest phase of a $300-million renovation project that began last year as well as other work. The arena will remain closed until Sept. 15 when rapper and singer Rob Wave is scheduled to play at Lenovo Center.
Cash Money + No Limit Tour are scheduled to hold a concert on Sept. 19, and the Hurricanes return to action at home for a preseason game on Sept. 22. The Hurricanes season and home opener is Sept. 29 against Florida. NC State’s men’s basketball team also plays its home games at the venue.
All lower bowl seats are being replaced with new chairs, and the number aisles on each side have been reduced for additional capacity. The hockey press box on the third level has been shrunk by at least 66%, opening room for additional seats at the top of the arena. The new chairs are 19 inches wide, the same as the old seats.
WRAL reported previously that capacity will increase by about 700 seats for hockey games and slightly less for basketball games.
There are new speakers, a new WiFi system and an additional grab-and-go concession area on the third level. The arena got new boards to go around the ice surface. Some of the projects are part of the arena’s annual capital expenditures, while others are part of the renovation projects to enhance the arena, which was built in 1999.
The project is backed by tax dollars from hotel stays and prepared food and beverage sales in Wake County and Raleigh. The current projects are part of the $100-million first phase. Work began last year and included the popular view bar on the third level, bunker suits under the lower bowl and a multipurpose room on the arena level.
The Centennial Authority, which owns the building, is expected to vote before the end of the year on what renovations to include in the next $200-million phase. The entire renovation is expected to continue through the summer of 2028.
Lenovo Center is scheduled to host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of the 2028 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The renovation is separate from the planned development of an entertainment district around the arena. Construction on the development is scheduled to begin after the 2026 NC State football season and won’t impact parking for this season. The Wolfpack play at Carter-Finley Stadium, located just yards away from Lenovo Center.
Single-game tickets went on sale Thursday for the Hurricanes, who announced they have sold out of season tickets. With the demise of FanDuel Sports Network, the Hurricanes plan to produce their own local television broadcasts with an assist from the NHL for the 2026-27 season, but haven’t yet announced distribution for those games.