The Switch from PNC Arena to Lenovo Center
Fans growing up in Raleigh knew the excitement of attending games at the RBC Center. The Stadium was then renamed the PNC Arena, known as the home to the best fans in the NHL. Just as many have gotten used to PNC Arena, the stadium now has a new name. On September 12th, the Hurricanes made an Instagram post announcing the new name -- The Lenovo Center. The new name isn’t the only addition to the Canes’ home, many new additions to the stadium are also being added. Once the renovations are completed, fans will find themselves in a state-of-the-art facility. What can fans expect from their experience in the Lenovo Center?
Phase One
The 10-year partnership is divided into multiple phases, with phase one’s “puck drop” expected in December 2025. Phase one is mostly creating mixed-use development for the fans to enjoy. Some of these include:
- 200,000 square feet of entertainment and retail space
- 150,000 square feet of office space
- A hotel
- Apartments
From the Carolina Hurricanes Instagram post, some glimpses into future Lenovo Center plans can be seen. The post shows what appear to be restaurants, parking decks with tailgating suites on the first floor, and balconies on all other parking deck floors. A walkway, providing open space for fans to spend time together, will lead through this new development.
Other amenities, which were not shown in the renderings of the stadium, but were mentioned later in the post included:
- Luxury suites
- Community spaces (as mentioned above)
- New restaurant choices
- Live entertainment space
Beyond Phase One
The project starts in December 2025, but phase one is expected to finish just in time for the 2027 NC State football season.
The amenities of the subsequent phases have yet to be released, but we know each additional stage in this 15-year process will expand on the previous stage. The order of proximity, per the post, indicates that entertainment will lie closer to the arena. The housing and office space is mentioned as closer to Edwards Mill Road than the Lenovo Center.
Concerns Among Fans
Some fans are excited about this future, but some are left with questions and concerns. The top complaint seemed to be about the addition of parking decks. Many mentioned the already high cost of parking and worried that this cost would only go up. Others were concerned more about the tailgating experience and how the parking decks would influence it.
Long Term Benefits
The fan comments were not all concerned about the addition of parking decks. Some fans saw the potential long-term benefit the Lenovo Center would add. They quickly mentioned the benefits it would have on the Hurricanes, NC State, and the entire city of Raleigh.
Blending Tradition with Innovation
Some concerns do seem reasonable. Especially with sports teams utilizing parking decks typically hearing complaints from fans, all wanting a better tailgating experience. The Hurricanes’ Instagram post emphasized the unique opportunity to blend tradition with innovation. This seemingly indicates that the atmosphere fans have come to love is here to stay.
The Lenovo Center has the potential to be a major impact not just for the Hurricanes, but for the city of Raleigh and all of North Carolina. The short-term implications can already be seen, but some will take time to recognize. Carolina Hurricanes fans have much to anticipate, with mentions of new technology and amenities being added to the arena.
New Era of North Carolina Hockey
Fans have much to be excited about, both on the ice and off. The tradition of Hurricanes-past clashes with the innovation the future brings, making some things potentially inconvenient or difficult. If fans remember that change and its benefits take time to manifest, they may be able to enjoy this new era of North Carolina hockey.