Renovated Lenovo Center will be able to seat more fans
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Renovated Lenovo Center will add roughly 600–800 seats by 2026–27 seasons.
- Lower-bowl aisles will be removed and lower seats replaced starting July 1.
- Boosted capacity and new View Bar aim to attract bigger concerts and events.
The renovated Lenovo Center won’t be any larger but will seat more fans.
As part of a planned $300 million facelift, the arena’s capacity will grow by roughly 600-800 seats by the 2026-27 seasons for the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State men’s basketball, Centennial Authority executive director Jeff Merritt said Thursday,
Plans are for several of the lower-bowl aisles to be removed, making room for more seats. In addition, the building of the new View Bar on the third level will not require as big a reduction of seats as first envisioned.
The Centennial Authority, the arena landlord, approved an appropriation of $4.1 million Thursday for replacing all the seats in the lower bowl. Work is scheduled to begin July 1, Merritt said.
“The idea is when you show back up here on Labor Day, you’ve got spiffy, brand-new seats,” Merritt said.
The arena, which opened in the fall of 1999, hosts the Hurricanes and Wolfpack basketball games. The capacity has been 18,795 for hockey and 19,700 for basketball, and has been able to seat more than 20,000 for concerts.
With the new additions, the arena will be able to hold about 21,000 for some concerts.
“There’s already concert interest for next fall and early 2027,” Merritt said. “When you can tell a promoter you’ve got 21,000 seats, that puts you in a different conversation. It really helps to get you a second look for tours that might have overlooked Raleigh.”
The Hurricanes averaged 18,795 fans a game in the 2024-25 season, selling out every game for a second consecutive season. The Canes ranked ninth in the NHL in average attendance.
A boost in capacity could bring more touring events and major sports events to the Lenovo Center, which will host an NCAA men’s regional in 2028.
The arena hosted the 2011 NHL All-Star game and 2004 NHL Draft.
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM.
