Spectrum Center
Spectrum Center is a basketball arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Hornets (NBA, Eastern Conference). It opened in 2005, making it 21 years old in 2026 and seats 19,444 for basketball. That makes it the 9th-largest arena in NBA.
Arena facts
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Home of
- Charlotte Hornets
- Conference
- NBA · Eastern Conference · Southeast Division
- Opened
- 2005
- Capacity
- 19,444
- Former names
- Charlotte Bobcats Arena (2005)
Time Warner Cable Arena (from 2008) - Also home to
- Charlotte Sting (WNBA, 2006, former)
Charlotte Checkers (former, left after 2014–15) - Size rank in NBA
- 9th of 30
Famous games at Spectrum Center
- March 16, 2018: No. 16 seed UMBC stunned top-seeded Virginia 74-54 in the NCAA Tournament, the first 16-over-1 upset in men's tournament history.
- Nov. 17, 2018: Kemba Walker scored a franchise-record 60 points, though the Hornets lost 122-119 in overtime to Philadelphia.
- Feb. 17, 2019: Charlotte hosted the All-Star Game, won 178-164 by Team LeBron over Team Giannis, with Kevin Durant named MVP.
- March 15, 2025: Top seed Duke beat Louisville 73-62 to win the ACC Tournament championship game.
Seating & views at Spectrum Center
Spectrum Center seats about 19,444 for Hornets games and more for college events. A two-summer renovation finished for the 2025-26 season: every bowl seat was replaced, about 1,400 seats were added to the lower bowl to pull more fans closer to the court, and upper-level seats got 2 inches wider. The old members-only club lounges became the North District, South District and East Bar, open to all ticket holders, and suites on the Novant Health suite level were rebuilt.
Parking & tailgating at Spectrum Center
There is no big arena-owned garage, so fans use the many Uptown decks within a few blocks, such as the 7th Street Station garage, Fifth Third Center garage and decks along Trade and College streets. Booking ahead through a parking app helps on busy nights. The easiest option is the LYNX Blue Line light rail to CTC/Arena Station beside the building, or 7th Street Station a short walk away; the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar also stops at CTC/Arena.
Plan your trip to Spectrum Center
Arenas near Spectrum Center10
- 1D-ICurry Arena — Queens Royals same city
- 2D-IDale F. Halton Arena — Charlotte 49ers same city
- 3D-IJohn M. Belk Arena — Davidson Wildcats 18 mi
- 4D-IWinthrop Coliseum — Winthrop Eagles 24 mi
- 5D-IPaul Porter Arena — Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 48 mi
- 6D-IG. B. Hodge Center — USC Upstate Spartans 64 mi
- 7D-IJerry Richardson Indoor Stadium — Wofford Terriers 64 mi
- 8D-ILawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum — Wake Forest Demon Deacons 66 mi
- 9D-INido & Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center — High Point Panthers 71 mi
- 10D-ITempleton Physical Education Center — Presbyterian Blue Hose 79 mi
Questions about Spectrum Center
Where do the Charlotte Hornets play home games?
The Charlotte Hornets play at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
How many people does Spectrum Center hold?
Spectrum Center seats 19,444 for basketball.
When did Spectrum Center open?
Spectrum Center opened in 2005.
What other arenas are near Spectrum Center?
Curry Arena is also in Charlotte. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.