PNC Arena in Raleigh NC

It was positioned to be a multi-purpose entertainment facility, but it was not budgeted to have the frills and things it does now. It was budgeted to basically be a high-end basketball building that could do the circus and Disney on Ice. It was never where it is today.

"Back then, a lot of people weren't even sure. They'd never had anything of this magnitude. Other than going over to Chapel Hill, Reynolds was the biggest thing in the market. All the entertainment at the time typically went to Dorton Arena, which was you know what that is. It was going to be a significant change, and it was interesting politically. At the time, the mayor was against the project and fought hard against the project. The Authority members worked hard to make sure the project kept moving forward regardless of the political stuff going on. When I first moved here, it was quite the fight that was happening."

PNC Arena is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is home to the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men's Basketball. On an annual basis, PNC Arena welcomes over 1.5 million guests and plays host to more than 150 events including major concert tours, and family shows.

PNC Arena remains dedicated to furthering the area's growing popularity by providing the best possible sports and entertainment experience in the Southeast. PNC Arena has continually offered Raleigh, the Triangle, and the southeast an abundance of sports, major concert tours, and events year after year. Studies have shown the arena's economic impact to be greater than $170 million a year.

The $158 million PNC Arena encompasses approximately 700,000 square feet. Four different seating levels provide 18,680 seats for hockey, 19,500 for basketball, and up to 20,000 for concerts.

PNC Arena's amenities include over 8,000 designated parking spaces, 18 permanent concession stands, over 50 portable concession stands, 37 public restrooms, as well as escalators and elevators throughout the building.

Equipped with three concourses, 51 suites, 7 loge boxes, and a spacious 9,100 square foot restaurant on the Club Level, PNC Arena is well-equipped to handle events of all types. Full catering service, operated entirely on-site by VAB Catering, is also available for private functions to serve up to 1,000 guests.

Quick Facts

  • Groundbreaking: July 22, 1997
  • Opening Night: October 29, 1999
  • Opening Event: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
  • Size: 770,000 sq feet
  • Capacity: Up to 20,000
  • Owner: Centennial Authority
  • Operator: Gale Force Sports and Entertainment (A division of the Carolina Hurricanes)

Construction on the $158 million Arena began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 22, 1997. PNC Arena doors opened for business in October 1999, representing the culmination of the collaborative efforts of a unique partnership known as the Centennial Authority. In part due to a grant from the State of North Carolina, the Centennial Authority owns PNC Arena building and the surrounding 80 acres, while the facility itself is operated by the Carolina Hurricanes/Gale Force Sports & Entertainment.

With construction by Hensel Phelps Construction, overseen by McDevitt Street Bovis, Inc. and architects Odell, PNC Arena yields a height of 108½ feet, a width of 495 feet, and a length of 635 feet.

ARENA TOURS

Tours of PNC Arena are available for groups 10+ on non-event days (when available). Size of group may be limited. Tours available on Monday, 12:00PM - 4:00PM and Tuesday - Friday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM.