Fully Renovated Arena Welcomes Nearly 325,000 Guests & 12 Sold-Out Events

December 4, 2025 – Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) today announced the resounding success of Spectrum Center’s first month of reopening following the completion of its transformative arena renovations. Since reopening on October 19 with an incredibly diverse lineup of 20 events in the first 30+ days, Spectrum Center has welcomed nearly 325,000 guests, underscoring its position as the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the Carolinas.

Spectrum Center’s reopening month – which also tipped off its 20^th anniversary celebration – featured 12 sold-out events. Among them were four Charlotte Hornets games, highlighted by the team’s Opening Night (Oct. 22) and its first City Edition Night showcasing the debut of the Hoopers Paradise uniform and court (Nov. 15). The month also featured sold-out shows by world-renowned performers Billie Eilish, Tate McRae, NBA YoungBoy, Stevie Nicks, Jonas Brothers, Lainey Wilson and Nate Bargatze. Opening night with Billie Eilish set a single-day concert merchandise record, further highlighting the strong demand and enthusiasm from fans.

“As we celebrate this milestone reopening, we are thrilled to see the incredible response from our community and fans – thank you, Carolinas!,” said HSE President of Business Operations Shelly Cayette Weston. “The energy inside Spectrum Center has been unmatched, and these results reflect both the passion of our guests and the commitment of our organization to deliver world-class experiences. This is only the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Spectrum Center.”

There has been tremendous momentum to start the Hornets season as the franchise has seen a surge in fan engagement since reopening Spectrum Center. Through the first eight regular-season contests, nearly 150,000 fans attended Hornets games, averaging nearly 18,679 fans per game. That run includes four sell outs and reflects an approximate 11 percent increase in attendance compared to the same stretch last season.

“Spectrum Center’s reopening has brought a remarkable surge of energy to Uptown,” said CRVA CEO Steve Bagwell. “From restaurants to hotels to small businesses, our partners are seeing the lift that a strong event lineup delivers. The Hornets have been tremendous partners in driving this momentum and showcasing what a newly reimagined arena can mean for our city. This chapter sets the stage for even greater impact as we continue working together to welcome fans, visitors and major events to Charlotte.”

“Spectrum Center and Hornets Sports & Entertainment are making monumental contributions to the transformation of our Central Business District to a balanced Central Activity District,” said Charlotte Center City Partners CEO Michael Smith. “This renewal of Spectrum Center on its 20th anniversary will be a driver of Uptown as a destination with so many activity nights.”

The arena also recorded its highest eight-day total in retail sales during reopening week, setting a new benchmark for performance.

The success of Spectrum Center’s reopening reflects HSE’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences for fans and visitors. Originally opened on October 21, 2005, Spectrum Center has been the home of the Charlotte Hornets and a centerpiece for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas. Over the past two decades, the arena has hosted nearly 2,500 events and welcomed more than 24 million guests, ranging from NBA games to world-class concerts and family shows. With an estimated annual economic impact of $350 million, Spectrum Center has cemented its place as a cultural and economic hub for the region.