Spectrum Center (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Spectrum Center (formerly Charlotte Bobcats Arena and Time Warner Cable Arena) is an indoor arena located in center city Charlotte, North Carolina. It is owned by the city of Charlotte and operated by its main tenant, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. Opened in October 2005, the arena seats 19,077 for NBA games but can be expanded to seat up to 20,200 for college basketball games.

General information

Official website: https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/

Arena capacity: 19,077 spectators

Address: 333 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 35°13′30″N 80°50′21″W

Year of construction: October 21, 2005

Construction cost: $334 million

Field: Multi-surface lawn

Seating plan of Spectrum Center

Royal Boxes and Terrace Tables

Located above the lower level on the north and south sides of the arena, the Royal Boxes and Terrace Tables are a unique way to enjoy Hornets basketball. Instead of traditional stadium seating, you’ll be seated on a comfortable rolling chair at a table that over-looks the court.

Royal Box and Terrace Table seating feature complimentary dinner and non-alcoholic drinks at the Frontcourt Club Restaurant, access to the Club Lounges, private entrance, flat screen televisions near each seat, and comfortable executive-style seating.

Club Seats

Club seats are located near mid-court and offer some of the most upscale amenities for a Hornets game. Fans in the Hardwood, Courtside, and Inner Circle Club seats (located on the floor and in the first four rows A4, A5, A, B) are treated to in-seat wait service, padded seating, and access to the Backcourt Club featuring complimentary food and beverage.

In the higher seating rows of the Club Seats, fans will not have in-seat service or complimentary food and beverage, but will have access to the Club Lounges and the Front Court Restaurant.

Front Court Club

Front court club sections are located behind the east basket just above the lower level seating. While the views can be difficult from behind the basket and shot clock, fans will be treated to an upscale experience.

For Hornets home games this includes access to the Front Court Club lounge featuring premium food and beverage options. Front Court Club seats are comprised of swivel chairs with a personal ledge just in front of each seat.

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Sections 216, 217 and 218:

• Closest seats to the interactive fan zone;
• Smaller sections for easy-in and easy-out;
• Among the cheapest ticket prices in the arena.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Rows A-E in Sections 207, 208, 209 and 210:

• Good elevated view from the sideline;
• First few rows in the section are easy to get to and allow for quick and easy trips to the concourse.

Where to buy tickets?

The Arena Box Office is open Monday-Friday from 11:00am-5:00pm. On event days, the Box Office is open 3 hours prior to events and 5 hours prior to Hornets games.

Spectrum Center is a beautiful arena with helpful staff and sometimes the Hornets and the fans come together and make the price of admission well worth it, but other times the poor play of the team and seemingly not interested fans make you wonder why you paid hard earned money. You never know what experience you are going to get at a Hornets game.

The Hornets are ranked among the most affordable teams to visit.  Ticket prices for a Hornets game can range from $15 – $1000+ per seat depending on where you want to sit and what game you want to attend. For non-holiday games and most all games besides (LeBron / Lakers, Steph / Warriors, Harden / Rockets) a fan can sit in the top or middle seating of the best areas (Club Sections 104 – 106 and Club Sections 113 – 115) for approximately $150 or less per seat after finding tickets with second hand ticket vendors like TicketMonster. Snack prices at Spectrum Center in general are the normal up-charges you will see at every venue but using the Hornets App will pay prices that are 35%-45% below the normal menu prices for a few select items.

On select promotion family nights, a group of 3 can enjoy 3 hot dogs, 3 sodas, and 3 seats for $60.

The Hornets are promoting their 30th Year Anniversary with honoring former Hornets stars, throwback uniforms, giveaways, and music.

Most NBA star heavy games (e.g. LeBron James and the Lakers, Steph Curry and the Warriors) will have to be purchased from second hand vendors like TicketMonster at prices well above the team price because the seats that are available for general public purchase are usually purchased the day of release and posted on second hand vendors sites at extremely high prices. Many season ticket holders are trying to get as much money as they can for games to help pay for their season tickets and some people/companies purchase tickets to sell for a profit. The best way to save on experiencing visiting NBA stars at Spectrum Center is to purchase your tickets the day the team releases single game tickets for sale to the public.

How to get there?

Spectrum Center is located at 333 East Trade Street, 28202 in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.

Spectrum Center is bordered by Trade Street, Fifth Street, Caldwell Street, and Charlotte’s Lynx Light Rail Transit line. Spectrum Center is located directly across Trade Street from the Charlotte Transportation Center, the main access point for bus services operated by CATS.

There are many ways to reach the Spectrum Center from Charlotte’s various forms of public transportation. Spectrum Center is conveniently located next to Charlotte’s main bus terminal. In addition, the arena has stops for both the Charlotte and Gold Rush street trolleys. Visit www.ridetransit.org for a schedule and pick-up/drop-off locations.

Directions From The Interstate

I-85 from the South

Exit at Billy Graham Parkway, take Billy Graham Parkway to I-77 North, exit at either I-277 North or Trade Street.

I-85 from the North

Exit at the I-77 exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street.

I-77 from the South

Exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street.

I-77 from the North

Exit at either Brookshire Freeway (I-277 East), 5th Street, Trade Street or John Belk Freeway (I-277).

Directions Inside The City

Brookshire Freeway (I-277) from the West. Exit at either I-77 South or Brevard Street.

NC 49/US 29 from the Northeast

Follow Tryon Street to Uptown, Spectrum Center is one block east of the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets.

Airport

Follow Josh Birmingham Parkway 1.5 miles to Billy Graham Parkway South. Proceed on Billy Graham to I-77 North. Exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street.

Spectrum Center is well laid out and is very accessible inside and outside. There are multiple entrances on the sides of the arena.

Spectrum Center suggests parking at one of the seven park and ride lots within the city and taking the Lynx train to the Trade Street Station at Spectrum Center. For information and prices visit Charlotte Area Transit System.

It’s better parking with your downtown located hotel and walking to the game. If not staying downtown, driving into the downtown area in any direction around the arena where you will find a large amount of parking spots with prices ranging from $5 – $50. When going to the Spectrum Center parking will not be a problem.

There are multiple entrances and ticket handlers. The digital tickets only lines are much shorter than the paper tickets lines. Securitis pretty tight but moves very quickly checking your clothing and pockets. Only bags approximately 14″ x 14″ x 6″ will be permitted after a thorough security check.

The Spectrum Center main concourse is very large and has a giant entrance to the arena floor in the main concourse area near the team shop. There are clean, large restrooms and multiple vendors and staff to help you get anything or anywhere you want. Handicap fans will have no problem with assistance or mobility in the Spectrum Center.

Where to eat?

The food and drinks at the Spectrum Center range from a classic hot dog and a coke to a turkey sandwich carved to order with fresh veggies on top washed down with a craft beer. The concessions workers are speedy and friendly and keep the lines moving quickly. With the new Hornets app a fan can order and prepay for food and other items and go pick up their order at select sites or have the order delivered to the fans seat in select sections.

No matter your budget there will be something to enjoy during your time at the game. Hot dogs, BBQ, pizza, fries, chicken and snacks, if you want it chances are it can be found at Spectrum Center. High end dining options can be found at the Front Court Club. The Front Court Club offers sit down dining with a chef selected menu.

Drinks are offered fountain style with regular size cups and large Hornets collector cups that give the fan access to unlimited refills. Beer and alcohol are available in multiple areas and at Beer and Whisky carts that can’t be missed.

One of the best items available is the made to order nachos that can be found in the North and South Lounges for the Club Seats. Picture quality ingredients like freshly made tortilla chips, beef, grilled chicken, rice, beans, cheese, and lettuce all laid out in front of you with a server waiting to put together your custom nachos.

Fully loaded nachos will set you back $14.

Atmosphere

Spectrum Center’s atmosphere is hard to explain because some nights the fans are with the team and other night the fans don’t seem to care for more than cheering for the opposing team’s star player. Overall if you like NBA basketball it can be a good night out.

Spectrum Center is a beautiful, up-to-date and well maintained arena.Spectrum Center houses a new and unique scoreboard that was installed in 2016. The Hornets scoreboard is the tallest scoreboard in the NBA at 25.2’ high. The scoreboard is uniquely designed and incorporates a honeycomb design along with multiple screens and the Hornets logo and trademark teal color scheme.

The teal team color scheme is throughout the entire arena along with loads of monitors and speakers pumping the latest hits. The arena seats are padded and comfortable and have cup holders. Suites are plush with leather seating, tables, TVs, and a food and drink serving area. Interesting fact:  The view from the first rows in the upper levels of the side sections is approximately the same view fans get sitting in the first row of the suites but hundreds of dollars cheaper.

A live DJ plays the latest hits on an above average sound system while Hugo the hornet or his alter ego Super Hugo (Mascot), the Honey Bees (Cheerleaders), the Swarm Squad (Hornets Hype Men), Big Pat (The Announcer), and  Jacinda & Ty (Arena Hosts) all try to keep the fans engaged with skits, giveaways and t-shirt tosses. Depending on what night you go to a game, the Hornets organization has free gifts (team bobble heads, team hats, and team posters) for the first couple of thousand fans at the doors and occasionally there are free t-shirts on every seat.

Spectrum Center’s best seating is located in Club Sections 104 – 106 and Club Sections 113 – 115. Club Sections give you access to the best views in the arena and in seat food ordering and delivery. Sitting in Sections 113 – 115 will have the floor logo facing you and give fans the best chances for t-shirt tosses and getting selected for fan participation. Sitting in Sections 104 -106 has the home team (section 104) and visiting team (section 106) benches and gives fans a chance to get close to the players and chances are high that a fan will find themselves on Broadcast TV sitting in these sections. T-shirts rarely get tossed over the home and visiting benches.

Neighborhood

Spectrum Center is located in downtown Charlotte know as Uptown. The area is loaded with restaurants, bars, shopping, family entertainment and nightlife entertainment. A weekend centered on going to a Hornets game in Uptown could consist of parking your car for the entire weekend and staying at one of the many hotels or Airbnb rentals within walking distance, eating at one of many restaurants within walking distance of Spectrum Center for any meal, entertainment day or night at one of the museums, movie theater, musical / play theater, carriage rides, and foodie / historic tours all within walking distance of a hotel and the Spectrum Center.

If you are an NFL football fan as well as an NBA basketball fan and were so inclined to stay in Uptown for multiple days your weekend could be centered around an NBA game on Saturday and an NFL game on Sunday. The Carolina Panthers stadium (Bank of America Stadium) is within walking distance of Spectrum Center and the surrounding hotels.

Day, night or late night – RedEye Diner for your 24 hr greasy spoon dining needs located less than a quarter of a mile from Spectrum Center in the Epicenter plaza.  Try Mert’s Heart & Soul located less than a quarter of a mile from Spectrum Center before or after a game for a delicious soul food meal. Brixx Wood Fired Pizza – Uptown located less than a quarter of a mile from Spectrum Center after a game not just for the food which isn’t that great but Brixx is a known after game hangout spot for the Honey Bees (Hornets Cheerleaders) and Swarm Squad (Hornets Hype Men) so you might get to meet a local celebrity.

Learn about someone from history like Genghis Khan and see the latest Star Wars in an IMAX dome at Discovery Place Science. Discovery Place Science is located about ½ mile from the arena and is a hands on science and technology museum that also has a dome IMAX theater that shows documentaries but sometimes shows the occasional action or sci-fi film. If you are an NFL football fan you can’t go wrong visiting a ritzy sky box, touring the visiting team’s locker room or getting some inside Panthers history. The Carolina Panthers stadium (Bank of America Stadium) has public tours of the stadium offered most Wednesdays at 10:00 am and Fridays at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm year round.

There are multiple lodging options within walking distance of Spectrum Center. Holiday Inn Charlotte-Center City is recommended. It’s a mid-range chain hotel that’s clean, has an in-house restaurant and it’s basically across the street from the arena. Hyatt House Charlotte/Center City is also recommended. It’s a higher-end, mid-range chain hotel that’s clean, close to food and it’s located directly next door to the arena. Something somewhat new to think about is finding a local condo, house or apartment to rent using Airbnb or VRBO.  Airbnb or VRBO have great prices considering parking and amenities especially if you will be in town for multiple days.

Fans

Hornets fans come in one of two varieties. The diehard Hornets fan who supports the team every night win or lose and the majority of the attendees who are at the game to see and cheer on the visiting stars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, or James Harden. It’s not unusual to see more visiting team colors during certain games or to hear the people in attendance cheer just as loud for a visiting star. During match-ups with non-star heavy rosters it’s not unusual to have only half the seats of the arena filled.

NBA attendance is counted by the number of seats purchased or given away. Many sold out games have plenty of seats open because season ticket holders didn’t make it to the game and tickets that were given away didn’t net fans in the seats.

The Hornets fans only really get involved during big moments and when the team is doing well. The Hornets fans have been known to walk out early during games where the Hornets are not doing well.

History

The arena was originally intended to host the original Hornets franchise. The Hornets’ arena, the Charlotte Coliseum, was considered outdated despite being only 13 years old.

The construction was approved by the city council, which did not opt to present another referendum to the public.

The arena opened as the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, costing $265 million. One major feature of the arena was its original center-hung scoreboard, which was not only the largest scoreboard in any NBA arena when it debuted, but also featured a one-of-a-kind light-up 360 degree 3D mural of the Charlotte skyline.

Following Charter Communications’ purchase of TWC, the arena was renamed from Time Warner Cable Arena to Spectrum Center, in accordance with Charter’s trade name for its cable services.

Renovations

The Hornets announced and unveiled images of a new scoreboard to be installed, costing $7 million. The board’s screens measure out at 25′ high by 42′ wide and 18′ high by 31′ wide, approximately, making it almost twice the size of the original board and among the NBA’s largest. The screens are able to handle 1080p resolution, something unique to the NBA. Two smaller “underbelly” screens would also be included.

In addition, the scoreboard would be able to change colors and have a visible ‘hive’ motif built-in throughout its design. It was also announced that four retractable auxiliary scoreboards will be installed in the corners of the upper level and finally, 360° ribbon boards are scheduled to be installed as well.