Charlotte Hornets
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
333 East Trade Street
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Charlotte
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Owned by the City of Charlotte; operated by Hornets Sports & Entertainment. Located in Uptown Charlotte; formerly Charlotte Bobcats Arena (2005-2008) and Time Warner Cable Arena (2008-2016)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
704-688-8600 (arena main line); 704-688-8128 (guest services/arena info, arenainfo@hornets.com)
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
NC
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Spectrum Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
28202
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Lots/decks to the west of the arena serving Uptown office buildings and Bank of America Stadium/Truist Field tend to be cheaper; pre-booking apps list spots from ~$6
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking (third-party booking via SpotHero, ParkWhiz, ParkMobile, Parking.com)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
ADA parking available in nearby decks; accessible drop-off on the Fifth Street side. Contact arena for specifics
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Credit/debit and mobile app payment (SpotHero, ParkWhiz, ParkMobile); cashless is standard at most Uptown decks
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Yes — strongly encouraged via SpotHero, ParkWhiz, ParkMobile, and Parking.com; reservations delivered instantly by email/app
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Roughly $10-$20 on game days at nearby lots/decks (closest lots $20+); pre-paid/preferred spots range ~$15-$27. ParkMobile lists options from as low as $6
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
LYNX Blue Line light rail (CTC/Arena station at the door), CATS buses at the Charlotte Transportation Center across Trade Street, and the free CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor arena (urban Uptown setting; no tailgating)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
Trade Street and College Street near the arena, and I-77 Uptown exits, get congested before/after events; allow extra time
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
No on-site arena parking; numerous surface lots and parking decks within walking distance on all sides. Closest garage at 200 N. College St. / 237 E. 5th St. (~1-minute walk)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
App
CATS-Pass app and CATS website provide schedules, fares, and real-time info
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
LYNX Blue Line to the CTC/Arena station — fastest, most reliable, and drops you at the door
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
CATS buses at the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) across Trade Street; routes serving the area include Route 11, Route 16, and Route 46x, among others
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
CATS standard fares; pay via the CATS-Pass mobile app, ticket vending machines, or onboard. Local one-ride fares are modest; verify current rate with CATS
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — indoor arena (no waterway service in Uptown Charlotte)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
CTC/Arena station (LYNX Blue Line), directly in front of the arena on the Trade Street side
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
LYNX Blue Line (light rail) and CityLYNX Gold Line (free streetcar) both serve the CTC/Arena area
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Use the free CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar to reach the arena from points east/west of Uptown; park at a Blue Line park-and-ride to skip Uptown traffic and parking fees
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
CTC/Arena station is at the arena's doorstep (steps away); CTC bus depot is directly across Trade Street
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Accessibility
N/A — no arena shuttle; CATS/LYNX vehicles and stations are ADA-accessible
Source statement; not independently verified.
Cost
N/A — no dedicated arena shuttle; CATS/LYNX standard fares apply
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
N/A — no dedicated arena shuttle (LYNX drops at CTC/Arena station)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Most fans use the LYNX Blue Line or rideshare rather than a shuttle given the Uptown location
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
N/A — transit provided by Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Park ride
Seven CATS park-and-ride lots along the LYNX Blue Line corridor (south/southwest of Uptown) feed the Trade Street/CTC-Arena station
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
N/A — no dedicated arena shuttle (use CATS park-and-ride lots feeding LYNX Blue Line)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Routes
No dedicated team-operated game shuttle; CATS park-and-ride + LYNX Blue Line serves the shuttle role from seven park-and-ride lots
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Tips
Uptown Charlotte is compact and bike-friendly; use city racks and lock securely. Confirm current micromobility options via city of Charlotte resources
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible parking available in nearby decks/lots; accessible drop-off located on the Fifth Street side of the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Advanced Assistive Listening System available; sign-language interpreters provided for concerts/events with advance request
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
arenainfo@hornets.com or 704-688-8128 (provide at least two weeks' notice for interpreter/accessible-seating requests)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Fifth Street side near the disabled drop-off location; guests can also enter via Trade Street and use the elevator just inside the main entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The arena's open, plaza-centered design was intended to foster community and socializing, and accessibility upgrades have accompanied its renovations
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
ADA-compliant accessible restrooms available on all concourse levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Only service animals (guide dogs/service animals) permitted; pets and emotional-support animals are not allowed
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Designated wheelchair and companion seating throughout the bowl; venue meets/exceeds ADA requirements
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — Spectrum Center operates as a cashless venue (card/mobile payment; reverse-ATM kiosks for cash conversion)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
Regional breweries Catawba and Triple C featured at various stands, including the Trade Street Pour House Bar on the lower concourse
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
On game nights the arena is branded "Buzz City," with teal Hornets imagery throughout, including the structure holding the center-hung videoboard, which appears to have "wings" when viewed from center court
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Carolina Moonshine BBQ; regional Carolina BBQ chicken sandwiches; plus chains such as Chick-fil-A and Domino's Pizza
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
"The Nest" (upper concourse opening at Sections 216-218) where fans grab a beer with a full game view; Trade Street Pour House Bar
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food and beverage generally prohibited; sealed water and limited medical/infant exceptions may apply. Verify via the A-Z Guide
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
SpotHero, ParkWhiz, ParkMobile, Parking.com (for nearby parking, not in-arena concessions)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Carolina-style BBQ (pulled pork) and BBQ nachos from the Carolina Moonshine BBQ stands — a regional twist on stadium food
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
Ellerbe Becket (Odell Associates, Inc.) with The Freelon Group, Inc.; project manager PC Sports; general contractor Hunt/R.J. Leeper
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
~$260-265 million (approximately $429M in 2025 dollars)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Hosted 2019 NBA All-Star Game; 2012 Democratic National Convention; first-ever NCAA Tournament 16-over-1 upset (UMBC over Virginia, March 16, 2018); ACC Tournament (2008, 2019, 2025, 2026, 2028); UFC events (2018, 2023)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The original center-hung scoreboard featured a one-of-a-kind light-up 360-degree 3D model of the Charlotte skyline, retired during the 2016 videoboard replacement
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
2005 (opened October 21, 2005; groundbreaking July 29, 2003)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
~19,000+ for basketball at opening; later configured to 19,444 for NBA games
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
Charlotte Bobcats Arena (2005-2008); then Time Warner Cable Arena (2008-2016); Spectrum Center since 2016
Source statement; not independently verified.
Records
Site of the historic first 16-seed-over-1-seed NCAA men's tournament upset (UMBC 74, Virginia 54, 2018)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
2016 upgrades incl. $7M scoreboard/videoboard and ribbon boards; $34M (2014) pre-All-Star upgrades; ongoing $275M renovation approved 2022 (HVAC, interior upgrades, new across-the-street practice facility, transit-station upgrades) targeting ~2027 completion
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
19,444 for NBA games (expandable to 20,200 for college basketball); some sources/seating charts list ~19,077
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena in Uptown Charlotte; renovation includes new HVAC systems
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Multiple tiers — lower bowl, club/suite level, and upper bowl (some upper-deck sections up to ~24 rows)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Scoreboard
Center-hung HD videoboard (2016) with main screens ~25 ft high x 42 ft wide and ~18 ft x 31 ft, 1080p, color-changing with "hive" motif; four retractable auxiliary corner boards and 360-degree ribbon boards
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
Currently sole permanent tenant is the Charlotte Hornets (NBA). Former tenants: Charlotte Checkers (ECHL/AHL hockey) and Charlotte Sting (WNBA). Frequent host of ACC and NCAA basketball
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (multi-surface arena; can accommodate an NHL-sized ice sheet)
Source statement; not independently verified.