Lenovo Center facts for kids
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The Loudest House in the NHL
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Lenovo Center in 2025
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 Lenovo Center
Location in North Carolina
Lenovo Center
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (1999–2002) RBC Center (2002–2012) PNC Arena (2012–2024) |
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| Address | 1400 Edwards Mill Road |
| Location | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°48′12″N 78°43′19″W / 35.80333°N 78.72194°W |
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| Parking | 14,000+ |
| Owner | Centennial Authority |
| Operator | Hurricanes Holdings, LLC |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 18,700 Basketball: 19,500 Concerts: 21,000 Moonlight Theater: 4,000-10,000 |
| Record attendance | Ice hockey: 19,513 May 14, 2022 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins Basketball: 19,722 January 11, 2015 NC State vs. Duke Concert: 20,052 January 28, 2019 Metallica |
| Field size | 700,000 sq ft (65,000 m2) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Scoreboard | 4,000 sq ft (370 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 22, 1997 |
| Opened | October 29, 1999 |
| Renovated | 2003, 2008–09, 2018, 2025 |
| Construction cost | $158 million ($278 million in 2022, adjusted for inflation. ) |
| Architect | Odell Associates, Inc. |
| Project manager | McDevitt Street Bovis, Inc. |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Engineers |
| General contractor | Hensel Phelps Construction Co. |
| Tenants | |
| Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) (1999–present) NC State Wolfpack (ACC) (1999–present) Governor’s Cup (ACHA) (2015–present) Carolina Cobras (AFL) (2000–2002) |
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| Website | |
| https://www.lenovocenter.com/ | |
The Lenovo Center is a large indoor stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It's a busy place where many exciting events happen. People know it as "The Loudest House in the NHL" because of how loud fans cheer.
This arena is home to two major sports teams. The Carolina Hurricanes play their ice hockey games here. They are part of the National Hockey League (NHL). The men's basketball team from North Carolina State University, called the Wolfpack, also plays its games at the Lenovo Center.
The arena is quite big, with seats for 18,700 hockey fans and 19,500 basketball fans. It also has special luxury suites and club seats. The Lenovo Center is near other important places like Carter–Finley Stadium, where the NC State football team plays.
The building first opened in 1999. It cost about $158 million to build. In 2023, the Hurricanes team made a deal to keep playing here for 20 more years. This deal includes big plans to update the arena and build new things around it.
Contents
History of the Arena
The idea for a new basketball stadium started in the 1980s. Jim Valvano, a famous coach for the Wolfpack, dreamed of a bigger arena. In 1989, plans were approved for a 23,000-seat stadium.
A group called the Centennial Authority was created in 1995 to manage the project. They decided to make it a multi-use arena for different events. This led to the Hartford Whalers hockey team moving to Raleigh in 1997. They became the Carolina Hurricanes. Construction began that year and finished in 1999.
When it first opened, the arena was called the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA). Later, companies bought the rights to name the building. From 2002 to 2012, it was known as the RBC Center. Then, from 2012 to 2024, it was called the PNC Arena.
On September 12, 2024, the arena got its current name, Lenovo Center. This happened after the technology company Lenovo bought the naming rights for ten years. Lenovo's American headquarters are in nearby Morrisville.
The arena has even appeared in TV shows and games. An episode of One Tree Hill was filmed here. It was also the place for the 2005 Jeopardy! College Tournament.
Hockey Games and the Stanley Cup
The first NHL game in the arena was on October 29, 1999. The Carolina Hurricanes played against the New Jersey Devils. The arena has seen many exciting hockey moments since then.
In 2006, the Hurricanes won their first ever Stanley Cup! They beat the Edmonton Oilers 3–1 in a thrilling Game Seven right here at home. This was a huge moment for North Carolina sports.
Fans have set attendance records at the Lenovo Center. On May 14, 2022, 19,513 fans watched the Hurricanes beat the Boston Bruins. This was the most people ever at a Hurricanes game in the arena.
The arena also hosted a game for the Professional Women's Hockey League on March 7, 2025. The Minnesota Frost played the Ottawa Charge in front of 10,782 fans.
Arena Upgrades and Future Plans
The Lenovo Center has been updated many times to make it better for fans.
- In 2003, a ribbon board was added around the arena. This board shows scores and messages.
- The sound system was improved in 2008.
- A new, large HD scoreboard was installed in 2009. It replaced an older, less advanced one. This new scoreboard has full video displays all around.
- In 2016, the ribbon boards were upgraded again. New LED video boards replaced old static advertising signs.
- The NHL home locker rooms were renovated in 2018. New seating was also added in the upper part of the arena.
- A huge new video board was installed in 2019. It is almost three times bigger than the old one. This board has a 360-degree display and is one of the first of its kind in the NHL.
In 2019, Raleigh approved $200 million for more arena improvements over 25 years. Some food and drink areas were updated. A new lighting system was added to the outside of the building.
After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, renovation plans started again. In 2022, the arena board approved $25.8 million for 17 projects. This included replacing the arena roof.
Big plans were announced in August 2023. The arena will get $300 million in renovations. The Hurricanes team also promised to develop the land around the arena. This will include new shops, restaurants, offices, homes, and a hotel. There will also be a new outdoor concert area. These renovations officially began in March 2025. They will add new luxury spaces and a view bar.
Exciting Events at Lenovo Center
Besides hockey and basketball, the Lenovo Center hosts many other fun events. It's a popular spot for concerts, family shows, and more.
- Many famous musicians have performed here. These include Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars.
- Family-friendly shows like Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Monster Jam have also visited.
- The arena has hosted college basketball tournaments. It was a site for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2004, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2025.
- On January 28, 2019, a concert by Metallica set a record for the most people at a single event. There were 20,052 fans!
- The arena has also hosted esports events, like the Apex Legends Global Series Championship in 2022.
Other Notable Events
- WWF Summerslam (2000)
- Stanley Cup Finals (2002)
- NHL Draft (2004)
- Jeopardy! College Championship (2005)
- Stanley Cup Finals (2006)
- National Hockey League All-Star game (2011)
- WWE Over the Limit (2012)
- UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos (2020)
- Apex Legends Global Series Championship (2022)
- League of Legends Championship Series (2023)
- PWHL Takeover Tour (2025)
- Rocket League Championship Series (2025)
- 2029 Summer World University Games (2029)
Images for kids
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Lenovo Center parking area
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Lenovo Center set up for NC State Basketball in 2025
See also
In Spanish: Lenovo Center para niños
