Raleigh’s Lenovo Center Opens View Bar In Time For Tonight’s State Rivalry

The Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, is opening the View Bar tonight in time for a high-profile state rivalry between NCAA men’s basketball teams NC State University and the University of North Carolina (UNC).

“We’re thrilled to introduce this state-of-the-art amenity for fans visiting Lenovo Center,” said Brian Fork, CEO of Hurricanes Holdings in the announcement. “Open to all fans in attendance, the View Bar provides a gathering space to grab a drink on the third level without losing sight of the action.”

The new hospitality space overlooks the 700,000-square-foot arena offering full service bar and a gathering platform. Lenovo Center is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and NC State men’s basketball.

Construction is continuing on additional new 300-level amenities including a new grab-and-go concession space and a complete refresh of all restrooms. Following tonight’s game, the View Bar will also be open for select concerts and events, and will make its debut during a hockey game when the Hurricanes host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26.

The unveiling is the latest development in a renovation that started in 2025. The comprehensive $300 million project includes expanded capacity, premium seating, fan amenities like View Bar and significant infrastructure upgrades. The renovation was approved in 2023 as part of a long-term lease extension with the Carolina Hurricanes and funding from public tourism tax revenues and local support. The renovations are separate but related to a larger $800+ million redevelopment of the area, including an entertainment and mixed-use district around the venue.

Reconfigured seating at the arena will increase capacity to more than 21,000 for concerts and adding seats for hockey and basketball beginning with the 2026-27 seasons. New seats were installed during the offseason throughout the lower bowl at a cost of more than $4.1 million.

Plans include new “bunker style” luxury suites and club spaces behind the south goal, and upgraded concourses, concessions, restrooms and other fan amenities on multiple levels. Infrastructure Improvements include replacing and relocation air-handling equipment under the stands to modernize ventilation systems.

The arena originally opened in 1999 and has undergone other renovations in 2003, 2008 and 2018. The renovation that began last year is the most substantial overhaul in decades with ongoing phases lasting through at least 2028.

Since opening, the venue has gone through several name changes; it was previously known as the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena, RBC Center and later PNC Arena before becoming Lenovo Center in 2024 when Lenovo secured naming rights. The facility is owned by the Centennial Authority.