Spectrum Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, at 333 East Trade Street. Opened on October 21, 2005, as Charlotte Bobcats Arena, the venue quickly grew into one of the Southeast’s most prominent entertainment destinations, drawing major touring artists and high-profile events from around the country.
Owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by Hornets Sports & Entertainment, the arena adopted the Spectrum Center name in 2016 following Charter Communications’ acquisition of Time Warner Cable. With a concert capacity of up to 18,504, the arena regularly hosts some of the biggest names in music, from rock legends and country superstars to pop icons and hip-hop headliners.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina
- Type: Indoor multi-purpose arena
- Opened: October 21, 2005
- Concert Capacity: 13,376–18,504 (configuration-dependent)
- NBA Capacity: 19,444 (Charlotte Hornets home)
- Construction Cost: $265 million
- Famous for: 2019 NBA All-Star Game, 2012 Democratic National Convention, and major arena concert tours
The Concert Experience
Spectrum Center’s flexible staging allows shows to be configured for audiences ranging from roughly 13,000 to more than 18,500, giving promoters the ability to tailor atmosphere for everything from intimate residencies to massive arena tours. The venue’s central location near the LYNX Blue Line’s Trade Street Station makes it one of the most transit-accessible arenas in the region.
Over the years the arena has hosted a wide range of headliners — Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Van Halen, and Kanye West among them. A $7 million scoreboard installed during 2016 renovations upgraded the in-venue experience, and a further $275 million renovation approved in June 2022 is expected to modernize the building further by around 2027.
Beyond the Music
Spectrum Center has also served as the backdrop for events of national significance. It hosted the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, and has welcomed NCAA Tournament games multiple times — most recently in 2024. That range of programming reflects the arena’s ability to pivot seamlessly between sports, politics, and entertainment.
Designed by Ellerbe Becket, Odell Associates, and The Freelon Group, the building cost approximately $265 million to construct and remains a cornerstone of Charlotte’s Uptown district. Its naming history — Charlotte Bobcats Arena, then Time Warner Cable Arena, then Spectrum Center — tracks over two decades of growth in both the city and its entertainment scene.
Explore more: Live Music venues.
Spectrum Center FAQs
What is the concert capacity at Spectrum Center?
Spectrum Center can hold between approximately 13,376 and 18,504 concertgoers depending on the stage configuration chosen for a given show.
How did Spectrum Center get its current name?
The arena opened in 2005 as Charlotte Bobcats Arena, was renamed Time Warner Cable Arena in 2008, and became Spectrum Center in 2016 after Charter Communications acquired Time Warner Cable and rebranded the service as Spectrum.
What major events beyond concerts have taken place at Spectrum Center?
The arena hosted the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, and has been a recurring site for NCAA Tournament games, ACC basketball tournaments, and UFC events.
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Photo: Matthew D. Britt from Ballston Lake, NY, U.S.A. / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.