For 25 years PNC Arena in Raleigh has played host to a wide range of events and performers including sports events, concerts and other live performances. In this guide I’m sharing all you need to know about the arena including parking, tickets, food & beverage, how to get there, hotels and restaurants nearby, and much more!
Home to NC State University Men’s Basketball and the 2006 Stanley Cup winning Carolina Hurricanes, we have personally attended several PNC Arena concerts by artists such as Imagine Dragons, Billie Eilish and Greta Van Fleet, watched the Canes play hockey several times, and a Disney on Ice Show, to name a few events we’ve attended over the years!
Shamefully, I have not yet attended an NC State men’s basketball game at PNC (I know, I know), but I have seen them play elsewhere (Madison Square Garden) and we have been to an NC State women’s game several times at Reynolds Coliseum – I need to fix the men’s game situation, asap!
Some famous acts that have performed at the PNC Arena to date include AC/DC, Beyoncé, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, Kevin Hart, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Guns N Roses, and Katy Perry.
About PNC Arena Raleigh
First off, is PNC Arena Raleigh indoors? Yes, it has a permanent roof with no future plans to add a retractable roof as far as I’m aware.
The arena is located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, and if you’re wondering how old PNC Arena is, it first opened its doors for business in 1999, and annually welcomes over 1.5 million guests and plays host to more than 150 events including major concert tours, and family shows.
As the home of the well supported Wolfpack and Hurricanes, media reports suggest it is one of the loudest buildings in the NHL – how can we ever forget them winning game 7 of the Stanley Cup in 2006 in PNC to become champions!
It has a seating capacity of up to 20,000 people, and amenities include over 8,000 designated parking spaces, 20 permanent concession stands, over 50 portable concession stands, 37 public restrooms, as well as escalators and elevators throughout the building.
The arena is equipped with three concourses, 51 suites, 7 loge boxes, and a spacious 9,100 square foot restaurant on the Club Level. Full catering service, operated entirely on-site by VAB Catering, is also available for private functions to serve up to 1,000 guests.
By the Numbers
- Cost to build: $158 million
- 770,000 square feet in size
- 21,000 Seats for concerts
- 18,176 Seats for hockey
- 19,700 Red Seats for basketball
- Over 3,000 courtside seats for NC State’s most vocal fans, its students
- 8,000 Parking spaces
- 500-seat restaurant
- State of the art locker rooms, shower rooms, player lounge, team movie theater and training room
- 1,877 square foot press lounge/interview room at arena level
- 580 Television monitors
- State-of-the art sound system
- 210 Speakers hanging from ceiling
- 1 Video Ribbon board that circles the court
- 37 Restrooms (21 women/16 men)
- 3 Concourses (two public, one private club level)
Wolfpack basketball has the benefit of playing in one of the premier college basketball facilities in the country. With 19,700 red seats, the Wolfpack’s den is among the largest college basketball facilities in the nation yet still maintains some of the intimate feel of historic Reynolds Coliseum, although it is off campus.
Since the PNC Arena opened in 1999, NC State has finished every year in the top-25 nationally in attendance, and the venue provides players and fans with top notch amenities including comfortable seats, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, plush locker rooms and functional meeting rooms.
Where is PNC Arena?
The arena is located at 1400 Edwards Mill Rd in West Raleigh, approximately 6.5 miles from downtown Raleigh (15-20 minutes by car with normal traffic), and 10 miles (15 minutes) from Raleigh-Durham Airport.
If you’re familiar with NC State Football, you’ll know that their home, Carter-Finley Stadium, is right next door, and so is the NC State Fairgrounds, home of the NC State Fair.
Most people get to PNC Arena by car. Rideshare services are available with a dedicated drop-off and pick-up zone located at Gate C off Trinity Rd. (Carter-Finley Stadium Gate C is the named entrance location on Google Maps).
Drive times to PNC Arena:
- Downtown Raleigh: 15 minutes
- RDU Airport: 15 minutes
- Durham: 35 minutes
- Charlotte: 2 hours, 40 minutes
- Asheville: 3 hours, 40 minutes
- Washington DC: 5 hours
Parking at PNC Arena
Parking fees vary from event to event, and prices listed below are for reference only and are subject to change.
What you do need to know is that PNC Arena is now cashless, including parking, and payment can be made via credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. So for all events it is encouraged to purchase your parking pass in advance.
You have the option at the time of your ticket purchase via Ticketmaster.com (excluding NC State men’s basketball games). Additionally, they now offer advance purchase using ParkWhiz. Guests needing accessible parking should display their placard to be visible to parking staff.
Carolina Hurricanes Parking
2023-24 Regular Season Parking Fees:
- General (cars and vans): $25 plus fees prepaid; $40 onsite
- Premier: $50 plus fees prepaid; $60 onsite
- Premier Gold: $60 plus fees prepaid; $70 onsite
- VIP: $70 plus fees prepaid; $80 onsite
- Limousines, buses, mini-buses and RVs: $70 plus fees prepaid; $80 onsite
Season Ticket Members can pre-purchase season parking passes. Contact your rep prior to the start of the season or playoffs for more information.
Reserved Parking Directions
VIP/Premier Gold/Premier Parking: Enter Westchase Blvd. Gate F or Trinity Rd. Gate D. Have your pass displayed from the rearview mirror or digital pass available for scanning on your device. All parking passes will be scanned by cashiers.
General Parking: Guests may enter Gates A, B, E, and F. Parking staff will direct vehicles to available parking spaces.
NC State Basketball Parking
Effective August 31, 2023:
- Cars and Vans General Parking: $15 / $20
- Limousines, buses, mini-buses, RVs: $35 / $40
- Lots open 2.5 hours prior to tip-off.
All Other Events
Effective August 31, 2023:
- Lots open 2.5 hours prior to the most events.
- Please visit the event page for specific pricing.
- Cars and Vans General Parking: $25-$30 / $40
- Limousine, Bus, Mini-Bus, and RV’s: $70/ $80
- Premier Parking – pre-purchase at ParkWhiz.com only.
Directions to PNC Arena Parking
General parking is located directly around PNC as well as Carter-Finley Stadium, consisting of 12 separate lots. Guests with General Parking passes will be directed to the closest available General Parking lot. Note: general parking lots are both paved and gravel lots.
Paved lots closer to the arena will fill up first, and it is recommended to arrive one hour prior to the start of the event to park in a paved space.
To enter the PNC parking lots from I-40 or Wade Avenue, exit Edwards Mill Road. Travel South to Edwards Mill Road. The main PNC Arena entrance is on your left.
General Parking: Guests may enter Gates A, B, E, and F. Parking staff will direct vehicles to available parking spaces. See parking map here.
Tailgating
This is the South, y’all, and tailgating on site is permitted. But please note that vehicles must occupy only one parking space.
All guests must follow approved Tailgating Procedures and not restrict access to adjacent parking spaces or roadways.
- Parking lot opening times vary based on the event.
- Personal grills are permitted in the parking lots only.
- The use of grills is prohibited on sidewalks, near buildings with or without canopies or in any area where guests or property may be damaged.
- Use of grills must follow Open Fires Prohibited guidelines.
- The igniting of fires* for any purpose whatsoever is prohibited on PNC Arena property.
Empty spaces may not be used for the purpose of tailgating or playing games, nor may guests reserve additional spaces for themselves or others, only one space per vehicle is allowed.
If you need more room for tailgating or will be tailgating with a group, while the single space per vehicle still applies, the Carter-Finley grass lots are your best option.
Food & Beverage
What I love about PNC Arena is their emphasis on local food and beverage, similar to how you’ll find lots of local establishments at RDU Airport.
With more than 50 food and beverage outlets they have most appetites covered, from fast grab and go to casual and fine dining, you will find a solid variety of food options.
Some of our local favorites you’ll find at the arena include:
- Gonza Tacos y Tequila
- The BBQ Lab
- The Optimist Coffee
- Two Roosters ice cream
- Lynwood Brewing
- See the full list here
Ledge Lounge
Carolina Hurricanes Premium Season Ticket Holders are invited to the Ledge Lounge when it opens two hours prior to game time. All other ticket holders with Club Level access are invited to join when the building opens one hour prior to game time.
Basketball: For ACC games & the ACC/Big 10 Challenge game, Wolfpack Club members with Lifetime Rights (LTRs) are invited to join the Ledge Lounge when it opens 90 minutes prior to game time.
All other ticket holders with Club Level access are invited to join us when the building opens one hour prior to game time.
Arena Club Restaurant
The Arena Club Restaurant is PNCs premier restaurant, providing a buffet dining experience including a soup and salad bar, carving station, buffet, and more, as well as side items all for one price.
Dining is offered during Carolina Hurricanes games, NC State men’s basketball ACC games, as well as select concerts and special events. Reservations recommended.
Seating at PNC Arena
As mentioned, seating capacity for concerts is 21,000, for Carolina Hurricanes hockey it is 18,176, and for NC State basketball it is 19,700 (including 3,000 courtside seats for NC State students).
Check out this seating chart for NC State Basketball games, and if you have accessibility needs check out the ADA guide here.
Suites
A private suite at PNC Arena is the perfect opportunity to entertain and impress in affordable luxury. Suites have excellent sightlines, private restrooms and premium staffing. In addition, their team can help you plan a catering menu to impress your guests.
You get VIP parking, a spacious floor plan and two flat-screen TVs to elevate your next VIP experience.
Suite rentals are available for groups of 10-44 for Carolina Hurricanes hockey season, NC State men’s basketball season and individual events based on availability.
Premium Suites
Club Ledge
Overlooking the arena floor and adjacent to the Arena Club Restaurant, the Club Ledge is located on the Club Level between sections 226-228 at the south end of PNC Arena.
Club Ledge is a great place before, during, or after the game or event. And with three 45″ flat-screen TVs centered in the middle of a spacious (140 linear foot) full-service bar you won’t miss any of the action, plus you get a spectacular live view of the event.
Club Suites
Located on the 2nd level (Club Level), Club Seat Holders enjoy amenities including comfortable seating, and access to the Buffalo Brothers Zone, the Arena Club Restaurant, and the Club Ledge.
On Ice and Center Ice Premier
Located along the first and second rows behind the glass, as well as the center three sections at the red line of the rink, On-Ice and Center-Ice Premier ticket holders have the chance to experience the thrill of the game at the heart of the arena bowl.
With access to Club Level concourse, the Arena Club, Club Ledge and the Buffalo Brothers Zone, these Premium clients are able to view the game from every angle! On Ice and Center Ice Premier seats are available for all Carolina Hurricanes games.
Lexus Champions Club
Located on the Club Level between sections 210-214 at the north end of PNC Arena, the Lexus Champions Club overlooks the arena floor. Accessible only to Lexus Champions Club ticket holders, guests are invited to enjoy the excitement, entertain, and relax in a private setting.
Loge Boxes
Think of a loge box as a hybrid between a suite and premium season tickets. A loge box at PNC gives you the exclusivity of a semi-private area with the ability to entertain in an all-inclusive environment to every event with four to eight of your guests.
Tickets to PNC Arena Events
The Ticket Office at PNC Arena is presented by Ticketmaster.com and is located on the south side of the venue, directly across from Carter-Finley Stadium.
Ticketmaster is the only authorized sales agent for tickets, other than the PNC Arena Ticket Office presented by Ticketmaster. All major credit cards are accepted online at Ticketmaster. A per-ticket convenience charge applies!
- All transactions at the Ticket Office are cashless.
- All tickets purchased at the ticket office will be delivered via mobile delivery.
- All tickets are mobile only using Ticketmaster SafeTix.
- Your ticket is sent straight to your mobile device.
- Locate your tickets in your Ticketmaster app or Caniac Account Manager
- Guests can transfer tickets to others in their party, but you will not be able to take a screenshot and forward to another guest.
- It is recommended to add your ticket(s) to your phone’s “wallet” and have a fully charged battery. You will simply tap and go at the gate.
- Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
- See upcoming games for the Carolina Hurricanes or call 1-800-NHL-CANES
REMEMBER:
- Print-at-home tickets will not be accepted and there is no will call available.
- Show your ticket to the ticket scanner, your barcode is scanned – and you’re in!
Bag Policy
Bag policies for Arena events (excluding hockey and basketball) are determined by the tour promoter and may vary by each event. Check the respective Event Page for details.
Carolina Hurricanes & NC State Bag Policy:
- Clutch/wristlet bags smaller than 4.5″ x 6.5″ are permitted; these are not required to enter via bag X-ray line.
- Parenting bags and medical bags are permitted and required to pass through X-ray machines prior to entry.
- Guests can expect longer wait times for bag lines.
- See bag policies here.
- See all other policies on what you can and can’t bring to the arena here.
Bars near PNC Arena
Backyard Bistro (closest)
Listen up, Carolina Hurricanes fans and NC State fans (and their opponents’ fans), Backyard Bistro is conveniently located just a short walk (10-minutes) from PNC Arena making it perfect for a pre or post-game drink and bite to eat.
- Address: 1235 Hurricane Alley Way, Raleigh
- Website: BackyardBistro.com
Brickhouse Sports Bar & Grille
A west Raleigh favorite and one of the best sports bars in Raleigh is Brickhouse located off Hillsborough Street (directly across from Meredith College) and relatively close to NC State and PNC Arena. Popular for NC State college games and Carolina Hurricanes fans. Oh, and during football season is the Ohio State Buckeye’s headquarters, and New England Patriots bar!
- Address: 3801 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
- Website: Brickhouse-nc.com
The Players Retreat
Located across from NC State University’s North Campus, the Players Retreat is a tradition with NC State students and alumni. If you can’t make it to Carter-Finley Stadium to cheer on the Wolfpack, join the pack fans here.
Established in 1951, it’s the oldest continuously operating tavern between Atlanta and Washington D.C., one of the storied sports bars in Raleigh and a true landmark in the city!
- Address: 105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
- Website: PlayersRetreat.com
Raleigh Brewing Company
Raleigh Brewing’s mission with every beer brewed is to embrace the City of Oaks (Raleigh), and from the murals of the capital city on the taproom walls, to their beer names and their involvement with local community organizations and nonprofits, this is what they do.
20+ beers on tap with a wide selection of styles. This brewery is very spacious, with a large outdoor patio area (often with a food truck), a nice casual atmosphere and is pet friendly.
- Address: 3709 Neil St, Raleigh
- Website: RaleighBrewing.com
For our complete list of favorite sports bars in the city, see our guide to 15 awesome sports bars in Raleigh. And if you love local breweries, see our guide to 20 local Raleigh breweries.
Restaurants near PNC Arena
The above-mentioned sports bars all sell quality bar food. As for restaurants, there’s nothing within walking distance of PNC but the below establishments are a relatively short drive away:
- Ole Time Barbecue (6 min drive)
- Gym Tacos (7 min drive)
- Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (8 min drive)
- Amedeo’s Italian (classic NC State joint – 9 min drive)
- Buffalo Brothers of Lake Boone (9 min drive)
- Mandolin (10 min drive)
- Village Draft House (12 min drive
- Gonza Tacos Y Tequila (12 min drive)
If you’re heading downtown, check out our list of our favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants we recommend to all first timers to Raleigh.
Hotels near PNC Arena
Need a place to stay close to the action at PNC, consider these lodging options:
- Four Points by Sheraton Raleigh Arena (2 min drive)
- Hyatt Place Raleigh Cary (5 min drive)
- Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh/Cary I-40 (PNC Arena) (7 min drive)
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle (8 min drive)
- The Mayton, Cary (10 min drive)
- Aloft, Raleigh (8 min drive
Read our complete guide to hotels in Raleigh near PNC Arena. For downtown Raleigh hotels check out this list. And for hotels near Raleigh Airport check these.
There you have it. Our guide to all things PNC Arena in Raleigh. I hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions or your own suggestions on attending this arena, please leave them in the comments section below. Go Canes and go Pack!
