Charlotte Arena Wins Raves as Tournament Site

Charlotte, N.C. — The ACC Tournament is in a new venue -- Charlotte Bobcats Arena -- and fans are giving it rave reviews.

Wolfpack fan Stacey Hope stayed true to his name. "It's an opportunity for everybody – no matter who you pull for – to come together here in Charlotte. So, it's great."

Charlotte Bobcats Arena is located right in downtown Charlotte.

Cheryl Raper likes the convenience. "At the old site, you had to get into a car and drive," she said. "It's nice. You can walk around the streets. Restaurants, hotels, everything is very convenient."

"I love this arena ... Anywhere you sit, it's a good seat," Wake Forest fan Debra Williams exclaimed.

With about 20,000 seats, the Charlotte venue is a bit smaller than previous ACC Tournament sites.

"Yeah, it's a little smaller," Bret Stock observed. "But it's a lot fuller than when the Bobcats play, that's for sure."

With one afternoon session in the books, the capacity hasn't been a problem. There were plenty of empty seats inside and plenty of tickets being sold outside the arena Thursday.

With all the people converging on downtown Charlotte, police are prepared to provide security, answer questions and offer directions to the visitors. Up to 10 officers on Segways will be on patrol in and around the arena throughout the weekend.

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I'm pretty sure the ACC has said they're not having the tournament in someone's home city, and I can't see especially them having it in Raleigh where a quarter of the conference is 30 minutes away at most. So they can build all the restaurants they want around the RBC Center, it won't get the ACC.

(That said, it is the sorriest arena I've been to, in terms of a social atmosphere.)

Mr. Iowa
March 14, 2008 9:54 a.m.

"The students are only welcoming if you're wearing Sperry's and a Member's Only jacket."

sperry's and a members only jacket?..seriously are you stuck in the 80's or something? but all in all you're right..i would much rather have to navigate through the bloods and crips than a bunch of....the horror....college students from an opposing school.

goheels_15
March 14, 2008 9:41 a.m.

Not sure if ncweddingdj.com really needed to add this bit while comparing Charlotte to Chapel Hill. Especially considering recent events.

"The hard thing is walking with your Uzi, spare clips, two grenades, while wearing a Kevlar vest and helmet. The couple of miles passes quickly. The students are welcoming....."

The students are only welcoming if you're wearing Sperry's and a Member's Only jacket.

Charlotte is by far the best place for the ACC Tournament. Tampa and DC are by far the worst.

concernedcitizennc
March 14, 2008 9:28 a.m.

APPMAN, I agree. If you are going to build an arena at least have some restaurants, bars, hotels or some kind of entertainment in walking distance. The RBC Center has been sitting there for years with no real development in the area at all. That's why the city of Raleigh lose tournaments like these and lose money. They might need to take a course in Sims 101 before they start building in cow pastures with no entertainment around.

Kane
March 14, 2008 8:36 a.m.

The RBC Center should have been built downtown instead of out in a cow pasture. Raleigh has never been as far sighted as Charlotte.