Parking, food options: Your guide to attending an event at PNC Arena

PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a popular venue that hosts hockey, concerts, comedians, monster truck shows, basketball and other events. Before you go to a major event at PNC Arena, you will likely be searching for food options, parking information and bag policies.

Our guide to PNC Arena will help you be ready to attend any event at this large venue.

What is PNC Arena's capacity?

PNC Arena can hold 18,600 fans for hockey games, 19,500 for basketball games and about 20,000 people for concerts.

PNC Arena is about 700,000 square feet. It has 61 suites, 13 luxury boxes and 2,000 club seats. There are three concourses and a 300-seat restaurant.

What was PNC Arena originally named?

PNC Arena is located at 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC. Construction began in July 1997 on the arena. It opened its doors in October 1999 as the Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena. The venue changed its name to the RBC Center after the RBC Bank acquired naming rights of the venue in 2002. That deal was for 20 years and cost RBC Bank $80 million.

When Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group completed its acquisition of RBC Bank, the arena's name changed again. It became PNC Arena in March 2012.

In 2023, Gale Force Holdings, which operates the arena and is the parent company to the Carolina Hurricanes, agreed to a new deal with PNC to extend the naming naming rights for an additional two years. No financial terms were disclosed.

The Centennial Authority owns the arena.

A lease agreement ties the Hurricanes to the arena through Sept. 30, 2029. Part of that agreement provides the Centennial Authority and NC State a flat fee for naming rights, regardless of how much the deal is worth or, even, if there was no naming rights sponsor.

The Centennial Authority receives about $1.7 million and NC State receives about $300,000 annually for naming rights.

There are plans to dramatically revamp Raleigh's PNC Arena. The renovations would include event space, upgrades on all seating levels and new-look food and beverage areas.

The renovation is expected to cost $300 million and is slated to begin in summer of 2025 and finish in 2027 or 2028. The Centennial Authority board has been considering renovations as far back as 2014.

What teams play at PNC Arena?

PNC Arena hosts NHL hockey and college basketball.

It is home to the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State University Men’s Basketball.

The Carolina Hurricanes play at the arena from September (pre-season games) through April.

N.C. State Men's Basketball games are hosted November through March at PNC Arena.

The venue has also hosted the NHL All-Star game, Stanley Cup playoff games, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) men's basketball tournament, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and the 2005 Jeopardy College Championship.

What other events does PNC Arena host?

PNC Arena regularly hosts major concerts, comedians and family-friendly events like "Disney on Ice." It has also hosted Monster Jam monster truck shows and the World's Toughest Rodeo.

There are four different seating levels at the arena, which has a capacity of up to 20,000 people.

PNC Arena parking

The amount of money you have to pay to park at PNC Arena varies by event. You can purchase parking on-site using a credit or debit card or by using Apple or Google Pay. PNC Arena is now a cashless venue.

You can purchase parking for PNC Arena in advance via ParkWhiz.com.

How much does it cost to park at PNC Arena for a Carolina Hurricanes game?

Parking lots open three hours early for regular season Hurricanes games. As of Aug. 31, 2023, ParkWhiz charges the following amounts for parking during a regular season game:

• Cars, vans and general parking: $25 in advance / $40 on-site day of
• Limousines, buses, mini-buses, RVs: $70 in advance / $80 on-site day of

How much does it cost to park at PNC Arena for N.C. State basketball games?

Lots open 2.5 hours before tip-off. As of Aug. 31, 2023, ParkWhiz charges the following amounts for parking for an N.C. State basketball game:

• Cars, vans and general parking: $15in advance / $20 on-site day of
• Limousines, buses, mini-buses, RVs: $35 in advance / $40 on-site day of

How much does it cost to park at PNC Arena for a concert?

Lots open 2.5 hours before most events. As of Aug. 31, 2023, ParkWhiz charges the following amounts for parking (see specific events for exact pricing):

• Cars, vans and general parking: $25-$30 in advance / $40 on-site day of
• Limousines, buses, mini-buses, RVs: $70 in advance / $80 on-site day of

Does is the PNC Arena bag policy?

PNC Arena has a bag policy for Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State games. Other event policies are determined by the tour promoter and may vary.

The Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State bag policy allows clutch or wristlet bags smaller than 4.5" x 6.5". Anyone with a bag that size or smaller will not have to enter the bag X-ray line. Diaper and medical bags are permitted, but you are required to pass them through the X-ray machine prior to entry.

What food does PNC Arena offer?

There are more than 50 food and beverage options at PNC Arena, including a variety of concession stands. Note that PNC Arena has gone cashless so you will need to pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Some highlights include:

• The BBQ Lab (Priority Lounges at Section 105 and 120)
• Chick-Fil-A (Section 120 and 325)
• Gonza Tacos y Tequila (Section 112 stand and Section 130 cart)
• The Optimist coffee cart (Section 105)
• Two Roosters ice cream (Section 116 stand and Section 110 cart)
• Shake Shack (Section 123 and a shake only cart near Section 332)
• Buena Papa gourmet French fries (Section 301)
• Buffalo Brothers (Sections 114 and 318)
• Primo Hoagies (Section 329)
• Sweet Carolina candy station (Section 105)
• PDQ (Section 130)
• North Carolina BBQ Company (Sections 107, 123, 305 and 326)
• Wicked Weed Brewing (Section 110)
• River's Edge Lodge - Deep River Brewing (Section 312)
• Game Day Marketplace (Section 126 and 314. Try the Cheerwine Slushies at Section 126)
• Sausage Stop (Sections 105, 120, and 306)
• Sinfully Sinnamon(Section 110 or 128)
• Twisted Waffle soft serve ice cream (Section 116)
• Nutty Bavarian (Sections 101, 116, or 316)
• The Carvery (Section 120)
• Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream (Sections 106, 120, 306, and 326)
• Raising the Steak (Section 123)

Does PNC Arena serve liquor?

Arena Club Restaurant stops serving when the event starts, the Ledge Lounge remains open to Premium Ticket Holders throughout the event with a full selection of beer, wine and liquor.

The venue also offers a variety of beer and wine.

Is PNC Arena the biggest venue in the state?

PNC Arena is about 700,000 square feet and can hold up to 20,000 people. It is the largest indoor venue in the Raleigh area but not in the state.

The Greensboro Coliseum, which about 90 minutes away from PNC Arena, has 22,000 seats and has hosted ACC and NCAA basketball tournaments in addition to major concerts.

The Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte has a similar capacity as PNC Arena. The venue hosts about 19,000 people for Charlotte Hornets NBA games and just over 20,000 for college basketball games. The venue has hosted the NBA All-Star game, the NCAA tournament, ACC men's basketball tournament and the Democratic National Convention.