The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544864
MAY/JUNE 2026 ■ 21 BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN hen the NC State m e n 's b a s k e t b a l l team hits the hard- wo o d i n s i d e t h e Lenovo Center later this year, there will be plenty of notice- able changes. Former Wolfpack point guard Justin Gainey has returned to lead his alma mater, and he'll have a new-look roster on the floor. But those aren't the only adjustments that fans will notice inside the Pack's home arena. The building is undergoing offseason renovations, expanding the side-court seating sections by removing 25 percent of the aisles in the lower level sidelines while adding around 200 new seats to the mix. "There's a new part of the basketball program with a new coach and players, and now there are new seats," Wolfpack Club Associate Executive Director Buzzy Correll said. "It's not a new arena, but it's going to seem new to a lot of people." Removing aisles is a trend that has taken the arena business by storm, with nearly every new building featuring larger seating sections to provide more premium options. The new approach can be seen at UBS Arena on Long Island, home of the NHL's New York Islanders, and at the In- tuit Dome, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Now, the Lenovo Center has joined the mix. As part of the renovation, sections that once had nine seats per row are be- ing expanded so that there will now be 20 on one side and 22 on the other, fi- nally providing an even number of seats on both sides. There will be a reseating process for those affected by the reno- vations during the men's basketball sea- son ticket renewal process. The Wolfpack Club and NC State Athletics have worked to place all life- time rights holders back in their previ- ous seats, an effort aimed at avoiding as much of a different look as possible. One exception is that if a fan chose an aisle seat, they had the option of maintaining an aisle, most likely moving them farther away from center court. "The staff's charge was to put people back as close to their seats as possible," Correll said. "We all thought it was really important that donors who chose an aisle seat when we opened had the opportunity to stay on an aisle." Comparable Seats The reseating process began in the mid- dle sections of the arena and progressed outward. NC State worked methodically in a row-by-row approach to focus on comparable seats that donors had pre- viously. The plan helped avoid a full re- seating process, but several lifetime rights holders were moved because they were set to be impacted by the change. Surveys were sent out to see what ticket holders preferred, either keeping their aisle seat or their court position. Which- ever preference was selected was the one the Wolfpack Club did its best to honor. It also kept those who had front- or back- row seats in the same part of the arena to maintain a comparable seating selection, even if their priority points were different than when they acquired those seats. "There's always a fear of change and how does this affect my seat?" Correll said. "Our goal was to maximize posi- tivity. We know not 100 percent of our donors will be happy with the seat as- signments they received, but hopefully they'll have the opportunity to change it and get a little better upgrade, or they'll realize it's not as bad on paper as what they thought." From now until July 1, season-ticket holders will have an opportunity to make slight adjustments to their seats, based on availability. They'll be able to slide within the assigned row or move up or down one row within their assigned section. If the initial reassignment moved a donor more than one row, they'll be able to adjust an equal number of rows. In the event that a donor wants to up- grade their lifetime seat selection, they will have that opportunity after the July 1 renewal deadline. NC State will know which of the seats weren't renewed and will open them up to donors who want to upgrade to a different part of the arena, though an increased annual scholarship donation level may be needed if moving up to better seats. Long-Term Benefits This reseating process for lifetime rights holders is the last time donors will be able to move their men's basketball season tickets for the next three seasons as a part of the Pack Forward seating ini- tiative. Football and women's basketball began using this approach over the past two seasons, while NC State Athletics and the Wolfpack Club were waiting for the Lenovo Center renovation before follow- ing suit. Instead of being able to change where lifetime-rights season tickets are located on a year-to-year basis, fans will have to wait until before the 2029-30 sea- son to do so after the current process con- cludes this summer. "It's a change for a lot of folks, but I think it's good for the long term of the Wolfpack Club," Correll said. "Once we get a few cycles down, I think everybody will understand how beneficial it is." In addition to the added seats within the side-court sections, the Lenovo Center priority lounges and concourse will have a new look for the upcoming season as a part of the renovation process. It might not be a new building, but NC State's home arena will certainly have a new feel going into the Justin Gainey era in Raleigh. ■ HOME IMPROVEMENT A Lenovo Center Renovation Project Brings Changes To NC State's Seating Plan The Lenovo Center has been the home to NC State's men's basketball program since 1999. It is currently being upgraded to improve the seating areas in the lower level. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS W